When it comes to blending dark humor, adventure, and a touch of the absurd, few novels do it as brilliantly as Kyril Bonfiglioli’s The Mortdecai Trilogy. If you haven’t yet encountered the Honorable Charlie Mortdecai, a suave yet morally ambiguous art dealer, you’re in for a treat.
Key points
Intriguing Origins of Carolus Mortdecai van Cleef
Bonfiglioli’s The Mortdecai Trilogy actually traces its roots back to Carolus Mortdecai van Cleef, a character introduced in All the Tea in China. Here, young Carolus leaves the Netherlands with nothing but a bag of coins and a crate of Delft china, aiming to make his fortune in London as a purveyor of fine porcelain.
Guided by his mother’s keen eye for ceramics, Carolus is able to distinguish between pottery and porcelain with a mere touch. Unfortunately, his plans to settle into a comfortable life of trade quickly spiral into chaos, leading him into the dark underbelly of the late Victorian opium trade.
From Delft China to International Intrigue
While Carolus’s adventures are a thrilling prelude, it’s his grandson, Charlie Mortdecai, who truly steals the show in The Mortdecai Trilogy. This trilogy—beginning with Don’t Point that Thing at Me, followed by Something Nasty in the Woodshed, and concluding with After You with the Pistol—captures the amoral, eccentric nature of Charlie as he navigates through art heists, espionage, and murder, all with a wry smile and a cutting remark.
Charlie Mortdecai is the kind of character who makes you laugh even as he delves into the darkest of deeds. Imagine James Bond, but with an art dealer’s eye and no qualms about bending the law—or breaking it entirely. Bonfiglioli’s writing is filled with sharp wit, hidden literary gems, and a mastery of language that elevates the series to cult classic status.
Why You Should Read The Mortdecai Trilogy
If you enjoy stories that are as clever as they are entertaining, The Mortdecai Trilogy is a must-read. Bonfiglioli’s prose is as smooth as it is sharp, offering a perfect blend of comedy and suspense. Charlie Mortdecai is a character who embodies the spirit of a bygone era—part Wodehouse’s Bertie Wooster, part Fleming’s Bond, and wholly unique.
While Bonfiglioli left the fourth book, The Great Mortdecai Moustache Mystery, unfinished, it was later completed by Craig Brown and is well worth a read for those who can’t get enough of Mortdecai’s antics. Additionally, The Mortdecai ABC, a collection of articles, letters, and anecdotes published by Bonfiglioli’s ex-wife Margaret, offers further insight into the mind behind the mustache.
Whether you’re a fan of satire, thrillers, or simply enjoy a well-crafted novel, The Mortdecai Trilogy deserves a spot on your bookshelf. With its unforgettable characters, razor-sharp humor, and intricate plots, it’s a literary experience you won’t soon forget.
