The Devil in Amber
Encyclopedia
The Devil in Amber is the second novel in a series featuring the fictional spy, Lucifer Box
. It was initially published in October 2006 and became more widely available from 6 November 2006.
. Lucifer Box
, portrait painter, wit, dandy, rake and occasional assassin for His Majesty's Government, has aged well despite the loss of his valet (and lover) Charlie Jackpot in undisclosed events related to First World War espionage in 1917.
The novel opens in New York
at sometime in the 1920s after attending to a routine assassination that does not go smoothly. Threatened with retirement by his superiors, Box is assigned to investigate an Anglo-American fascist fraternity, FAUST (the Fascist Anglo-United States Tribune), and its sinister leader, Olympus Mons. Sal Volatile, an informant, assists him and provides intriguing hints at some wider, dire threat to the world presented by the organisation's interest in the occult, but is soon murdered and Box is framed for the crime.
On the run and hunted by his own organisation, Box is left with little choice but to follow the trail Sal Volatile has shown him, even if it leads to the Devil himself.
is feeling his age as he goes about the business of a Royal Academy
assassin in 1920s New York
. Box has been assigned to kill a fence and cocaine dealer named Hubbard by the Royal Academy
(which is a front for the British Secret Service in the Box novels). The assassination does not go smoothly and Box only survives due to the timely intervention of Percy Flarge, a younger agent of the same type as Box. After Flarge leaves, Box discovers a cloth with curious ancient writing hidden on Hubbard's corpse.
His superior, Joshua Reynolds feels that it is time for Box to retire and allow Flarge to take his place but assigns Box to investigate the Fascist Anglo-United States Tribune (FAUST), and its sinister leader, Olympus Mons.
At a costume party Box meets Professor Reiss-Mueller and Sal Volatile, a defector who wishes to leave FAUST, hints that the organisation constitutes a grave threat to the world and arranges for Box to attend a meeting of FAUST, where Box discovers that his sister, Pandora Box, has become a fascist convert and is second in command of the organisation.
Later that night Reiss-Mueller meets with Box and identifies the writing on the cloth Box retrieved from Hubbard. The writing is part of an occult invocation intended to summon the devil. Back at his hotel, Box has a meeting with Christopher Miracle, who informs Box that Olympus Mons has been carrying out an archaeology dig at a castle on the border between Switzerland and France. The castle is known to Box, having been the location of an undisclosed espionage adventure during World War I
, which led to the death of Box's lover and valet, Charlie Jackpot, and left Christopher Miracle a broken man.
At their next meeting Sal Volatile confides to Box that FAUST has an interest in the occult and is actively seeking the "Lamb of God", which Sal claims to have found. The meeting is interrupted when Sal Volatile is murdered and Box knocked senseless. On waking, Box discovers that he has been framed for murdering Sal during a lover's quarrel. Percy Flarge informs him that the Royal Academy has ordered that Box is to be given no assistance by their organisation and that Box is to be charged (and presumably executed) for the murder of Sal Volatile.
With the assistance of Rex, a gay bellhop who Box initiated during the early chapters, Box boards the Stiffkey, an old tramp freighter commanded by Captain Corpusty, who proves to be a fan of Box's paintings and commissions a portrait by Box on the journey to England
.
While on board, Box discovers the ship is transporting cocaine disguised as communion wafers and seduces the cabin-girl Aggie, who's real name turns out to be Agnes Dei ("Lamb of God"). While in an intimate embrace with her Box has a vision of a ram's head with glowing eyes. Box then discovers that Captain Corpusty intends to betray him to the police and he escapes, taking Aggie with him.
Aggie is wounded, but Box remains free. He witnesses the spectre of the ram's head again and meets Mrs Croup who has an intense and unhealthy interest in famous murderers. Mrs Croup assists him in reaching St Beads nunnery, where Aggie was raised. There Box discovers that Olympus Mons and his amber shirted thugs have arrived first and witnesses them murder several nuns while seeking Aggie. Box is discovered and taken prisoner. Mons and Pandora Box reveal that Aggie is descended from Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene
and from a long line of descendants who have been raised to be perfect sacrifices. Mons conducts a séance to discover Aggie's whereabouts and gains a riddle in return. Box escapes with the aid of Mrs Croup who uses dynamite for fishing.
Box finds his way to Aggie only to find Percy Flarge has laid a trap for him. Box is again captured and is put on a train to be transported to London with Aggie. During the journey, Box accuses Flarge of betraying his country in favor of FAUST but Flarge appears to know nothing. The journey is interrupted by Box's domestic, Delilah, who Box passed a coded message to during his one phone call. Box is forced to kill Flarge's domestic "Twice" Daley in an escape attempt but ends up being chloroformed by Professor Reiss-Mueller.
The action transfers to the border of France
and Switzerland
. Professor Reiss-Mueller explains that the Metropolitan Museum serves as a similar front for the United States Secret Service
as the Royal Academy
does for the British Secret Service. He tells of an old legend about the Devil
being entombed at this site and states that Olympus Mons intends to release the Devil to assist him in conquering the world.
Box quickly realizes that he is Reiss-Mueller's prisoner. He slips away and visits the grave of his old friend, Charlie Jackpot where he meets Percy Flarge. Flarge confesses that he has been compromised by dabbling in the occult but denies betraying his country. Together they decide to raid the castle. On their way there they discover the dead body of Reiss-Mueller and the unconscious Delilah. On awaking Delilah relates how the Professor intended to perform the ritual himself and reap the reward, but was killed by a goat headed specter.
The party of three enter caves below the castle and discover Mons, Pandora and the FAUST fraternity preparing to sacrifice Aggie. The Satanists are met by a number of cloaked and robed VIP's including Joshua Reynolds, the head of the Royal Academy
and the boss of Box and Flarge.
When the ritual begins Box intervenes and succeeds in rescuing Aggie and banishing the Devil but only at the cost of the life of his sister, Pandora. Mons attempts to undo the damage Box has done but only succeeds in destroying himself and bringing down the roof of the cave system.
The heroes escape but so does Reynolds who attempts a getaway by cable car. Box intervenes and Reynolds is killed when the cable car crashes. The book closes on Box finally being reunited with Aggie and him promising her an adventurous future.
: A decadent Edwardian gentleman, resident and owner of No. 9 Downing Street
. In addition to being a portrait painter, wit, dandy and indiscriminate rake, Lucifer Box is an agent of the British Secret Service, reporting to Sir Joshua Reynolds. He is middle-aged 'but still has to do a lot of derring-do', handsome, charming with a pronouncedly sardonic sense of humour.
Percy Flarge: Described as tall, lean, brown, with an infuriating grin, Percy Flarge is an assassin and agent of the British Secret Service working through the front of the Royal Academy
. Although not as senior as Box, he has the opportunity for promotion when Box retires.
Pandora Box: Box's younger sister is prone to adopting fringe causes with a fanatical passion for brief periods of time. She is said to have lived by the sea and written a number of pamphlets. She is clearly in love Olympus Mons, the leader of FAUST.
Joshua Reynolds: Leader of the Royal Academy
, which is a front for the British Secret Service. According to Box, the name Joshua Reynolds is passed on like a title. The previous holder of the position was featured in The Vesuvius Club
but died of heart trouble before the time at which The Devil In Amber is set. The current Reynolds is described as having "run to fat" with "the look of a minor bishop". His voice is described as oily and self-satisfied.
Sal Volatile: Described as having a heroic jaw and strong thighs with some pockmarks on his face, Sal is a defector from FAUST because he disapproves of their satanic plans.
Delilah (No last name): Indispensable domestic servant of His Majesty's Secret Service. She is physically strong and very discreet. Delilah has an unseen daughter, Ida, and overuses the letter "H" in her speech, indicating a Cockney accent.
Christopher Miracle: Fellow painter and friend of Lucifer Box. Miracle assisted Box in The Vesuvius Club
. Since then he served in the British Army
, specifically during action on the border of France
and Switzerland
which caused him to suffer a mental breakdown. Box states that he has never been the same since.
Charlie Jackpot : Valet
, servant and lover of Lucifer Box. Entered the service of Lucifer during the events in The Vesuvius Club
after Box's previous servant, Poplar, was shot in the back on a Serbian railway station. Died in military action before the beginning of The Devil In Amber during an undisclosed adventure that took place on the French/Swiss border during World War I
.
, Dorothy L Sayers etc.).
Lucifer Box
Lucifer Box is a fictional character created by Mark Gatiss. He appears in the novels The Vesuvius Club, The Devil in Amber and Black Butterfly. A "lucifer box" is the same as a match box, lucifer being the old name for matches.- Persona :...
. It was initially published in October 2006 and became more widely available from 6 November 2006.
Plot introduction
It is twenty years after the events of the first Lucifer Box novel, The Vesuvius ClubThe Vesuvius Club
The Vesuvius Club is a historical spy story by Mark Gatiss. It is the first novel in a series featuring the spy, Lucifer Box. The second novel, The Devil in Amber, was initially published in October 2006 and became more widely available from 6 November 2006.-Plot summary:Joshua Reynolds, of the...
. Lucifer Box
Lucifer Box
Lucifer Box is a fictional character created by Mark Gatiss. He appears in the novels The Vesuvius Club, The Devil in Amber and Black Butterfly. A "lucifer box" is the same as a match box, lucifer being the old name for matches.- Persona :...
, portrait painter, wit, dandy, rake and occasional assassin for His Majesty's Government, has aged well despite the loss of his valet (and lover) Charlie Jackpot in undisclosed events related to First World War espionage in 1917.
The novel opens in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
at sometime in the 1920s after attending to a routine assassination that does not go smoothly. Threatened with retirement by his superiors, Box is assigned to investigate an Anglo-American fascist fraternity, FAUST (the Fascist Anglo-United States Tribune), and its sinister leader, Olympus Mons. Sal Volatile, an informant, assists him and provides intriguing hints at some wider, dire threat to the world presented by the organisation's interest in the occult, but is soon murdered and Box is framed for the crime.
On the run and hunted by his own organisation, Box is left with little choice but to follow the trail Sal Volatile has shown him, even if it leads to the Devil himself.
Plot summary
Lucifer BoxLucifer Box
Lucifer Box is a fictional character created by Mark Gatiss. He appears in the novels The Vesuvius Club, The Devil in Amber and Black Butterfly. A "lucifer box" is the same as a match box, lucifer being the old name for matches.- Persona :...
is feeling his age as he goes about the business of a Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
assassin in 1920s New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Box has been assigned to kill a fence and cocaine dealer named Hubbard by the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
(which is a front for the British Secret Service in the Box novels). The assassination does not go smoothly and Box only survives due to the timely intervention of Percy Flarge, a younger agent of the same type as Box. After Flarge leaves, Box discovers a cloth with curious ancient writing hidden on Hubbard's corpse.
His superior, Joshua Reynolds feels that it is time for Box to retire and allow Flarge to take his place but assigns Box to investigate the Fascist Anglo-United States Tribune (FAUST), and its sinister leader, Olympus Mons.
At a costume party Box meets Professor Reiss-Mueller and Sal Volatile, a defector who wishes to leave FAUST, hints that the organisation constitutes a grave threat to the world and arranges for Box to attend a meeting of FAUST, where Box discovers that his sister, Pandora Box, has become a fascist convert and is second in command of the organisation.
Later that night Reiss-Mueller meets with Box and identifies the writing on the cloth Box retrieved from Hubbard. The writing is part of an occult invocation intended to summon the devil. Back at his hotel, Box has a meeting with Christopher Miracle, who informs Box that Olympus Mons has been carrying out an archaeology dig at a castle on the border between Switzerland and France. The castle is known to Box, having been the location of an undisclosed espionage adventure during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, which led to the death of Box's lover and valet, Charlie Jackpot, and left Christopher Miracle a broken man.
At their next meeting Sal Volatile confides to Box that FAUST has an interest in the occult and is actively seeking the "Lamb of God", which Sal claims to have found. The meeting is interrupted when Sal Volatile is murdered and Box knocked senseless. On waking, Box discovers that he has been framed for murdering Sal during a lover's quarrel. Percy Flarge informs him that the Royal Academy has ordered that Box is to be given no assistance by their organisation and that Box is to be charged (and presumably executed) for the murder of Sal Volatile.
With the assistance of Rex, a gay bellhop who Box initiated during the early chapters, Box boards the Stiffkey, an old tramp freighter commanded by Captain Corpusty, who proves to be a fan of Box's paintings and commissions a portrait by Box on the journey to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
While on board, Box discovers the ship is transporting cocaine disguised as communion wafers and seduces the cabin-girl Aggie, who's real name turns out to be Agnes Dei ("Lamb of God"). While in an intimate embrace with her Box has a vision of a ram's head with glowing eyes. Box then discovers that Captain Corpusty intends to betray him to the police and he escapes, taking Aggie with him.
Aggie is wounded, but Box remains free. He witnesses the spectre of the ram's head again and meets Mrs Croup who has an intense and unhealthy interest in famous murderers. Mrs Croup assists him in reaching St Beads nunnery, where Aggie was raised. There Box discovers that Olympus Mons and his amber shirted thugs have arrived first and witnesses them murder several nuns while seeking Aggie. Box is discovered and taken prisoner. Mons and Pandora Box reveal that Aggie is descended from Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
and from a long line of descendants who have been raised to be perfect sacrifices. Mons conducts a séance to discover Aggie's whereabouts and gains a riddle in return. Box escapes with the aid of Mrs Croup who uses dynamite for fishing.
Box finds his way to Aggie only to find Percy Flarge has laid a trap for him. Box is again captured and is put on a train to be transported to London with Aggie. During the journey, Box accuses Flarge of betraying his country in favor of FAUST but Flarge appears to know nothing. The journey is interrupted by Box's domestic, Delilah, who Box passed a coded message to during his one phone call. Box is forced to kill Flarge's domestic "Twice" Daley in an escape attempt but ends up being chloroformed by Professor Reiss-Mueller.
The action transfers to the border of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Professor Reiss-Mueller explains that the Metropolitan Museum serves as a similar front for the United States Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
as the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
does for the British Secret Service. He tells of an old legend about the Devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
being entombed at this site and states that Olympus Mons intends to release the Devil to assist him in conquering the world.
Box quickly realizes that he is Reiss-Mueller's prisoner. He slips away and visits the grave of his old friend, Charlie Jackpot where he meets Percy Flarge. Flarge confesses that he has been compromised by dabbling in the occult but denies betraying his country. Together they decide to raid the castle. On their way there they discover the dead body of Reiss-Mueller and the unconscious Delilah. On awaking Delilah relates how the Professor intended to perform the ritual himself and reap the reward, but was killed by a goat headed specter.
The party of three enter caves below the castle and discover Mons, Pandora and the FAUST fraternity preparing to sacrifice Aggie. The Satanists are met by a number of cloaked and robed VIP's including Joshua Reynolds, the head of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
and the boss of Box and Flarge.
When the ritual begins Box intervenes and succeeds in rescuing Aggie and banishing the Devil but only at the cost of the life of his sister, Pandora. Mons attempts to undo the damage Box has done but only succeeds in destroying himself and bringing down the roof of the cave system.
The heroes escape but so does Reynolds who attempts a getaway by cable car. Box intervenes and Reynolds is killed when the cable car crashes. The book closes on Box finally being reunited with Aggie and him promising her an adventurous future.
Characters
Lucifer BoxLucifer Box
Lucifer Box is a fictional character created by Mark Gatiss. He appears in the novels The Vesuvius Club, The Devil in Amber and Black Butterfly. A "lucifer box" is the same as a match box, lucifer being the old name for matches.- Persona :...
: A decadent Edwardian gentleman, resident and owner of No. 9 Downing Street
Downing Street
Downing Street in London, England has for over two hundred years housed the official residences of two of the most senior British cabinet ministers: the First Lord of the Treasury, an office now synonymous with that of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the Second Lord of the Treasury, an...
. In addition to being a portrait painter, wit, dandy and indiscriminate rake, Lucifer Box is an agent of the British Secret Service, reporting to Sir Joshua Reynolds. He is middle-aged 'but still has to do a lot of derring-do', handsome, charming with a pronouncedly sardonic sense of humour.
Percy Flarge: Described as tall, lean, brown, with an infuriating grin, Percy Flarge is an assassin and agent of the British Secret Service working through the front of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
. Although not as senior as Box, he has the opportunity for promotion when Box retires.
Pandora Box: Box's younger sister is prone to adopting fringe causes with a fanatical passion for brief periods of time. She is said to have lived by the sea and written a number of pamphlets. She is clearly in love Olympus Mons, the leader of FAUST.
Joshua Reynolds: Leader of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, which is a front for the British Secret Service. According to Box, the name Joshua Reynolds is passed on like a title. The previous holder of the position was featured in The Vesuvius Club
The Vesuvius Club
The Vesuvius Club is a historical spy story by Mark Gatiss. It is the first novel in a series featuring the spy, Lucifer Box. The second novel, The Devil in Amber, was initially published in October 2006 and became more widely available from 6 November 2006.-Plot summary:Joshua Reynolds, of the...
but died of heart trouble before the time at which The Devil In Amber is set. The current Reynolds is described as having "run to fat" with "the look of a minor bishop". His voice is described as oily and self-satisfied.
Sal Volatile: Described as having a heroic jaw and strong thighs with some pockmarks on his face, Sal is a defector from FAUST because he disapproves of their satanic plans.
Delilah (No last name): Indispensable domestic servant of His Majesty's Secret Service. She is physically strong and very discreet. Delilah has an unseen daughter, Ida, and overuses the letter "H" in her speech, indicating a Cockney accent.
Christopher Miracle: Fellow painter and friend of Lucifer Box. Miracle assisted Box in The Vesuvius Club
The Vesuvius Club
The Vesuvius Club is a historical spy story by Mark Gatiss. It is the first novel in a series featuring the spy, Lucifer Box. The second novel, The Devil in Amber, was initially published in October 2006 and became more widely available from 6 November 2006.-Plot summary:Joshua Reynolds, of the...
. Since then he served in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, specifically during action on the border of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
which caused him to suffer a mental breakdown. Box states that he has never been the same since.
Charlie Jackpot : Valet
Valet
Valet and varlet are terms for male servants who serve as personal attendants to their employer.- Word origins :In the Middle Ages, the valet de chambre to a ruler was a prestigious appointment for young men...
, servant and lover of Lucifer Box. Entered the service of Lucifer during the events in The Vesuvius Club
The Vesuvius Club
The Vesuvius Club is a historical spy story by Mark Gatiss. It is the first novel in a series featuring the spy, Lucifer Box. The second novel, The Devil in Amber, was initially published in October 2006 and became more widely available from 6 November 2006.-Plot summary:Joshua Reynolds, of the...
after Box's previous servant, Poplar, was shot in the back on a Serbian railway station. Died in military action before the beginning of The Devil In Amber during an undisclosed adventure that took place on the French/Swiss border during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Allusions/references to other works
The opening pages refer to titles such as With Vinegar And Brown Paper, Hello, Mr Quarmby and They Wore Dark Trousers. These appear to be faux adverts for the type of book that would be advertised in a genuine 1920s occult thriller (there are links in these to Agatha ChristieAgatha Christie
Dame Agatha Christie DBE was a British crime writer of novels, short stories, and plays. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but she is best remembered for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections , and her successful West End plays.According to...
, Dorothy L Sayers etc.).
Release details
- 2006, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Simon & SchusterSimon & SchusterSimon & Schuster, Inc., a division of CBS Corporation, is a publisher founded in New York City in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. It is one of the four largest English-language publishers, alongside Random House, Penguin and HarperCollins...
, ISBN 074325709X, ISBN 978-0743257091, Pub date November 6, 2006, Hardback
- 2007, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Pocket Books, ISBN 0743483804, ISBN 978-0743483803, Pub date July 2, 2007, PaperbackPaperbackPaperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...