The Tarot Terror (Yonder & Far)
Boston in 1800 is the setting for burgeoning strife between the Federalist and Republican political factions. As if the infant nation doesn’t have enough problems, two extradimensional visitors, Mr. Yonder, a lawyer, and Captain Far, a military officer, have been banished there for a perceived offense against the royalty in their home realm. Their heartfelt desire to get home continues to elude them. Now, along with their existing problems in a strange and dreary (for them) world, a new threat has emerged from their homeland, intent on finishing them off once and for all. Their only allies against this seemingly insurmountable enemy are a small, ragtag band of local Irishmen and Mary, a matronly, world-weary fortuneteller and her Tarot cards.
Second in a series, much of this novel is constructed in a consistently smart and amusing dialogue in a classic and endearing sort of way. The reader’s vocabulary will improve entertainingly and effortlessly following the bends in the road of this comedic action-adventure fantasy. A banker’s wife, Mrs. Wittenthorpe, a client of Mary, whose naked body is described as “like a mound of milk pudding,” makes an all too short appearance in one of the most unforgettable passages. Captain Far’s demonic personal battle flag first horrifies but then impresses his squad of Irishmen. The final climactic battle against the otherworldly enemies is worthy of comparison with “The Magnificent Seven.” To quote from the novel, one would have to be “dim as a broken lamp post” and risk a “good finger wagging” from Mr. Yonder not to like this book immensely.
I reviewed the first in the series a while back and was very impressed. This one, which reads fine as a standalone, is even better. Uncommonly clever, non-stop humorous and just superb.
