Something Nasty in the Woodshed: A Charlie Mortdecai Mystery

by Kyril Bonfiglioli

Book Overview

Featuring the Honorable Charlie Mortdecai--degenerate aristocrat, amoral art dealer, seasoned epicurean, unwilling assassin, and general knave-about-Piccadilly--Something Nasty In the Woodshed is,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585675644
• ISBN13: 9781585675647
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Bonfiglioli is an original

The third book in the Mortdecai trilogy doesn't disappoint. This book captures the originality of the first book and improves on the polish of the second. The book opens with a tour-guide style listing of the surroundings of Mortdecai's current environs (The Islands, The People, The Fauna, The Flora, etc.) before launching into a bizarre tale of rape, mysticism, and, of course, C. Mortdecai's appetites. In these novels, the plot isn't centrally important - it's the journey that counts. The standard cast of characters is here and Charlie seems to have settled into the contentment of married life. As in the first book of the series, the ending sees Bonfiglioli mercilessly hammer his characters and they all sport mental or physical wounds of varying severity. For my taste, this adds to the story with the bittersweet ending giving the characters depth not often seen in a light hearted romp. I wish Bonfiglioli had written much more.

An literary gourmet's delight

Kyril Bonfiglioli knows how to mix a perfect cocktail of a book like no other. While others may sacrifice one quality for the sake of privaledging another, with the result of overwelming dryness or uninspiring wetness (lacrymose), Bonfiglioli knows how to stir up all the ingredients (a nice bit of brutality here, a sardonic observation there, a bit of satire elsewhere, and just a rumor of pathos) with the result of something of overall satisfaction and with the miracle of the individual flavors not being lost. His hero, the Hon. Charlie Mortdecai, I would rank even over the immortal Flashman for candid, rakish charm, and for a easy offhand (and yet pointed) manner of wit that would not have embarrassed you know who.

bloody fantastic

Why Kyril Bonfiglioli is not regarded as one of our best novelists is unbeleivalbe.I can only put it down to lack of exposure.The man can make you laugh and cry on the same page.I cannot reccomend him highly enough...... Everybody must read the Mordecai books NOW

A deceptively light hearted examination of trust & betryal

by R.W.Fisher Don't be fooled by Kyril Bonfiglioli's light hearted narrative style. This novel is actually a look at betrayed trust in human personal and societal relationships which are examined by neatly and subtly weaving in religion and superstition. An ostensible parody of the English Satanic thriller, SOMETHING NASTY IN THE WOODSHED has an ending more horrible and soul upsetting than any gothic confection. This is a wonderful satire by a person who knows how to use language for maximum humourous effect. One doesn't realize until after a second reading just how deep beneath surface mores Bonfiglioli has gone.