The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove (Pine Cove, #2) Summary & Key Insights

Christopher Moore's The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove continues the zany adventures of the Pine Cove residents introduced in A Dirty Job. This time, the focus shifts slightly from Charlie (though he remains a crucial supporting character), centering instead on the escalating absurdity surrounding the town's peculiar problems and the arrival of a new, equally bizarre threat: the titular Lust Lizard.

The story revolves around the unexpected reappearance of the "Melancholy Cove," a mythical area of Pine Cove that periodically manifests, unleashing a wave of intense, almost overwhelming sexual desire upon its inhabitants. This bizarre phenomenon is directly linked to the ancient, powerful Lust Lizard, a creature of immense libido and equally immense magical power, who's been inadvertently awakened. The Lizard's influence isn't just about heightened sexual urges; it manipulates emotions, causing widespread chaos and bizarre behaviour amongst the town's residents.

One of the central characters is the newly introduced heroine, a mysterious and captivating woman named (her name is intentionally left vague and changes throughout the book based on who she's speaking with and what she wants to convey), who plays a pivotal role in understanding and confronting the Lizard. She's powerful, enigmatic, and possesses her own unique relationship with the supernatural forces at play. Her powers are connected to the forces of nature and female sexuality, contrasting and complementing the Lizard's raw, chaotic energy.

Charlie, the reluctant "cleaner" from the previous book, returns to assist, offering his cynical wit and unique perspective on the escalating events. His relationship with his fellow inhabitants, already fraught with complications in the previous book, further unravels as their behaviour is manipulated and distorted by the Lust Lizard's presence. Other familiar faces from A Dirty Job, like the enigmatic and often exasperated Sister Mary, pop up, offering their own brand of quirky support (or hindrance).

The overarching theme is the comedic exploration of human nature and desires, particularly those of a sexual nature. Moore tackles the subject with his signature blend of irreverence, dark humor, and surprisingly poignant observations about relationships and societal expectations. The chaos caused by the Lust Lizard serves as a catalyst, revealing the underlying tensions and complexities within the close-knit community of Pine Cove. The resolution involves a battle of wills, not just against the monstrous Lizard but also against the manipulative power of uncontrolled desire and the potential for self-destruction. The novel ends on a typically Moore-esque note: a slightly absurd and chaotic but ultimately hopeful resolution, leaving the future of Pine Cove and its inhabitants delightfully uncertain.