Originally published under the title: East of nowhere.

A brilliant ensemble black comedy, Fortune's Bastard is the story of how a bad man loses everything, and in the process becomes good. When Edward Miller, tabloid editor and reactionary alpha male, spontaneously seduces his temp, his many enemies make sure the news reaches his cold, beautiful wife-who leaves and cuckolds him. Miller heads for a London media hangout, where he meets cocaine. By morning, his exploits are public, his career is over, and his house is on fire. Clearly, it's time to leave town. After a brief stint teaching English in Spain, Miller winds up in a Florida town full of dwarves, fat ladies, lizard women, and a one-eyed albino hit man, all presided over by the Half Man, a criminal and sadist with no legs. Despite everything it seems that life among freaks will unwittingly teach Miller what normal life never could-how to love, and how love is worth risking everything for. Touching and cringingly hilarious, Fortune's Bastard confirms Robert Chalmers as one of Britain's freshest voices.