Unseemly Science

Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire #2

by Rod Duncan

In the divided land of England, Elizabeth Barnabus has been living a double life - as both herself and as her brother, the private detective. Witnessing the hanging of Alice Carter, the false duchess, Elizabeth resolves to throw the Bullet Catcher's Handbook into the fire, and forget her past. If only it were that easy!

There is a new charitable organisation in town, run by some highly respectable women. But something doesn't feel right to Elizabeth. Perhaps it is time for her fictional brother to come out of retirement for one last case...? Her unstoppable curiosity leads her to a dark world of body-snatching, unseemly experimentation, politics and scandal. Never was it harder for a woman in a man's world..

Genres: Steampunk, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Alternate History

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2015

About the author

Rod Duncan worked in scientific research and computing before settling in Leicester to be a writer. His first novel, Backlash, was short-listed for the John Creasey Memorial Award (now the CWA Debut Dagger).

After four crime novels he switched to fantasy. The Bullet Catcher's Daughter was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award. He is currently writing a series of alternate history books, called ‘The Map of Unknown Things'.

Rod is also a screenwriter, and was once eaten alive in the feature film Zombie Undead.

Reviews

[Talitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unseemly Science doesn't begin with the bullet-like plot trajectory seen in The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter. There's more complexity to the story because of some of the events of the first book. Although it wasn't a slow beginning, it lacked the instantaneous hook the previous book had, and adds more grim moments when you wonder how much of the first book's joie de vivre was due in part to Elizabeth's outlook.

The cover of this book should tell you a lot about it- I haven't encountered a more fitting cover for the second installment of a series. After reading this book for an hour or so, it gives you that slightly sinister feeling of hairs being raised on the back of your neck. Who's out to get Elizabeth this time? Or should the question be, who's not out to get Elizabeth this time?

The political angles of this series continue to evolve. In the previous book, Elizabeth escapes what would amount to slavery by fleeing to the oh-so-sexist Anglo-Scottish Republic again. Because the influential person who was looking for her in the Kingdom has learned of her continued existence, tensions against immigrants in the Republic have risen. As a result, Elizabeth has to rely on more than her own finely honed instincts to survive in this book.

I had worried going in that this book might be too romantic compared with its only slightly romantic predecessor- and my fears were allayed when Elizabeth Barnabus continued to be her very independent self. Not that I don't like romance in a story, but certain stories have heroines who it would take a good deal of time to warm to the idea of 'loving' someone, and Elizabeth Barnabus is one of them. Although there are moments where you wonder if she screwed her head on right that morning, the only romance this book has to offer is epic slow-build, which I love.

One of my favorite parts of the book was one of the plot twists, which, as a science-fiction-minded junior high school student (and a fan of all things macabre) I had done a lot of research on. This element, which will not be named (because I hate spoilers and it happens late in the book) was well-executed and the perfect fit for a book that has a certain chill going on. It made me mentally tip my fedora to Mr. Duncan and declare, "Well played, sir".

I didn't predict the twists that Unseemly Science threw at me. Not only is this book much darker than its predecessor, it also keeps you in more suspense, which is a feat considering I compared The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter to a spy novel. All in all, this book met my expectations and left me wondering how long I have to wait before I get my hands on the next installment of the series. I recommend this to everyone who loves independent heroines and alternate history plots with some science fiction elements blended in.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars for a sequel that takes a macabre turn!

Disclaimer: I was given a free advanced e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinion remains as forthright as ever.

As posted on my book blog, Victorian Soul Critiques.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come shortly over on Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing- needless to say I loved this. It was a great change of pace from my usual reads with just enough of the fantastical to keep me interested. A steampunk style mystery that favours story and plotting over steampunk aesthetic trappings it was a refreshing read. Slower paced and less of the no holds barred adventure that the UF and action-adventure readers out there are used to but definitely worth picking up and trying. The main female protagonist, Elizabeth, was a huge treat as she's a great and surprising female lead for this genre- not your typical fantasy/UF heroine, she's a feminist in an authentic way that makes her relatable.

* Huge thanks to Angry Robot for providing me with the ARC

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5* of five

Well, that was clumsy of me. I managed to delete the link to my real review of this delightful book! It is here.

2017 UPDATE The first book in the new series featuring Elizabeth Barnabus, titled The Queen of All Crows, arrives at Author Duncan's home! Watch the Big Moment here!

[Crittermom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unseemly Science returns us to the captivating world introduced by Rod Duncan in The Bullet-Catchers Daughter. After her narrow escape from the Kingdom, Elizabeth Barnabus has found refuge in the Republic and a close friend in her student, Julia Swain.

Difficulties soon arise. Rumors say there is to be an extradition treaty signed by the Republic and the Kingdom. Republic officials are requiring Kingdom immigrants to check in weekly with police, and post identification on their windows. As indentured servitude to a lecherous old duke awaits Elizabeth in the Kingdom, flight may be her only option.

Meanwhile, Julia, wishing to study law, has joined with the charitable organization run by Mrs Raike. The northern ice farmers are being cheated and Mrs Raike has requested her assistance, as well as that of Elizabeth and her "twin" brother, the investigator. Suspicious of Mrs Raike's intense interest in the ice farmers plight, and anxious to avoid capture, Elizabeth travels north to join Julia.

Her investigation uncovers something far more unsettling than missing ice. Elizabeth will need to use all of her knowledge and skills from The Bullet-Catchers Handbook if she is to stay alive, keep her friends safe, and defeat a powerful and untouchable foe.

While technology is important, the focus of the novel is on Elizabeth and her dual life. Duncan does a superlative job detailing how Elizabeth transforms herself into her "twin" brother, both in appearance and mannerisms. Elizabeth Barnabus is an intelligent and resourceful heroine. She is brave and self-reliant, but not needlessly reckless. Her powers of observation and ability to read people serve her well. This makes her an appealing heroine. Julia, with her faith in human nature, and ebullient personality is a good foil for the more cynical Elizabeth.

The political dichotomy between the Kingdom and the Republic plays an important role in Unseemly Science. The Kingdom, run by the aristocracy, allows women to study at University and own property and businesses, but it also allows slavery. The Republic has no slavery, but women are relegated to the home, and there are strict regulations on what is "proper" for women. Playing the role of her brother allows Elizabeth unrestricted movement, and the ability to earn a living as an intelligence gatherer in the Republic. But at the same time, her experiences and her secret make her reluctant to trust.

Readers will empathize with the tension felt by Elizabeth, and her desire to protect her friends as well as evade authorities.

Unseemly Science is easily as engrossing as The Bullet-Catchers Daughter. This exciting steampunk mystery will delight fans of character driven science fiction and fantasy. Rod Duncan has created an amazing and richly detailed world, filled with believable characters and ripe with political intrigue. The resourceful Elizabeth Barnabus is a memorable heroine, and I can't wait to find out what her next adventure will entail.

I received a copy of Unseemly Science from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second entry in The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire series is well worth the read. Elizabeth Barnabus, intelligence gatherer and fugitive from justice, returns as the narrator and main character. Also returning are various characters including Julia Swain, now more friend than pupil and proving herself to be a worthy partner in intrigue for Elizabeth.

Unseemly Science picks up some few months after the end of The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter, with Elizabeth again dressed as her twin brother on her way to see a hanging. Death is an even more prevalent theme this time, and Elizabeth's peril seems even greater as political machinations threaten to send her back to the Kingdom and into the clutches of the Duke of Northampton.

5 out of 5 stars with a high recommendation to anyone who has read the first book of the series. If not, I would definitely recommend they be read in order. Great for fans of Steampunk, character and plot-driven stories, alternate history, mystery, or a well-written adventure tale.

This review refers to a free ebook copy read courtesy of the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. My full review may be read at my Wordpress blog: http://wp.me/p5Tcfi-F

[Kara-karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuation of The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter might not be as flashy as some other steampunk novels, but it's solid as a rock.

They say the devil is in the details, and the sinister feel of Unseemly Science is perfectly shown with minute details. It's very visual, with an underlying sense of urgency and terror driving the plot. I would even call it a Gothic novel akin to Ripper series by Amy Carol Reeves.



Elizabeth is on the run again. The Republic and The Kingdom are on the brink of signing an extradition treaty, and the refugees from The Kingdom are being rounded up into the camps. At the same time, Miss Barnabus's protege, Julia, is embarking on her first investigation. The ice disappears from the ice factory, and she needs to find the perpetrators of the crime. She asks Elizabeth to join her, and our heroine is forced by the circumstances to do just that.


The crime is not simple, and the more the girls dig, the more they understand just how much danger they are in. At the meantime, not content to wait for the Treaty Duke of Northampton puts a bounty on Elizabeth's head, and she has a lot of people searching for her. After a horrifying threat, Julia is sent home and only a promise of freedom sends Elizabeth into the depths of ice factory to discover the chilling truth.


I really enjoyed Elizabeth's character. She is a vulnerable young woman, but she is tenacious and she uses her wits to get what she wants. There are no dramatic, all-out fights, but she is not equipped for those. Still she refuses to run away and leave her friends in trouble so she tries her best to outsmart the villains.


John Farthing is an interesting guy as well. Any sort of relationship between him and the heroine is impossible, and yet, there are hints of their building feelings even if they don't know about them themselves.


The plot is complex and very well-made. Unseemly Science might not be a book you'll read in one seating, but it's a book you'll be driven to finish. It's understated and devilishly clever. Recommended.

[Frank Errington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Copy

Unseemly Science is the followup to the well-received first book in the series The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire. In both books there are some elements of Steampunk, certainly an element of Alternate History, and the feel of a classic Sherlock Holmes story as told by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Rod Duncan continues to weave these elements deftly into a wonderous tale of mystery and intrigue.

Slipping back into the world Rod Duncan has created for his characters to play in was a bit like putting on a well-worn, comfortable, pair of gloves. Set in the not so United Kingdom following a civil war which left Englad split into two separate countries, the Kingdom and the Anglo-Scottish republic.

The back-story of Elizabeth Barnabus follows. Elizabeth once lived in the Kingdom with her father. Through no fault of his own, and thanks to the Patent Office. his daughter is forced into the servitude of a Duke of the Kingdom. Before that could happen , Elizabeth escaped to the Republic where we find her 6 years later helping her "brother" in his business as a private detective.

In this new volume there is talk of an extradition treaty looming between the divided countries. This would not bode well for our heroine. While trying to avoid the authorities, Elizabeth stumbles onto a dark mystery putting her very life into jeopardy.

To be honest, I didn't care for Unseemly Science as much as I did The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter. For a good part of the book the writer broke no new ground, bringing back the same characters from book 1, but once we got into the mystery in the second half of the book, I found it much more enjoyable.

In addition I found the notes that begin each chapter to be very entertaining, particularly those from The Bullet-Catcher's Handbook.

Unseemly Science Book 2 in The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire series is available now in both paperback and e-book formats from Angry Robot Books. No word on book 3, but if this one is a success, I wouldn't be at all surprised.

Recommended. BTW, this story works as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading book 1 as well.

[Wing Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better, more focused and paced better.

World: The world building is good, it's the best thing about this series. It's dense, it's detailed and the England created here and the world here is interesting with the changes in history. I will say that being a steampunk book there is not a lot of that here at all which is disappointing, plus Duncan seems to mix up steampunk with mad science (although they are similar they are slightly different).

Story: I liked this story a lot more than the first one, there is a lot more forward momentum and the story flows much better. The stakes are clearly defined and it is also tied to the world building which I really enjoyed. I like the idea of the two countries and how they interact, the politics and the characters caught in between. The ice and cold setting was also a nice change of pace and created an interesting setting for the story. The villain and the mad scientist storyline was also interesting and I enjoyed it. I will say that this is the story is better in every way over the first book.

Characters: Argh, still the same problem as the last book. I'm starting to think that Duncan can't write interesting characters, or if they are they have the personality and internal monologue of a boiled potato. Elizabeth is bland, boring and barely reactive, or maybe she is but Duncan's writing feelings like someone without any intonation at all and just meanders and drawls and this is what we have for most of the characters. The added time we spend with Julie is nice and she is an interesting character and her personality does lend itself for readers to relate with more but overall the charactesr are an issue. The villain this time around is very mwaa haa haa and with this bland style of writing it become mwa haa zzz.

Better in almost every way except character...which I am starting to think it's a writing style issue.

Onward to the next book!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describing this book as steam-punk is not exactly accurate, as the author does a masterful job of convincing the reader that you just happened to have landed yourself in the middle of a world where some forms of technology have developed to the current age, and yet men and women are walking around in close-to-Victorian garb. Some parts of this story are to be expected -- a country divided in half by a wall where life develops in different places on different parts of the wall. In our part of the land women have developed ahead about a century or so, while just across the border women are treated as emotional toddlers who lack the head for business. This story has been told a number of times in different ways but the real treasure in this book is how the author takes this story and makes it sing.
The heroine is plucky, which of course we expect, but somehow she leaps off the page. And yes, she is smart, even when all around her doubt her. But even with this somewhat expected character sketch, I found myself rooting for her, and all of the various characters that came and went. Most of all, I love the idea of a not so secret security agency called a Patent Office that monitors worldwide activities without a single computer.

The cover of this edition simply has to be noted because it is stunning. A young lady in Victorian dress is in a field of snowy white, captured for a moment between two trees, with half sketches of men with bowler hats looking on. Only in drawing back do we see that this could be a simple scene from the book or a stunningly frightening face. Well done! I'm hooked on the series and can't wait to read the next book.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Unseemly Science continues the engaging story of Elizabeth Barnabus as she struggles to survive a steampunk Britain. This time, aided and abetted by friend/tutor Julia and orphan Tinker, her 'brother's' investigations will take a macabre turn. At the same time, political machinations will greatly put Elizabeth's safety in jeopardy. The writing is as crisp, worldbuilding deep, and characters as nuanced as the first book. This is a worthy second volume in what is turning out to be a fantastic series.

Story: Elizabeth has her boat but has paid a great price for it. But the safety is short lived as the her status as an exiled expat becomes jeopardized. Friend/student Julia, meanwhile, has found a cause to assist - a woman who helps orphans and homeless. When Elizabeth immediately senses something very wrong with the charitable organization, she and Julia will be thrown down a rabbit hole for the only organization to be exempt from the Patent Board - the medical profession. It will take all of Elizabeth's mettle and cleverness to not only get to the underbelly of an insidious organization - but to also keep from being imprisoned and extradited back to the Royalists.

The heart of the story will always be Elizabeth's wit and resourcefulness. For once, we have a heroine with whom we can see why she is so desired by the Duke to add to his possessions. But with Unseemly Science, the exquisitely crafted worldbuilding and informed details come to the fore. From ice miners to physicians, Author Duncan does the same with the science that he does with the world: extrapolates and then pushes it to a very believable next degree. It all makes terrifying sense in a world gone very awry.

Although Elizabeth still has a 'case' here, the plot mostly revolves around her surviving/dodging/avoiding being returned to London and the Royalists. The investigation into the ice miners and the charity organization really take a back seat as the story intricately weaves the plot points together. Quite a few of the characters from the first book are in the second (Tinker, Julia, Bessie the boat (who has a secret of her own), the handsome Patent Board officer) so transitioning into this second book is seamless. Aspects of the first book also reappear in the second - the art of disguise, surprises, plot twists, and the edge of desperation that constantly permeates every action by Elizabeth. Things are never as they first seem in the Gas Lit Empire. But changes at the end of each book also mean that the story never stagnates; author Duncan ends the books firmly but also in such a way that the situation will be escalated in very intriguing ways.

Although the setting is contemporary, this definitely has a steampunk feel that the author has thought out cleverly. Owing to the power of the Patent Office to control inventions and the rise of the Luddite movement through the group winning a Revolution that partitioned Britain, the steampunk trappings and low tech of the world make complete sense. The Patent Office is there to ensure that no country pursues weapons that can be used against another; nor any device that would be 'unseemly' and affect the quality of life of man. They ensure the diesel empire never emerges. I applaud Duncan for creating a steampunk that wasn't post apocalyptic in origin nor randomly developed.

In all, I am greatly enjoying the series and look forward to the next book. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Stephanie Swint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first - which I thought was unlikely. Rod Duncan's Elizabeth is a wonderful character. My fingers are itching to pick up the third book but I need to delay ...

[Corey Bedford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ended up being a bit of a long read for me, however, it was definitely worth it.
Rod Duncan adds more and more to this alternative Britain in which his characters live, adding details that flesh out this increasingly mystifying and intoxicating world.
The character developments of Elizabeth, Tinker, and John Farthing bring a delightful attachment for you as a reader, and an ingeniusly puzzling story of the disappearing ice and its eventual unnerving conclusion made the second half of this novel flow increasingly well. I was intending on changing my reading for another book after finishing this one, but a desire to follow the story and conclude the trilogy is almost overwhelmingly guiding my hand. Well done, Mr Duncan, you're certainly onto something incredibly impressive.

[Bo0kSLoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll say it again, I really wish I had picked up this series earlier. It was always on my "must-read" shelves but it kept getting pushed further back. Such a mistake on my part. It is just a refreshing twist on Victorian Steampunk, dystopian present day mystery (oh, what a mouthful and that doesn't even explain it all 🤔). There's the strong female lead, mystery and intrigue with a hint of mysticism just verging on magic. This story is a little on the macabre-side, but so good as it deleves further into the world of the Gas-Lit Empire and the world as it is in 2009. Beautifully written, full of quotable phrases from the Book of Revolution and the Bullet-Catcher's Guide, it will have you wondering what kind a world we would love in if one thing changed in our past world history. I recommend listening to it also as the narrator does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life.

[Jasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2015...

Last year saw Rod Duncan's first fantasy novel, The Bullet-Catchers Daughter, after having written four hard crime novels. This was one of my favourite book of 2014 in the Steampunk category. The Bullet-Catchers Daughter for me was a perfect mixture of the normal and the arcane. The whole setting and ambiance that Rod Duncan had created with Elizabeth Barnabus was just a pleasure to read. In this second book that stakes are once again placed pretty high on Elizabeth, as if her adventures in the first book weren't enough!


Unseemly Science picks up almost directly after the events of The Bullet-Catchers Daughter, Elizabeth had found a new life in the Republic, after having fled the Kingdom. There she lives on her boat close with her friend Julia Swain. One day when Elizabeth is out and about she witnesses the hanging of the duchess Alice Carter, which quite frankly shocks her core. After this her friend Julia informs her that she wants to sign up to work for a new charitable organization run by Mrs. Raike. For this new job Julia has to travel north to the ice-farmers and missing ice. However Elizabeth had to stay "home" and we see occasional letter correspondence between Julia and Elizabeth. During Julia's stay in the north Elizabeth encounter a lot of problems on her own. She, as an Kingdom immigrant, has to report every other week at the office. Now with a lot more rules coming to pass, living circumstances aren't that great, with this comes the fact that the person she relied the most on, Julia is now far away. Torn with many things, Elizabeth decides that it might be better to go up north as well and she from the start isn't quite taken by the charm that Mrs. Raike has. Now from this part the story really starts, as Elizabeth uncovers a whole can of "unseemly science" and truths that many people would have prefered not to have been made to see the daylight. We all know that Elizabeth is not all that she seems to, doubling as her brother Edwin Barnabus, other character aren't also all that they seem to say they are... Elizabeth is once again head over heels in an adventure... an adventure that requires all her skills and knowledge gained from The Bullet-Catchers Handbook, but will it be enough?


Rod Duncan has a really good way of writing, it will get your attention from the start and places you directly in the story. Unseemly Science does have a much darker storyline than what was shown in The Bullet-Catchers Daughter, but looking at Rod Duncan's background it might have been expected, and just a note, it is note for the worse at all, the divided England that he is showing isn't a pretty place to live so why cover it with roses and make it shine when it really is a bad place to be in, well when you are in the position of Elizabeth that is. Overall the story picks up with a much easier pacing that the first and it takes a while for the actual investigation to start but in the early stages of the book there was for me a really nice exposition found in how Rod Duncan went about and described the current setting and something that were related to the world.


As for the characters, I am really impressed with Elizabeth, she is precisely the feisty girl that I got to meet in the first book, of course the things she has been planning and the situation that she has been through have definitely shaped her personality. This transition is clearly noticable and continues all throughout this book as well. She is placed into more than once precarious and highly dangerous situation, the one in which she was captured still sticks with me, Rod Duncan described this is such a grim way, but Elizabeth kept to her cheery and spirited self. With Elizabeth there comes a second character, that of her brother, Edwin, who she also plays. I liked how Elizabeth navigated the streets with this 'alter-ego' it gives a glimpse of how women are looked down and frowned upon. Elizabeth is a wonderful character, full of wit, a lot of fun to read about. Next to Elizabeth, her friend Julia also gets more time to her development and Rod Duncan develops her into a worthy and in the short and long run as an important character. Though the seperation of Julia and Elizabeth wasn't that nice, the early letter communication showed that both parties admitted that they didn't act in the right way. This must be true friendship.


Every element in Unseemly Science make this book a terrific addition to The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire series. With Unseemly Science Rod Duncan ventures into a new direction when it comes to the setting of the book, it is darker it is grimmer and I think that with the third book it might become even more so, as the world that Elizabeth lives in, is on the brink of a change, of a revolution. The world that Rod Duncan showed in the first book is is greatly build upon and explored further. Just as with the world, Rod Duncan neatly keeps on developing his characters to the fullest and makes them even more lovable. Rod Duncan is definitely on the right track with this series. I am eager to find out what the third book, The Custodian of Marvel will have in store for Elizabeth as well as for me.

[Jacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first Elizabeth Barnabus book some time ago, but I was surprised how much of it I'd retained in my mind when I started in on the sequel. Post revolution the country is split into two, roughly north and south with the south ruled by aristocrats, and the repressed north very puritan-like. Elizabeth Barnabus, brought up in a travelling circus in the south, has fled to the north to escape being sold to the Duke of Northampton. Women have no standing in northern society, so - a mistress of disguise - she leads a double life, as both herself and her own invented brother, taking commissions as a private detective. In this book she's running from the law as the north and south prepare to sign an extradition treaty and begin to round up all the exiles in preparation for sending them home, something likely to be the death of most of them. Elizabeth gets mixed up with a charity that hides secrets, follows the trail of ice thieves and ends up discovering a world of bodysnatching and unseemly experimentation. I enjoyed this enough to go straight on to the third book in the series: The Custodian of Marvels.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant sequel to The Bullet Catcher's daughter. We got to learn more about the world in this alternative history of the world and the Gaslit Empire, and its precious International Patent office. Elizabeth Barnabas remains an amazing heroine.

[Ruthie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter in 2015, so it took me a little bit to become reacquainted with the characters. Once I settled in, I was hooked!

Elizabeth Barnabus is one of my favorite female protagonists. She's brilliantly flawed, but her gritty determination, loyalty, and fearlessness when pursuing justice make her unforgettable.

Unseemly Science definitely has some unseemly science. No spoilers! Elizabeth's journey to expose this unseemliness is filled with determining who to trust and not to trust, staying the course, and remaining true to herself and her friends.

And Elizabeth accomplishes all of it while being both herself and her fictitious brother, Edwin, as the situations warranted.

The Steampunk vibe is minimal, but I still love it for its dazzling plot and well-developed and interesting characters. And now I must read the next one in this series, The Custodian of Marvels. I won't wait so long this time!

***

“Unseemly conduct was like sewage – everyone knew it existed, but no one wanted to be reminded of the fact.” ~ chapter 17

“We use our eyes to see the world. But, as every conjurer knows, it is the mind that makes meaning.” ~ chapter 19

“To form a useful question one needs knowledge. This is the paradox of ignorance.” ~ chapter 22

“For good or ill, knowledge has ever threatened the settled order. A keg of gunpowder may make matchwood of a sturdy house. But a book can set the world on fire.” ~ chapter 30

“ ‘Don’t you understand? Medical research is never unseemly.’
‘It is the most unseemly science of all.’ “ ~ chapter 33

[M. Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I wasn't sold on the plot of this sequel to the excellent The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter. Elizabeth Barnabus remains an engaging heroine, voiced to perfection in the audiobook by Gemma Whelan, but the machinations surrounding what is effectively a nascent women's rights movement in the supposedly egalitarian Anglo-Scottish Republic seemed a little slow. Well-written and well-plotted, just slow. That all picks up in the second half of the book, which sees a truly exciting and (literally) chilling resolution. I'm still not taken with the Barnarbus-Farthing 'romance', and Tinker remains neither here nor there, but the plotting is superb, as is Elizabeth's voice.. Overall, a very enjoyable second outing.

[Saphana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy sequel. Everything I lauded on the first volume is still - in some cases even more - valid here.

Elizabeth is caught in another web of crime and mystery and stays very much in character in narrating it. We get a really insightful amount of further worldbuilding and it's everything as perfect as in it's predecessor.

So, why only 4 stars? For one, can anybody explain to me, what the Kingdom gets out of this exchange treaty? I understand the movtives of the Republic: they get rid of their "misfits", so -apart from their cultural "We do things the right way", they actually seem to believe, they can do this by exiling "the people that stand in the way of doing things the right way". The Kingdom, though? What do they have to gain by taking all their "burdon" back? It isn't explained and I don't have enough brain to come up with something reasonable.

What this book does extremely well, though: inflict on you every feeling a refugee (for whatever reason) is going through. Every single step of advancing through simple nervousity up to complete and utter panic and stopping close after complete paranoia; it's not as much written as transferred. It permeates your thoughts throughout a day and gives you nightmares. Extremely well done. Thank you, Mr Duncan, for I shall now never be able to know how to approach the refugees that come in so many numbers to Europe to seek rescue.

Thankfully, there's such a thing as the 50% mark (Kindle) - and from there on out, the plot takes over.

Things, I wasn't overly enthused with:

Who df titled this series of books a "duology"? It's not. If it weren't for a fellow GoodReader, who reviewed the third book in the series, I would have fallen to that thread.

Another blame goes to the blurbs. Elizabeth, amazing as she is, will not be the cause of for the Empire to fall. She may have an impact when it comes to timing; or the direction in which said Empire is to fall; but she's definitely not the cause! She is, however, the first person singular observator to said fall.

I failed to mention it, perhaps: GO; READ ALL OF THEM

[Elaine Aldred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Barnabus is making her way in a divided England by spending part of the time pretending to be a detective brother she doesn’t have in order to avoid the attentions of the authorities. When her student and friend Julia Swain goes to work for a charity whose leader does not ring true for Elizabeth, it is not long before she sets off to follow in Julia’s wake to assist her. This situation would be perilous enough, but in the meantime Elizabeth also becomes a wanted felon.
The world of alternative history in 'Unseemly Science' is brilliantly conceived and executed. This is the second book in the series begun with ‘The Bullet Catcher’s Daughter’, but can be read and enjoyed in its own right, because the backstory and orientation to Elizabeth's world is deftly handled. As an exile from her own part of England, Elizabeth has to deal with growing prejudices, particularly because she is a woman in a land where the only decent woman is a married one with no sense of independence or ambition. Those handicaps test Elizabeth's ingenuity and resolve to near breaking point, as she tries to solve the case of the mysterious charity and missing people, while evading the authorities. Elizabeth is such a well-drawn character that it would be difficult for a reader not to make a considerable emotional investment in her. The whole set up of Elizabeth’s world not only generates a powerful underlying tension and disquiet in the reader, but also relates to many contemporary issues; a mark of a quality alternative history novel. The stunningly clever cover design (squint and the picture turns from two men viewing a cemetery to that of a skull), gives some hint as to the rich texture of the world in this book. As this is clearly not the last book in the series then it begs a reader to continue to follow Elizabeth through her next adventure which, given the conclusion, should be another satisfying immersion into the Gas-lit Empire.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved the first book, The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter, I was a little nervous about the second - could it be as good as the first? Short answer - Yes!

The return to the duallife of Elizabeth Barnabus continues to highlight the differences between the Kingdom and The Republic. Only now something serious threatens the safety of all exiles - an extradition treaty, returning exiles to either side. In the lead up, exiles must identify their premises with a sticker, and check in with police regularly - and then Elizabeth is captured and taken to an internment camp.

Running alongside this is the involvement of Elizabeth's protégé, Julia Swain, in an organisation that provides charity to those less fortunate. Something seems strange about this organisation, and Elizabeth is determined to ensure that her student is not in danger because of what the organisation asks of her.

A richly crafted alternative world; a strong, layered, complex and engaging plot, and intelligent, sensible, dynamic female characters (though not at the expense or ridicule of male characters) make this my new favourite series.

More please.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I basically started reading this second installment almost immediately after finishing "The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter." It was definitely darker in tone and plot as Elizabeth persevered from one exploit to another. She may be more cynical than her friend, Julia, but well-deservedly so given what she's been through. Yet, despite the machinations set against her, she maintains her wit and her poise. Her intellect shines through, proving her to be a woman of indomitable spirit.

Once again, I found the quotes in the chapter headings to be thought-provoking. Some from "The Revolution" were actually frightening given their social relevance and applicability to our own world. The idea of deporting people for political reasons, with no regard to human rights or dignity, hits just a little too close to home these days. But isn't that the best thing about fiction? It allows us to look at our humanity through a different lens. Sometimes we'd rather we hadn't seen exactly what we humans are capable of. However, I'd like to think that once we've experienced the world through the lives of others, it creates an empathy and awareness that helps us all make better choices.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome showing. The plot, lore, and characters continue to be excellent. Something I really admire about this author is his ability to combine and reimagine different detective and speculative fiction tropes into something that's new and engaging. I think the pacing suffered a bit in this installment compared to the last, but that's the only change in quality. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

EDIT: Apparently I received a free ARC of this novel through First Reads, but didn't realize it before I bought the ebook and wrote this review!

[Roo MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the first in this series.

This is a great read. I fell in love with miss Barnabus in the first novel and she rises with a feisty grit in this second tale. Still wanted by the duke for a position of servitude, Elizabeth enrolls her best friend to help with a case . when she is captured and detained for deportation, she vows to find who is following her, who wants her deported so badly and why. The case and her betrayal cross as does a problem with ice quotas and missing bodies. Vague enough for you? Buy it and read it because you will love this read

[Brianne Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a fun time with this one. It follows Elizabeth after the first book. Now an extradition agreement threatens her safety and she has to win over a politician with the power to help her. It's a lot darker than the first one with more violence.

What I really wish was present in the book is a counter POV, ideally Farthings. I think it would balance the story. Some things feel a bit unforshadowed and that would be solved with John as a counterbalance

[Kim Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

A labrythine mystery

Elizabeth is caught up again in mystery and murder. And on the run still from the Duke of Northumberland. This seems to me to be a bleaker novel than the first, and, indeed, betrayal compounds betrayal. Best to read volume 1 first, although the author fills in some of the backstory. Well written and edited, Elizabeth's story will continue I hope in another book.

[Stephanie Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this ended. This one really ramped up the creepy and the adventure.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! Much darker than the first book! Body snatching!

[Alexandra]

1/9/16 $1.99 for Kindle, $3.49 to add Audible

[Allison Gravel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t as big a fan of the first book in this series. The Bullet Catcher’s Daughter. It was right up my alley but I felt like the true plot got lost when the story veered off into a B story. It felt very much like a first book in a series, a set up more than an actual plot.

This wasn’t the case for Unseemly Science,this book moved at breakneck pace, it’s kept me on the edge of my seat and I enjoyed the entire ride.

Elizabeth Barnabus is and will probably remain one of my favourite FMCs I’ve read, she’s tough, and smart, and just this side of soft and sad and a little bit lonely. You root for her, you can’t help it. Every time she gets one over on the Duke of Northampton or the Patent Office guys or really anyone that underestimates her you find yourself smiling, feeling smug in her behalf.

I mentioned this book’s plot has more heft than the first book and it does. One of the main points is the Kingdom refugees in the Republic being rounded up to be deported. Forced to sign a watchlist and display a Kingdom flag in their windows then later are out into camps. The allusion to the nazis and their persecution of the Jewish peoples was deeply felt.
Though this was but a small part of the overarching storyline, it leant more gravity to the story as a whole.

As always I continue to enjoy Elizabeth’s second life as her twin brother. This was one of the main tags that kept me interested when reading the first book and it continues to impress.

Caverns of ice, cheating death, cryogenics, evil doctors, and running from the law. This book has it all and there is still one more to go. I can’t wait to see how this all concludes. I am so glad I didn’t give up after book one, I’d have missed this treasure.

4⭐️