The Lazarus Curiosity: A Steampunk Thriller Taking You Into A Dark and Mysterious World of Victorian Illusionists

Steam, Smoke and Mirrors, Book 2

By: Colin Edmonds

Narrated by: Karl Jenkinson

When not performing two sold-out shows every night, Music Hall Steampunk illusionists and consultants to Scotland Yard, slick-talking Michael Magister and the feisty Phoebe Le Breton, must solve the crime of the century, while saving the nation from a conclave of fiendish psychopaths led by the crazed renegade Jesuit known only as "The Black Bishop".

In the sequel to their acclaimed debut in Steam, Smoke and Mirrors, who dare Michael and Phoebe trust in this dark Victorian world of weird science, conspiracy and the occult?

Panicked by a satanic portrait painter, determined to disgrace the Royal family...terrorized by a deadly gas, primed to wipe out the Government....

With great reluctance, what else can Superintendent William Melville of the Special Branch do but, once again, send for...The Magicians!

Murder and malevolence, treachery and tragedy – all must surely be inevitable!

Especially when the Tarot predicts – death.

The Location?

London in 1899 was never like this. Well, actually it was, but history has been revised and redacted. Queen Victoria still reigns, Salisbury is Prime Minister, and Scotland Yard’s Superintendent William Melville heads the Special Branch, but bizarre new dangers stalked the misty streets, and Steam, Smoke & Mirrors sets out to reveal those stranger curiosities – crimes the Establishment would prefer to remain supressed.

The Detectives?

When murder and mayhem become so inexplicably weird, leaving the finest detectives of Scotland Yard’s Special Branch baffled and bemused, they must reluctantly turn to Music Hall magicians Michael Magister and Phoebe Le Breton. Experts in the arts of deception and misdirection, wise-cracking showman Michael and glamorous intellectual Phoebe help unlock the secrets and unravel the mysteries of the most thrilling, unfathomable crimes of the Victorian age. But could the enigma surrounding Michael Magister and Phoebe Le Breton themselves prove more perilous than the crimes they solve?

What other books have you written and in what order should they be listened to?

Steam, Smoke and Mirrors, unofficially titled The Mesmer Curiosity, is the first in the series. The Lazarus Curiosity continues the story and a short story..."The Windsor Curiosity."

Why should a listener pick up your book?

If you enjoy a crime-solving cocktail of murder mystery, history and humour, laced with science and the supernatural, all served up with kick-ass action, well....

What is Steampunk?

Imagine a Victorian-age of invention and innovation inspired by the extreme science of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Steampunk embraces art, fashion, literature in a highly stylish, 19th century steam-driven world of what could well have been.

©2017 Colin Edmonds (P)2020 Caffeine Nights Publishing

Decent sequel to the first installment

This continues the adventures of Michael, Phoebe, and company. The plot gets a bit convoluted, actually breaking down into separate episodic installments, but it was a fun romp. The author gets in a good blend of legitimate steampunk without being too outrageous, and blends it in naturally as well. The narration is as good as the first one, with the narrator handling numerous voices and accents seamlessly. I was sad to see this is the last book in Audible, even though there is a third volume out there (with three more anticipated by the author). Hopefully the third book will be produce in Audible. If so, I would get it.

Steampunk, Scotland Yard and Illusionists

4 and 1/2 Stars

1899 Victorian Scotland Yard uses Illusionists (Special Branch) in this Steampunk mystery to protect the Prince of Wales against Dark Evil like the “Black Bishop”. Science is different. So many adventures are had on their way to discovering a devious device.

I read this book out of order but I’m willing to go back and read Book One.

The Narrator is excellent with a beautiful British accent and fantastic characterizations.

I received a free review copy of this book in lieu of an honest review.

"Absinthe maketh the heart grow fonder."

Mirrors steampunk, alternative reality series set in a Victorian London, which focuses on the doings of the self opinionated but charming buffoon, Michael Magister, illusionist, and his lovely stage assistant, Miss Phoebe le Breton, undoubtedly the brighter of the two. Together with Wicko, the engineer, and the keeper of this chronicle, Artemis More, known as Octopus by Tesla, the team provide displays of apparent magic to the public at the Theatre of Steam, Smoke and Mirrors in Kensington, London - when they are not tracking down theives, murders and other felons for the Special Branch or for fun.

A cornucopia of characters, some glaringly unpleasant, like a pair of unemployed undertaker and their grossly overweight Bishop, others well known names from a more familiar literary past, like Oscar Wilde, Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, Alan Bennet and Alistaire Crowley. There are the representatives of the law and Special Branch, an Eton and Cambridge educated fragrant vagrant, the ingenious and scientifically minded Dr.Phun, proprietor of the Carnival of Mechanical Miracles (slogan, 'Not everyone who goes in, comes out') and his associates and many more, all drawn to bring them vibrantly to life.

Narration by Karl Jenkinson is superb, especially given the numerous protagonists encountered. He finds a different and appropriate voice for each one and remains consistent throughout, and as the chronicler, Artemis More, his pleasant received pronunciation English accent is spot on character as he makes his perfect paced, well modulated reading. A fine, story enhancing performance. There are, additionally, very occasional sound effects in the background: unnecessary but adding colour, if any were needed.

My profound thanks to the rights holder of The Lazarus Conspiracy, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. This is a deliciously fun, mind tickling series and I loved it. as well as the delicious and devious characters, the text is full of pins and verbal joking, and with vivid visual imagery. I'm looking forward to the next book. Although stand alone, it is better if read following book one, simply entitled Steam, Smoke and Mirrors. Definitely recommended for a madcap, pleasurable journey into an alternate time for anyone enjoying fast paced, quirky thrillers.

And never forget - 'It's only magic if you don't know how it's done'.

Wonderful book and series!

The Lazarus Curiosity is the 2nd in the Steam Smoke and Mirrors series by Colin Edmonds. Illusionists Michael Magister and Phoebe Le Breton are busy performing two shows per night, while consulting for Scotland Yard. This steampunk story is entertaining and engaging, full of humor, action and mystery. I enjoyed the relationships among the character, including the real historical people. The narration by Karl Jenkinson is absolutely perfect. He creates unique voices with appropriate accents and inflections for the many characters. The great news is that the story continues in book 3!

ANOTHER WINNER

Michael Magiser and Phoebe Le Breton are back in their second audio adventure THE LAZARUS CURIOSITY BY COLIN EDMONDS. This time , Michael and Phoebe are going after whomever robbed the bank of England of its gold bars. They are also continuing their pursuit of the "Black Bishop" who is hellbent on murdering the Prince of Wales and returning England back to the Catholic faith . In the course of their pursuits they meet and greet Author Conan Doyle once again. We also get to meet Bram Stoker among others.

I have gotten totally hooked on the Steam, Smoke and Mirrors series. Michael and Phoebe are two hilarious characters and along with some notable names from history make this steampunk mystery an a-lister in my book
Karl Jenkinson does an outstanding narration.

I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.