In a fairly traditional fantasy kingdom, populated by wizards, dragons, elves, bards, and other factions, a businessman from another world has figured out a way to take advantage of the world by turning it into a tourist trap. Now the entire economy and social structure of the world revolves around these Pilgrim Parties, and the people have had more than enough. In order to try to end the scourge of the Pilgrim Parties once and for all, they tap the wizard Derk to play the part of the Dark Lord, whereupon hilarity and chaos ensue. 
 The Dark Lord of Derkholm is a clear send-up to and satire of the tropes of medieval fantasy, as well as the effects of tourism and theme parks on an indigenous population. Mr. Chesney insists on his version of a fantasy world, effectively keeping the world from developing past the Middle Ages. At the same time, he exploits the natural resources of the world to ensure his own fortune in his own world. The social, political, and literary commentary is biting and spot-on. 
 Yet the plot doesn't always entirely hang together; there are a lot of bits that aren't well-explained, other bits that aren't as thoroughly explored as I would like, and the very end is a bit muddled and confusing. Under other circumstances, I would complain about a deus-ex-machina ending, but I suspect that was the whole point. 
 However, my confusion, which I am willing to take all of the blame for, does not detract from the enormous undertaking Jones attempted in writing this novel, nor from her overall success in achieving it.