August Hidden Gems Review

This month’s Hidden Gems spotlight is A Riddle in Bronze, by Simon Haynes. This delightful tale, which reads like a steampunk version of Ghostbusters with just a dash of romance and mystery thrown in, was thoroughly enjoyable. The story begins with Septimus Jones, a young man out to make his fortune in Victorian London, applying for a position as a bookkeeper in the household of an eccentric professor. Fortunately for readers (who understandably may not find accounting to be a riveting subject), however, it is quickly revealed that the professor and his unconventional daughter, Roberta, are in fact in search of someone to help run their secretive business: ghost hunting.

The pair have discovered a method to imbue metal with peculiar properties by infusing it with the essence of captured phantasms, and they use their discoveries to make inventions that capture the lethal ghosts plaguing London’s wealthy upper class. However, it soon becomes clear that there is more at stake than the peace of mind of a few aristocrats—a plot unfolds that threatens all of London, and perhaps even the world, and Septimus and Roberta must overcome huge odds to stop it.

This book provided an immersive experience, its word choice, dialogue and descriptions all combining to make me feel as if I really were walking the gaslamp-lit streets of Victorian London along with the protagonists. I was also impressed with how well-developed the characters were; each had a unique way of viewing the world which was informed by their individual backstories, and their differences make for dynamic and entertaining dialogue and interactions. There were several delightful and exciting twists at the end, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a good read.

Though this is a self-contained novel that does not end on a cliffhanger, the sequel is to be released this year, and I for one greatly look forward to it.

A Riddle in Bronze can be found here, free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.