My Rating- 4 STARS
Synopsis- It is 1880 in a mechanical and supernatural London. Agents of Prince Albert’s Secret Commission, their criminal
pasts wiped from their memories, are resurrected to fight the eldritch evils that threaten England. Amidst this turmoil, Jim Dastard and his new partner Artifice must stop a re-animationist raising murderous dead children. As Art and Jim pursue their quarry, Art discovers clues about her past self, and through
meeting various intriguing women—a journalist, a medium, a prostitute, and a mysterious woman in black—where her heart lies. Yet the question remains: What sort of criminal was she? A new beginning, a new identity, and new dangers await Art as she fights for the Secret Commission and for her second life.
My Review- I loved this book. It was odd, humourous and constantly had me picking up my kindle to read more. Art is a lovely character full of kindness, charity and emotion, though it seems she has darker personal tastes. To add to the delight of this book she is a re-animated, previously dead, ghost, that can take a solid form. She was re-animated by a Secret Agency who fight supernatural crime. Her partner is a re-animated skull who wears a tophat called Jim Dastard. He is strange, hilarious and rarely makes sense. Its fun to read Art and Jim's interactions, conversations and the friendship they
form.
The ending was a little abrupt and left on an interesting Cliffhanger. I will look forward to reading the second book in this series and other works by this author.
This book was a delight to read and held the twisted themes I enjoy.