One of only three novels published in Kyril Bonfiglioli’s lifetime, this features the colourful character of Charlie Mortdecai, who is to the author somewhat similar to what James Bond was to Ian Fleming. Mortdecai describes himself as “a portly, dissolute, immoral and middle-aged art dealer”, probable thief and smuggler whose bacon is regularly saved by his lumbering ex-con babysitter, Jock. A dandy, gloriously living the high life as funded by some “creative” art dealing, he is the son of a peer and a shamelessly self-interested survivor with an elastic code of gentlemanly conduct that determines that a sense of style in all situations is essential. Mortdecai’s nemesis is Martland, a policeman of questionable methods, whose masterful use of jump leads as interrogation tools brings tears to the eye. The plot is full of hugely entertaining digressions, but it’s a hoot.
