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Galvanic Century #1
And They Called Her Spider
Galvanic Century is set in an alternate steampunk world where the reign of Queen Victoria has extended well into the early 20th century. As the world edges inexorably towards a World War that few can even begin to anticipate, brave men and women must contend with airship pirates, clockwork assassins, galvanic monsters, and anarchist madmen.
In their debut adventure, London is in the grip of an unstoppable assassin known only as the Spider, and consulting detectives James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby have been commissioned to catch her.
Can the surly inventor and savvy gentleman track her down and stop her string of murders, or will Queen Victoria be her next victim?
In their debut adventure, London is in the grip of an unstoppable assassin known only as the Spider, and consulting detectives James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby have been commissioned to catch her.
Can the surly inventor and savvy gentleman track her down and stop her string of murders, or will Queen Victoria be her next victim?
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2011
7 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Michael Coorlim
27 books55 followersMichael Coorlim is a teller of strange stories for stranger people. He collects them, the oddballs. The mystics and fire-spinners, the sages and tricksters. He curates their tales, combines their elements and lets them rattle around inside his rock-tumbler skull until they gleam, then spills them loose onto the page for like-minded readers to enjoy.
He writes fast-paced stories about real people in fantastic situations, plots with just a twist of the surreal, set in worlds just a shadow’s breadth from our own.
Some whisper that he may, in fact, be a wizard. Others maintain that he’s naught but bluster and blarney. The truly wise know that there’s nary a difference.
Questionable activities
Michael Coorlim’s fiction can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and Smashwords.
He also writes the indie-focused book blog Book Nouveau.
Pry a little deeper
If you want early notifications of upcoming titles, discounts, giveaways, and other fun you can subscribe to his new release mailing list. You can also find him on facebook and twitter as @mcoorlim. Email him at Coorlim@gmail.com – he’d love to hear from you.
He writes fast-paced stories about real people in fantastic situations, plots with just a twist of the surreal, set in worlds just a shadow’s breadth from our own.
Some whisper that he may, in fact, be a wizard. Others maintain that he’s naught but bluster and blarney. The truly wise know that there’s nary a difference.
Questionable activities
Michael Coorlim’s fiction can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple, and Smashwords.
He also writes the indie-focused book blog Book Nouveau.
Pry a little deeper
If you want early notifications of upcoming titles, discounts, giveaways, and other fun you can subscribe to his new release mailing list. You can also find him on facebook and twitter as @mcoorlim. Email him at Coorlim@gmail.com – he’d love to hear from you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 12, 2014
An assassin called The Spider strikes her targets at will and it's up to consulting detectives Wainwright and Bartleby to stop her. Can the scientist and the fop stop her before she ruins Queen Victoria's platinum jubilee?
This was a kindle freebie. How could I resist a Holmeseque mystery featuring an assassin dressed as a Jester?
And They Called Her Spider is a short steampunk mystery set in an alternate London with all the usual steampunk trappings. However, unlike a lot of steampunk that uses goggles and boilers as set dressing, the steampunk elements are actually important to the tale! How refreshing!
Wainwright, the reclusive inventor, and Bartleby, his social butterfly partner, aren't Holmes and Watson but they make a good team. The Spider was a capable threat and the way they discovered her origins was very Holmesian. It was an enjoyable little morsel.
The only issues I have with this book is that it was too short. I wanted more of everything! More Wainwright and Bartleby! More Spider! And more of the world they all inhabit! This was just some cheese fries when what I was really wanting was a mountainous brisket sandwich! 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'll be on the lookout for more of Michael Coorlim's tales of the Galvanic Century.
This was a kindle freebie. How could I resist a Holmeseque mystery featuring an assassin dressed as a Jester?
And They Called Her Spider is a short steampunk mystery set in an alternate London with all the usual steampunk trappings. However, unlike a lot of steampunk that uses goggles and boilers as set dressing, the steampunk elements are actually important to the tale! How refreshing!
Wainwright, the reclusive inventor, and Bartleby, his social butterfly partner, aren't Holmes and Watson but they make a good team. The Spider was a capable threat and the way they discovered her origins was very Holmesian. It was an enjoyable little morsel.
The only issues I have with this book is that it was too short. I wanted more of everything! More Wainwright and Bartleby! More Spider! And more of the world they all inhabit! This was just some cheese fries when what I was really wanting was a mountainous brisket sandwich! 3.5 out of 5 stars. I'll be on the lookout for more of Michael Coorlim's tales of the Galvanic Century.
February 20, 2015
Okay, first of all, that's a bizarre cover. It's adorable – and has so little to do with the at times elegant and at times fey story that I keep being shocked every time I see it.
There's a killer on the loose in the Steampunk 19th century London of the story. She (yes, she!) "comes out of nowhere, a flash of red and black fabric, powdered white face, the tinkling of bells, drawing near in that sinuous way she has, mesmerizing and captivating even those with the presence of mind to recognize her as a threat." And then she kills. She's terrifying and fascinating, and … well, "Bartleby was smitten." As the Queen's Jubilee celebration approaches, the detective partners Bartleby and James are commissioned to go find the harlequin killer; if Bartleby's motives are a bit different from James's, well, he still wants to find her.
They use Holmesian logic and deduction and then a bit of slogging to locate the killer, and that's only the beginning – they have a twisted genius to deal with.
The steampunk elements were very nicely integrated into the world – everything worked well here. I like these chaps, and I will be reading more Bartleby and James.
There's a killer on the loose in the Steampunk 19th century London of the story. She (yes, she!) "comes out of nowhere, a flash of red and black fabric, powdered white face, the tinkling of bells, drawing near in that sinuous way she has, mesmerizing and captivating even those with the presence of mind to recognize her as a threat." And then she kills. She's terrifying and fascinating, and … well, "Bartleby was smitten." As the Queen's Jubilee celebration approaches, the detective partners Bartleby and James are commissioned to go find the harlequin killer; if Bartleby's motives are a bit different from James's, well, he still wants to find her.
They use Holmesian logic and deduction and then a bit of slogging to locate the killer, and that's only the beginning – they have a twisted genius to deal with.
The steampunk elements were very nicely integrated into the world – everything worked well here. I like these chaps, and I will be reading more Bartleby and James.
July 4, 2012
And They Called Her Spider
by: Michael Coorlim
I won this from a LibraryThing giveaway
And they called her Spider is a short story. It is a well written detective/mystery story that will keep you hooked from the beginning. Great Story.
by: Michael Coorlim
I won this from a LibraryThing giveaway
And they called her Spider is a short story. It is a well written detective/mystery story that will keep you hooked from the beginning. Great Story.
May 14, 2012
And They Called Her Spider is a short detective story set in a steampunk Victorian London, or its very similar but somehow different version. As this is a short story, the author doesn’t beat around the bush and throws you right in the middle of the story, or so it seems. But this also means that you are literally hooked to the book from the first words as you want to know more! Despite its shortness, it is a very gripping read with two very loveable detectives. I don’t think you could find two characters that are more opposite than these two but they work very well together, maybe because of the differences, rather than in spite of them.
When I was reading this story, the dynamics between the two detectives reminded me of the relationship between Holmes and Watson, but that is actually the only thing (and the ‘historical’ setting) that these four characters have in common. I was quite surprise how skilfully managed Michael Coorlim establish the main characters in such a short space, so that even during the reading you feel like you really understand them and know what makes them tick.
I truly enjoyed this read and I am very pleased to let you know that And They Called Her Spider is first in the series of A Bartleby and James Adventures, the rest of the series is listed below. I hope to find some time to dive into all of them as I really want to know what happens next!
I would like to urge you to give this story a try even if this genre is not your cup of tea, because I have no doubt that you won’t be disappointed.
The full series:
And They Called Her Spider
Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande
On the Trail of the Scissorman
A Matter of Spirit
More information about the stories can be found on Michael Coorlim website.
(review copy)
When I was reading this story, the dynamics between the two detectives reminded me of the relationship between Holmes and Watson, but that is actually the only thing (and the ‘historical’ setting) that these four characters have in common. I was quite surprise how skilfully managed Michael Coorlim establish the main characters in such a short space, so that even during the reading you feel like you really understand them and know what makes them tick.
I truly enjoyed this read and I am very pleased to let you know that And They Called Her Spider is first in the series of A Bartleby and James Adventures, the rest of the series is listed below. I hope to find some time to dive into all of them as I really want to know what happens next!
I would like to urge you to give this story a try even if this genre is not your cup of tea, because I have no doubt that you won’t be disappointed.
The full series:
And They Called Her Spider
Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande
On the Trail of the Scissorman
A Matter of Spirit
More information about the stories can be found on Michael Coorlim website.
(review copy)
April 12, 2013
What a quick and fun read! I downloaded this title labeled under the "Steampunk" genre, hoping to get a quick taste of what this upcoming genre was all about. If this is a prime example of the genre, I will definitely be downloading more!
Bartleby and James are genuine characters indeed. Coorlim has created an exciting atmosphere that makes it difficult to put the book down. The writing style is quick paced and the intellectual difference in the pair was fun and comparing their personalities as I read this book made the story that much more intriguing. I was actually guessing in my mind how each character (Bartleby and James) was going to react.
The only downfall I could find was that the scenes, though I could picture them easily, were somewhat lacking in the elaborate department. The scenes are quick and the reader is left to imagine the "Steampunk" atmosphere on their own. I was really hoping to have more on the "airships" and the town of London while reading this. Instead, I was handed two wonderfully created personalities, leaving behind the intricate details that would make up the sci-fi category.
Overall, the Holmes and Watson style characters are what really made this book jump. The creativity in the mystery was good and alluring, but could have given more intricate details to pull the reader in a bit further.
Nicholas, author of
Bartleby and James are genuine characters indeed. Coorlim has created an exciting atmosphere that makes it difficult to put the book down. The writing style is quick paced and the intellectual difference in the pair was fun and comparing their personalities as I read this book made the story that much more intriguing. I was actually guessing in my mind how each character (Bartleby and James) was going to react.
The only downfall I could find was that the scenes, though I could picture them easily, were somewhat lacking in the elaborate department. The scenes are quick and the reader is left to imagine the "Steampunk" atmosphere on their own. I was really hoping to have more on the "airships" and the town of London while reading this. Instead, I was handed two wonderfully created personalities, leaving behind the intricate details that would make up the sci-fi category.
Overall, the Holmes and Watson style characters are what really made this book jump. The creativity in the mystery was good and alluring, but could have given more intricate details to pull the reader in a bit further.
Nicholas, author of
October 4, 2013
What if Holmes' friend was an engineer, they both lived in a steampunk England, and their story told in a witty style in a fantasy?
They would be Bartleby and James, the fun couple in this steampunk story.
Well written and a light read, the story has been a surprise. I found myself smiling at the tribulations of the engineer, enjoying his use of the detoxification apparatus, in a world excellently sketched with all its steampunk flavor.
This story is now for free on Smashwords, and it makes a good read for steampunk fans, and also an easy introductory read for those curious to try steampunk.
January 6, 2013
Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle who can’t get enough of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson will enjoy reading about Coorlim’s Bartleby and James. These two consulting detectives must stop the entrancing and fearsome assassin whom people know only as “Spider”. While London prepares for the jubilee of Queen Victoria, the partners must traverse the city, following leads and mad men in the hopes that the Spider’s next victim isn’t the Crown, herself. Written in the vein of Doyle and set in an alternate world during the early years of the twentieth century where technology has both an avant-garde and sinister presence, And They Called Her Spider will surely entertain you and make you want to read the rest of Bartleby and James’ adventures.
Story & Pacing: 9
The story begins with a description of the Spider’s latest attack, so it hooks you from the start. A novella rather than a novel, the pacing of this story is quick and satisfying. Coorlim gives enough details to get to know his consulting detectives but keeps the plot moving by keeping them hot on the trails of the Spider.
Characters: 8
As the first novella in the collection of stories, I found Bartleby and James still undeveloped. But knowing that more of their adventures will be recounted in subsequent installments leaves me eager to read more rather than put off with the lack of details.
Setting: 7
London is the place to be, it seems, for consulting detectives anyway. Although the setting is, admittedly, in an alternate universe, I would have liked even more information about the alternate London. With only minor details about the church in Southwark, Abney Park Cemetery, and the boys’ home, I couldn’t really see the setting in my head.
Style & Writing: 8
Coorlim’s writing is easy to get through. He strives to maintain the tone of a 19th/20th-century story though at times some of his choice of words and syntax, especially in the dialogue, seems too modern to belong in his story’s period.
Learnability & Teachability: 7
Nice English mystery/detective story. Good for predicting endings and identifying clues as they are read.
POTENTIAL TEACHABLES
Comparing and contrasting with Doyle’s stories; pastiching; maintaining voice; choosing vocabulary and sentences to evoke tone; writing styles of different time periods; predicting conclusions; identifying clues; importance of galvanization to technology and the world; London in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially the various classes and social customs of the times; steampunk sub-genre of science fiction, including characteristics and recurring themes, conflicts, and characters.
Story & Pacing: 9
The story begins with a description of the Spider’s latest attack, so it hooks you from the start. A novella rather than a novel, the pacing of this story is quick and satisfying. Coorlim gives enough details to get to know his consulting detectives but keeps the plot moving by keeping them hot on the trails of the Spider.
Characters: 8
As the first novella in the collection of stories, I found Bartleby and James still undeveloped. But knowing that more of their adventures will be recounted in subsequent installments leaves me eager to read more rather than put off with the lack of details.
Setting: 7
London is the place to be, it seems, for consulting detectives anyway. Although the setting is, admittedly, in an alternate universe, I would have liked even more information about the alternate London. With only minor details about the church in Southwark, Abney Park Cemetery, and the boys’ home, I couldn’t really see the setting in my head.
Style & Writing: 8
Coorlim’s writing is easy to get through. He strives to maintain the tone of a 19th/20th-century story though at times some of his choice of words and syntax, especially in the dialogue, seems too modern to belong in his story’s period.
Learnability & Teachability: 7
Nice English mystery/detective story. Good for predicting endings and identifying clues as they are read.
POTENTIAL TEACHABLES
Comparing and contrasting with Doyle’s stories; pastiching; maintaining voice; choosing vocabulary and sentences to evoke tone; writing styles of different time periods; predicting conclusions; identifying clues; importance of galvanization to technology and the world; London in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially the various classes and social customs of the times; steampunk sub-genre of science fiction, including characteristics and recurring themes, conflicts, and characters.
May 21, 2012
I love Steampunk: let me say that right up front. I’ve adored the sub-genre ever since I realized it was not Cyberpunk, as I’d initially mistakenly thought. I love everything about Steampunk, and this novella expresses all of that. The mechanisms, the characters, the almost magical engineering, the alternate-probability history, the Victorian Era (extended somewhat farther in the 20th century than we remember in our consensus reality), it’s all fascinating-riveting-enrapturing. “And They Called Her Spider” brings mystery, suspense, action, adventure, crime, and some of the deepest character studies I have ever seen accomplished in a novella. Run, don’t hesitate, to buy this one!
A Bartleby and James Adventure, #1
A Bartleby and James Adventure, #1
April 19, 2012
This is a detective story set in a steampunk inspired Victorian era London. The protagonists Bartleby and James appear to be partly modelled on Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Certainly the length is typical of many of Holmes's adventures. The twist is that James is an "engineer" who spends most of his time dabbling in chemistry and clockwork. Without spoiling things, the "Spider" is an extraordinary adversary - possibly typical of the steampunk genre. I found this to be good escapism. If you like Holmes or "The Wild Wild West", then you'll like this.
April 21, 2012
Well written short story starring Bartleby and James. A woman assassin, known as the Spider, is murdering people. She had been witnessed every time but no one has been able to stop her. The Queen's Jubilee is coming and there is a concern that the "Spider" will attempt to get to the queen. Bartleby and James are called in to look at the case when the police fail to apprehend her.
I really enjoyed the flow of the short story. With just a few words, you felt that you knew the characters well. I haven't read a Bartleby and James Adventure before but will definitely be looking for more.
I really enjoyed the flow of the short story. With just a few words, you felt that you knew the characters well. I haven't read a Bartleby and James Adventure before but will definitely be looking for more.
November 20, 2012
And They Called Her Spider by Michael Coorlim is a fun piece of Victorian steampunk. His two protagonists, Bartleby and James, are a mismatched pair of private investigators who are called in to assist Scotland Yard. The ensuing case, with engineers and clockwork automatons, is an entertaining mystery. Coorlim does an excellent job of capturing Victorian London in his alternate past. Just like the Sherlock Holmes stories, one wants to read about the further adventures of this unlikely pair. A clever conceit.
April 11, 2012
James and Bartleby are wonderful characters! I love this style and time period … very Holmes and Watson, which I adore! The story was great, it had mystery and some darkness to it, but a bit of humor in the way these two men interact with each other and the changing world around them made the whole thing very entertaining! It is a very short story, I would love to know more about them and their lives and what will happen next! I can’t wait to read more!!
June 4, 2013
A nice short Steampunk story that channels Doyle (as in Sherlock and Watson and not Professor C). There is intersting developments in the terms of the vilian and how the heroes react to her. The book does raising issues and questiosn about war. The writer is undercharging by offering this for free, I must say.
April 20, 2012
I won this through a LibraryThing giveaway.
This was a great short steampunk story set in London. Not only was it a greatly written but the ending is a completely new idea. It was not what I was expecting and I loved it. I wish it could have been longer but it was still a great short read.
This was a great short steampunk story set in London. Not only was it a greatly written but the ending is a completely new idea. It was not what I was expecting and I loved it. I wish it could have been longer but it was still a great short read.
February 17, 2014
I picked this up free on Kindle. It's a great little steampunk book -- I loved the setting and the atmosphere, and I enjoyed the author's voice. I'll definitely look for more by him in the future.
October 20, 2023
Enjoyable set of short stories about a detective duo with a steampunk setting. Bartleby is the rich gentleman who likes to dabble in detecting and James is a brilliant inventor without many social graces.
The author used Chinese characters when a character spoke a Chinese language, which was impressive but a little odd as I’ve have thought most readers wouldn’t be bothered by that level of detail yet never mentioned which Chinese language it was.
The author used Chinese characters when a character spoke a Chinese language, which was impressive but a little odd as I’ve have thought most readers wouldn’t be bothered by that level of detail yet never mentioned which Chinese language it was.
January 28, 2025
This was a fun, quick read. I'm not always a fan of steampunk but felt like this little slice was a good start and/or introduction to what looks to be a fun series. I think I'll be looking for the next book and see if my interest continues. I'm just glad Queen Victoria made it through her platinum jubilee!!!
August 17, 2023
Bartleby and James are a "Steampunk" updated Sherlock and Holmes. There are some great one-liners for some good chuckles. As I don't like Steampunk, I don't plan to read more stories with Bartleby and James.
October 23, 2018
Very fun quick read set in a wonderful steampunk world.
December 15, 2013
Review Tally:
Overall: 3 1/2 STARS
Story/Plot: 4 - First off, "And They Called Her Spider," is a novella. It's the first of (to date) 8 novellas featuring Bartleby & James Wainwright, who are consulting detectives in a steampunk world entitled "The Galvanic Century."
Next, I did enjoy the story and wished instead of being a novella, it was a long involved story. I'd have enjoyed to see more of this "Galvanic Century" and a little more information regarding - SPOILERS.
I would highly recommend this book though, which is one reason I don't want to spoil some of the information which we learn in the story. If you like steampunk, mysteries, gentlemen detectives or automatons, you should pick up this first novella or if you're interested in reading the first 4 in the series, check out The Collected Bartleby and James Adventures.
Re-read Value: 3 - Another 50/50.
I should mention here, I usually remember everything I read, which is why this number is usually a low number and has NOTHING to do with value of the book, plot or author. It's a little annoying, but usually if I pick up a book I have read previously, I remember what happened. This is convenient for me regarding series because when the next book comes out in a series, I don't have to re-read or refresh my memory on what happened previously. That being said, sometimes I think back on a series and wonder did it happen prior to this happening or I might REALLY love the series or a specific character or mystery and choose to re-read a book.
Since I DO plan to continue this series, as well as purchase The Collected Bartleby and James Adventures, I just might decide to read the whole volume from cover to cover.
Continue Series: 4 - Yes. As mentioned above I'd like to continue the series. I would like to find out more about . . . again SPOILERS.
PS, every time I think that word now, I hear River saying it in my head.
Characters: 4 - Bartleby and James Wainwright are heralded as "Consulting Detectives" similar to Sherlock Holmes. Sadly, I didn't agree with this assessment. Please do not let this turn you off though. Rather, I thought Bartleby was more in the vain of Lord Peter Wimsey and James Wainwright was more akin to a steampunk engineering genius - thinking back on some parts of the story, you might even think he is an "evil genius."
Before you think the novellas only focus on these two characters, they do not. There are quite a few characters who are interesting in this series- some of whom, are introduced in this first volume and some are merely alluded to.
As I said, if you read the first installment, you might become hooked and need to pick up the next few in the series. Or that could just be me.
Cover: 4 - Ok, here is me going on again. I LOVED this cover. If I saw it in a store, I would run over and check what the book is about. This could be because of the Harlequin on the cover. I am just a huge sucker for this type of thing.
Now, this book is a Steampunk novella, but the actual cover doesn't make you think that. On the other hand, the cover DOES play into the overall theme and storyline of the book. So it's perfect.
Genre Fulfillment: 4 - I actually considered giving this a 5, because everything I love about the Steampunk genre was THERE in this story. Although, I would have loved more airships, but that is just me. . .
That being said, why didn't I give it a 5? Mainly, it was due to this being a series about "Gentlemen/Consulting Detectives" who live in a steampunk world. I felt the mystery part of the story was good, but could have been expanded and more involved. I also wished there had been more regarding this steampunk/"Galvanic Century" world, but I did understand the author would explain more as the series continues.
Personal Involvement: 3 - I know what you are thinking. Right now you're saying so why did you give this a 50/50 rating when so far your review regarding this series is glowing. My only excuse is at the current moment, I don't feel strongly about the series. I do want to find out more of what is going on and I do plan to continue the series, so this number as I continue will probably grow, but presently my mind is more on the world building and the mystery side of the story rather the characters.
Read
November 17, 2012The following review is based on the epub edition of "And They Called Her Spider" from a librarything.com giveaway.
--
"And They Called Her Spider" is a steampunk mystery involving an entertainingly at-odds detective duo and an impossibly speedy assassin dressed as a jester. It is definitely a short story (approximately 150 pages on my iPod touch), but despite the book's meager length, it certainly packs a punch!
The plot is exciting and well written with appropriate amounts of adventure (via investigation and interrogation) and action (via fighting against the villain). The mystery was enjoyable, and although I figured out the assassin's secret a little past the book's midpoint, I still enjoyed the explanation, and the gut-churning little twist at the end served as a nice surprise.
The dynamic between the two main characters, a "social savant" and a grumpy engineer, was fun to read and vaguely reminiscent of the dynamic between the characters in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, because of the book's length, the relationship between the main characters isn't really explored in detail. Although a lengthy back-story can be sometimes boring and detrimental to a good mystery, I really enjoyed the banter between the detectives and found myself wishing that there was more explanation as to how they met up and started their agency.
The writing, possibly my favorite part of the book, was absolutely fantastic. The vocabulary, and the artistically convoluted sentences were a pleasure to read and very fitting for the book's setting. A good example is an excerpt from the delightfully alliterative description attributed to one of the main characters: "It isn't pleasure that my partner is addicted to, but experience. The new and the novel, the strange and sublime."
Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of mystery, steampunk, and period "buddy cop" stories.
Pros:
-Good plot
-Fun character dynamic
-Superb writing
Cons:
-Too short to develop characters and world
-Too costly for the length ($1.99 - $2.99 would be a better price)
On a side note, I enjoyed the fact that the trees in the park were planted in alphabetical order (and the fact that James was "enamored of" it) way too much. Brilliant!
--
"And They Called Her Spider" is a steampunk mystery involving an entertainingly at-odds detective duo and an impossibly speedy assassin dressed as a jester. It is definitely a short story (approximately 150 pages on my iPod touch), but despite the book's meager length, it certainly packs a punch!
The plot is exciting and well written with appropriate amounts of adventure (via investigation and interrogation) and action (via fighting against the villain). The mystery was enjoyable, and although I figured out the assassin's secret a little past the book's midpoint, I still enjoyed the explanation, and the gut-churning little twist at the end served as a nice surprise.
The dynamic between the two main characters, a "social savant" and a grumpy engineer, was fun to read and vaguely reminiscent of the dynamic between the characters in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, because of the book's length, the relationship between the main characters isn't really explored in detail. Although a lengthy back-story can be sometimes boring and detrimental to a good mystery, I really enjoyed the banter between the detectives and found myself wishing that there was more explanation as to how they met up and started their agency.
The writing, possibly my favorite part of the book, was absolutely fantastic. The vocabulary, and the artistically convoluted sentences were a pleasure to read and very fitting for the book's setting. A good example is an excerpt from the delightfully alliterative description attributed to one of the main characters: "It isn't pleasure that my partner is addicted to, but experience. The new and the novel, the strange and sublime."
Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of mystery, steampunk, and period "buddy cop" stories.
Pros:
-Good plot
-Fun character dynamic
-Superb writing
Cons:
-Too short to develop characters and world
-Too costly for the length ($1.99 - $2.99 would be a better price)
On a side note, I enjoyed the fact that the trees in the park were planted in alphabetical order (and the fact that James was "enamored of" it) way too much. Brilliant!
August 15, 2013
Set in a lush alternative England at the beginning of the 20th century, Queen Victoria reigns over airships pirates and galvanic monsters alike. This tale is told through James Wainwright, who is something of a mad scientist, or inventor at least. His commentary on his gentleman friend Bartleby often had me chuckling and his dogged pursuit of The Spider once he became interested was entertaining. While not my favorite so far in the series, it is an excellent first book to introduce readers to two of the main characters and the setting. In short, it was an excellent way to spend a lunch hour.
I need to talk about the cover. I had seen this book here and there on the blogosphere, Kindle, etc. but had passed it by because of the cover. The covers for Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande and Sky Pirates Over London have airships and look steampunkish. I found these covers very attractive and that is why, in part, that I read them. Now I understand you can’t slap an airship on every book, especially if there is no airship in the story, but this cover looks cartoony to me and makes me think of the circus and clowns, two things I generally avoid in real life and in reading. So, there you have my little confession. I was passing up a fine book because I was judging it by it’s cover.
Narration: Wayne Farrell is an excellent voice for James Wainwright, capturing both his fascination of mechanized gadgets and his condescension of evening attire and the finer points of gentlemanly behavior.
I need to talk about the cover. I had seen this book here and there on the blogosphere, Kindle, etc. but had passed it by because of the cover. The covers for Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande and Sky Pirates Over London have airships and look steampunkish. I found these covers very attractive and that is why, in part, that I read them. Now I understand you can’t slap an airship on every book, especially if there is no airship in the story, but this cover looks cartoony to me and makes me think of the circus and clowns, two things I generally avoid in real life and in reading. So, there you have my little confession. I was passing up a fine book because I was judging it by it’s cover.
Narration: Wayne Farrell is an excellent voice for James Wainwright, capturing both his fascination of mechanized gadgets and his condescension of evening attire and the finer points of gentlemanly behavior.
November 15, 2015
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
And They Called Her Spider was such a fun read. I wasn't expecting much since it is a novella and they are not always that good, but I just loved this one. This is the story of Barnaby and Wainwright trying to find the secret assassin Spider before it is too late. Spider has been taking out influential people and no one seems to know anything about her. They must find her before the big celebration, before she can kill Queen Victoria.
Barnaby and Wainwright were such a fun team to read. One is this grumpy genius inventor who keeps to himself and is not good with people, the other a real people person who can seemingly get anything he wants. The two of them..oh I did enjoy it. I loved who Spider was and what was actually going on. I loved reading the crazy inventions Wainwright came up with, loved reading how Barnaby just takes it all it, just really enjoyed this read. They seem to just bumble along, but it was fun.
This is a steampunk book and unlike some I have read there is not just gears and goggles all over the place. Everything makes sense, everything is only mentioned if needed, and it was just a great read. The only problem was I didn't want it to end! I will have to go find some more Barnaby and Wainwright mysteries to read.
And They Called Her Spider was such a fun read. I wasn't expecting much since it is a novella and they are not always that good, but I just loved this one. This is the story of Barnaby and Wainwright trying to find the secret assassin Spider before it is too late. Spider has been taking out influential people and no one seems to know anything about her. They must find her before the big celebration, before she can kill Queen Victoria.
Barnaby and Wainwright were such a fun team to read. One is this grumpy genius inventor who keeps to himself and is not good with people, the other a real people person who can seemingly get anything he wants. The two of them..oh I did enjoy it. I loved who Spider was and what was actually going on. I loved reading the crazy inventions Wainwright came up with, loved reading how Barnaby just takes it all it, just really enjoyed this read. They seem to just bumble along, but it was fun.
This is a steampunk book and unlike some I have read there is not just gears and goggles all over the place. Everything makes sense, everything is only mentioned if needed, and it was just a great read. The only problem was I didn't want it to end! I will have to go find some more Barnaby and Wainwright mysteries to read.
December 22, 2012
I love steampunk!! And this book deliveries it with guns a blazing…the book is about two private detectives or I should say consultants for Scotland Yard. One is a rich playboy type and the other is a scientific engineer. They are hired by Scotland Yard to help them find an assassin that is killing people that shouldn't have been killed because of their exemplary security yet it is being done without effort. And with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee just days away the assassin had to be stopped. The eye witness’ say that the assassin is dressed like a jester in black and red fabric, powdered white face, bells and moves so fast and fluid that she can’t be human, but if not human what?
The only problem I had with the book was it was too short…I am going to get everything that Mr. Coorlim has written. The cover art work is astonishing on all of his books.
I am giving this book my highest recommendation and you will be seeing my reviews on all of Mr. Coorlim books that I can devour…I can’t wait for the adventure…
The only problem I had with the book was it was too short…I am going to get everything that Mr. Coorlim has written. The cover art work is astonishing on all of his books.
I am giving this book my highest recommendation and you will be seeing my reviews on all of Mr. Coorlim books that I can devour…I can’t wait for the adventure…
June 23, 2013
This is a fascinating steam punk short story set in Victorian England. Bartleby and James are detectives called in to consult on a case involving a mysterious spider woman who is moving about London assonating persons. The MO of this spider woman is unique, and no one has been able to figure out just how the spider woman kills her victims. The two detectives, one an engineer and one a gadabout are reminiscent of another famous duo, Holmes and Watson. How they go about solving this mystery is fascinating and holds the reader captive from the get-go. Both characters are likeable and clever, each in his own way, adding something to the mystery/story. The author could easily have written this as a full-length novel, and should consider this in the future (with another plot). I don’t normally read these type stories/novels, but was pulled totally in by the characters and the plot. Just how the spider woman is killing shows the author’s creativity and intelligence. I hope to read more stories about this duo in the future. I received this book free to read and review from Library Thing.
September 5, 2016
I was in need of something short and non-taxing on the brain as a reward for finishing up some schoolwork, so I flipped through my abundance of Kindle freebies and landed on this one.
And apparently a short steampunk mystery was exactly what I needed. It's a very quick read, and although a bit predictable, the characters were likable (steampunk versions of Holmes and Watson, really) and the plot was strung together relatively well. There wasn't much time for any character development, but there was still just enough that I like them and want to read more about them in further adventures.
Plus, there's an assassin jester. What's not to love about that? (Actually that was the main reason I picked this up, the cover illustration was quite intriguing.)
And apparently a short steampunk mystery was exactly what I needed. It's a very quick read, and although a bit predictable, the characters were likable (steampunk versions of Holmes and Watson, really) and the plot was strung together relatively well. There wasn't much time for any character development, but there was still just enough that I like them and want to read more about them in further adventures.
Plus, there's an assassin jester. What's not to love about that? (Actually that was the main reason I picked this up, the cover illustration was quite intriguing.)
December 5, 2012
4 STARS
A Bartleby and James Adventure 1
It's a nice short detective story. I would love to see it longer.
detectives James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby are the two central characters.
Alton is a rich member of the ton and James is a smart, loner that wants no one to come in his lab and distrube him. Even his partner Alton who built it for him in his basement. They are interesting and play off each other well.
I like the characters and would like to see more of them in action. Easy to follow the story.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review from Librarything.
Published by PoMoCo Press Published: Dec. 22, 2011
A Bartleby and James Adventure 1
It's a nice short detective story. I would love to see it longer.
detectives James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby are the two central characters.
Alton is a rich member of the ton and James is a smart, loner that wants no one to come in his lab and distrube him. Even his partner Alton who built it for him in his basement. They are interesting and play off each other well.
I like the characters and would like to see more of them in action. Easy to follow the story.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review from Librarything.
Published by PoMoCo Press Published: Dec. 22, 2011
April 5, 2019
Cool short story. The author has a great voice and the text was well edited. I liked the two main characters, Bartleby and James, so different from one another but great chemistry. :)
There is also a fantastic black and white drawing round the middle of the story, showing Spider in action. I didn't expect it and was very pleasantly surprised.
I see this is the first of a series, so I'll be following up on the rest of the books.
There is also a fantastic black and white drawing round the middle of the story, showing Spider in action. I didn't expect it and was very pleasantly surprised.
I see this is the first of a series, so I'll be following up on the rest of the books.
October 3, 2014
This is a really interesting quick read. It has shades of Sherlock Holmes and a bit of a Steampunk feel. It definitely caught my interests and I am curious about this series. This book is an excellent appetizer to tempt a reader into trying one of the full length novels in the collection.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Wayne Farrell. He does a terrific job of keeping the character's voices distinct and consistent. I loved his steady pace and engaging tone. I am definitely going to look for more of his work!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Wayne Farrell. He does a terrific job of keeping the character's voices distinct and consistent. I loved his steady pace and engaging tone. I am definitely going to look for more of his work!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
June 21, 2015
Yes, yes, yes!! I am only on page... can't tell because I'm reading on Kindle Cloud.. and already the edges of my world has started curling, becoming opalescent and I can feel myself being tugged head over heels into the sepia wondrousment of the delicious parallel universe that lustres with life right next to ours... if you just let go.....
UPDATE: Done! I will use a quote from the pages that state my thoughts ever so eloquently:
"I stood for a moment in quasi-religious awe, taking it all in, feeling the almost electric pull of the technological marvel before me."
This, is Steampunk in all its brass, steam and clockwork glory!
UPDATE: Done! I will use a quote from the pages that state my thoughts ever so eloquently:
"I stood for a moment in quasi-religious awe, taking it all in, feeling the almost electric pull of the technological marvel before me."
This, is Steampunk in all its brass, steam and clockwork glory!
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