The Gobblin' Society (Langdon St. Ives)

About this book

"The story begins with an inheritance. Following a protracted legal battle Alice St. Ives Langdons wife has come into full possession of Seaward the house left to her by her late Uncle Godfrey a man with a number of bizarre proclivities. Heartened by this good fortune Alice Langdon and their surrogate son Finn prepare to take possession of the house. From this point forward events spin out of control taking on a madcap logic of their own that is exhilarating and-in typical Blaylock fashion-often quite funny. What follows is in a sense a tale of two houses. The first of course is Seaward a "rambling eccentric old house" with it its history its secrets its priceless accumulation of volumes of arcane lore. The other is a neighboring house known for good reasons as "Gobblin Manor " home base of The Gobblin Society a "culinary establishment" with its own peculiar-and very dark-traditions. In the course of an event filled few days St. Ives and his cohorts will encounter smuggling mesmerism kidnapping cannibalism and murder. It is in other words a typical-and typically eccentric-Langdon St. Ives adventure. Like its predecessors this latest extravaganza is fast-paced unpredictable and a thorough delight to read. Few novelists evoke the essence of Victorian England as successfully as Blaylock. Fewer still bring such wit style and propulsive narrative talents to the task. In The Gobblin Society Blaylock has given vibrant new life to one of his signature creations. The result is a gift both for Blaylocks longtime fans and for newcomers lucky enough to come along for this astonishing-and thoroughly enjoyable-ride."--Provided by publisher.