Publisher's Synopsis
Set in the fishy stench and dark, seedy underbelly of mid 19th-century Cornwall, this is the antidote to the traditional historical romantic novel. Doyen of decadence Dan Daddow believes that he alone is the greatest theatrical impresario of the age, but when a rival tries to take his crown, he finds himself searching for original acts and performers. To this end, he sets about forming his 'Cornish Comicalities' - a desperate band of no-hopers, rogues and lost souls - in whom he places all his faith, and whom he hopes will set the world on fire. Events, however, take a turn for the worse and Daddow and his troupe of Gothic monstrosities find themselves embroiled in foul deeds with links to the core of the dark arts of European culture.
