Mandrake Pan: Tales from the Haunted Cupboard/The Case of the Fiendish Nudger

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Whenever there are supernatural stories told from the time everything was black-and-white or sepia and the story is a transcript from old phonograph wax cylinders, I’m sold.
The Case of the Fiendish Nudger didn’t let me down. It’s witty and funny and a reminiscent of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, though the damsel in distress does not arrive to violin music, tea and pipe smoke but to a dynamic duo that has just cleared an accidental racket caused by a demonic moustache and offer her a drink from a hip flask.
Wilfred Woolfitt is a Supernaturalist, and his assistant Nimble former “valuables relocation specialist”(chuckles). Woolfitt’s wall is decorated with diplomas like “Doctor of Cryptozoology First Class,” and awards like “For Services to the Eradication of Undead Nuisances.”
The wax cylinder recordings form each chapter and they are told by Nimble and transcript faithfully repeats the faithful assistant’s accent and slang.
Turns and twists include gangsters, hostile officials, mediums and the Fiendish Nudger itself and the pace is not slowing down until the hectic final action scene is passed.
The writing style and atmosphere from over a hundred years ago are recreated with care and knowledge.
The Case of the Fiendish Nudger is totally recommendable reading, if you want something different. Hats off for Mr Pan for his good work.

Mandrake Pan: Tales from the Haunted Cupboard/The Case of the Fiendish Nudger is available at Amazon.