Katatonia

Dedicated, most appropriately, to Laurel and Hardy and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Master of the White Worms introduces the detective, Dalton Quayle and his wonderfully watsonesque assistant and chronicler, Dr. Humphrey Pemberton. Readers who are reminded of Dangermouse by that last name won't be far off the mark, although this is more a detective character than a secret agent one.

The strong writing and tense action sequences in this novel showcase not only the Holmes takeoff, but give voice to Mr. Kane's wit and talent. It's a literary romp, well executed and great fun to read.

The book is filled with not-so-subtle tributes to Doyle, Lovecraft, Walter de la Mare and Laurel and Hardy, to name a few. Part of the fun is picking them out. Most, however, is derived from simply going along for the ride as Paul Kane takes us on a well plotted journey through two insane, terribly clever tales of mystery, spiced up by the witty commentary of the wonderful Pemberton character. Monty Python lovers will want to read this book, over and over, it's that much fun.

In the first tale, The Master of the White Worms, Mr. Meadows is groundskeeper for Willerby Manor. He has gone missing. Dalton Quayle is on the case! Amidst copious chthultic accouterments, he discovers, to his great amazement, that something is seriously fishy about Willorby Manor. Imagine that.

After searching through the late Mrs. Willerby's drawers, The reader is delighted to find that Dalton Qualye, Mrs. Meadows and Pemberton go on the prerequisite midnight trek through the dark and mysterious Manor. In the usual underground passage beneath the groundskeeper's hut they find the prerequisite horrible truth. Quayle rises to the occasion and they manage to emerge with their skin intact, their client's husband in tow and their repertoire of worm puns exhausted.

Yes, the second story is just as good. It's a little involved, with dangerous Sheepshanks, Redemptions, elephant guns, Australian devices and the momentous discoveries that solve the mystery. Alas, it's over, all too soon.

But, don't shut the book just yet, or you'll miss the interview with Amanda Edwards and the Paul Kane Gallery. He's an accomplished caricature artist. The article, "Don't Mention the War", is an essay on Fawlty Towers, first published in "Classic Television" Magazine.

I give this book a 5. I can only say I wish there had been more of Dalton Quayle. I understand Mr. Kane's novel, "Funny Bones" has at least one story with him in it. Check out the web site at Creative Guys Publishing, and look for it.