2015 mystery, second in its series. DI Edgar Stephens works
reluctantly with the magician Max Mephisto, this time on a case of
missing children.
There aren't the flashbacks of the first book here, because the
point of them was resolved, and I slightly felt their loss; but the
feeling of this book is less looking back to the war and more trying
to work out how the slightly seedy world of theatrical landladies and
proud class distinctions is going to survive in this strange new age
of television and other novelties. (Spoiler: it isn't.)
The mystery is important, but it seems that musings on the dark side
of fairy stories are more important; the actual solution to the
mystery is done almost in passing. That said, the story is swathed in
atmosphere as the snow falls over Brighton and pantomime season is in
full swing; at times it seems a pity when we have to cut back to
ongoing scenes of frustrating attempts at detection.
(Though if you have just worked out something you feel the police
should know, do just tell them rather than asking to meet someone
specific later.)