The Clockwork Scarab

· Chronicle Books
4.3
32 reviews
Ebook
361
Pages

About this ebook

The sister of Bram Stoker and the niece of Sherlock Holmes investigate missing girls and murder in this steampunk fantasy mystery series opener.

Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go missing, there’s no one more qualified to investigate. Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab.

The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don’t unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they’ll become the next victims.

Praise for The Clockwork Scarab

“With its fog-shrouded setting, its heart-racing and clever plot and, most of all, its two completely delightful, kick-butt heroines, The Clockwork Scarab is pure, delicious fun from beginning to end.” —Rachel Hawkins, New York Times–bestselling author of the Hex Hall series

“The author’s writing exudes energy, romance, and humor, and she gives her heroines strong, vibrant personalities as they puzzle out the expansive mystery unfolding before them.” —Publishers Weekly

“The mishmash of popular tropes (steampunk! vampires! Sherlock Holmes!) will bring readers in, but it’s the friendship between the two girls that will keep them.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This book has it all: plot, setting, character development . . . . All in all, the vivid setting and the finely drawn, compelling heroines make this a fine choice for readers who like their stories with steampunk spice and smart, strong women.” —School Library Journal

Ratings and reviews

4.3
32 reviews
Ben Biddle
May 27, 2014
Colleen Gleason crafts a compelling nineteenth century London for her characters to explore. Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker are true to their respective families and display uncanny resemblances to their more famous relatives. Readers will be drawn in to each girls' struggle to fit into society, understand the advances of bachelors and deal with family pressure. Typical teenage struggles are set against a backdrop of Victorian mores and cultural faux pas. As if that wasn't enough, a time traveling stranger draws the girls dangerously close to our world. Female readers may find themselves enamored with the girls extensive wardrobes. Gear heads will thrill at the proliferation of gadgets and devices employed by the young heroines. Dirigibles fill the skies and electricity has been banned in a multi-layered world that is both familiar yet beyond our reach. I appreciate that Gleason keeps her writing free from the vulgarities sometimes associated with steam punk literature. Her world of corsets and steam power compels the characters forward instead of miring them in crudeness. Any fan of Sherlock Holmes or Dracula will delight in subtle details drawn from those classic works.
2 people found this review helpful
Mónica Gouveia
October 27, 2014
As a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Steampunk novels I was very intrigued by this book and obviously had to read it. I was not disappointed (just sorry I hadn’t picked it up sooner). The description of steampunk 1889 London, with all it’s steam powered gadgets and the way people used them to go about their lives is very well written and you almost feel as if you are actually there. The female lead characters are intelligent, strong and independent. Miss Holmes is logical and takes her time to carefully analyse the situation while Miss Stoker is more rash and action hunger; these differences in character lead to very amusing interactions and dialogues between the two characters. The story itself was also interesting and very entertaining, as a Sherlock Holmes fan I specially loved the chapters narrated by Miss Holmes. I really enjoyed reading this book, in fact I enjoyed it so much as soon as I as done reading it I immediately bought the second book on the series. Another aspect of this book I love is the cover, I found it absolutely stunning.
3 people found this review helpful
LJ Salazar
October 7, 2019
A fantastic journey in my mind's eye from the very beginning of the adventure to the end of the finale. Well done you!
1 person found this review helpful

About the author

Colleen Gleason is the author of the paranormal romance series The Gardella Vampire Chronicles, and the post-apocalyptic romance series The Regency Draculia. Set in steampunk Victorian London, this is her debut young adult novel. She lives in the Midwest.

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