Mark Gatiss, friend of JAKE, League of Gentlemen, erm, gentleman, omnipresent actor in everything from Wolf Hall to Mission: Impossible and acclaimed writer and co-creator of the popular series Sherlock, has a new series, Bookish [picture: UKTV] about a gay man married to a woman who runs and bookshop and solves murders as a side-hustle in post-war London.
At a glance, Gabriel Book appears to be an optimistic man, exuding frivolity and light-heartedness. Yet, beneath this veneer lies a man haunted by past traumas, notably night terrors stemming from shell shock sustained during the First World War. Gatiss draws parallels to Lord Peter Wimsey, suggesting that Book’s seemingly frivolous exterior serves as a deliberate façade—a psychological armour designed to disarm those around him.
Gatiss’s writing balances wit, tension, and complexity. He penned the first two episodes of his recent series alone, later collaborating with historian and author Matthew Sweet on the remaining four. Gatiss admires Sweet’s versatility, praising his talent for fiction despite his primary reputation as a historian. Sweet’s notable work on British cinema, Shepperton Babylon, exemplifies the breadth of his expertise.
Despite the enjoyment garnished from developing characters and creating worlds, Gatiss admits that plotting murder mysteries remains a particularly challenging endeavour. He compares the craft to that of Agatha Christie, whose masterful yet deceptively simple plots have endured for generations. ‘The difficult part,’ Gatiss explains, ‘is striking that perfect balance—providing enough clues without making the solution too obvious, and weaving in twists that surprise without confusing.’
To improve his craft, Gatiss stress-tests the logical consistency of his plots beforehand. ‘Otherwise,’ he says, ‘you might get caught up in a scene’s fun, only to realise later that it doesn’t hold together logically.’
On literary detectives, Gatiss openly shares his favourites. Sherlock Holmes remains the quintessential figure in his literary canon, but he admits a preference for Miss Marple over Hercule Poirot. ‘Miss Marple sees the world in microcosm,’ Gatiss observes, praising her perceptiveness sharpened by her familiarity with her small village, St Mary Mead. Her insights are drawn from everyday observations, such as comparing a neighbour’s behaviour to that of a post office clerk and her mischievous son.
Gatiss’s admiration extends beyond Christie’s most renowned sleuths. He feels a particular fondness for lesser-known detectives such as Albert Campion, created by Margery Allingham, and Max Carrados, the blind detective—testament to his love for the Golden Age murder mystery genre. Among these, he delights in a peculiar, humorous title from the 1930s: They Rang Up the Police, a book that continues to make him laugh out loud.
Ultimately, Gatiss’s reflections reveal a mind deeply engaged with the art of storytelling—a combination of meticulous plotting, character depth, and a fondness for the quirks and wit of classic detective fiction. Whether resurrecting the ghosts of war in Gabriel Book or paying homage to literary pioneers, Gatiss exemplifies the enduring allure of mystery, rooted in cleverness, humour, and human complexity.
As for the show… we got a sneak peek at the first episode and it is everything you could hope. We just want to know whether Book or his wife is going to get their hands on the hot new lodger!
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