That Darn Squid God [Paperback]

At first this story reads like a classic Victorian melodrama, rather reminiscent of a Sherlock Holmes tale. But within a page or so, it develops into a unique fantasy/comedy with a style of it's very own. The main characters are larger than life and brighter than technicolour. Professor Felix Einstein reads like an ageing Indiana Jones with less philanthropic tendencies. Einstein thinks nothing of breaking into the Vatican to steal an artifact or acquiring other priceless relics via less than reputable sources. Lord Carstairs is a boys-own hero. You can see his square jaw and stiff upper lip clearly between the lines of the story. The story is truly fantastic (in both senses). It is necessary to take a step out of reality and accept certain things as fact, especially when learning of the artifacts held in Professor Einstein's museum.

I found the whole novel utterly compelling. It was nigh on impossible to put the book down despite being in desperate need of sleep. In fact Steve (my husband) must have grown totally sick of me digging him in the ribs just to read another section from the story.

As an English woman I especially enjoyed the over-the-top characterizations of the Victorian gentry, in particular the Explorers Club's Ladies Auxiliary. This group of ladies show what makes an English gentlewoman - the ability to provide cups of tea, buttered crumpets and muffins whilst taking pot-shots at the enemy with an elephant gun and debating the various uses of barbed wire (don't ask me for more details - just read the book and you will understand).

All in all, this is a hell of a story."

It's a period piece that takes place during the era when the Sun Never Set on the British Empire; and Nick Pollotta and James Clay have done their homework. It all works, and works beautifully. (Although I'll admit I was mystified by the frequent references to "the Recent Troubles" until the very end.) I'm not going to say a word about the plot; I wouldn't want to spoil it for you.

But if you are fond of the old classics, if you like a humorous tale, well woven by competent hands, if you enjoy plot twists and unexpected turns, or if you just want to spend some hours immersed in a good romp through the British Empire, get this book. I don't think you'll be disappointed.