If you thought those two names looked familiar you're
right. In THE CLOCKWORK SCARAB, the first book in her
Stoker and Holmes series, Colleen Gleason introduces the
reader to Evaline Stoker, sister to Bram and Mina Holmes,
niece to Sherlock. Stoker is also the grand-niece of
Victoria Gardella from Gleason's Gardella Vampires series,
but it's not necessary to have read those books to enjoy
this historical romp in Victorian London.
Evaline and Mina first meet when they are called to the
British Museum late at night to help solve the mystery of
two missing society girls who have turned up dead. Tasked
to work together, Evaline and Mina butt heads. Evaline, a
vampire hunter comfortable in society, and Mina, the
logical-minded girl who is hesitant in social situations
don't at first appreciate each other's talents. And then
there are the three potential love interests, a cop, a
thief with a good heart and a man from more than 100 years
in the future.
The only clue the two have is an Egyptian clockwork scarab
found at the crime scenes. What does it mean? Where did it
come from? These are just two of the questions for which
Evaline and Mina must find answers using their brawn and
brains respectively. The adventure takes them from London's
ballrooms to its notorious stews, and there is a plentiful
cast of supporting characters to keep things interesting.
Gleason knows Victorian London well and brings this version
where electricity is illegal to life. This London has
different levels to its sidewalks and one must pay to use
the upper levels where the nicer vendors ply their trades.
Mina has a steam-powered gun, and the girls use clockwork
trinkets as ornaments to their finery. My one complaint is
that I'd like more depth to both Evaline and Mina, but I'm
thinking that will come in future installments. Gleason
does a nice job transitioning from "adult" fiction to the
young adult arena.
Gleason excels at plot as well with twists and turns
aplenty and incorporates humor for nice balance. If you
like young adult steam punk, you'll devour this one.
Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the
family business.
But when you're the sister of Bram
and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery
solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go
missing, there's no one more qualified to investigate.
Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve
their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but
three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one
clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The stakes are high.
If Stoker and Holmes don't unravel why the belles of
London society are in such danger, they'll become the next
victims.
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