Pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this story Great plot, great colour illustrations, and great characters. I read somewhere that Posy Simmonds is the modern Hogarth, and I wholeheartedly agree that this book is just that. From scenes of rough-sleepers, MacDonald restaurants, public transport, parks, Christmas shoppers, etc. This book is thoroughly entertaining, and tells a very modern tale of fraud, mobile harassment, the modern art scene, broken families, loneliness, and a murder. All creates a vivid snapshot of modern life, with attitudes of what is socially acceptable and unacceptable in this very British story. ( )

"El último crimen de la gran dama del cómic", El País 01.04.2022: https://elpais.com/cultura/2020/02/25/actualidad/1582636824_251622.html

You Want It Darke(r)
Review of the Jonathan Cape hardcover edition (2018)

I had read and enjoyed Posy Simmonds previous graphic novels Gemma Bovery (1999) and Tamara Drewe (2007) in my pre-Goodreads days, but have only recently caught up with her most recent work. Cassandra Darke is a totally original story as opposed to the earlier works which were modern day adaptations based on the novels Madame Bovary and Far From the Madding Crowd.

Prosperous art dealer Cassandra Darke is discovered to have been defrauding her clients by selling unauthorized copies. The scandal sidetracks her career and her relationship with her family until her stepsister's daughter Nicky becomes her basement tenant. Nicky gets involved with some dubious types and helps a boyfriend to hide some incriminating evidence which turns out to tie into an abduction and murder. The story becomes a redemption journey for the curmudgeonly Cassandra who is constantly entertaining with her cantankerous observations and actions. The intricate artwork and the engaging story (which is often told in extended prose panels and not limited to speech balloons) made this both an intriguing and suspenseful read.

I read Cassandra Darke thanks to my GR friend JimZ's recent 4 star review and his encouragement for me to bump it up my TBR list. Thanks again to Jim!

Trivia and Link
Yes, I couldn't resist riffing on Leonard Cohen's You Want It Darker for my lede headline. ( )

Egoísta y solitaria, Cassandra Darke es una marchante de arte que vive en una lujosa mansión del barrio de Chelsea, en el mismísimo corazón de Londres.

Se ha convertido en una paria social, pero no le preocupa. Entre una Navidad y la siguiente, ha empañado la reputación de una galería del West End y encadenado una condena por fraude, de la que ha salido indemne, pero ha dejado su saldo bancario en números rojos. En la escala de infracciones, el fraude ocupa para Cassandra un lugar ínfimo, pues no conlleva «ni armas, ni violencia, ni cadáver».

Sin embargo, todo cambia cuando aparece algo en la mansión que sí podría suponer violencia y tal vez un cadáver. Nicki, la joven ex inquilina de la casa, dejó en el sótano un regalito que obligará a Cassandra a salir de su suntuoso refugio y echarse a las calles. Y no precisamente a las de su barrio lujoso, sino a las de otros lugares más sórdidos y tenebrosos, donde deberá elegir entre el sacrificio o la salvación.

Stand-alone novel in graphic form by Posy Simmonds. Absolutely brilliant. Nails the quirks and pretensions of the London Art world. Loved it to bits, so many subtle little side jokes. Not sure that any non Brit would get the most out of this book. ( )