The Atomic Circus

Caecilius Rex #1

by K.C. Finn

A story is never a good story unless it starts with a murder. The more unusual the murder, the better the story, generally speaking. Meet Caecilius (KAI-KILL-EE-USS) Rex, a young detective in the not-too-distant future, a smog-filled post apocalyptic world riddled with crime and conspiracy. When a new case quite literally falls at Rex's feet, he teams up with his neighbour and associate Kendra Nai, an ex-army sergeant recently dismissed, to investigate. Little do they know that the events of The Atomic Circus will be the first step to solving the case of a lifetime.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

170 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2013

About the author

K.C. Finn has been writing since 2011, at a time when extreme illness saw her trapped in the house with nothing but her imagination. Since then she's amassed a collection of stories, poems and novels spanning many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, gothic fiction, horror, paranormal and historical works. Her unique and diverse voice has won many awards, and she is both an Amazon and USA Today best-selling writer.

In her free time, K.C. is an eternal student, forever studying and learning more about the world. She travels whenever possible to explore new cultures and climates, and when she's at home she enjoys coaching writers of all ages with a story to tell. She also exercises her flair for the dramatic by directing, writing and occasionally acting in darkly humorous theatre productions in her hometown of Chester.

K.C. also works as a professional reviewer, manuscript consultant and cover designer. Feel free to message regarding any of these services!

Reviews

[Amy Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know as I have ever read such creativity. This book goes beyond imaginative and takes you to a whole new level of ingenious. Atomic Circus is the beginning of Caecillius Rex's adventures as a young, yet uncommonly brilliant detective with a horrific past that haunts him into doing a superior job at solving crime. He and his unofficial partner, Kendra are on the case to break open a mysterious underworld filled with the most creative criminal activity and characters you can dream up. This story is start to finish adventure and surprise and will leave you desperate for the second book in the novella series. GRAB A COPY NOW!!

[Crystal Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in awhile I will start reading a book, and after a few pages, start back over in the beginning because I am sure that I missed something. That happened with this one, obviously or else I wouldn't have mentioned it! This book sure had it right, right from the start with what K.C. said,


“A story's never a good story unless it starts with a murder. The more unusal the murder, the better the story, generally speaking.”

Now of course that is true, you have to make your book stand out from all the others. That completely happened with this book in many different ways. K.C. was able to create a world surrounded by smog, “It's important, that smog. Don't ever forget about the smog.”, and add some twists that I hadn't read about before.

The Atomic Circus is a drug trade, but not for what you are thinking about. And its not all about drugs either. It's a place where you can actually go and buy death and hope from the same vendor. Caecilius Rex is the main character for this adventure that K.C. has taken us on, and with this book, it is an adventure for sure. Cae has his secrets, as well as other characters in the story, and those secrets keep you turning the pages.

Not just the secrets of the characters but also the secrets of the world that we are transported too. The same world that is such an amazing world, I was only left with 2 questions after finishing the book. Question 1: What is the deal with the smog?!?!?! Question 2: When is there going to be more?

Review provided by Crystal's Many Reviews

[Jessica Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very pleasant surprise. I’ve had a less than spectacular track record with review requests, so I was wary when I started this. My fears were shattered within the first chapter. The Atomic Circus is extremely well written with interesting characters and an intriguing plot.



Caecilius Rex is a very mysterious character. Finn keeps a cloud of mystery around him for the better part of the novella. He has some dark events in his past that have shaped his present, but the reader doesn’t learn of his history until later. I enjoyed his quirks and somewhat odd behavior, and I'm sensing there is more to him that will be revealed in the second book. Likewise, his partner, Kendra, is quite unlike most characters I’ve read. The two are very unique; they are not the dashing, gorgeous, flawless hero/heroine pair of most of my library. They are real-feeling characters with strengths and weaknesses and quirks and flaws and less-than-beautiful looks. It was actually kind of refreshing to not be focusing on someone who should be featured on the cover of Cosmo.



They had good, quirky chemistry (not really of the romantic nature, although I can see the potential) and they were a fun crime-solving partnership to watch. I’m excited to see how both of their characters progress and how their relationship changes in the next book.

I really enjoyed the elements that made up the conflict. It reminded me a bit of Syfy’s remake of “Alice” (which I love) with the different substances giving super human powers. Added a nice touch of Sci-fi action without bringing in a bunch of the weirder alienating elements of sci-fi. The Atomic Circus itself was creepy and yet fascinating, and I wanted to see more of it. It sounded like the perfect setting for a fascinating Sci-Fi scene from a movie, with bizarre items being sold and strange clientele milling about.

All in all, this is a solid novel, with interesting characters and a very creative conflict. I’m excited to see more of Cae and Kendra in the future! It’s only $0.99 on Amazon, which is well worth it! I highly recommend heading over now and picking up a copy!

See this review and others like it in a more awesome format at Ramblings On Readings

[DelSheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caecilius Rex is used to seeing dead bodies in his work as a detective, but stumbling upon an incinerated body that has been dropped from an unknown height is a bit unusual. Cae is good with the strange and difficult to explain, though, and he is more than ready to take lead on this bewildering case. It's a decision that proves more dangerous than he could have imagined.

I loved the seamless combination of genres in this book. There are clear elements of noir mystery from the first page. The night opening with clandestine Cae finding the body is very reminiscent of Bogart and Sam Spade. Added to the noir elements is a modern twist of the story being set in post-apocalyptic Europe. This gives the story a sci-fi edge that allows more creative methods of not only detective work, but murder as well. The mix of genres will draw in a wide variety of readers.

The overall story was very well conceived. Readers will get to see both the procedural side of the investigation and the more fantastical aspects of the murder itself and the methods involved. I liked the fact that while the investigation was methodical, it wasn't overly technical and didn't bog the reader down with too many details. I very much enjoyed the sci-fi side of the story that dealt with strange chemical drugs and places like the Atomic Circus. It really added an exciting edge to the mystery because the possibilities expand so much and leave the reader guessing. Speaking to mystery of the incinerated body, the pacing varied between moderate moments of investigation and faster, more dangerous scenarios. The pacing pulls readers along easily, making them eager for answers and excited to keep reading.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I loved the characters. Caecilius Rex is will catch readers attention from the first page. His cool attitude at finding the charred body makes it immediately clear that Cae is familiar with tragedy and is personally scarred by what he has experienced. The gloves only add to his mystery, and I won't give anything away there, but learning about Cae's past is certainly a huge draw. I will definitely be continuing the series to find out more about Cae.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was taking part in a little Anti Valentines day event on Facebook this afternoon and the lovely lady from Living Between Books was offering it as a prize in a giveaway. As I do, I went and had a look at the description on Amazon. Bought it straight away. It was just over a dollar Australian and just under the dollar US. Bargain. After reading I am willing to pay the price of a full novel. Read it this evening.
This is a novella which disappointed me a little, but its only a novella in the sense that the author is releasing the full story in 4 parts. Once I read that bit I was all happy again. The price of all 3 to date are not near the price of a full novel so not only are you getting a great read but its costing you peanuts and you can have it in under a minute via wifi. Seriously life cant get any better than that.
Now I don't do spoilers, but Caecillius Rex (I know a mouthful right. The author does spell it out for us a couple of times during the book so we can get it right) a police detective in the near future and his friend Kendra an ex army officer are on the trail to find the murderer of a prison liaison and stumble across some really weird named and acting drugs. They sort of get there but don't as it's only part 1. When you read it you will understand that little cryptic bit I just did.
It's fast paced, enthralling, witty and a great change from the normal paranormal/crime/urban fantasy stuff I usually read. Really looking forward to Counterclockwise book 2 and The Face book 3

[Tatia · Rating 4 out of 5]

**reviewed for Round Table Book Reviews**

Dark. Dangerous. Mysterious. Angst. Smoggy. Wait, what?

Those are definitely the words I would use to describe the town of Dartley and the main detective, Caecilius Rex.

"A story is never a good story unless it's starts with a murder."

Right off the bat we know what this book is going to be about. But the twists and turns that this story takes will keep you guessing trying to figure out the mystery for yourself. I really enjoyed reading this story. The beginning was a little slow for me. It really started to pick up about 40% in. It wasn't boring, I just wanted to get to the action. I thought I knew all along who was behind this murder. I thought this was going to be an easy one. And then I was thrown for a curveball. It was not the person I thought it was. They did have some involvement, but they weren't the main culprit. It's a great story that leaves me wanting to immediately pick up the next book.

I was actually on the fence about giving this story 3.75 or 4 stars. Since I enjoyed it so much, I decided to round up. My only real critique here would be that I wish we had gotten more back story on the town. Why is it full of smog? What caused it all to make it a necessity for everyone to wear gas masks? Maybe we'll learn more in the next story.

[Asli Fratarcangeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're brought into the future, where masks and protective precautions are used just to go outside, and are thrown into the middle of a crime scene. What I love is that the build up to the mystery is thrown straight at the reader immediately! Someone is dead, the person who finds the body, a cop named Cae, is given the task to solve the crime - something he thoroughly seems to enjoy doing!

The plot thickens when Cae realizes that his life is the target of the current investigation he's doing.

This futuristic world is not one I'd enjoy living in!

The books plot continually thickens, and gets deeper and thicker, enticing the reader to want to learn and read more of what is to come!

Although I hadn't anticipated on the depth of darkness of this book, the puzzle of the mystery that Cae and Kendra try to solve is absolutely captivating! Overall, I enjoyed reading this dark and mysterious book!

[Anna-marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for Round Table Reviews

This is a murder story set in a post apocalyptic world.
Our hero is Caecilius (KAI-KILL-EE-USS) Rex. He is a young detective. He found the body so along with his neighbour Kendra they start to investigate the murder.
This leads them into the seedy underworld of The Atomic Circus, a place full of drugs & corruption.
It was a great murder mystery, a real who dunnit up to the end.
I enjoyed it very much, the characters worked really well together. I loved Kenrda.
Well worth a read.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caecilius Rex, detective, found a body which happens to belong to prison/probation liaison officer. It would appear the deceased fell from a great height in the middle of a courtyard. Investigations into the death lead into drugs, corruption, and unexpected danger. Who would have thought a circus could be deadly?

While a somewhat dark narrative is presented, especially the environment though this is to be expected after untold pollutants in the air and water, it does help to establish the feel of the plot, characters, and even the mystery itself. In some sense, the mystery and characters have an almost Sherlock Holmes-isan feel.

Characters are unique, varied, flawed, complicated, and often compassionate in their own ways.

Overall, an intriguing read.

[Genieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Atomic Circus
By: K. C. Finn

Caecilius Rex & Kendra Nai are the main characters in this novella. Caecilluis Rex is a detective and Kendra Nai is his good friend and Neighbor, she is also ex-military. Cae is a bit of an odd ball that is always wearing black gloves as well as a turtleneck you find out why during the story. The story brought me in and I fell in love with the characters, the good and the bad. The story starts with a murder, and of course you have Cae in the thick of things. This story is very good and I will not say too much as I don’t want to give anything away.

Anyone who wants to read a good story will enjoy this story!!!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, I haven't read many cop stories lately so this was a really nice change. I love the unique name of the main character.

Not sure if it was my ecopy or if it's the way it was formatted or whatever, but I had a very difficult time reading it the way it was spaced. The only way I could read it okay was putting it on the smallest font but then it was too small to read.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very unusual concept and innovative theme. I had an amazing time at The Atomic Circus! Wouldn't it be wonderful to go there?
K.C. Finn has a brilliant mind to be able to pull these things out of her imagination. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

[Alysa H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining, stylish sci-fi/police procedural. The characters and world were good, but could have used a lot more fleshing out. There's a lot of plot and banter, but I'd have liked more atmosphere and history as well.

There's a bit too much head-hopping where there's technically supposed to be one central POV (Caecilius Rex), but worse is an uncritical reliance on genre tropes which tends to manifest as random sexism. Put another way: I don't think the author is sexist, but I do think she relies overly much on "Hard Boiled Detective" genre tropes that are (e.g., male characters' mothers and sisters being fridged in the backstory, professional woman sleeping her way to the top, lead male who freely admits to seeing attractive women firstly as "girls" no matter the context in which he is meeting them).

Kendra, a bad-ass ex-military woman/sidekick who should have equal series title billing with Cae as far as I'm concerned, is an awesome character who escapes the random sexism but is repeatedly described as manly and unattractive. She's like a man, and therefore taken seriously as a person in a way that the other female characters are not.

But in any case, I'm interested to see what happens to Cae & Kendra in Book 2.

[A.R. Bredenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought long and hard before rating "The Atomic Circus." I wish there were a way to award four-and-a-half stars, because I like to reserve five stars for the truly superb. However, I decided to come down on the side of five stars because this is an excellent piece of fiction published independently, I'm pretty sure, without the editorial resources of a traditional publisher. That means the author had to not only do a workmanlike job of producing good clean copy, but also had to develop a well-rounded story, with good characters and dialogue. Very hard to pull this off as a self-editor.

In terms of the content: "The Atomic Circus" is a detective story told in a futuristic setting. It is narrated in the increasingly-common present tense. Not my favorite method of presentation, but it does help to create a sense of immediacy in the writing. I also appreciated that the author didn't feel obligated to use sex scenes, sadistic violence, or extensive profanity.

ARK

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a good first book. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but I wanted a bit more of everything. It was a good mystery, but it took place in a world I never quite understood. I would have liked a bit more world building and history as to how the world got the way it is. I also wanted some more history on the characters and their relationships to each other. That aside, it was a fun, quick read with lots of twists and turns. I hope Finn writes more stories in which this world and the characters can expand and grow.

[Harry Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

YA novella, mixes fantasy and police procedure. Quite imaginative and fast paced. Characters are a bit shallow and the descriptions of the moods and motivations are often overly explicit. (Received the book via the Making Connections group of Goodreads; an Author Review Request.)

[Pantopicon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the novel concept and evolution of the noir detective tropes, but the ending felt weak and overly contrived -- as if it was rushed out.