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The Anglo Irish Murders by Ruth Dudley Edwards Harper Collins 2000
(by Lindy McDowell, Belfast Telegraph)
On the face of it a book called The Anglo Irish Murders written by a woman whose previous works include the authorised history of The Economist and a portrait of the Foreign Office, does not sound like a whole barrel of laughs.
So what is this? Yet another conspiracy theory bringing us yet another chilling insight into secret service dirty dealing?
Actually, no.
The Anglo Irish Murders is the new book from Ruth Dudley Edwards in her capacity not as historian, but as award winning satirical crime writer.
It centres on the unfortunate events surrounding a conference aiming at resolving sensitive cultural issues in Anglo Irish affairs. Chairing this conference is the redoubtable Baroness Troutbeck. And long before she touches down at Moycoole Castle and sudden death brings to a premature halt the input of a few delegates we are reminded of the need to retain a sense of proportion in all this.
"This is farce," advised Ms. Dudley Edwards in the book’s typically unconventional disclaimer, "so while I have drawn inspiration from conferences and people on the Anglo Irish circuit, if anyone things they recognise themselves among my characters they are in a bad way."
In fact, you’re in a bad way if you take any of this too seriously although I imagine those of a politically correct disposition might find some of the scenes disturbing.
Not least the character of Baroness Troutbeck herself, who is to the mutual awareness workshop what the Two Fat Ladies are to the nut cutlet.
"We’re nerve going to get anywhere if we carry on with this mealy mouthed ‘let’s all love one another an d cover up the centuries of hatred’ crap," she tells her fellow delegates. "The thing to do when you’ve got something wrong with you is not to pretend it doesn’t exist but to get to the root cause and if possible chop it out."
Unfortunately, she is not the only character bent on chopping out. One by one those gathered at Moycoole Castle are being taken out by a mystery assailant whose motives are so obscure that they consensus is that the murderer has to be somebody who’s anti murder.
The other conference participants include the usual stereotypical suspects ranging from the MOPEs (Most Oppressed People Ever) to the loyalist counterparts, the DUPEs (Downtrodden Unionists for Parity of Esteem). There's the very English civil servant. And the very anti-English, Irish American. Throw in a priest, an Orangeman, a couple of international observers and the inevitable debate about which language we should argue in and it all seems hauntingly familiar.
Hauntingly familiar, but hilariously funny too.
Dudley Edwards' acid observations and a wonderfully witty dialogue that is as sharp as the Baroness is blunt, powers the plot along.
This is Dudley Edwards ninth satirical crime novel. It should be a movie. In fact with very little work it could be a movie. (Although the baroness would probably shudder at the very thought of who Hollywood would cast in the lead role.)
For fans of political directness, the great joy of this book is its deft filleting of the absurdity and pomposity which attends so much of political life here.
Most of us reckon that a conference on Anglo Irish cultural sensitivities would indeed be murder. Who would have thought it could also be such fun?
October 19, 2001
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This article appeared in the December 9, 2000 edition of the Belfast Telegraph.