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The Crimson Run
For fans of Sherlock Holmes, The Princess Bride and Pirates of the Caribbean comes a fun, quirky, detective adventure, weaving together humor and terror, friendship and betrayal, justice and iniquity.The Industrial Revolution rages, and inventors race to patent the latest steam technology. But no one cares. They’d rather read The Crimson Run, the gripping newspaper series recounting the clever heists of the Crimson thieves.
But when a series of suspicious deaths befall the inventors, Lady Isabelle Viece is the only one who sees the connection between them and The Crimson Run column. Armed with her considerable inheritance, unrivaled intelligence, and immutable penchant for justice, Isabelle is determined to discover the Puppet Master behind England’s greatest scandal. There’s just one she’s not a detective.
With the constable chief, a crime lord, and a failed circus troupe as allies (oh, and Constable Alex Corbin—he’s there too), Isabelle takes justice into her own hands. Will she catch the Crimsons and stop the Puppet Master? Or will justice come at a price she can't pay?
But when a series of suspicious deaths befall the inventors, Lady Isabelle Viece is the only one who sees the connection between them and The Crimson Run column. Armed with her considerable inheritance, unrivaled intelligence, and immutable penchant for justice, Isabelle is determined to discover the Puppet Master behind England’s greatest scandal. There’s just one she’s not a detective.
With the constable chief, a crime lord, and a failed circus troupe as allies (oh, and Constable Alex Corbin—he’s there too), Isabelle takes justice into her own hands. Will she catch the Crimsons and stop the Puppet Master? Or will justice come at a price she can't pay?
420 pages, Paperback
Published February 27, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 16, 2024
“One day you’ll wish you had done what was right instead of what served you best.”
“The Crimson Run,” Yasmeen Salama’s debut novel, is a story of rightful suspicions, plans falling apart, and the power of money. It’s about figuring out who deserves trust, who deserves justice, and who has been serving up that justice… unjustly. It’s chaos, mayhem, and mischief.
Told from multiple third-person points of view, you truly get the entire picture of this detective adventure (except from the infamous Crimsons who have been causing quite the uproar around town with their thieving ways). Every chapter starts with breaking news, which fits not only the type of story but also the context of the book’s namesake. After all, “The Crimson Run” is an incredibly popular newspaper column that everyone is talking about (and yes, it’s about the aforementioned infamous Crimsons).
There were so many fun characters to hear from, each of whom had unique personalities. I loved getting to know their motives and seeing them get involved in comedic but pandemonium-filled brawls.
Main character Lady Isabelle Viece is just that—the main character. She has wholeheartedly adopted this role, what with her displeasure toward insufferably boring and otherwise criminal people. As a patron of local law enforcement (or should I say, peacekeepers?), Isabelle throws herself into all sorts of narrowly legal shenanigans despite being told at every turn to stop. Between her headstrong nature and hilarious sass, she’s the type of character that you want to see come out on top. The girl has a crime wall in her room complete with evidence bags, for crying out loud!
But dare I say the real star of the show is Constable Alex Corbin? Having lived his entire life as the underdog, this self-doubting, stuttering, mousetrap-making constable isn’t what anyone would call a “hero.” And yet, he has the opportunity to do something important when he joins forces with Isabelle—even if that doesn’t exactly go as expected. I had a great time reading his perspectives, with his awkwardness and heart carrying him through to the end.
Speaking of the end… Yes, I have found myself in DESPERATE need of book two. You will feel the same way when you experience that epilogue! So. Much. To. Come.
Salama is a skilled writer with a knack for entertaining the audience. Note that while I do believe this book would’ve benefitted from one more round of copy edits, there were no technical issues that detracted from the story itself. Overall, it was a very good read that, thanks to the hilarious dialogue and vivid descriptions, kept me wanting to flip the page. I was also a big fan of how she went about her repetitive lines, which gave such a strong voice to the book.
On Amazon, the reading age is pitched as 15 to 18 years. However, regardless of age, if you are someone who loves novels with equal parts laugh-out-loud moments and grisly death (and near-death) scenes, this is for you! Pick up “The Crimson Run” and read on for crimes aplenty!
“The Crimson Run,” Yasmeen Salama’s debut novel, is a story of rightful suspicions, plans falling apart, and the power of money. It’s about figuring out who deserves trust, who deserves justice, and who has been serving up that justice… unjustly. It’s chaos, mayhem, and mischief.
Told from multiple third-person points of view, you truly get the entire picture of this detective adventure (except from the infamous Crimsons who have been causing quite the uproar around town with their thieving ways). Every chapter starts with breaking news, which fits not only the type of story but also the context of the book’s namesake. After all, “The Crimson Run” is an incredibly popular newspaper column that everyone is talking about (and yes, it’s about the aforementioned infamous Crimsons).
There were so many fun characters to hear from, each of whom had unique personalities. I loved getting to know their motives and seeing them get involved in comedic but pandemonium-filled brawls.
Main character Lady Isabelle Viece is just that—the main character. She has wholeheartedly adopted this role, what with her displeasure toward insufferably boring and otherwise criminal people. As a patron of local law enforcement (or should I say, peacekeepers?), Isabelle throws herself into all sorts of narrowly legal shenanigans despite being told at every turn to stop. Between her headstrong nature and hilarious sass, she’s the type of character that you want to see come out on top. The girl has a crime wall in her room complete with evidence bags, for crying out loud!
But dare I say the real star of the show is Constable Alex Corbin? Having lived his entire life as the underdog, this self-doubting, stuttering, mousetrap-making constable isn’t what anyone would call a “hero.” And yet, he has the opportunity to do something important when he joins forces with Isabelle—even if that doesn’t exactly go as expected. I had a great time reading his perspectives, with his awkwardness and heart carrying him through to the end.
Speaking of the end… Yes, I have found myself in DESPERATE need of book two. You will feel the same way when you experience that epilogue! So. Much. To. Come.
Salama is a skilled writer with a knack for entertaining the audience. Note that while I do believe this book would’ve benefitted from one more round of copy edits, there were no technical issues that detracted from the story itself. Overall, it was a very good read that, thanks to the hilarious dialogue and vivid descriptions, kept me wanting to flip the page. I was also a big fan of how she went about her repetitive lines, which gave such a strong voice to the book.
On Amazon, the reading age is pitched as 15 to 18 years. However, regardless of age, if you are someone who loves novels with equal parts laugh-out-loud moments and grisly death (and near-death) scenes, this is for you! Pick up “The Crimson Run” and read on for crimes aplenty!
May 16, 2024
I picked up "The Crimson Run" to read on a casual Sunday.
361 pages in, and the sun having long set, my fiancé told me I needed to stick a bookmark in it and get.to.bed.
I was thoroughly engrossed!
The storyline is exciting and quick-paced, but not too quick that it feels rushed or hurried at all; and the several simultaneous mysteries going on keep you always turning the page!
But what I loved best? The author's writing style. The omniscient narrator of the book speaks as the writer herself, silly and comically self-deprecating. The humor is so reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's "Series of Unfortunate Events" books, and I caught myself chuckling page after page. So even though this book may be in the 'Young Adult' section, I'd totally encourage the 30+ year-olds like me who absolutely devoured The Series of Unfortunate Events growing up (and there were a lot of us!) to give "The Crimson Run" a read!
Side note: My first exposure to the author, Yasmeen Salama, was at a Sofar music series concert in Austin, Texas, in which she was one of three musicians performing. When she took the stage to play her original thematic scores on an extensive collection of bizarre woodwind instruments, my group of girlfriends and I were floored by her talent, and we began following her (social medias / professional work, not her personally in a scary stalker way..). So when I learned that she had published a book, I thought, "what CAN'T this woman do?!", and of course bought a copy.
361 pages in, and the sun having long set, my fiancé told me I needed to stick a bookmark in it and get.to.bed.
I was thoroughly engrossed!
The storyline is exciting and quick-paced, but not too quick that it feels rushed or hurried at all; and the several simultaneous mysteries going on keep you always turning the page!
But what I loved best? The author's writing style. The omniscient narrator of the book speaks as the writer herself, silly and comically self-deprecating. The humor is so reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's "Series of Unfortunate Events" books, and I caught myself chuckling page after page. So even though this book may be in the 'Young Adult' section, I'd totally encourage the 30+ year-olds like me who absolutely devoured The Series of Unfortunate Events growing up (and there were a lot of us!) to give "The Crimson Run" a read!
Side note: My first exposure to the author, Yasmeen Salama, was at a Sofar music series concert in Austin, Texas, in which she was one of three musicians performing. When she took the stage to play her original thematic scores on an extensive collection of bizarre woodwind instruments, my group of girlfriends and I were floored by her talent, and we began following her (social medias / professional work, not her personally in a scary stalker way..). So when I learned that she had published a book, I thought, "what CAN'T this woman do?!", and of course bought a copy.
June 3, 2024
The Crimson Run by Yasmeen Salama is a young adult steampunk mystery adventure. This book was selected for my book club, and I have to say that the cover and premise of the book drew me it immediately. I was so excited to dive into this adventure, and while you can definitely tell that the author is a talented writer, this book missed the mark for me for a few reasons. There are so many characters in this book to keep track of and it didn't help that the author had several different ways and names for each character. I felt like I was constantly getting pulled out of the story to go back and figure out who I reading about. A glossary of characters to reference in the book would have been so helpful when reading this. The world building in the book was sometimes overly descriptive in areas, but at the same time, I never really got a great sense of the actual world these characters were living in. By the end there are several twists that were revealed, but there wasn't enough information earlier in the book for them to all make sense. I also felt that by the end of the book, there were so many unresolved arcs to the story, that overall I left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.
July 23, 2025
The Crimson Run was SO MUCH FUN that I couldn’t put it down. It was right up my alley – a lighthearted adventure with an engaging story and playful spirit. I love how this author writes and I especially love the main character, Isabelle. I also enjoyed the Crimson thieves – two of the most iconic and intriguing characters I’ve ever seen. Every character in the book felt real, thanks to vivid descriptions and exceptional dialogue. I found myself smiling and laughing a lot, but it was also a serious story with plenty of puzzles and perils to fill me with curiosity and concern. There were some twists that really surprised me. There were also some fight scenes that put me on the edge of my seat with one in particular holding my attention and dropping my jaw for four straight chapters! Many memorable moments made this feel like a movie and created waves of warmth and wonder. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, so check it out and spread the word!
April 17, 2026
This wonderful rollercoaster ride of a story with endearing characters, crazy plot twists, and a use of language that inspires me to be a better writer. Ms. Salama’s writing style is clever, witty, and downright fun. I laughed out loud more times than I can count, inspiring the side-eye from my husband. As complex as the story gets with its colorful characters and plot twists, the narrator provides assistance, when possible, often with hilarious commentary about what an author is supposed to do. Fourth wall breaking for smart readers. In addition to the creative plot, her writing is a complete joy—vocabulary, alliteration, rhyme, and lyrical grammar. It’s a word nerd paradise! Now that I finished the story, I may read it again just to bask in the lexical gymnastics. Note to parents: Get your teens off social media and give them this book to read. There is no smut or foul language, just rollicking adventure that will hold their attention and maybe leave them smarter for having read it.
Full review at tenshiverse.substack.com
Full review at tenshiverse.substack.com
June 30, 2025
A must read!
The Crimson Run is a captivating steampunk mystery that delivers sharp wit, rich characters, and a fast-paced narrative without sacrificing depth. Set against the smoky backdrop of the Industrial Age, Salama weaves a clever tale that combines detective intrigue with gothic flair and unexpected humor.
The Crimson Run is a captivating steampunk mystery that delivers sharp wit, rich characters, and a fast-paced narrative without sacrificing depth. Set against the smoky backdrop of the Industrial Age, Salama weaves a clever tale that combines detective intrigue with gothic flair and unexpected humor.
May 9, 2025
This was really well written and fun to read! I loved the humor and especially Isabelle. The book was SO MUCH FUN! I was engaged by the story, some unexpected twists, and Isabelle's character development. I highly recommend!
June 16, 2024
cw: g slur, fatphobia
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November 1, 2025My first steam punk novel. Met the author at the Illumify conference. Fun story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews