Orange Crush (novel)

Orange Crush
Author(s)	Tim Dorsey
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Crime novel
Publisher	William Morrow
Publication date	July 2001
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	292 pp
ISBN	0-06-018577-5
OCLC Number	45700678
Dewey Decimal	813/.54 21
LC Classification	PS3554.O719 O73 2001
Preceded by	Hammerhead Ranch Motel
Followed by	Triggerfish Twist

Orange Crush is Tim Dorsey's third novel, and the first not to star Serge A. Storms as the main character. It is a frequently dark spoof of the politics of Florida and the United States' involvement in the Balkans.

Plot summary

Marlon Conrad, a spoiled "rich kid", enters the political arena in a career carefully managed by his wealthy father. He becomes the lieutenant governor of Florida, a plush job he can exploit mercilessly. When the elected governor dies in a plane crash, however, Marlon automatically assumes the office. Marlon is apathetic and corrupt, riding in the pockets of special interest groups. During his tenure, he is suddenly recruited into active duty during the Kosovo War and a bureaucratic tangle prevents him from ducking his responsibility as expected. His experiences in the military change his outlook, his fundamental character, and even his political views. He returns to Florida, determined to make a difference in the state. But first, Marlon faces a reelection battle against dim-witted Democratic candidate Gomer Tatum, the state House Speaker.

Serge Storms, Dorsey's main character, appears in Orange Crush, but in a relatively small part compared to the other novels in the series.