Xolotl Strikes – When Carry On Collide With Hammer Horror

Fresh from the prolific keyboard of William Stafford comes Xolotl Strikes – a comic sci-fi which has seemingly emerged triumphantly from a collision between a Sid James inspired Carry On film and the gothic horror of Hammer studios (incidentally, Xolotl should be pronounced “sho-low-till”for those who are worried by the niceties) which once again teams Hector Mortlake with his cockney sidekick, Cuthbert, as they battle against dark forces.

 

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Having turned the events of their previous adventure, Kiss of the Water Nymph, into a best-selling novel Hector is on a book signing tour across 19th Century America when a thief steals a letter from his room, pulling a reluctant Hector once more into a terrifying adventure which sees Hector and Cuthbert combat dark forces and mysterious Aztec prophecies as they seek to prevent the dark fire breathing Aztec god of lighting and death, Xolotl, being resurrected in an evil ritual. Perhaps it is time for me to mention another genre that Stafford gently (*cough, cough*) parodies, as the story as more than an hint of Indiana Jones style action and adventure – Carry on Dracula in the Temple of Doom. Like all good parodies it is the irreverent tone and comic wordplay of Stafford, reminiscent of Tom Holt, which makes this collision work and sees humor and narrative emerge in equal measure.

 

Narrated by the self-centered and snobbish Hector we get to laugh at his outdated and blinkered views (our own liberalism being caricatured as much as Hectors). It would be easy for us to fall out of love with the character but he is rescued as Cuthbert effectively plays the role of Sancho Panza to Hectors reluctant Don Quixote and his humorous and warm interjections give us a much more sympathetic view of our narrator. Indeed, every time that Cuthbert chuckles I hear Sid James’ infectious, salubrious laugh reverberating through my mind. The oft-times relationship between Hector and Cuthbert is the mortar which holds the story together. One quote from early in the novel captures the relationship and the delightful wordplay of Stafford perfectly:

 

“Cuthbert gave two things. The first was a chuckle that suggested that he would relish the prospect of a spot of intrigue, danger and derring-do. The second was a squeeze to my left knee, which suggested something suggestive I suggested he should not be suggesting.”

 

A fast paced action-horror-comedy, Xolotl Strikes is the twenty first novel to come from the Pan-like William Stafford (Peter Pan, not the goat) and the second to feature the charming team of Mortlake and Cuthbert. A good read to take away on a winter break, or to distract you from the miserable weather outside.

William Stafford

Xolotl Strikes! by William Stafford is available here. 

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Contributor Mark Lees is a writer, lecturer and family man. For more about his latest projects please follow him  at https://www.facebook.com/markleeswriter

 

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