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Elemental Web Tales #7
Flight of the Scarab
A clockwork scarab. A fairy ring. A chance to reignite the past.
When Julia Marston stumbles upon her estranged husband’s lifeless body in a cemetery at dawn, she trips and falls into a fairy ring of softly glowing mushrooms. In the eerie silence, a glinting clockwork scarab takes flight. Has her husband’s dark past as an antiquities smuggler finally caught up to him? Will it shatter her present?
Enter Graham Leyton, a man on a mission to retrieve stolen technology. Equally shocked at her husband’s death, he can’t help but ponder the possibility of a second chance with the woman he never stopped loving. But the crime scene presents a grim revelation. A once mutual friend, now consumed by his obsession with Julia, has reprogrammed the clockwork creature for a sinister purpose: murder.
As the race to capture the clockwork scarab unfolds, the past and present collide in a whirlwind of deceit and longing, hurtling toward a confrontation that will define their future.
When Julia Marston stumbles upon her estranged husband’s lifeless body in a cemetery at dawn, she trips and falls into a fairy ring of softly glowing mushrooms. In the eerie silence, a glinting clockwork scarab takes flight. Has her husband’s dark past as an antiquities smuggler finally caught up to him? Will it shatter her present?
Enter Graham Leyton, a man on a mission to retrieve stolen technology. Equally shocked at her husband’s death, he can’t help but ponder the possibility of a second chance with the woman he never stopped loving. But the crime scene presents a grim revelation. A once mutual friend, now consumed by his obsession with Julia, has reprogrammed the clockwork creature for a sinister purpose: murder.
As the race to capture the clockwork scarab unfolds, the past and present collide in a whirlwind of deceit and longing, hurtling toward a confrontation that will define their future.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2024
10 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Anne Renwick
19 books729 followersThough Anne Renwick holds a Ph.D. in biology and greatly enjoyed tormenting the overburdened undergraduates who were her students, fiction has always been her first love. Today, she writes steampunk romance, placing a new kind of biotech in the hands of mad scientists, proper young ladies and determined villains.
Books: https://www.annerenwick.com/bookshelf/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anne-Re...
Books: https://www.annerenwick.com/bookshelf/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anne-Re...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 6, 2024
The author delivers a tale that has almost everything in it - a romantic second chance, homicidal would-be lovers, graveyard shenanigans, blood-thumping chases and thrilling international espionage. I found this riveting because I was afraid of missing something if I stopped reading. It is almost like Eve Dallas as a scholar living in a steampunk world, but Rourke would never be so self-effacing as to leave her, no matter how messy the circumstances. Still this feels much like one of Eve and Rourke's mystery adventures, so I think JD Robb fans might find this a fun change of pace.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 8, 2024
Who would’ve thought that mushrooms, Egyptian antiquities and steampunk would come together into a fast-paced mystery with a side of romance? All this and more in Anne Renwick’s latest book, Flight of the Scarab and I enjoyed every single page of it.
I admit to being a big fan of Egyptian mysteries (Elizabeth Peters anyone?) so when I saw Renwick’s latest book would have an Egyptian theme along with mushrooms (what?!), steampunk and a love triangle, I couldn’t wait to read it.
This is another instalment in the Elemental Steampunk Tales series and frankly I think it’s the best one so far. This book starts off strong and moves quickly from a forced marriage and denied love to passionate encounters. There is the unfolding of a strange mystery that affects the Empire. The story moves from our heroine studying yeast, brewing beer and baking bread in her pub to clockwork scarabs with a deadly kiss to aristocrats dying in the tombs in Highgate Cemetery to mummies and Latvian goddesses with a magical touch. It sounds crazy but Renwick weaves it all together into a seamless tale of love, lust and greed.
Renwick shows off her skill at descriptive writing. Consider ‘Questions that weighed on her chest at night like the lid of a stone sarcophagus.’ or my favourite phrase ‘champignon beetle’. There are too many to quote here. Her descriptions allow the reader to step right inside the story so we are right there in that time and place with the characters, watching the action with bated breath. I would point you to the *ahem* carriage ride in Chapter 9 that Graham and Julia take together. If that scene doesn’t make you fan yourself vigorously, well then, nothing will! I did very much enjoy the interactions between Julia and Graham. In Chapter 12, Julia declares ‘You, sir, are a decided distraction’ and believe me, you won’t regard your kitchen table the same after this scene. Renwick does an excellent job of building the romantic tension throughout the book but she does an equally fine job of keeping us enthralled with the different clues she places before us. Just when you think it’s over, another twist pops up. Splendid!
It seemed appropriate to me to be reading this book on International Women’s Day because the theme of Julia’s independence was front and centre. Not overwhelmingly so but there is a definite plot thread of Julia being restricted by men’s rules and demands, in spite of being equally smart and extremely competent. I do love that Renwick’s heroines are super clever, feisty and courageous.
Renwick’s signature focus on science is deftly intertwined with the other story elements. I enjoyed reading about the XRF Analyser and the ‘syntholink and its paired tethersync inquisitor’ but also about the tiny golden glowing mushrooms growing on a scarab’s carapace. I felt the science was not only skillfully embedded as part of the story but it added to my enjoyment of the tale.
I received an ARC from the author and my views are offered voluntarily.
I admit to being a big fan of Egyptian mysteries (Elizabeth Peters anyone?) so when I saw Renwick’s latest book would have an Egyptian theme along with mushrooms (what?!), steampunk and a love triangle, I couldn’t wait to read it.
This is another instalment in the Elemental Steampunk Tales series and frankly I think it’s the best one so far. This book starts off strong and moves quickly from a forced marriage and denied love to passionate encounters. There is the unfolding of a strange mystery that affects the Empire. The story moves from our heroine studying yeast, brewing beer and baking bread in her pub to clockwork scarabs with a deadly kiss to aristocrats dying in the tombs in Highgate Cemetery to mummies and Latvian goddesses with a magical touch. It sounds crazy but Renwick weaves it all together into a seamless tale of love, lust and greed.
Renwick shows off her skill at descriptive writing. Consider ‘Questions that weighed on her chest at night like the lid of a stone sarcophagus.’ or my favourite phrase ‘champignon beetle’. There are too many to quote here. Her descriptions allow the reader to step right inside the story so we are right there in that time and place with the characters, watching the action with bated breath. I would point you to the *ahem* carriage ride in Chapter 9 that Graham and Julia take together. If that scene doesn’t make you fan yourself vigorously, well then, nothing will! I did very much enjoy the interactions between Julia and Graham. In Chapter 12, Julia declares ‘You, sir, are a decided distraction’ and believe me, you won’t regard your kitchen table the same after this scene. Renwick does an excellent job of building the romantic tension throughout the book but she does an equally fine job of keeping us enthralled with the different clues she places before us. Just when you think it’s over, another twist pops up. Splendid!
It seemed appropriate to me to be reading this book on International Women’s Day because the theme of Julia’s independence was front and centre. Not overwhelmingly so but there is a definite plot thread of Julia being restricted by men’s rules and demands, in spite of being equally smart and extremely competent. I do love that Renwick’s heroines are super clever, feisty and courageous.
Renwick’s signature focus on science is deftly intertwined with the other story elements. I enjoyed reading about the XRF Analyser and the ‘syntholink and its paired tethersync inquisitor’ but also about the tiny golden glowing mushrooms growing on a scarab’s carapace. I felt the science was not only skillfully embedded as part of the story but it added to my enjoyment of the tale.
I received an ARC from the author and my views are offered voluntarily.
February 9, 2025
4 Stars:)
June 10, 2024
MY RATING GUIDE: 5 Stars. I love Renwick’s imagination! She deftly weaves adventure, science and romance into a wonderful tale. This was great fun!
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5=I LOVED IT, THIS WAS GREAT! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
June 1885 ~
Julia marries to keep her family from the poorhouse but even as she says her vows, she regrets her choice. She has chosen an older man of means rather than the man her heart desires.
Nearly one year later, Julia contemplates how her life could possibly have gone so wrong. Her marriage is a disaster, the family pub she worked so hard to keep has lost its customers, money is scarce, she suspects her husband has become involved in illegal activities, and a government agent has approached her to turn her husband in to the authorities for questioning! And then where would she be?
Quotes ~
“Insects and fungi and bodies and death, a common enough quartet.” Julia
Comments ~
1) THE FLIGHT OF THE SCARAB is a book 7 in Renwick’s Elemental Steampunk Web Tales series. (Renwick also has a fun 4 bk Chronicle series and a 3bk novella series). THE FLIGHT OF THE SCARAB can easily be read as a standalone book as only one (secondary) character carries over from the earlier books. These stories are fast moving and fun! I highly recommend Renwick’s books. Her combination of science, adventure, the Steampunk world and romance is phenomenal.
2) I adore Renwick’s book cover art. The detail, colors and composition are what drew me to her books in the very beginning. Her writing keeps me clicking & reading. ;)
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - Not particularly dark nor graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Open-door flirtation and intimacy occurs.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5=I LOVED IT, THIS WAS GREAT! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
June 1885 ~
Julia marries to keep her family from the poorhouse but even as she says her vows, she regrets her choice. She has chosen an older man of means rather than the man her heart desires.
Nearly one year later, Julia contemplates how her life could possibly have gone so wrong. Her marriage is a disaster, the family pub she worked so hard to keep has lost its customers, money is scarce, she suspects her husband has become involved in illegal activities, and a government agent has approached her to turn her husband in to the authorities for questioning! And then where would she be?
Quotes ~
“Insects and fungi and bodies and death, a common enough quartet.” Julia
Comments ~
1) THE FLIGHT OF THE SCARAB is a book 7 in Renwick’s Elemental Steampunk Web Tales series. (Renwick also has a fun 4 bk Chronicle series and a 3bk novella series). THE FLIGHT OF THE SCARAB can easily be read as a standalone book as only one (secondary) character carries over from the earlier books. These stories are fast moving and fun! I highly recommend Renwick’s books. Her combination of science, adventure, the Steampunk world and romance is phenomenal.
2) I adore Renwick’s book cover art. The detail, colors and composition are what drew me to her books in the very beginning. Her writing keeps me clicking & reading. ;)
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - Not particularly dark nor graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Open-door flirtation and intimacy occurs.
May 8, 2024
Series Info/Source: This is the 7th book in the Elemental Web Tales. I bought a copy of this book on ebook.
Thoughts: Strangely I read this right after reading Kelley Armstrong's "Disturbing the Dead" which also deals with Egyptian mummies and mythology and is set in a Victorian-like period. Anyway, I enjoyed this book in the Elemental Web Tales. I always love the detailed dive into medical and technical aspects that Renwick includes in her stories.
This story alternates POV between Julia and Graham. The two have previously had a brief romantic history together, but Julia opted to marry an older man for the money to save her family from ruin. Julie studies mycology (study of mushrooms, fungus and yeast) and is trying to run her family's pub, while also studying at University in an effort to develop new yeasts for her unique alcohol brews. Graham has been in Egypt studying archaeological sites but is secretly also working for the King as a spy. They get sucked together to work on a mystery when Julia's husband turns up dead under mysterious circumstances and a clockwork creature is on the loose murdering people.
I enjoyed this book. It deals with some Egyptian mythology as well as having steampunk/clockwork elements. I liked learning about mycology and enjoyed the mystery here. I also enjoyed that Julia and Graham already have history together, which makes their romance more believable.
This was an entertaining read that I enjoyed. I struggle a bit to remember how this ties in to previous books. I know Graham's superior, Black, has been in previous books but I can't quite remember his story.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this and would recommend if you enjoy steampunk reads with a technical aspect, some romance, and a good mystery. I look forward to Renwick's future books in this series and always enjoy them.
Thoughts: Strangely I read this right after reading Kelley Armstrong's "Disturbing the Dead" which also deals with Egyptian mummies and mythology and is set in a Victorian-like period. Anyway, I enjoyed this book in the Elemental Web Tales. I always love the detailed dive into medical and technical aspects that Renwick includes in her stories.
This story alternates POV between Julia and Graham. The two have previously had a brief romantic history together, but Julia opted to marry an older man for the money to save her family from ruin. Julie studies mycology (study of mushrooms, fungus and yeast) and is trying to run her family's pub, while also studying at University in an effort to develop new yeasts for her unique alcohol brews. Graham has been in Egypt studying archaeological sites but is secretly also working for the King as a spy. They get sucked together to work on a mystery when Julia's husband turns up dead under mysterious circumstances and a clockwork creature is on the loose murdering people.
I enjoyed this book. It deals with some Egyptian mythology as well as having steampunk/clockwork elements. I liked learning about mycology and enjoyed the mystery here. I also enjoyed that Julia and Graham already have history together, which makes their romance more believable.
This was an entertaining read that I enjoyed. I struggle a bit to remember how this ties in to previous books. I know Graham's superior, Black, has been in previous books but I can't quite remember his story.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this and would recommend if you enjoy steampunk reads with a technical aspect, some romance, and a good mystery. I look forward to Renwick's future books in this series and always enjoy them.
April 13, 2024
This author has the uncanny ability to take subjects that should make no logical sense together; such as mushrooms, mechanisms, and ancient Egyptian artifacts, to build a story around. Then she stirs them up in the melting pot of her world, and produces an incredible adventure that makes every conspiracy theory I’ve ever heard sound all too plausible after the impossible things her characters have just faced. Now, I’m a sucker for a second chance, and when there’s one of those at the heart of any book, I’m guaranteed to be intrigued. I loved seeing Julia and Graham get the opportunity to work through the things that drove them apart in the first place. And the obstacles they had to overcome, and the hoops they were required to jump through, kept me glued to the page. I won’t even begin to guess what unlikely improbability the author has planned for us next, I only know that I already can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
August 11, 2024
Julia's life is a bit of a mess - her marriage is anything but happy, she suspects her husband is engaged in antiquities smuggling, and her family's pub house business is dwindling. When she needs an escape from this mess, she utilizes her scientific mind and puts her expertise is mycology to work to explore alternative approaches to yeast formulas for alcoholic beverages. This was one of the the most interesting parts of the book because it is everything I love about Ms. Renwick's writing - her innovative approach to bringing science to storytelling. She is a scientist and it continues to be apparent that she spends her time researching scientific concepts when she writes books in this series. Her books aren't all science, of course. In this one, we have a second chance at love, a love triangle, and a mystery behind a scarab that is on the run murdering people, to include Julia's husband. I felt like the romance wasn't as forced in this installment as Graham and Julia have a past. Looking forward to the next book.
April 21, 2024
Fast-paced, smart fun
As with all Renwick's books, I love this story. If you are reading this series for the first time, you can easily jump in here. While I certainly recommend reading the other books because they are great, you do not have to read the others to enjoy this one.
Graham and Julia are reuniting former lovers, kept apart by circumstances that left sadness and regret, but not recriminations. When they are reunited, they have a solid love story already in place. That leaves room for fast-paced action, clever deductions, and fantastical (but plausible enough for fiction) science and technology. The story never lags, both main characters are likeable, and mushroom facts abound. What more could you want in a story?
As with all Renwick's books, I love this story. If you are reading this series for the first time, you can easily jump in here. While I certainly recommend reading the other books because they are great, you do not have to read the others to enjoy this one.
Graham and Julia are reuniting former lovers, kept apart by circumstances that left sadness and regret, but not recriminations. When they are reunited, they have a solid love story already in place. That leaves room for fast-paced action, clever deductions, and fantastical (but plausible enough for fiction) science and technology. The story never lags, both main characters are likeable, and mushroom facts abound. What more could you want in a story?
April 19, 2024
Steampunk, Murder, and Second Chances
Julia’s husband is dead, but his slaying is not your run-of-the-mill murder. There is a deadly scarab somewhere in the neighborhood, and it isn’t your typical scarab. It’s a deadly, mechanical beast. It is a clockwork scarab. Graham found Julia right after she found her dead husband. They were lovers once, and he wanted another chance. Would he get that second chance? There was a murderer around, and the evil he concocted was not finished. Would Julia and Graham survive the flight of the deadly scarab? If you like steampunk, murder mysteries, and second chance romance, you might enjoy this twisted tale.
Julia’s husband is dead, but his slaying is not your run-of-the-mill murder. There is a deadly scarab somewhere in the neighborhood, and it isn’t your typical scarab. It’s a deadly, mechanical beast. It is a clockwork scarab. Graham found Julia right after she found her dead husband. They were lovers once, and he wanted another chance. Would he get that second chance? There was a murderer around, and the evil he concocted was not finished. Would Julia and Graham survive the flight of the deadly scarab? If you like steampunk, murder mysteries, and second chance romance, you might enjoy this twisted tale.
May 1, 2024
Good Storyline
I loved the plot. And I loved the heroine. What I did not care for was all the backstory that was told instead of experienced directly by the characters. When it is experienced with dialogue I can picture it in my head. When it is just told as something that happened in the past, it is like reading a history book, there is no movie running in my mind. I understand that there was a lot of backstory and background that needed to be told and just telling it could be done faster this way. But it did take some of the enjoyment out of the book for me.
I loved the plot. And I loved the heroine. What I did not care for was all the backstory that was told instead of experienced directly by the characters. When it is experienced with dialogue I can picture it in my head. When it is just told as something that happened in the past, it is like reading a history book, there is no movie running in my mind. I understand that there was a lot of backstory and background that needed to be told and just telling it could be done faster this way. But it did take some of the enjoyment out of the book for me.
April 8, 2024
Anne never ceases to amaze me with the research into technology and vivid landscapes! Who can resist clockwork mechanisms and mushroom hunting! Always an intelligent romance. A promise of something old rekindling and reawakening a long lost yeast.
May 5, 2024
I always love diving into Anne Renwick’s fascinating Elemental Steampunk world. The author blends science and steampunk technology with an adventurous love story. Flight of the Scarab is no different; however, I this time around, I was overwhelmed by the use of scientific terms and technical jargon. Put that together with a fast-paced story with multiple moving parts, and I found myself confused and lost a couple times while reading the story.
Julia sacrificed her own happiness and feelings for Graham to save her family from debt by marrying Marston. While he isn’t anything special, and he runs her family’s pub into the ground, he mostly leaves her alone. But he’s doing something suspicious, and when she’s approached by the government to spy on her husband, she decides to turn him in. That’s when she finds Marston dead in a cemetery, dressed in ancient Egyptian clothing, and she discovers he long lost love, Graham, is an agent. Together they work to save her reputation and her life.
I adored Graham and his desire to make Julia happy, even when he knew she was unhappily married to another. He is thoughtful and willing to protect her so that she’s not drawn into her husband’s shenanigans. Yet, as soon as he finds out Marston is dead, he wastes no time in proclaiming his true feelings. While I was glad Julia and Graham don’t play games and are straight about their feelings… I didn’t love that they can’t wait to get out of the cemetery where her still-warm husband’s lies dead to start making out. And unfortunately, the science tended to overshadow the lovely second chance romance.
In the end, I wanted to love Flight of the Scarab like I love the rest of this series, but between the biology of fungi, the quickness of the romance, and my own confusion, the story wasn’t all I hoped for. Still, it’s an enjoyable story and a solid addition to the Elemental Steampunk world.
My Rating: C+
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author
Julia sacrificed her own happiness and feelings for Graham to save her family from debt by marrying Marston. While he isn’t anything special, and he runs her family’s pub into the ground, he mostly leaves her alone. But he’s doing something suspicious, and when she’s approached by the government to spy on her husband, she decides to turn him in. That’s when she finds Marston dead in a cemetery, dressed in ancient Egyptian clothing, and she discovers he long lost love, Graham, is an agent. Together they work to save her reputation and her life.
I adored Graham and his desire to make Julia happy, even when he knew she was unhappily married to another. He is thoughtful and willing to protect her so that she’s not drawn into her husband’s shenanigans. Yet, as soon as he finds out Marston is dead, he wastes no time in proclaiming his true feelings. While I was glad Julia and Graham don’t play games and are straight about their feelings… I didn’t love that they can’t wait to get out of the cemetery where her still-warm husband’s lies dead to start making out. And unfortunately, the science tended to overshadow the lovely second chance romance.
In the end, I wanted to love Flight of the Scarab like I love the rest of this series, but between the biology of fungi, the quickness of the romance, and my own confusion, the story wasn’t all I hoped for. Still, it’s an enjoyable story and a solid addition to the Elemental Steampunk world.
My Rating: C+
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author
December 12, 2024
Loved it!
I loved this latest book in the Elemental Web Tales series. With its Egyptian theme it appealed to my Classics love, as well as my Steampunk love. And the relationships between the people in the book really bring it to life. I also loved the appearance of the mythical goddesses, a nice touch. A great read which I highly recommend, and I can’t wait to see what Anne comes up with next!
I loved this latest book in the Elemental Web Tales series. With its Egyptian theme it appealed to my Classics love, as well as my Steampunk love. And the relationships between the people in the book really bring it to life. I also loved the appearance of the mythical goddesses, a nice touch. A great read which I highly recommend, and I can’t wait to see what Anne comes up with next!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews