AustLit

'A book of manners, magic and mayhem

'After Edward and Jemima’s honeymoon is cut short by a severed head landing in their marriage bed, they must away to London to devise a way to defeat the ravenous beast, Geneck and Jemima must be the bait.

'Newspaper headlines reveal carnage in London streets and the police and the secret brotherhood of magicians are pounding at the door, demanding answers from Edward.

'Joined by Fulton, Edward and Jemima begin to scour the dark places of London: sewers and newly-constructed underground railway tunnels. Their only chance is to find Geneck’s lair and end him in daylight, when he is weak. But the monster’s minions protect him and the road to safety is not clear.

'When Jemima is taken, Edward is beside himself. Who has taken her and how is he going to get her back? Deeper into magic he must go, and Milly and Aunt Prudence join in the fight to rid the world of Geneck. But will that be enough?'

(Source: publisher's blurb)

'Paranormal Victorian steampunk fantasy, with Gothic horror and romance.

'A book of manners, magic and mayhem.

'After her father is murdered, budding scientist Jemima Hardcastle is packed off to boarding school by her guardian and heir to Willow Park, Edward Huntington. When they finally meet again at a house party, four years later, Edward doesn’t recognise his ward and the two share a flirtation that is broken when Jemima confesses her true identity. The murder of another party guest and the theft of a precious gem interrupt any chance they have to resolve their feelings. Edward coldly ships Jemima off once more – this time back to her old home.

'At Willow Park, under the chaperonage of the odious Aunt Prudence and meek cousin Milly, Jemima is expected to concentrate on her needlework. Instead, she finds a friend in Edward’s man, Fulton, who shows her the artificial leg his employer built for him. Impressed by this revelation of scientific genius and generosity, Jemima’s esteem for Edward rises and she longs to see him again — but he does not arrive home as planned. When she discovers he has been abducted, Jemima plans a rescue, but unbeknownst to her, Edward is a gentleman magician and his devices have more than science on their side.

'She and Fulton plunge into London’s hidden world of dark sorcery as they search everywhere for Edward — in the slums, manufactureys, and even a bawdy house. When they finally find him, Jemima’s life is already on the line.

'As Edward struggles with his feelings for his ward, Jemima’s only hope for survival is if he uses one of his devices to revive the vampiric beast, Geneck … but the ensuing havoc could destroy London itself.' (Publication summary)