Liked this one and will get the next ones in the series. ( )

I said of the first book that the characters needed fleshing out and with this entry, they do get some of that flesh. Incorporating even wilder elements of science fiction... a steampunk Trek transporter and amazingly sophisticated steampunk AI automatons... the story has a slightly uneven pace, but is still engaging and entertaining. Appetite whetted, I’m splitting my fiction time between multiple series but won’t wait another six years between this and the next. ( )

Once again Books and Braun are caught up in a case when suddenly some of their fellow-travellers disappear in a bolt of lightning. When other people start to disappear in the same way they have to stop whoever or whatever is doing this.
More of the background of both of them is revealed and I'm really enjoying reading their adventures and looking forward to more ( )

I just found another new favorite series with these. The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences: The Phoenix Rising and Janus Affair. The exploits and adventures of Books and Braun. It's a nice change with Ms. Braun being the ass-kicking heroine who has deep fondness of explosives, guns, snap decisions, and tendency to attract trouble. Mr. Books is the "timid" level-headed sidekick with an aversion to guns, strong gentlemanly sensibilities, and the ever-present voice of reason and rationalization. Braun has a tendency to run head-long into a situation for love of Queen and Country and proceed with investigations on any case that crosses her desk at her new reassigned position where she has been exiled into the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences archives. Mr. Books attempts to stamp down Eliza's need to be in the field and attempts at reigning in the wilds of Ms Braun; but, he finds himself partnered with her in a race to solve a case to protect Queen and Country. It's way fun and totally Paranormal Steampunk! It is a beautiful blend of Sherlock Holmes and Pride & Prejudice; a dash of The Picture of Dorian Grey garnished with a small zest of Pygmalion. I can't wait for their next MOPO adventure!!! ( )

Sigh, I wanted to like this book, really, I did. But the plot of how someone is killing off the suffragettes of Britain never really achieved escape velocity for me and what is essentially a thriller needs to get off the ground fast and keep moving. I've been picking up and putting down this book for awhile and I just reached the point where I just started skipping through it to get to the end. ( )