Actor Mark Gatiss, known for his Christmas ghost stories, has been noted for his surprisingly adversarial stance towards spiritualism in his latest television role. In the two-part murder mystery "Bookish," Gatiss portrays Gabriel Book, a 1940s detective who expresses extreme disdain for mediums and psychics, referring to them as "filthy, crooked, mendacious, disgusting pigs."
Gatiss, who also wrote the screenplay for "Bookish," reportedly dismisses conventional religion as well, with a character snarling, "If there is a God, He is a cruel and abhorrent thing." The detective stages a fake séance to debunk believers, sneering, "It's extraordinary what tosh people believe."
This apparent loathing for the supernatural stands in contrast to Gatiss's previous work, such as his 2020 retelling of "Dracula," which players on the audience's attraction to the supernatural.
The plot of "Bookish" centers on a fake medium, Mr. Sneed, played by Jason Watkins, who is found murdered with a knife in his heart. The narrative suggests the killer is the psychic's assistant, a former circus performer, a detail that becomes apparent early on. Critics have noted that the plot might have benefited from incorporating more elements of the paranormal, especially given the context of a séance.
The character of Gabriel Book has been described as cold and self-satisfied, with dialogue often consisting of him pontificating to supporting characters. His involvement in police investigations is attributed to a friendship with Inspector Bliss, played by Elliot Levey, a ruse that some critics found unconvincing due to the apparent lack of a close bond between the amateur sleuth and the professional detective.
A brief cameo by Simon Callow as a spymaster with an eyepatch was highlighted as a moment that elevated the production, adding intrigue reminiscent of a John le Carré novel within the otherwise criticized format. The series received a one-star rating.