The Curious Case Of The Clockwork Menace (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
I really liked this story. It is a fast paced (obviously! Novella!), enjoyable read that sets up two characters for their romance. Their witty banter is fun, they push each other's buttons, and they really have each other's backs. While I worry that I'm really not going to like Perry in the next book, I like her well enough for this mystery. And, I'm still not entirely excited about the focus of the series moving from the Whitechapel gang to the Nighthawks and into what feels like the larger London world. But, since it is called the "London Steampunk" series, I guess it is to be expected. *Genre* Steampunk, Romance*Rating* 3.5*My Review*Things you need to know about this novella that doesn't spoil the story. First, Perry Lowell and Garrett Reed are characters who first appeared to readers in the novel My Lady Quicksilver. Second, the story takes place 3 years before Forged by Desire, which is Perry and Garrett's full length story. Third, because it is a novella, there isn't any romance, or sex, and the story focuses more on the dynamics between the characters and the struggles they face, rather than the connection that is obvious to anyone who reads this novella. I was planning on reading Forged first, but after reading some comments from reviewers I trust, I decided to hold off until I was finished with this novella. I'm glad I did. This novella centers around a case brought to the Guild of the Nighthawks regarding a missing actress, Nelly Tate, and the Echelon Blue Blood who offers money to find her. It is a well thought out mystery with a satisfying conclusion. Although, there is a kind of sad ending for a secondary character that was introduced that I came to feel connected to. I also liked the dynamic between Perry and Garrett, although I am hoping for some much needed resolution in Forged with the romance angle. Perry truly intrigues me. If you have read this series, then you know who Perry is, and the fact that she's a rarity in the Blue Blood male dominated world. As one of the few females, and the only Nighthawk, Perry has had to prove herself as one of Sir Jasper Lynch's Hands. Perry is a remarkable tracker, and truly a character that warrants her own story. Yet, there are many questions that surround her that still haven't been answered. Where did she come from? How does she know so much about the Echelon? Who is she hiding from? What happened to her that forced her to change her entire persona and become a Nighthawk? So, yes, the next book I shall be reading will be Forged by Desire. So please stay tuned for my review coming soon!Published August 19th 2014 by Smashwords Edition (first published August 14th 2014)
What do You think about The Curious Case Of The Clockwork Menace (2014)?
Not bad, but having read their full story - this was certainly not satisfying enough.
—Ally
