Description:
Life always seems to be more complicated than it should be for Charlie Mortdecai: degenerate aristocrat, amoral art dealer, seasoned epicurean, unwilling assassin, and confirmed coward.
Something Nasty in the Woodshed finds Charlie exiled from London due to his growing unpopularity on account of some shady art deals. Taking refuge in a country estate on the Channel Island of Jersey, he embarks on a well-intended hedonistic interlude. But his vacation soon morphs into a macabre manhunt, as Charlie seeks to expose a local rapist whose modus operandi bears a striking resemblance to that of a warlock from ancient British mythology known as "The Beast of Jersey."
Brief description:
Kyril Bonfiglioli (1928-1985) was an art dealer, accomplished fencer, a fair shot with most weapons, and a serial marrier of beautiful women. He claimed to be "abstemious in all things except drink, food, tobacco, and talking" and "loved and respected by all who knew him slightly."
Review Quotes:
"We're seduced by Charlie's wit, wordplay, and disarming candor about his vanity and many appetites...he moves from one malicious witticism or fine meal to another as he ingests vast amounts of booze and exhales bon mots."
-- "Dallas Morning News"