Something for the beach, sir?

Should you be heading off to the sun anytime soon, or are simply beached like a whale on your couch at home for a week or so, might I recommend the works of Glen David Gold to help you pass the time? I first discovered him a couple of years ago – you'll doubtless have seen his Carter Beats the Devil around and about. If a masterfully staged romantic epic taking in turn-of-the-century magic shows and a whole trunk full of diverting sub-plots is your bag, I heartily urge you to buy a copy forthwith. (Eerily, as I was typing the words 'Glen David Gold' just then, someone else working in the same office said the name out loud. Magic, or coincidence? I know what Glen would say.)

The good news is, when you've finished Carter Beats the Devil, you've got the follow-up to read: Sunnyside, which is about early Hollywood, the Great War, Charlie Chaplin and so, so much more. Unreservedly recommended by your humble blogger.

Why do I think GDG is so good? Well, nothing too out of the ordinary, really: rigorous historical research, an eye for nuance, a sly sense of humour, and good old-fashioned gift for knocking out a well-turned plot that drives you on to finish just one more chapter before lights out.

He's also particularly good at floating suggestive possibilities around – hinting that an outrageous event actually did happen (which, come to think of it, is what magic is all about, isn't it?) and then leaving it up to you to decide whether it's historical fact or not. Such a tease.