“Holy F*ck by Joseph Incardona (Bitter Lemon Press, 2026, £9.99) is a zappy satire with a high murder count, the first of the many novels by the Swiss novelist to be translated into English. Originally Stella et l’Amérique (2024), this is a story with the criminals introduced very early on and described on the back cover, so no secrets betrayed. The Pope is concerned that Stella, a prostitute who, by means of sex, cures invalids of their illnesses, is an inappropriate saint — whereas, if she becomes a martyr, then the Church can invent and use an exemplary story. The standard killers, the villainous Bronski twins, are commissioned, and we are launched on a madcap chase novel through the South and on to Las Vegas, with corpses aplenty, fine writing, fascinating asides, overlapping and interacting narratives, and a Pulp Fiction vista of the bizarre, the deadly, the shrewd, and a variety of supposed purposes of life. Very much one to enjoy but also plenty to think about. And short.”—The Critic
“A little marvel. Tarantino would have loved to write this book.” — ELLE
“A jubilant black comedy with unforgettable characters. A reading pleasure!”— 24 Heures
“A mystical and burlesque novel, utterly hilarious.”— Le Monde
“Incardona manipulates the narrative mechanics of tragicomedy with infectious jubilation, comments on the action, addresses the reader, and sketches a gallery of unforgettable portraits, rosary in one hand, gun in the other.”— L’Obs
“Incardona has fun performing miracles with a saintly prostitute that Quentin Tarantino wouldn't disown.”--Libération
