In 1785 the solitary and mysterious Thomas Peach is living in an isolated house in the Somerset countryside. No-one knows anything about him – his family, his source of income or why he keeps a locked trunk full of books he never seems to read. Or even whether his wife – who lives in an invalid state in an upstairs room, and has never been seen by anyone apart from Peach himself – actually exists.
Things start to change when he loses his income and is forced to seek the company of others. As a consequence, he meets the enigmatic Clarissa Riddle, who is said to be possessed of demons. As events unfold, the reader is left to wonder what exactly is going on…
The Infernal Riddle of Thomas Peach is written in the style of the 18th century, with much exposition, addressing the reader and directing the reader’s thoughts. It frequently references the classics, particularly Richardson’s Clarissa. However the book it most reminded me of was Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, a long rambling work in which the story – such as it is – unfolds slowly amidst a long stream of narrative.
I have to confess that the discursive style made me impatient and that the initially intriguing mysteries were too slight to maintain my interest. I did enjoy the descriptions of the social life of the time, particularly the gentlemen’s club in Bristol. And I liked the character of Arabella Farthingay (it would have been good to see more of her in the story).However I was not entirely convinced by Clarissa Riddle, or by the conclusion of the tale.
This book might appeal to devotees of 18th century literature. However I think that some readers might be put off by the style and the slow pace of the narrative.
The Infernal Riddle of Thomas Peach by James Treadwell, Hodder & Stoughton, 2021, 9781529347326
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