ReviewIn this steampunk mystery, Sir Maurice Newbury maintains an office at the British Museum but actually works in a secret capacity for Queen Victoria, who is still alive, in late 1901, by means of an elaborate mechanical life-support system. Veronica Hobbes arrives to become Sir Maurice's assistant, and together the two investigate a series of incidents: a missing man, a crashed airship, automatons gone berserk, a string of murders apparently committed by a blue-glowing policeman, and a plague that is turning residents of London's Whitechapel into revenants (zombies). Mann may be trying to do a little too much here, but both Newbury and Hobbes are engaging characters and the world-building is done well. The last third of the novel is nonstop action, including a classic train-top chase scene. The author introduces some elements that are obviously intended to carry over into future books, and the epilogue reveals new information and clearly sets up the next episode. Fast-paced and well-written, this novel is likely to appeal to genre fans.

The affinity bridge : a Newbury & Hobbes investigation

Mann, George

Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

Tor Science Fiction

Forge Books

New York

United States, United States of America

1st ed., Tor, New York State, 2009

First edition, New York, 2009

1st Edition, 2009

"A Tom Doherty Associates book."

Sir Maurice Newbury And Miss Veronica Hobbes, Agents Of Queen Victoria, Battle Both Physical And Supernatural Enemies Of The Crown. They Are Called In To Investigate The Wreckage Of A Crashed Airship And Its Missing Automaton Pilot While Dealing With A Zombie Plague In The Slums Of The Capital And Attempting To Solve A String Of Strangulations Credited To A Mysterious Glowing Policeman. George Mann. A Tom Doherty Associates Book.

2025-02-11