Earth, Air, Fire And Custard by Tom Holt
01/04/2005 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: Orbit/Times Warner. 410 page hardback. Price: £12.99 (UK), $29.00 (CAN). ISBN: 1-84149-281-7. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out websites: www.OrbitBooks.co.uk
Continuing the story of Paul Carpenter which commenced in 'The Portable Door', this is the tale of a man trapped in his own loser personality.
He works for an outwardly respectable company that has a very odd management style. It's all a day's work to be killed and re-born but Paul's fed up with his life. His one true love, Sophie, looks straight through him, thanks to having her love wiped by one of the partners, and Paul can't seem to get out of his repetitive rut.
Then along comes the chance of escape. Unfortunately, it involves dying again but mustn't grumble. When a goblin christening party gets out of hand, Paul grabs the chance to be re-born as dynamic, young, business professional, Philip Marlow. Now he is everything he has always thought he should be. As drop-dead handsome, he might even get the girl but the Universe, as usual, has other plans for him first.
As ever, there's a lot more going on than your average. With his annoying fridge, his exacting boss Theo Van Spee, more custard than you've ever dreamed of and an ages old feud that will result in death. Yes, there can be only one...
Once again, Tom Holt has produced a funny and complicated plot that wraps itself around your legs purring like a pussycat until it has suckered you in. I was getting exhausted by the end, after so many manic twists and there's a tad too much explanation happening at the end to make a completely satisfactory experience. Overall, it's a lot of fun and even makes you think, even if it's only where the next custard slice is coming from.
Sue Davies
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