This tale of derring-do is narrated by
Lucifer Box – artist of repute, well known dandy about late Victorian / early
Edwardian London, and less well known secret agent of HMG, reporting to head of
service, one Joshua Reynolds RA.
His new assignment is to investigate the
deaths on consecutive days of two eminent scientists in Naples, which were swiftly
followed by the demise of the local British diplomat, Jocelyn Poop.
A trip to Naples for Box then, but before he
can set off other distractions crop up: the delightful Miss Bella Pok who comes
for art lessons but seems interested in more; the disappearance of Mrs
Midsummer Knight in which a friend is implicated; and the strange goings-on at
Tom Bowler & Co, purveyor of superior funerals, that involve unorthodox
practices that threaten to provide additional custom.
Notwithstanding those distractions, Box
finally gets to Naples and discovers, mainly through the obliging (in more ways
than one) Charlie Jackpot, vital clues that lead to the mysterious and
exclusive Vesuvius Club. The club resembles a circle within Dante’s vision of
hell with all types of debauchery and excess on display but, behind and below
this show, even worse is being planned, constructed and set in motion. Box’s
ingenuity, cool head and strong thighs will be needed to prevent death and
destruction.
Gatiss was of course instrumental in the
creation of the cult TV series “The League of Gentlemen” and has put his
talents to use in this self-confessed ‘bit of fluff’. It reads as a cross
between Rider Haggard and Terry Pratchett – a fiendish plot with villains and
heroes (equipped with outlandish names) peppered with witty asides and naughty
nuances.
A diverting bit of fluff, just right for that
flight or train journey.
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