The Den of Basilisk - Tapa dura

The Den of the Basilisk is a convoluted and delightful comedy of political chicanery and diplomatic skullduggery. The hero and narrator is Ambrose Bellingham, a retired diplomat who tries engaging in private advocacy and becomes involved in a crooked arms deal with General Ignacio Raro, South American dictator of the fictitious Latin American state of Concordia, following a surprising invitation from business mogul Ludovic Molnar. The trade is being opposed by the current FO Minister of State, Dame Rosy Clumber who objects to the Raro regime and wants to boycott and debilitate it so that Concordia's liberal, idealistic opposition can seize power. The leader of the opposition is utopian idealist Victor Fernandez, who was formerly the country's leading dentist and whose opposing revolution began over an altercation with the president in the dentist's chair. However, when the revolution comes, will Victor Fernandez become just as brutal as his predecessor? The novel's intricate plot contrasts with the precarious foundations of the world it represents. This is a world built on political intrigue and wavering allegiances, as seen through the eyes of a humorous, genial man who is nevertheless self-serving and devious. Nothing is ever quite as it seems and everything is on the verge of collapse; it is this that makes The Den of the Basilisk an entertaining and unpredictable read.