The Somnambulist

Jonathan Barnes

Edward Moon is an illusionist in Victorian London. His assistant is a giant, pale man called the Somnambulist who never talks. When they aren't on stage, he uses a chalk board to communicate. Moon also is a detective who likes a challenge. He seems to ever be fighting ennui and boredom in his life. He has never failed - except maybe at Clapham...

When the actor Cyril Honeyman is murdered, Moon doesn't notice the blurb in the newspaper or recognize its import. The actor's death is the first step in a plot against the City of London itself.

Moon and the Somnambulist's show had once been the show to attend in the city. It's popularity is waning and society now goes other places. Even so, they continue to please the crowds who do come to see their performance. Their theater also has their living quarters in it so they don't have to worry about travel late at night. Because he is an illusionist, Moon doesn't believe in magic or the paranormal. He may have to change his mind and his profession in the next few weeks.

The dark side of London can be very dark. Strange things and people come out when the city in threatened. The freaks from the shows are out in force. So are plans to overthrow London. One strange man who keeps Moon company claims he is living backwards in time. He tries to give Moon clues to help discover what is really going on. Then there is the medium, Madame Innocenti. She says the city will be destroyed in a week. Moon wants to believe she is a charleton, but can't be certain...

There are times I can't remember why I request a certain book from the library - especially if it isn't available when I do request it. I may have forgotten why by the time it arrives. Jonathan Barnes' The Somnambulist is one of those books. Why did I reserve this book? I'm not sorry I did, just puzzled.

The Somnambulist is a strange mystery that dabbles in mystery, horror, freaks, and illusions. It starts off with Moon investigating a man's murder for his wife. That leads to the investigation into Cyril Honeyman's murder which leads to... which leads to... which leads to... etc. The chain of events seem disconnected. But watch out. Barnes has woven in all sorts of clues that aren't apparent until it all comes together in the end.

The first chapter is an absolute hoot. You can read it here in my blog. Now that is a beginning that will suck a reader right in. Unfortunately the book is uneven. I liked it and am still scratching my head over parts of it. But there are story lines and characters that are dropped never to return and others that their conclusion doesn't make much sense (for example, the bearded lady is one of the lost characters).

The narrator is one of the twists in the book. Look for Barnes' seemingly obscure characters and events - there is often more than meets the eye. The serpentine path of the story line of The Somnambulist keeps the reader interested - and loses the reader as well. Like I said, I was still scratching my head long after I closed the last page.

Notice:  Graphic violence, Suggestive dialogue or situations

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