The Big Happy

Fictional detective Miranda Miller is brought to life in the far future to catch Family Guy, a sadistic serial killer who is terrorising the three federations ruling the planet. Her investigation starts in Las Vegas, England – a facsimile of the American original, but with a dismal climate. It is part of PopRep, a faddish culture that idolises Donald Trump as the father of populism. While there, Miller speaks IngoLingo, a dumbed-down street slang, to blend in with the locals. On leaving PopRep, she is elated to speak ordinary English again. Her joy ends, though, when she reaches Rio de Jerusalem, capital of Trumpia – a brutally misogynistic theocracy where the Donald is deified. Despite Miller’s expectations, Trumpia and PopRep are constantly at war, each accusing the other of misrepresenting the Orange One. Finally, Miller tracks Family Guy to Paris-on-Euphrates in Scientia, a high-minded liberal meritocracy where everyone has the vote, but some more than others – and oligarchs by a factor of fifty million. Something else bothers Miller: Why do radical leftists revere Adolf Hitler? As she chases down her quarry, Miller realises he is much closer to home – and the seat of power – than she could ever have imagined…