What do you think?
Rate this book
Key West #16
Key West Normal
So what, exactly, is Key West Normal?Well, Key West Normal is when two friends in need of a place to live drag away an abandoned hot dog truck in the middle of the night…But an insomniac New Yorker has got himself trapped inside it while searching for his neurotic cat…And the truck is the secret hub of a global smuggling operation and holds a stash worth millions… But the tough guy sent to recover the fortune is way more interested in being reunited with his one true love.Most of all, though, Key West Normal is when none of the above seems at all improbable. It’s just the way things are. Or at least how they are in the funky, funny, palm-shaded, all-accepting town at the end of the road.And when it falls to the unlikeliest pair of heroes—a homeless man named Pineapple and an ancient Mafioso known as Bert the Shirt—to sort through all the many twists and turns and save the day, well, that’s Key West Normal to the max.Full of tropical sunshine and crackling dialogue, loopy wisdom and touching revelations from characters you’ll root for, this feel-good novel will lift you like an ocean wave and remind you how good it feels to forget your worries and laugh out loud.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2021
167 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Laurence Shames
40 books238 followersLaurence Shames has been a New York City taxi driver, lounge singer, furniture mover, lifeguard, dishwasher, gym teacher, and shoe salesman. Having failed to distinguish himself in any of those professions, he turned to writing full-time in 1976 and has not done an honest day’s work since.
His basic laziness notwithstanding, Shames has published more than twenty books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. Best known for his critically acclaimed series of Key West Capers--14 titles and counting!--he has also authored non-fiction and enjoyed considerable though largely secret success as a collaborator and ghostwriter. Shames has penned four New York Times bestsellers. These have appeared on four different lists, under four different names, none of them his own. This might be a record.
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951, to chain-smoking parents of modest means but flamboyant emotions, Shames did not know Philip Roth, Paul Simon, Queen Latifa, Shaquille O’Neal, or any of the other really cool people who have come from his hometown. He graduated summa cum laude from NYU in 1972 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a side note, both his alma mater and honorary society have been extraordinarily adept at tracking his many address changes through the decades, in spite of the fact that he’s never sent them one red cent, and never will.
It was on an Italian beach in the summer of 1970 that Shames first heard the sacred call of the writer’s vocation. Lonely and poor, hungry and thirsty, he’d wandered into a seaside trattoria, where he noticed a couple tucking into a big platter of fritto misto. The man was nothing much to look at but the woman was really beautiful. She was perfectly tan and had a very fine-gauge gold chain looped around her bare tummy. The couple was sharing a liter of white wine; condensation beaded the carafe. Eye contact was made; the couple turned out to be Americans. The man wiped olive oil from his rather sensual lips and introduced himself as a writer. Shames knew in that moment that he would be one too.
He began writing stories and longer things he thought of as novels. He couldn’t sell them.
By 1979 he’d somehow become a journalist and was soon publishing in top-shelf magazines like Playboy, Outside, Saturday Review, and Vanity Fair. (This transition entailed some lucky breaks, but is not as vivid a tale as the fritto misto bit, so we’ll just sort of gloss over it.) In 1982, Shames was named Ethics columnist of Esquire, and also made a contributing editor to that magazine.
By 1986 he was writing non-fiction books. The critical, if not the commercial, success of these first established Shames’ credentials as a collaborator/ghostwriter. His 1991 national bestseller, Boss of Bosses, written with two FBI agents, got him thinking about the Mafia. It also bought him a ticket out of New York and a sweet little house in Key West, where he finally got back to Plan A: writing novels. Given his then-current preoccupations, the novels naturally featured palm trees, high humidity, dogs in sunglasses, and New York mobsters blundering through a town where people were too laid back to be afraid of them. But this part of the story is best told with reference to the books themselves, so please spend some time and explore them.
His basic laziness notwithstanding, Shames has published more than twenty books and hundreds of magazine articles and essays. Best known for his critically acclaimed series of Key West Capers--14 titles and counting!--he has also authored non-fiction and enjoyed considerable though largely secret success as a collaborator and ghostwriter. Shames has penned four New York Times bestsellers. These have appeared on four different lists, under four different names, none of them his own. This might be a record.
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1951, to chain-smoking parents of modest means but flamboyant emotions, Shames did not know Philip Roth, Paul Simon, Queen Latifa, Shaquille O’Neal, or any of the other really cool people who have come from his hometown. He graduated summa cum laude from NYU in 1972 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. As a side note, both his alma mater and honorary society have been extraordinarily adept at tracking his many address changes through the decades, in spite of the fact that he’s never sent them one red cent, and never will.
It was on an Italian beach in the summer of 1970 that Shames first heard the sacred call of the writer’s vocation. Lonely and poor, hungry and thirsty, he’d wandered into a seaside trattoria, where he noticed a couple tucking into a big platter of fritto misto. The man was nothing much to look at but the woman was really beautiful. She was perfectly tan and had a very fine-gauge gold chain looped around her bare tummy. The couple was sharing a liter of white wine; condensation beaded the carafe. Eye contact was made; the couple turned out to be Americans. The man wiped olive oil from his rather sensual lips and introduced himself as a writer. Shames knew in that moment that he would be one too.
He began writing stories and longer things he thought of as novels. He couldn’t sell them.
By 1979 he’d somehow become a journalist and was soon publishing in top-shelf magazines like Playboy, Outside, Saturday Review, and Vanity Fair. (This transition entailed some lucky breaks, but is not as vivid a tale as the fritto misto bit, so we’ll just sort of gloss over it.) In 1982, Shames was named Ethics columnist of Esquire, and also made a contributing editor to that magazine.
By 1986 he was writing non-fiction books. The critical, if not the commercial, success of these first established Shames’ credentials as a collaborator/ghostwriter. His 1991 national bestseller, Boss of Bosses, written with two FBI agents, got him thinking about the Mafia. It also bought him a ticket out of New York and a sweet little house in Key West, where he finally got back to Plan A: writing novels. Given his then-current preoccupations, the novels naturally featured palm trees, high humidity, dogs in sunglasses, and New York mobsters blundering through a town where people were too laid back to be afraid of them. But this part of the story is best told with reference to the books themselves, so please spend some time and explore them.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 17, 2021
This book is pure enjoyment! The characters are adorable; the story is fun, humorous, and optimistic. By the epilogue, you can't help but wonder, does life need to be so complicated, or is it us who make it such? We should at least consider making it simpler and more enjoyable, as some of those folks in Key West do :)
I've listened to it on Audible - Mr. Shames narration seems monotonous at first, but when you get used to it, you realize it is actually very fitting and comforting, and some of the characters sound so realistic!
All in all, this book is a great one to relax to and under its humorous surface contains some good nuggets of wisdom.
P.S. A while ago I've read Laurens Shames' first book in his Key West series, "Florida Straits", and it's great, too.
I've listened to it on Audible - Mr. Shames narration seems monotonous at first, but when you get used to it, you realize it is actually very fitting and comforting, and some of the characters sound so realistic!
All in all, this book is a great one to relax to and under its humorous surface contains some good nuggets of wisdom.
P.S. A while ago I've read Laurens Shames' first book in his Key West series, "Florida Straits", and it's great, too.
February 23, 2022
I love all of Shames' books set in Key West. He has a rare talent of weaving drama and humor together with writing that's flowing, colorful and fun. Plots are rather silly (albeit by design), but well-crafted, suspenseful and entirely engaging. His stories are so well written and so much fun to read, it's almost like not reading. At least, I can't think of any other books I've read that are so enjoyable, entertaining and farcical while being so masterfully penned. The characters are exceptionally well developed... quirky at times but entirely human and easy to relate to. Key West Normal is as good as all the others, if you've had the pleasure of reading any of them. Just fun, pure fun.
December 1, 2021
Hot Dogs and Cool Cats
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Mr Shames’ Key West adventures, and this latest entry was no exception. I also love, in no particular order, the Keys, cats, and hot dogs—all three of which are present in varying degrees in Key West Normal. An easy, humorous read you will not want to end. Kick back and enjoy.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Mr Shames’ Key West adventures, and this latest entry was no exception. I also love, in no particular order, the Keys, cats, and hot dogs—all three of which are present in varying degrees in Key West Normal. An easy, humorous read you will not want to end. Kick back and enjoy.
August 19, 2022
It is always fun to visit Laurence Shames" Key West. You will find plenty of interesting characters involved in plots that could happen no where else. This one involves a hot dog food truck, two homeless men, the mafia, a cat, a couple of normal citizens and a cat. And of course, Bert the Shirt and his chihuahua.
Mix it all together and you read with a smile on your face and finish with a light heart.
Mix it all together and you read with a smile on your face and finish with a light heart.
February 4, 2023
Entertaining as usual with Mr. Shames
After reading all of the Key West capers Key West Normal was even more so Key West true. Pineapple felt so human and his personality and thoughts added another dimension to the tried and true Bert. In every caper Mr. Shames portrays Key West as if you're there. Walking down Duval, Front Street, Harborwalk , Roosevelt or any of the many side streets and just feeling happy.
After reading all of the Key West capers Key West Normal was even more so Key West true. Pineapple felt so human and his personality and thoughts added another dimension to the tried and true Bert. In every caper Mr. Shames portrays Key West as if you're there. Walking down Duval, Front Street, Harborwalk , Roosevelt or any of the many side streets and just feeling happy.
October 2, 2025
Shames is a genius at building characters that are relatable, likeable, and flawed, but who usually do the right thing in the end. That is usually with the help of Bert the Shirt, retired mob guy, and his little Chihuahua, Nacho. The Key West Dynamic Duo. I have loved, loved, loved, every one of Shame's Key West Capers books. They are all stand alone. No need to read them in order. But I guarantee that you will enjoy any one them that you pick up.
November 16, 2021
Another Delightful and Incisive Hit
After these many months of partial isolation, Mr. Shames brings back my laughter and hope feeling sunny, warm and curious about life reblooming. I will make the world better in every loving way I can. Thank you friend, from the bottom of my heart.
After these many months of partial isolation, Mr. Shames brings back my laughter and hope feeling sunny, warm and curious about life reblooming. I will make the world better in every loving way I can. Thank you friend, from the bottom of my heart.
March 11, 2023
not all that Glitters is gravel
I miss hearing from Nacho, but Bert is as wise as ever. I’ll have to re-read some older “Capers”, to notice if the “dense straight man” is always named Peter. Not important, just wondering, which as Piney say is a good thing to do. I’m a big fan of Mr. Shames. And so fond of Bert the Shirt and Nacho.
I miss hearing from Nacho, but Bert is as wise as ever. I’ll have to re-read some older “Capers”, to notice if the “dense straight man” is always named Peter. Not important, just wondering, which as Piney say is a good thing to do. I’m a big fan of Mr. Shames. And so fond of Bert the Shirt and Nacho.
November 22, 2021
I liked it
A nice story with well developed and likeable characters and very, very well written. It 's a great series. I hope there will be more. I keep worrying about Bert's health. :-)
A nice story with well developed and likeable characters and very, very well written. It 's a great series. I hope there will be more. I keep worrying about Bert's health. :-)
November 30, 2021
Welcome back old friends
I love to see how Bert and Nacho are going to save the day in Larry Shames’ capers. The word play just gets better and better; and reading Key West Normal, I found myself laughing out loud.
I love to see how Bert and Nacho are going to save the day in Larry Shames’ capers. The word play just gets better and better; and reading Key West Normal, I found myself laughing out loud.
December 10, 2021
Loved it
This is classic Shames and takes me back to his early books that hooked me when I first started reading him in the 90s. He is one of my favourite writers and I was so thrilled to find this book. I devoured it and now wait happily for the next one from him.
This is classic Shames and takes me back to his early books that hooked me when I first started reading him in the 90s. He is one of my favourite writers and I was so thrilled to find this book. I devoured it and now wait happily for the next one from him.
January 31, 2022
Fun book, light, and on Audible the first in the series voiced by the author - very well! Bert the Shirt, still hanging in there in his old age, is featured, always a treat in a Key West capers title. Great pandemic read.
February 5, 2023
Another excellent book in the series.
Lite entertaining mini mysteries with whacky characters and each of the 16 books take place in Key West.
Start with the first book in the series, and you will have a great series of books to enjoy.
Lite entertaining mini mysteries with whacky characters and each of the 16 books take place in Key West.
Start with the first book in the series, and you will have a great series of books to enjoy.
July 3, 2023
Very good
What a story was every quick book and lots of questions answered yet finally the mob leaves key West to those that really understand the weirdness. Glad Bert and nacho found another way to save the day..ciao from Costa Rica...
What a story was every quick book and lots of questions answered yet finally the mob leaves key West to those that really understand the weirdness. Glad Bert and nacho found another way to save the day..ciao from Costa Rica...
August 19, 2023
I’ve read a lot of Key West based mysteries and thrillers with a lot of great characters and heroes, but I’d have to say Bert the Shirt and his dog Nacho are the coolest. Never the lead character, Bert’s street smarts and old-age wisdom always saves the day. This series is great fun!
November 29, 2023
fun reads
Captures the absurdity of island life and the characters it attracts. Mafia, Russian oligarchs, real estate scammers, money launders, bit coin shysters. Hippies, mid west retirees, parrot heads, vagrants ; you get the idea
Captures the absurdity of island life and the characters it attracts. Mafia, Russian oligarchs, real estate scammers, money launders, bit coin shysters. Hippies, mid west retirees, parrot heads, vagrants ; you get the idea
May 7, 2024
Yes to sweetness
This book starring Fred, Pineapple, Meg, Peter and of course Bert is spot on sweetness. Thanks Mr. Shames for another good read.
P.S. could use some proofreading editing.
This book starring Fred, Pineapple, Meg, Peter and of course Bert is spot on sweetness. Thanks Mr. Shames for another good read.
P.S. could use some proofreading editing.
November 14, 2021
I love this series, ea book is a special treat….read a few serious novels…take a break and have fun reading one from this series. Mr Shames does a fine job
November 17, 2021
I wait for another, just knowin' there "might" be another....
Kudos, Mr Shames...
May you live long and prosper so's I can have another
Fun read
A New York fan in Arizona.
Kudos, Mr Shames...
May you live long and prosper so's I can have another
Fun read
A New York fan in Arizona.
November 21, 2021
Great Story
Flash back origin to Fred and Line's Hot Dog. Bert is always amazing as the kind Don of Key West.
Flash back origin to Fred and Line's Hot Dog. Bert is always amazing as the kind Don of Key West.
December 14, 2021
Key West Capers Are The Best
Laurence Shames does it again! Bert the Shirt and Nacho to the rescue. It’s a hot dog of a tale that’s a perfect compliment to the series.
Laurence Shames does it again! Bert the Shirt and Nacho to the rescue. It’s a hot dog of a tale that’s a perfect compliment to the series.
December 21, 2021
Very entertaining
This is one of many books on "Key West Capers" and I've read them all! I feel like I've been to Key West and had a beer with Bert The Shirt!
This is one of many books on "Key West Capers" and I've read them all! I feel like I've been to Key West and had a beer with Bert The Shirt!
January 31, 2022
Funky Key West characters
May 30, 2022
Delightful read
A little humor, a little suspense, a lot of great characters. Bert the Shirt is always entertaining. Laurence does it again!
A little humor, a little suspense, a lot of great characters. Bert the Shirt is always entertaining. Laurence does it again!
June 3, 2022
Keep them coming - great stories, well read
August 6, 2022
Key West Normal is a fun little romp with likable characters. Bert the Shirt remains a wonderful creation. 3 stars of satisfying light reading.
January 18, 2024
Demented, yet wholesome. Frantic, yet languorous. Not mentally taxing whatsoever. A great read for a vacation or a sick day (in my case, both).
April 23, 2024
A fairly enjoyable plot, for a quick read. Characters were interesting.
July 16, 2024
Burt the Shirt. Nacho. Fred & Pineapple. A missing package. A hot-dog-mobile. Does it get any better? The only complaint I have is that there aren’t half a gazillion books in this series.
August 2, 2025
Hilarious. Easy, relaxing read; another fun one in his Key West series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews