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The Clarity of Cold Steel  By  cover art

The Clarity of Cold Steel

By: Kevin P. Wright
Narrated by: Paul Jenkins
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Publisher's summary

Mortise Locke, the Machine City, last bastion of mankind in all its fallen glory, where the sum total of life is cheaper than in part.

A poor kid wrung from the city's dregs has been abducted. His family's lost all hope. Enter Detective Shakteel, gumshoe legend in his own mind and maybe -- just maybe -- a few others.

He's the bloodhound loosed on the kid's trail, and it's clear from the get-go that someone wants this hound put down. And they ain't shy about it. Killers keep coming.

And the clock keeps ticking... Can Detective Shakteel navigate the labyrinth of Mortise Locke's criminal underworld? Can he follow the trail? Can he dodge death in its pantheon of incarnations to finally find the missing kid?

And if he does find him, will he wish he hadn't?

Join Detective Shakteel in this lightning-paced steampunk thriller sure to set your blood to boil.

©2017 Kevin Wright (P)2018 Kevin Wright

What listeners say about The Clarity of Cold Steel

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Clarity

Clarity was something I did not get with this book.I enjoyed the narrator and even followed him through most parts.There were times though, I had no clue what was going on,or how we got where we were.Paul Jenkins was a terrific narrator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Hindu mystery tour.

What did you love best about The Clarity of Cold Steel?

The setting of the story is not your typical American city.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Skakteel is a fantasy mystery anti hero.

What does Paul Jenkins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Makes the setting and story more interesting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was a story you wanted to continue to its conclusion.

Any additional comments?

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

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33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Postapocalyptic Steampunk Detective? Awesome!!!!

Wright certainly has no fear in combining a plethora of concepts in a giant mixing pot, pouring in some action, adding a sprinkle of mystery, and hitting blend. You have to admire anyone who can create a detective story set in a postapocalyptic work that is full of steampunk. Oh, and making the detective hindu was a bit of both a surprise and a dab of brilliance. You really don't see to many hindu characters in this genre. And for him to take something as simple as a missing persons case and making so elegant a tale is commendable. Like I always say, slick is slick, and a trick is a trick, but when you don't look you are going to trip. He really puts you on some uneven ground, gives you a shove, and hopes you'll stay on your feet long enough to keep up.

What Iike is hat Shakteel (spelling?) isn't a knock down drag you into the street kicking and screaming detective. He's quicker with a quip than a fist, and so he doesn't fit the mold of the rough and tumble detective. Nor is he fearless. Holmes went to the Reichenbach Falls without a second thought. Shakteel not only would have thought about it, he would have probably booked a ticket on a train to somewhere in Spain. He isn't a complete coward, but he is not what your expectations of a detective are. He's pretty pragmatic. Just saying.

Jenkins pops in the narration, too. He brings this tale to life with a vivacity and vitality that Shakteel really deserves, and makes the listener appreciate the work he is putting in, because you only realize how hard he had to work after the story is over.

I would love to see more of this intrepid detective in the future. Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest. In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review.

If this review helped, please press the YES below. Thank you immensely!!!

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3 people found this helpful

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Looking for an exciting listen. Look no further

This story gets its hook in you early and doesn't let go until you are on the edge of your car seat waiting in traffic. The attention to detail by Kevin is amplified by the narrator Paul. The unwilling hero leads you on his investigation into a missing kid from the slums. This story takes you from the seedy underworld to the upper echelons of society. I highly recommend this for those looking for a quick read or listen.

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Great

I enjoyed this story very much I got this audiobook from audio boom and I was glad you sent me a code and the narrator did a great job also

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