Changes

|comment= John this sounds huge fun! I had no idea who Mark Gatiss was before I read your review (and would have remained none the wiser) and agree that when they managed to turn out a spectacularly good read, it makes you wish they were quite so multi-faceted and blinkin' talented. Makes you feel a bit more mortal, no? I love the era it is set in and will, when released from reviewer duty, try to cram this one in. Maybe November when the baby is born....?   

|comment= It was a great idea for Gatiss to age his character for this second novel. It allows him to explore how the character copes with the realisation that he's not the top agent any more to examine how his view of the world has changed through his experiences especially those relating to the Great war. While this is still a funny book the overall feel of it is darker and the sense of loss by Box for both youth and friends is a prominent theme running through the story.