Review by Ian Keogh

For Bad Machinery fans the good news is that for The Case of the Fire Inside all primary characters are in their right mind, and acting as normal. Or as normal as it gets for Lottie. This is in contrast to The Case of the Lonely One, where Shauna alone predominated.

So what’s the fire inside? Well, Jack and Linton have puberty hormones kicking in, and Sonny seems to be a little behind on that score, which leaves him feeling isolated as conversations increasingly concern girls. Luckily for him there’s a solution on the horizon. Unluckily for him, as this is Tackleford, prone to mystical intrusions, that solution may not be so ideal after all. Although everything seems normal, there’s no less awkwardness about Mildred’s budding relationship with an older boy. The gawkiness and torment of teenage love is beautifully observed by John Allison, with an amusing side dish concerning the behaviour of pubescent boys.

At the same time Allison’s also providing the kind of glorious, free association conversation supplied on the sample art. He’s a master at this kind of nonsense dialogue, being consistently inventive and funny. Much joy this time comes from Mildred and Sonny’s Grandpa Joe, a positive wellspring of disgusting advice, displays and recollections.

More than earlier volumes, The Case of the Fire Inside provides pathos. There was a hint of it in The Case of the Simple Soul, but it’s heightened here, with several people to feel sorry for, none of them responsible for their problems. A central revelation is well disguised, and there’s some real horror toward the end. After the slight blip last time, this is the best Bad Machinery to date. The Case of the Unwelcome Visitor is next.