Today’s passage doesn’t qualify as terrible prose. Mostly.

It’s from a book I really enjoying. It’s kind of corny–there’s a love triangle and this guy has a bodyguard crush on this Russian princess–but the premise is intriguing and I love it.

Then, out of nowhere, comes this letter. I’m a fan of epistolary novels; I can do with one or two letters in a story this good.

This is the sleaziest letter I’ve ever read.

I’m pretty sure the guy who wrote it is going to turn out to be a villain and it will be a huge twist…but come on. How could you read this and not come away with a bad impression?

Don’t take my word for it. Just listen.