Automations and death!

A Killer in the Crystal Palace (Keir and Levett Mystery #1)by Deb Marlowe   

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The Great Exhibition 1851 is showcasing Britain’s Industrial genius to the world.  In the Crystal Palace, Niall Kier, an exhibitor, uses his creative skills, forging everything from intricate panels of scrolled ironwork, huge gates detailing the thistle of Scotland, to finely wrought iron brooches.

Nearby is a young woman, Kara Levett,  defying convention creating wonderful automations, clocks with several moving parts, the replica of a ship that played sea shanties, unfurled it’s sails and other startling features, and an automated man.

When Kara’s automated man disappears and it’s discovered near a dead man with its arm ripped off, Kara is accused of his murder and the police try to take her away for questioning.

Niall helps her escape and takes her to a magistrate in a different district, hoping to stave off her arrest.

All the time Kara is being followed. It seems this might be a bit more  personal than thought.

During all the too-ing and fro-ing someone has stolen parts of the revolutionary Colt pistol, diagrams and other ordnance paraphernalia. Treason! The resolution is unexpected.

A Victorian Mystery where the threads finally come together, although about some things we’re still in the dark. Such as, who is Niall Kier really? What’s the secret he carries that’s a huge burden?

Nary a kiss is exchanged in this new plot. But there’s still time for many threads that are hinted at to develop. I’m looking forward to more.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.