Devil in Amber

by Mark Gatiss

Book Overview

The fabulous Lucifer Box returns for another round of spirited, pun-heavy sleuthing in this devilishly decadent sequel to the acclaimed The Vesuvius Club.

Lucifer Box -- portraitist, dandy and terribly good secret agent -- is feeling his age. He's also more than a little anxious about an ambitious younger agent, Percy Flarge, who's snapping at his heels. Assigned to observe the activities of fascist leader Olympus Mons and his...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743283961
• ISBN13: 9780743283960
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

"Modesty is for amateurs"--Lucifer Box is back!

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 ev

An excellent sequel

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.

James Bond with a limp wrist and a lacerating wit - most enjoyable.

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!

Fun

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

humorous espionage satire

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