In Felix in the Underworldtweedily amusing mystery that spoofs the British publishing industry, John Mortimer (of Rumpole fame) has smirky fun throwing middle-aged novelist Felix Morsomauthor of sensitive, hopelessly unsexy books about life in his English seaside villageinto a wellspring of mayhem. In short order, Felix is slapped with a paternity suit; becomes the prime suspect in a related murder; and, while in jail, grows addicted to soap operas. But American readers will be less astonished by the identity of Felix's tormentor than by the comparatively literary British culturein which a mid-list novelist's love child could make tabloid headlines. B


Add your comment
The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.