Religious zealots, art fraudsters and Russian spies ‘Hilarious, joyous and astute’ Nicholas Coleridge Mild-mannered editor Ben Fairweather is horrified when his genteel religious magazine is taken over by a fanatical movement that believes animals are closer to God than humans and should receive Holy Communion. Amid a national religious revival, this belief becomes mainstream and he is cancelled as a petphobic bigot. Reinventing himself as a nightclub pianist, Ben meets journalist Anita Scott, who is bent on exposing a newly ennobled Russian oligarch as a cultural vandal. But Lord Ogorodnikov’s agenda is far more sinister than they realise, and together they are drawn into a world of spies, art forgery and murder, with their own lives on the line. Anthony Gardner ingeniously blends intrigue with sharp satire in a story that is both thrilling and darkly funny. ‘An uplifting, hilarious, smart and edgy dissection of our bizarre capacity to imagine passing fashions as cornerstone philosophies to live by. A wonderfully enjoyable tonic’ Irish Examiner ‘This might be the wittiest book I’ve read in five years – hilarious, joyous and astute. Not a dud word from beginning to end. Highly recommended’ Nicholas Coleridge ‘This amiable satire has been described as a war on woke, but it’s actually more Waugh, with a posh old-fashioned vibe and beautifully written. The plot’s quite complex but Gardner is wonderful at milieu. Great fun’ Daily Mail ‘A deliciously funny, good-hearted, elegant caper about a world in which animals are our equals. Pure delight’ Amanda Craig ‘A clever, laugh-out-loud satire. Part acute social comment, part thriller, wholly wonderful’ Church Times ‘This arresting novel takes pot-shots at various absurdities including pandering politicians, vacuous academics and zealous activists policing a new orthodoxy of supposed tolerance through violent threats. The main strands are brought together with a very clever flourish’ The Tablet ‘Balances a madcap sense of intrigue with added satirical laughs galore. There are plenty of narrative plates to keep spinning here but Gardner pulls it off with aplomb’ The Crack ‘An attack on greed and groupthink, this witty, seething satire is a quiet riot. Hugely recommended to all fans of reason, decency and excellent comedy’ Jasper Rees PAPERBACK OUT AUGUST 2026. AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW! Hardback: 256pp Published: Lightning (November 2025) ISBN: 9781785634406 Paperback: 256pp Published: Lightning (August 2026) ISBN: 9781785634697
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