Peter Ackroyds first novel for Minerva, and his first book in a highly publicised ten-year deal with Reed. Set against the extraordinary cityscape of Victorian London, it concerns a music hall comedian who becomes implicated in a number of richly sinister scenes and episodes including a series of ripper style murders. Part fable, part adventure, and part Gothic comedy, it is an extremely erudite expression of Ackroyds love for Victorian popular culture. A flawlessly good read. >Observer