DiEd & Gone to Portchester

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Death Doom and Creme De Anglaise - Eric J Braithwaite

"Jack & Wilfreid walked home that evening, confectioners custard dripping sardonicaly from their cuffs, as the crimson splash of fading sunset wained towards deep blue.  'That was a close shave Jack'! exclaimed Wilfreid in his guttural and amber tinged Teutonic tones.  'Thank god Quentin did not resort to the Sherry Trifle!'"

Braithwaite's obsession with dairy based confectionary, puddings and desert does not appeal to all, however give this book a chance.  

This semi-autobiographical voyage into the notorious twenties East End "Milk Parlours", and the oft deadly abuse of the "Creme De Anglaise" of the title, which went on within their walls, is fascinating and frightening.  The characters entrance and repel in equal measure.  Braithwaite's anti hero, the enigmatic Quentin, steals the show in his purple tweed's and matching opera hat, and the climax of the book is literaly blood curdling.  Well something curdles.

Very sadly out of print now for over 30 years, you will have to hunt the second hand shelves for this one - rarely copies appear on e-bay, but sadly change hands for foolish sums.  Publishers take note - this book needs to be back in print!