Dennis Wheatley

I read The Devil Rides Out when it came out in that Wordsworth Tales Of Mystery edition and enjoyed it well enough. It's the sort of book that is easily taken for granted, and it's only now that some time has passed that I'm starting to appreciate what an entretaining, rollicking read it is. Not necessairly creppy (more pulpy than anything else), but a great collection of characters, and very exciting two fisted tale of adventure.

There's since been two more novels published by Wordsworth (the sequel To The Devil A Daughter and the more experimental, almost Lovecraftain sounding Haunting Of Toby Jugg), plus a biography of the man himself, titled The Devil Is A Gentleman, out on Dedalus. I'm rather tempted.

Google Video has http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8761433317862524919#"">this documentary up on Wheatley. Five minutes in, it seems like he might be one for the Lovecraft "disgusting fascists who wrote well" file, but don't hold me to that yet.

And then of course there's this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAOpza25YsE

I might have to get that then--I've picked it up in the bookshop a couple of times, but not been sure if it was worth the commitment.

It's totally worth your time, James! The main group of characters have an almost Tintin-esque air of ensemble piece about them, not to mention featuring a Thin Man-esque couple amongst their ranks. Wheatley was a bon vivant since the 20's and it really shows. Also, the book has taught me that, when travelling in female company common courtesy dicatates that one should always send flowers to said company's hotel room.

Finished that documentary, pretty great stuff. Wheatley served in WWI in a ship called the HMS WOOSTER.

OK, I'm convinced!