Customer Reviews

The Devil in Amber: A Lucifer Box Novel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Clinging to the back of car with the wind whipping through his hair, Lucifer Box returns with relish in The Devil in Amber, the second Lucifer Box novel by British writer and producer Mark Gatiss. Never one to downplay his best features or feats of wonder and derring-do, Lucifer lunges into his latest tale years, a continent away, and an entire war after his last adventure. Things at the Royal Academy of Arts have changed--head of office Joshua Reynolds is long retired and expired, his nomenclature a title of position as much as a cover for his real identity; a new Joshua Reynolds has replaced the role of a much beloved boss and bathroom-stall-occupier. Gone are the quaint quirks of the pre-war RA, taken over by starcher standards and the fresh, young blood of Percy--Perce--Flarge. Everything is rubbing Lucifer the wrong way and for a man quite accustomed to his carnal and material luxuries, this simply cannot continue.

The newest incarnation of Joshua Reynolds is a no-nonsense type of man with little to no sense of humor, a penchant for the fast-paced post-war society and lifestyle, and an intense dislike for all things archaic and out-dated--Lucifer Box included. With this roadblock to navigate around, Lucifer finds himself faced with what could be--if JR has his way--his last (most secret) mission under His Majesty's Government. Fresh off his latest kill, Lucifer is sitting on what he believes to be a vital piece of evidence his young, upstart rival missed upon searching the body. With no intentions to make this public (i.e. tell JR and risk losing his trump card), Lucifer keeps the scrap to himself and listens as Joshua explains his latest job: an organization called F.A.U.S.T (Fascist Anglo-United States Tribune) spear-headed by Olympus Mons is rumored to be stirring up Fascist sympathizers on both sides of the pond. The RA needs an extra pair of eyes to investigate matters; JR grudgingly extends the position to Lucifer and passes on the scheduled meeting place of a disillusioned deserter willing to talk and share all information F.A.U.S.T.

Like The Vesuvius Club, Gatiss' second installment of the Lucifer Box trilogy is witty, elegant, mysterious, dark, and above all, entertaining like you wouldn't believe. It follows a formula similar to its predecessor with all roads inevitably leading to the thunderous and frightening climax rife with drugs, sex, cult followers, the supernatural, evil beyond measure, and communion wafers. The plot unfolds marvelously to reveal a lot of wicked double-crossings, unexpected encounters, surprising revelations, and an astounding array of puns. As we follow Lucifer, hot on the trail of an American drug cartel, there is yet another mysterious and irresistible damsel to pursue, a mountain to climb (mountain, volcano--same thing), and a bit more heart as Lucifer has more than just his reputation on the line. His sister, Pandora, plays a leading role opposite her brother and with this stroll into his past, the evasive Lucifer gains a bit more dimension.

I enjoyed The Devil in Amber more than The Vesuvius Club for a couple of reasons. Lucifer, in his middle age, has developed a bit of an emotional attachment to several people. The superficial (albeit lovable) rogue invites the reader into his psyche for some memorable (but brief), touching, and very human moments. Some of which are when we learn (through Lucifer) the fate of fellows like Christopher Miracle, the former Joshua Reynolds, and Charlie Jackpot. The added drama of Lucifer's threatened standing within the RA made me root for him and all his silliness against the roaring upstarts of Percy and the new JR.

This second installment seems to prepare us for what will be the third and last (unfortunately) Lucifer Box novel. The Devil in Amber is our warning shot with cautionary dramatic interludes that must inevitably prepare us to say goodbye to our well-dressed and well-groomed portraitist. Even portraiture is in danger of disappearing! But before I dissolve into a puddle of despair I need to remind myself that this isn't the end just yet. The Black Butterfly is still on my shelf and next in line to read. Lucifer is a constant performer, a lethal and handsome combination that I'm sure will make for an explosive finale--or at least, a devilishly good-looking one. I whole-heartedly recommend this one!!

"Devil in Amber" is a "boys own ripping tails" of a metro-sexual spy yarn. Lush with detail, the prose reminds you of a set dresser for the "Poirot" series on "Mystery!" with art deco detail in each paragraph.

And hero Lucifer Box does jump on every Page.

The aptly named Box is always probing while he slams into this meaty tail, heading off and rogering in on exotic danger as he leaves a trail of tears in pillows when he gives `em the bum's rush. There is pan-Atlantic conspiracy between the occult and Fascists, and there is so much aesthetic detail to describe we are almost left breathless sucking every drop in. But Box is is never one to Miss Adventure, and he sheathes his sword long enough to globe hop, but always manages to catch someBODY's violet or green eyes or notice their jawline.

Critic and author Stephen Fry cries for more, and while there are plenty of hard passages, nothing is boiled except boiling over passion. As in passion fruit.

I enjoyed it okay, but it the joke got tired after a while.

This sequel to the Vesuvius Club is almost a 4* book but not quite. And that seems to be the running theme with this book, it's almost a great read but not quite, the thrills are there but they're not quite thrilling.

Sometimes the laughs appear to be more forced than real but some moments shine through and are quite touching. Yes he's a cad and will do anything to get the job done or get his end away but at the same time the lonliness of his situation is quite touching.

Fun but nothing great.

I loved the Vesuvius Club, however, I thought that objectively, the Devil in Amber was a much stronger piece of writing. The story held together well, the humor was still fresh, and I liked that Lucifer Box was given some human frailties.

However, I must strongly protest the treatment of Charlie Jackpot. I'll not spoil it for those who haven't read the book yet, but Mr. Gatiss, I'm ever so disappointed.

That being said, it really is a top notch story, and well worth the price of admission.

Enthusiastically bisexual British spy takes on fascists and Satan on two continents in the 20s. There's some amusing repartee and the author spends admirable detail on a number of thrilling action set pieces. Unfortunately, the excess of grotesque female characters does distract from some of the fun.

Welcome to the wonderfully twisted world of bi-sexual secret agent Lucifer Box, who we first met in the deliciously droll "The Vesuvius Club."

Mark Gatiss starts his books off in the established fashion of the murder mystery. However, they soon drift into Ian Fleming territory, with the villains and situations becoming increasingly preposterous as the stories progress, sliding headlong into the supernatural, science fiction or the down-right bizarre. In this new book fascists have found a way to unbind the devil in the misguided belief that he'll grant them dominion over the Earth. Box must save the day.

What differentiates these novels is the uniquely absurd sensibility of their author (a frequent contributor to the world of "Dr. Who" - writing both series episodes and novels). Lucifer Box is a marvelous creation, and Gatiss obviously revels in his characters adventures and exploits, which are detailed and punctuated with wry, often sexual humor. Additionally, the author delights us with a cast of supporting players with names such as Jocelyn Poop, Everard Supple, Bella Pok, Pandora Box, Sal Volatile, Olympus Mons and Charlie Jackpot. However, as full of fun as both books are, they are models of suspense and mystery.

If I liked the first book more, it is for one reason only - I love that it was set in the Edwardian era. This second book is set in the late 1920's, and the third book, "Clawhammer" (which is to be published in February), is set in the 1950's - I can't wait!

The Vesuvius Club was very entertaining. Definitely a rapid, four-star read. By comparison, The Devil in Amber's tiresome plot was so disappointing that I couldn't finish reading it and tossed it into the waste bin. Lucifer Box - RIP. You were a one-hit wonder.

I really enjoyed this book. It's kind of like a way extravagant James Bond, with a little supernatural thrown in.

As it said in some other reviews, the first book was entertaining, the second is disappointing ... Lucifer Box lost all of his charm, wit and elegance: he makes implausible connections between events (for example, why one would think that an embroidered picture of an animal on a man's handkerchief and the word 'Lamb' said by a completely unrelated person have anything to do with one another?), keeps hiding in places where he remains undiscovered only due to his pursuers' temporary loss of clarity, and overall he seems to be succeeding not because but in spite of his own efforts. His victories over his own and the opposite sexes are also unconvincing, and scenes of seduction are very cliche. I haven't finished reading the book, and probably never will.

In the 1920s His Majesty's Secret Service Agent Lucifer Box has a license to kill; he does just that when he shoots obese drug lord Hubbard the Cupboard partially for being an American though his foe does cut him with a razor. However, just after the blood flows, Lucifer's younger Secret service rival Percy Flarge arrives on the scene, as always too late to matter. Percy takes a silk handkerchief from Hubbard to stop the bleeding.

Lucifer takes a sexual aside from saving the world while he waits for his next killing assignment. Joshua "the dwarf" Reynolds informs Lucifer he is to observe The Fascist Anglo-United States Trinity (F.A.U.S.T.) as they anticipate something big occurring from this devilish pact specifically the "Amber Shirts" demonized group led by Olympus Mons, who promotes the end of democracy because it is too ineffective, inefficient and takes away from his power. Lucifer hates the assignment because his sister Pandora is a bon Mons follower. As Box is boxed in upstate New York by snow and a murder accusation, Lucifer knows he must flee the States because whatever Mons and Amber Shirts plan it will occur in England as Olympus and Pandora sail on the luxury liner Stiffkey.

Nothing is sacred as Mark Gatiss puns politics, democracy, espionage, history, the paranormal and religion with this humorous lampoon sequel (see THE VESUVIUS CLUB). The story line is fast-paced and enhanced by illustrations that give it a pulp feel to this wonderful satire. Lucifer is at his best as he boxes his way out of boxes caused by those on his side as much as the opposition.

Harriet Klausner