Tall, rake-thin and copiously moustachioed with a high, piping voice, Henry St Liver is at first glance not an impressive specimen. But the moment he is confronted with a mystery to solve ? one with a risqué element ? he is transformed into a positive genius of detection and decision. In this first collection, he and his assistant Olive Salter solve cases that have baffled Scotland Yard. This is an immensely skilful, enjoyable, erudite and eccentric book that will appeal to the many fans of the Victorian detective genre. AUTHOR Gary Dexter is a columnist for the Guardian, The Times and the Spectator. His first book WHY NOT CATCH 21? was first published in 2007 and widely praised. SELLING POINTS ?Gary Dexter's reputation is growing following reception of WHY NOT CATCH 21? ?These are sweet, funny, compelling mysteries with a broad appeal ?Light, easy-to-read style belies immense erudition: Dexter is a bona fide expert in Victorian attitudes to sex ?Comp titles: Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders by Gyles Brandret REVIEWS ?A warm and cleverly observed pastiche of the Victorian detective genre?the satire is fuelled by affection rather than by disdain' SPECTATOR ?Dexter proves a master, treading the fine line between good humour and bad taste with the greatest of sleaze... [This] will be enjoyed by those who loved Spike Milligan's serial The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town, Michael Palin and Terry Jones's Ripping Yarns or the cartoons of Glen Baxter.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH ?So well written that the parody never gets in the way of the expertly woven yarns. The language is precise, witty and an excellent homage to the period.' THE CHAP ?Genius? Gary Dexter is Britain's best parodist' ? Michael Bywater, author of Lost Worlds ?A balls-achingly funny writer' ? Rowan Pelling, columnist, INDEPENDENT *
