Hughes (Engelbrecht Again!
) spins an absurdist tale of a supernatural defense agency protecting British interests at home and abroad from monstrous threats, the most monstrous being (of course) the French. Twisthorn Bellow is a bad-tempered golem accidentally soaked in nitroglycerin, assisted by a semi-vocal giant hand and a talking aborted fetus named Miss Stake. Together, they recruit or eliminate other supernatural entities while fending off constant threats delivered unfailingly by a bicycle messenger who is also the president of France. Eventually, as narrated by the Eiffel Tower, they confront the chief villain in his subterranean lair beneath Strasbourg. Wordplay, fractured classical mythology, pop culture and homages to fellow authors, above all the late Philip Jose Farmer, are overwhelmed by heavy satire that turns the tone from gonzo to grim, delivering more temper tantrum than tomfoolery. (Sept.)
