Killing the Emperors - Hardcover

Edwards, Ruth Dudley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0750539445 ISBN 13: 9780750539449

Publisher: Magna Large Print Books, 2014

Synopsis

The outrageous Baroness Troutbeck, Mistress of St Martha's, has another cultural battle to win against the British Establishment: this time, against the horror of modern art, as demonstrated by the likes of Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. But shortly after she enthusiastically announces the war to her close friends, Baroness Troutbeck is kidnapped. Panic spreads throughout the London art world when they realise that nine more victims are missing. Could the perpetrator be a traditionalist with a grudge against contemporary art? Baroness Troutbeck's sidekick Robert Amiss and other loyal friends must work with Scotland Yard to find her. But can they reach her in time?

About this title

About the Author

RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS was born and brought up in Dublin, was a student at University College Dublin, a post-graduate at Cambridge University, and now lives in London. She has previously worked as an academic, teacher, marketing executive and civil servant, and has been a freelance writer since 1979. A historian and prize-winning biographer, Ruth has written seriously and/or frivolously for almost every national newspaper in Ireland and the UK. www.ruthdudleyedwards.co.uk

Review

'The latest in a comic crime series, which has, over the years, delivered hefty slaps to the rumps of various sacred cows. Here, [Ruth Dudley Edwards] takes a swipe at the world of conceptual art, with her heroine, the magnificently monstrous reactionary libertarian Baroness "Jack" Troutbeck, on splendidly splenetic form.' GUARDIAN 'For some people, the inanity of contemporary art is depressing. For Ruth Dudley Edwards, it's hilarious. I devoured 'Killing the Emperors' because I'd rather laugh than cry.' LIONEL SHRIVER, AUTHOR OF WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN 'Ruth Dudley Edwards is a master of satirical comedy writing. The Baroness Troutbeck is a wonderful invention and as a central character provides most of the humour. She is both classy and classless... This hilarious series, that points its funny finger at a corner of society, comes highly recommended, they are all very entertaining, and this is one of her best.' LIZZIE HAYES, MYSTERY WOMEN 'Teasing the cultural establishment is pure joy for Ruth Dudley Edwards. In KILLING THE EMPERORS, it is the art lobby that incurs the wrath of her alter ego, Baroness Troutbeck, a boisterous, fun-loving academic who is the epitome of political incorrectness... Fans of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin are advised to steer clear of this book but those of us who believe that real art has nothing to do with pickled sharks or unmade beds will cheer every page of an exhilarating read.' DAILY MAIL 'An entertaining polemic against the abuses of modern art, very funny and should be required reading in the nation's art colleges, not to mention for Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Charles Saatchi and Sir Nicholas Serota (or, as Lady Troutbeck prefers, Sclerota).' THE SPECTATOR 'Marvellously entertaining ... Ruth Dudley Edwards is a crime writer whom we should treasure - sharp, intelligent and gloriously politically incorrect' MAIL ON SUNDAY 'Ruth Dudley Edwards is a fearless and serious journalist. She is also one of the most entertaining crime writers around, the author of a series that satirizes special interest groups and the political correctness that makes other commentators look away politely... Whatever posterity's verdict may be of conceptual art, this send-up should be applauded for its vigour and humour.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

Edition details

• Publisher: Magna Large Print Books
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0750539445
• ISBN 13: 9780750539449
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 317