Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Charmingly British...or Britishly charming...through and through.  Douglas Adams' writing, per usual, is expertly playful with lots of wit and clumsily likeable characters.  His simple writing style contrasts a somewhat intricate plotline that twists and turns to keep your mind alert.  In simple terms, this book is the Monty Python of novels, with a bit of The Third Policeman thrown in.  Ghosts!  TIme travel!  Horses!  Poets!  Recommend!

And now onward to the second part, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.