March Mischief

N AT I O N A L R E V I E W/A P R I L 7, 2008

(Richard Linton) and the ex-girlfriend of one of the would-be bank robbers. (She also happens—naturally—to harbor a long-simmering crush on the happily mar- ried, easily tempted Terry.) The initial obstacle is the cops of Scotland Yard, who of course have no idea that the robbery they’re attempting to investigate has been authorized at the highest levels of the gov- ernment. But the more dangerous compli- cating factor is Lew Vogel (David Suchet, the BBC’s Poirot), the “porn king of Soho” and a pal of Michael X, who keeps his ledger of payoffs and his collection of in- criminating photos of brothel-frequenting politicos in the bank vault, and who’s will- ing to go to great and bloody lengths to get his property back.

About the Author

Ross Douthat

Ross Douthat is a former National Review contributing editor.

N AT I O N A L R E V I E W/A P R I L 7, 2008

(Richard Linton) and the ex-girlfriend of one of the would-be bank robbers. (She also happens—naturally—to harbor a long-simmering crush on the happily mar- ried, easily tempted Terry.) The initial obstacle is the cops of Scotland Yard, who of course have no idea that the robbery they’re attempting to investigate has been authorized at the highest levels of the gov- ernment. But the more dangerous compli- cating factor is Lew Vogel (David Suchet, the BBC’s Poirot), the “porn king of Soho” and a pal of Michael X, who keeps his ledger of payoffs and his collection of in- criminating photos of brothel-frequenting politicos in the bank vault, and who’s will- ing to go to great and bloody lengths to get his property back.