Black Static

Released in 2015 in a limited edition of 100, Dalton Quayle and the Bric-a-brac Man (Pendragon Press) finds author Paul Kane in comedic mode, with two novellas aimed at the reader's funny bone.

After an amusing introduction by Guy Adams we get into things proper with "Dalton Quayle's Ice One (Cyril)", which despite the book's title is in fact the longer and more substantial of the two works on offer. Dalton Quayle is, to all intents and purposes, a parody of Sherlock Holmes and his adventures are related by sidekick Dr. Humphrey Pemberton, who has a sideline in selling the stories to dubious publications. The two are contacted by government agent Alicia Yoyobitch, who wants them to investigate a series of mysterious occurrences in the Arctic, which is the cue for a parody of The Thing, with references to The X-Files, Lovecraft and a load of other genre classics (and not so classic sometimes).

There's a similar feel to title story "Dalton Quayle and the Bric-a-Brac Man" with the silly sausages summoned to the suggestively named Sillyisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl called Rowena, in a parody that takes as its template The Wicker Man (and I'm anticipating everyone guessed that from the name 'Sillyisle'). The aristocracy are up to no good again.

While each novella contains a plot, they are not to be taken seriously, just skeletons on which Kane builds his comedy. These stories are, to make no bones about it, highly amusing, with delightful characterisation and various running jokes, such as Pemberton's unrequited love for housekeeper Mrs Hudsucker or his questionable choice in snow gear. You can have a lot of fun spotting the many and various genre references, and there is some witty wordplay on offer. If I have any reservations it's that rather a lot of the humour hinges on Pemberton being a complete idiot who misinterprets absolutely everything that is said to him, which while entertaining at first eventually becomes a bit tiresome. On the other hand, you'll probably find yourself anticipating how the booby will respond next time, so it is a very minor complaint and not something that seriously detracts from enjoyment of the work. In conclusion, these novellas slip down a treat and will bring a smile to the face of all but the most curmudgeonly of readers.

I couldn't find the book on either Amazon or the publishers' website, so I guess it sold out despite the lack of a review from me at the time.