This is Gatiss' (Of League of Gentlemen fame) first novel, and it is to be hoped, the first in a series of Lucifer Box books. Box is the edwardian equivelent of James Bond, a spy for His majesties government.
The story is told in the first person, which allows Gatiss to be deliciously sordid and candid about his characters somewhat cold and calculating actions.
However we still warm to Box, dispite his almost hysterical vanity, and sexual depravity, (deeply reminiscent of American Psyco).
The writing is brilliant and convincingly enough Edwardian to the layman. It is also very textured in its writing, echoes of Wilde, almost certainly intentional.
The plot begins calmly, and clevery builds so that suddenly Gatiss has reached truly bondesque level of absurdity, but he surprisingly carries it. The end of the world is threatened, but the day saved... right down to the surprise yet formulaic assasination attempt at the end.
Its a joyous read and it is to be hoped there is more to come. While it complies strictly to the mould that has been laid down for these sorts of stories that is very much the point, formula is what its all about. There are alot of characters, and Gatiss is not afraid to have fun with the names, but he's most unsporting in offering any form of reminder as to who certain ones are when they re-appear later on.
I like the Idea of Joshua Reynolds being the M of his day and holding his meetings in a secret public toilet.
Brill, and to echo mr Fry, More, i want More...
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