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Lady Dolores ran the offices of the Love Department, resolving the heartaches of the wives of Wimbledon. Now her protege was sent on a mission to learn the secrets of Septimus and to stop him in his tracks. Septimus was irresistible to women. Many had succumbed to his charm and more had died of it.
A young operative is dispatched by a mysterious agency to neutralize a charismatic predator whose romantic conquests have turned lethal. Tasked by the enigmatic Lady Dolores, the protagonist must infiltrate the social circles of Wimbledon to uncover the methods of Septimus, a man whose charm leaves a trail of devastation. The narrative follows the protagonist's attempt to navigate the complex social landscape of the British suburbs while maintaining the secrecy of the Love Department. The story operates as a satirical examination of human obsession and the absurdity of institutionalized romantic intervention. The prose maintains a detached, observational tone, focusing on the collision between the mundane setting and the bizarre nature of the agency's mission.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the author's ability to blend dark humor with a sharp, observational style. Discussion often centers on the surreal premise of the Love Department and how it serves as a vehicle for critiquing social conventions. Many note that the pacing is deliberate, favoring character nuance and witty dialogue over rapid plot progression. The effectiveness of the world-building is often debated, as the story relies on a heightened reality that feels both grounded and bizarre. Readers frequently point to the interplay between the protagonist's mission and the unpredictable nature of Septimus as the primary driver of the narrative tension.
Page Count:
272
Publication Date:
1996-11-01
Publisher:
Penguin Books
ISBN-10:
0140031308
ISBN-13:
9780140031300
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