THE ALBINO'S SECRET

Reviewed by Steven H Silver

Michael Moorcock introduced the concept of a metatemporal investigator as far back as 1965 with the publication of "The Pleasure Garden of Felipe Sagittarius." In 2007, he collected (and slightly edited) stories of a metatemporal detective in The Metatemporal Detective, at which time, he standardized the adventures as belonging to Sir Seaton Begg and his companion, Dr. "Taffy" Sinclair. Although they found themselves chasing after a variety of criminals and adversaries, their primary nemesis, who they could never catch, was the mysterious Zenith the Albino. In The Albino's Secret, Moorcock teams up with Mark Hodder to write the first novel about Sir Seaton in what is promised to be a trilogy about the detective, his partner, and Monsieur Zenith.

The novel is set in Istanbul in the years after Kemal Ataturk established a secular republic in Turkey. Sir Seaton has been sent to meet with Captain Nye, a British spy who seems to have disappeared. While trying to make his connection, he learns of a series of murders carried out in Istanbul over the previous several months by a mysterious figure known as "The Red King." Begg and Sinclair are dragged into the mystery of the Red King when they come across an acquaintance, Violet Damm, who has been attacked by one of the Red King's thugs. Their investigation continues to expand as attempts are made on their lives and more individuals from their past show up in Istanbul, including Monsieur Zenith, Begg's nemesis.

Their adventures in Istanbul a full of red herrings, intrigue, danger, including multiple destroyed hotel rooms, and humor, as repeated visit to the hospital concern Doctor Gaspar Matossian, who treat them and their companions for any injuries they incur. Moorcock also introduces a wide range of supporting characters, including the foreigner-hating Turk Sabahattin Sans-Serif, section chief Sir Vivian Clarke, Madame Vera Pym, a band of gypsies with a literature loving king, and various other characters who have appeared in one form or another in Moorcock's various novels and stories. The metatemporal aspect of Begg's existence allows Moorcock to indulge in the metafictional aspects of his multiverse that allow him to link his series which wouldn't seem to have any direct connection and resulting in a novel which is reminiscent of earlier works, such as City in the Autumn Stars.

Moorcock also introduces a variety of items which are believed by some of the characters to have mystical powers, the sort of artifacts that litter his works. As Begg learns more, he finds he must team up with his nemesis, Monsieur Zenith, to stop the Red King from acquiring these artifacts and upsetting the balance of power Begg is attempting to maintain at a time when Hitler was rising in Germany. Begg also learns a little more of Monsieur Zenith's background, at least what he chooses to share, although readers who are familiar with Moorcock's writing learn more about Zenith than Begg. Moorcock also brings in Ulric von Bek, who has appeared in previous books, as well as perennial Moorcock antagonist Klosterheim. About the only thing clear to both the reader and Begg is that the only ally who he could fully trust to be who and what they say they are is his long-time friend, Taffy Sinclair.

The Albino's Secret offers a balanced mix of mystery, adventure, and mysticism, with call outs to several Moorcock series that actually advance the story and are not just placed for the entertainment of fans (although a reference to the first Pyat novel appears to be included just to reward the reader). The Albino's Secret comes to a very satisfactory conclusion, with some unresolved issues which may be addressed in the promised sequels of the trilogy.

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