It’s off to the countryside for Detective George Suttle, the chief investigator in a case involving a re-dead vampire (called The Young). He must inform the wife of the victim that he is working to find the culprit and until then, he cannot return her husband’s corpse. He is quickly introduced to Lord Hinchcliffe’s son, the new Lord Hinchcliffe, a brash and coarse boy who takes a band of fellows out to kill Restless– what we call zombies– that have wandered onto their property. Suttle also meets Celia, Hinchcliffe’s daughter, who is not Young. She explains that her father didn’t believe females were entitled until they were married and had had children. This is why Lady Hinchcliffe had to wait until she was past child-bearing age to take The Cure.
Suttle is still seeking answers and has very little in terms of a lead and no real suspects. He does notice the same insignia that was once Hinchcliffe’s cuff links on a rug and in other decorative elements. Lady Hinchcliffe explains that her husband was part of a society. George suspects it might be occult in nature, but she dismisses it as simply a boys’ club where they got together to drink and smoke cigars.
Later, after dinner, Lord Falconbridge, a high ranking official, all but tells Suttle to fabricate evidence and close the case. He plants suspicions in Suttle’s mind about the culprit and motive, but Suttle isn’t sure if this is intentional or reverse psychology. At any rate, several characters are concerned with the possibility of the public thinking that The Cure is starting to fail.
This book is just so interesting! In this issue we examine a societal side effect of the upper class becoming Young, when one character discusses the subject of inheritance. In this world, there wouldn’t be inheritance. The young Lord Hinchcliffe really should never have taken his father’s title. I also love all of the little pieces of etiquette and proper behavior. Suttle politely insults the inpetuous young Lord. The Hinchcliffe’s butler politely rebuffs Suttle when he feels his questions are too intrusive. So much politeness! And Celia is an early feminist, fighting for equality. She and Suttle have a frank discussion on becoming Young, with Suttle firmly urging that it’s basically not what it’s cracked up to be; a stance he has developed over the course of this investigation.
The art is magnificent. Subtle and plain and clean. It perfectly serves the dry, proper mood of this tale. The characters’ faces are just glorious. Young Lord Hinchcliffe has a face you just want to slap! And the butler’s is so delightfully deformed.
Honestly, I can’t rave about this book enough! So quirky and unique! I can’t wait to find out who commited the crime! I certainly hope this becomes an ongoing series. I’d love to continue reading the ongoing “adventures” (if you can call them that) of George Suttle.
Verdict: Buy
THE NEW DEADWARDIANS #5
Written by Dan Abnet
Art and Cover by I.N.J. Culbard
