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Reeves & Worcester Steampunk Mysteries #1-3
What Ho, Automata
It's 1903. An augmented Queen Victoria sits on the throne. Automata are a common sight below stairs. And all that stands between the Empire and a touch of unpleasantness is Reginald Worcester, gentleman's consulting detective, and his automaton valet Reeves.
The book contains four adventures - a short novel, two novellas and the novelette that started it all - the WSFA Award finalist, What Ho, Automaton!
What Ho, Automaton!
Something Rummy This way Comes
Reggiecide
The Aunt Paradox
Immerse yourself in mysteries that only a detective with a rare brain - and Reggie's is amongst the rarest - could possibly solve. Missing debs, stolen time machines, re-animated regicides, and Promethean pigs. But can Reggie save the day and remain single? And can the giant steam-powered brain of Reeves, his valet, continue to curb the young master's excessive flights of fancy?
The book contains four adventures - a short novel, two novellas and the novelette that started it all - the WSFA Award finalist, What Ho, Automaton!
What Ho, Automaton!
Something Rummy This way Comes
Reggiecide
The Aunt Paradox
Immerse yourself in mysteries that only a detective with a rare brain - and Reggie's is amongst the rarest - could possibly solve. Missing debs, stolen time machines, re-animated regicides, and Promethean pigs. But can Reggie save the day and remain single? And can the giant steam-powered brain of Reeves, his valet, continue to curb the young master's excessive flights of fancy?
292 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2011
3 people are currently reading
1362 people want to read
About the author
Chris Dolley
21 books91 followersNew York Times bestselling author, pioneer computer game designer and teenage freedom fighter. That was back in 1974 when Chris was tasked with publicising Plymouth’s Student Rag Week. Some people might have arranged an interview with the local newspaper. Chris invaded the country next door, created the Free Cornish Army and persuaded the UK media that Cornwall had risen up and declared independence. This was later written up in Punch. As he told journalists at the time, ‘it was only a small country and I did give it back.’
In 1981, he created Randomberry Games and wrote Necromancer, one of the first 3D first person perspective D&D computer games. Not to mention writing the most aggressive chess program ever seen and inventing the most dangerous game ever played — the Giant Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum Cliff Top Relay.
He writes SF, fantasy, mystery and humour. His novel, Resonance, was the first book to be chosen from Baen’s electronic slush pile.
Now he lives a self-sufficient lifestyle in deepest France with his wife and a frightening number of animals. They grow their own food and solve their own crimes. The latter out of necessity when Chris’s identity was stolen along with their life savings. Abandoned by the police forces of four countries who all insisted the crime originated in someone else's jurisdiction, he had to solve the crime himself. Which he did, driving back and forth across the Pyrenees, tracking down bank accounts and faxes and interviewing bar staff. It was a mystery writer’s dream.
The resulting book, French Fried: one man's move to France with too many animals and an identity thief, is now an international bestseller.
In 1981, he created Randomberry Games and wrote Necromancer, one of the first 3D first person perspective D&D computer games. Not to mention writing the most aggressive chess program ever seen and inventing the most dangerous game ever played — the Giant Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum Cliff Top Relay.
He writes SF, fantasy, mystery and humour. His novel, Resonance, was the first book to be chosen from Baen’s electronic slush pile.
Now he lives a self-sufficient lifestyle in deepest France with his wife and a frightening number of animals. They grow their own food and solve their own crimes. The latter out of necessity when Chris’s identity was stolen along with their life savings. Abandoned by the police forces of four countries who all insisted the crime originated in someone else's jurisdiction, he had to solve the crime himself. Which he did, driving back and forth across the Pyrenees, tracking down bank accounts and faxes and interviewing bar staff. It was a mystery writer’s dream.
The resulting book, French Fried: one man's move to France with too many animals and an identity thief, is now an international bestseller.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 26, 2019
Безкрайните приключения на мастър Бърти Устър и неговия верен Джийвс завинаги ще останат като символ на добрия английски хумор и безупречно възпитание, съчетани в странно покоряваща всяко сърце комбинация от безмилостна сатира и лековат водевил. И не е никак чудно наличието на доста фенфикове, вдъхновени от комбинацията видиотен британски благородник – безделник и почти свръхестествено усведомен и способен на всичко консервативен камериер. Но какво ще се получи, ако прислужникът всъщност е модерен автоматон, притежаващ технология, която нашият ръкав на историята може и да стигне след няколко столетия, но най-вероятно не, а господарят е… всъщност нека си го оставим същия идиот, кретенизмът на синята кръв ще пребъде във всяко измерение и алтернативна вселена. Добавете стиймпънк елементи и всякакви генетични извращения без следа от антидискриминиращ сензитивен прочит, плюс много, много простотийки, и ето ви ги Рийвс и Уорчестър.
Дали ще търсят мистериозно изчезнали, лесно впечатлителни девойки, или ще търчат из лондонските канали след прометейски зомбита, а понякога ще скачат из времето, в опит да бастисат опита на лелята на Х.Г.Уелс да вдигне вселената във въздуха с машина на времето, механичният Джийвс и все така тъпоумния Устър, маскирани с кодови имена за избягване на твърде високи авторски права, ще забъркват каша след каша, този път леко овонена от парата на стиймпънк реакторите на вечната ера викториана, в която великата императрица практически ще добие вечност с механизираните си крайници на властващо роялистко зомби. От съмнителни балове до вечери в мистериозни имения, от кралския двор до задната веранда на времето, за великата двойка проблемосъздатели няма ограничения. Как оцеляват – дори и Рийвс не знае съвсем, но се оправя винаги с хладнокръвие и обективност като на машината, каквато всъщност е. А господарят му даже си намира приятелка, да му се ненадяваш и на чудото.
Ако харесвате британския хумор и стиймпънк сетингите, изчели сте де що има нещо от Удхаус, и сте се примирили с факта, че на български кой знае колко парно фентъзи няма да видим, а страдате от абстиненция по нещо странно и забавно – то Крис Доли може да ви достави малко интелигентно удоволствие с много смях и откачени обрати. Джийвс и Устър, пардон – Рийвс и Уорчестър са вашите хора…машини…струпвания от маса и/или кабели, концентрирали есенцията на хумора във всяко свое движение. Имате нужда от това.
Дали ще търсят мистериозно изчезнали, лесно впечатлителни девойки, или ще търчат из лондонските канали след прометейски зомбита, а понякога ще скачат из времето, в опит да бастисат опита на лелята на Х.Г.Уелс да вдигне вселената във въздуха с машина на времето, механичният Джийвс и все така тъпоумния Устър, маскирани с кодови имена за избягване на твърде високи авторски права, ще забъркват каша след каша, този път леко овонена от парата на стиймпънк реакторите на вечната ера викториана, в която великата императрица практически ще добие вечност с механизираните си крайници на властващо роялистко зомби. От съмнителни балове до вечери в мистериозни имения, от кралския двор до задната веранда на времето, за великата двойка проблемосъздатели няма ограничения. Как оцеляват – дори и Рийвс не знае съвсем, но се оправя винаги с хладнокръвие и обективност като на машината, каквато всъщност е. А господарят му даже си намира приятелка, да му се ненадяваш и на чудото.
Ако харесвате британския хумор и стиймпънк сетингите, изчели сте де що има нещо от Удхаус, и сте се примирили с факта, че на български кой знае колко парно фентъзи няма да видим, а страдате от абстиненция по нещо странно и забавно – то Крис Доли може да ви достави малко интелигентно удоволствие с много смях и откачени обрати. Джийвс и Устър, пардон – Рийвс и Уорчестър са вашите хора…машини…струпвания от маса и/или кабели, концентрирали есенцията на хумора във всяко свое движение. Имате нужда от това.
June 24, 2016
Nearly perfect. Jeeves & Wooster pastiche, with a steampunk twist. Loved this SO much!
June 24, 2018
Reviewers purported this to be a cross (Venn diagram?) between Sherlock Holmes, P.G.Wodehouse, and Steampunk pop culture. Um, maybe, but it was a little too cutsie for me and I am sure that Doyle and Wodehouse are not excited about the comparison. Unfortunately, I purchased 2 of these volumes. I feel morally obligated to read any book purchased … damn.
June 20, 2017
Bonkers but so much fun! I love Worcester and Reeves!
January 25, 2018
Clever, funny, and quick! I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 22, 2018
If you love Jeeves and Wooster, and who doesn't, even if you don't like Steampunk, you will enjoy this series. I suggest you start with the beginning.
May 30, 2020
This was a fun read! I liked the Wodehouse Jeeves stories and these were a great spin off.
November 13, 2020
A delightful romp through an alternate Cyberpunk Victorian England, with clear homage to Jeeves and Wooster.
August 22, 2021
Definitely a must for someone who loved Wodehouse's Bertie and Jeeves. Reggie and Reeves in steampunk 1903 solving mysteries is funny.
December 9, 2021
Reeves and Worcester are a feast of Wodehouse and Arthur Conan Doyle, a delicious combination of mirth and mystery. Chris Dolley is a gem.
November 7, 2014
"What Ho Automata" which I won through Goodreads Giveaways is a delightfully funny blend of steampunk and Victorian hijinks that begins in 1903 and follows the adventures of Reginald Worcester and his automaton valet Reeves. In four separate mysteries Reggie uses his "rare brain" to solve unexplained enigmas that include a huge talking Promethean pig, missing debutantes, a stolen time machine and reanimation of 300 year old corpses.
In the strands of a plot that not only deals with resolving mysterious crimes Reggie struggles to avoid the calculating efforts of his aunt to marry him off. He seems to avoid the merry chase of debutantes who have him classified as a well-bred, but lazy gentleman until he meets a suffragette Emmeline Dreadnought whose love of sleuthing rivals his own. Cleverly Chris Dolley creates detectives in a steampunk setting that humorously rival the exploits of Sherlock Holmes, Jane Marple and Mallory Queen. I loved the 1903 two-seater Stanley Steamer, the allusion to boils and garlic to ward of matrimonial prospects and the "made in Belgium" tattoo on Reggie's cousin's girlfriend. All these details add to the quirky humor that makes their detective work spark with entertaining fun and keeps the reader riveted from the first page to the last.
Reggie Worcester is the Sherlock Holmes want-to-be who always comes to illogical conclusions like a one legged man, eunuch or an orang-utan as the culprits. A gentleman who's an expert at "button-holing people" he often gives up too easily and drowns his anxiety in gin. Reeves is the automaton Reggie found in a cupboard at a gentleman's club. He's highly intelligent, logical, observant and pragmatic; the perfect partner. Emmeline Dreadnought is the quick-witted, headstrong and impulsive young woman who captures the marriage -shy Reggie's heart. All the characters in the novel add spice, drama and energy.
I thoroughly enjoyed "What Ho Automata" and recommend it to those that like mirth and mystery in the Victorian era.
In the strands of a plot that not only deals with resolving mysterious crimes Reggie struggles to avoid the calculating efforts of his aunt to marry him off. He seems to avoid the merry chase of debutantes who have him classified as a well-bred, but lazy gentleman until he meets a suffragette Emmeline Dreadnought whose love of sleuthing rivals his own. Cleverly Chris Dolley creates detectives in a steampunk setting that humorously rival the exploits of Sherlock Holmes, Jane Marple and Mallory Queen. I loved the 1903 two-seater Stanley Steamer, the allusion to boils and garlic to ward of matrimonial prospects and the "made in Belgium" tattoo on Reggie's cousin's girlfriend. All these details add to the quirky humor that makes their detective work spark with entertaining fun and keeps the reader riveted from the first page to the last.
Reggie Worcester is the Sherlock Holmes want-to-be who always comes to illogical conclusions like a one legged man, eunuch or an orang-utan as the culprits. A gentleman who's an expert at "button-holing people" he often gives up too easily and drowns his anxiety in gin. Reeves is the automaton Reggie found in a cupboard at a gentleman's club. He's highly intelligent, logical, observant and pragmatic; the perfect partner. Emmeline Dreadnought is the quick-witted, headstrong and impulsive young woman who captures the marriage -shy Reggie's heart. All the characters in the novel add spice, drama and energy.
I thoroughly enjoyed "What Ho Automata" and recommend it to those that like mirth and mystery in the Victorian era.
June 8, 2016
Humor isn’t easy to write. But this one I really liked. I haven’t actually read much Wodehouse (and I think all of them have been Finnish translations) but I’ve watched Jeeves and Wooster almost religiously. Reading this, I heard Bertie’s voice narrating and laughed out loud several times.
In the first story, Aunt Bertha sends Reggie to a country estate with the mission to end an engagement between Reggie’s cousin Herbert and Josephine Smith. However, the Crandle Castle is owned by an earl whose daughter Reggie has been engaged to previously and it didn’t end amicably, so Reggie doesn’t look forward to the task. Fortunately, he acquires a very useful automaton from the Drone club. Reeves turns out to be indispensable.
In the second story, “Something Rummy this way comes”, Aunt Bertha demands that Reggie will get married and sends him to all the dances of the season. Even feigning a heart attack doesn’t work. So, Reggie and Jeeves concoct plans to make Reggie less desirable in the eyes of the debutants and their family. However, soon Reggie dances with one Emmeline Dreadnought and finds out that several debutants have gone missing. Their families want to avoid a scandal and haven’t told the police. Reggie decides to become a consulting detective and investigate discreetly. Emmeline insists on helping him. Hilarity ensues.
Reggie has his own horseless carriage Stanley Steamer. Reeves is an automaton which occasionally needs his steam topped off. The setting is in England 1903 but Queen Victoria is still in charge. Secondary characters include Reggie’s friends from the Drone club and his mighty aunts as well as several other notable high society people.
This was highly entertaining story where it was easy for me to ignore the flaws, such as a ridiculous plot. Compared to Jeeves and Wooster, Reggie is stupider than Wooster and clearly less intelligent than Reeves and not very socially smart either. Reeves also suggests and uses subterfuge in a way that Jeeves wouldn’t. Of course, Dolley didn’t live in 1903, either.
In the first story, Aunt Bertha sends Reggie to a country estate with the mission to end an engagement between Reggie’s cousin Herbert and Josephine Smith. However, the Crandle Castle is owned by an earl whose daughter Reggie has been engaged to previously and it didn’t end amicably, so Reggie doesn’t look forward to the task. Fortunately, he acquires a very useful automaton from the Drone club. Reeves turns out to be indispensable.
In the second story, “Something Rummy this way comes”, Aunt Bertha demands that Reggie will get married and sends him to all the dances of the season. Even feigning a heart attack doesn’t work. So, Reggie and Jeeves concoct plans to make Reggie less desirable in the eyes of the debutants and their family. However, soon Reggie dances with one Emmeline Dreadnought and finds out that several debutants have gone missing. Their families want to avoid a scandal and haven’t told the police. Reggie decides to become a consulting detective and investigate discreetly. Emmeline insists on helping him. Hilarity ensues.
Reggie has his own horseless carriage Stanley Steamer. Reeves is an automaton which occasionally needs his steam topped off. The setting is in England 1903 but Queen Victoria is still in charge. Secondary characters include Reggie’s friends from the Drone club and his mighty aunts as well as several other notable high society people.
This was highly entertaining story where it was easy for me to ignore the flaws, such as a ridiculous plot. Compared to Jeeves and Wooster, Reggie is stupider than Wooster and clearly less intelligent than Reeves and not very socially smart either. Reeves also suggests and uses subterfuge in a way that Jeeves wouldn’t. Of course, Dolley didn’t live in 1903, either.
January 11, 2015
“You’re not a priest by any chance, are you?” “No.” “Pity. I’m of a mind to write to the Archbishop of Canterbury?” “You are?” “If not the Pope. One of them must know how to exorcise a pig.”
This book is amaze-balls. End of story. Talking automaton pigs (who want cheese), kidnapping orang-utans, and seafaring midgets; I mean, seriously. What more could you ask for? The quick fire dialogue was witty and brilliant, and I couldn't get enough. Think idiot savant Sherlock Holmes and automaton butler Watson. Reeves (Watson) takes all of Reggie's (Sherlock) hair brained ideas in stride. Perfect description of their relationship and differences in personality: "I still felt Reeves was playing too solid a game. His logic was faultless, his technique superb, but ... where was the flair?".
If you want a fast paced, hilarious British Steampunk mystery novel, pick this up, ASAP. Even if you don't, pick this up ASAP. You won't regret it.
This book is amaze-balls. End of story. Talking automaton pigs (who want cheese), kidnapping orang-utans, and seafaring midgets; I mean, seriously. What more could you ask for? The quick fire dialogue was witty and brilliant, and I couldn't get enough. Think idiot savant Sherlock Holmes and automaton butler Watson. Reeves (Watson) takes all of Reggie's (Sherlock) hair brained ideas in stride. Perfect description of their relationship and differences in personality: "I still felt Reeves was playing too solid a game. His logic was faultless, his technique superb, but ... where was the flair?".
If you want a fast paced, hilarious British Steampunk mystery novel, pick this up, ASAP. Even if you don't, pick this up ASAP. You won't regret it.
November 3, 2014
I was delighted when I recieved this book as one of the first reads giveaways. I am a firm fan of Wodehouse, steampunk and the ridiculous which comes in handy when reading this book.
The characters are charmingly familiar with added twists and every crime was solved with style and in the process a jolly good time was had by almost all. The stories were well written funny and easy to read.
I found all of the stories to be witty and captivating and I am still very suspicious of any orangutans that may be lurking about. I would definitely reccomend this book and hope to see many more of Reeves and Worcesters adventures, the author had clearly dined on fish and fortified himself with a stiff drink before begining this masterpiece.
The characters are charmingly familiar with added twists and every crime was solved with style and in the process a jolly good time was had by almost all. The stories were well written funny and easy to read.
I found all of the stories to be witty and captivating and I am still very suspicious of any orangutans that may be lurking about. I would definitely reccomend this book and hope to see many more of Reeves and Worcesters adventures, the author had clearly dined on fish and fortified himself with a stiff drink before begining this masterpiece.
August 1, 2016
"What ho, Automate!" Introduces Reginald Worcester, Reeves, and Emmeline Dreadnaught, a trio that solves mysteries in a steampunk universe while keeping the reader thoroughly amused. This is a not-to-be-missed series that builds on P.G. Wodehouse characters and maintains their personalities almost flawlessly.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, orangu-tangs, domineering aunts, British society at the turn of the century, and steampunk, these stories are for you.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, orangu-tangs, domineering aunts, British society at the turn of the century, and steampunk, these stories are for you.
August 16, 2016
A truly brilliant and funny read! A group favorite! Our book club discussion of this set of short stories was as spirited as the prose. Everyone agreed that it was not only a wonderful humorous read in keeping with the P.G. Wodehouse inspiration, but that it was also a fantastic introduction to the Steampunk genre.
March 13, 2016
A delightful steampunk take on Wodehouse. Set in early 20th Century England, our fearless (and somewhat clueless hero), with more than a little help by his big-brained automaton, uncover a plot to steal away the debutantes of England. What ho, the game's afoot!
July 18, 2016
This was a fantastic read. Funny and light hearted. I love the characters and the way they poke fun at themselves. The plot and storyline are engrossing and it engages you from the off. It is a great way to spend a few hours relaxing.
June 14, 2019
Brilliant!! I've always liked the Wodehouse Jeeves/Bertie books and this is a great homage to that form. Reggie may be even dimmer than Bertie but thinks even more highly of himself. Very clever word play and the situations are frequently laugh out loud funny
April 2, 2015
A gentle–and spot on–parody of P.G. Wodehouse wrapped up in a steampunk mystery. What's not to love?
July 30, 2016
What fun! Delightful nonsense: a steampunk pastiche of PG Wodehouse and Sherlock Holmes, with HG Welles and sufragettes thrown in for good measure.
June 16, 2016
3.5*
Good spin on Wodehouse, captured the spirit & the humour!
Recommended for all Bertie/ Jeeves fans!
Good spin on Wodehouse, captured the spirit & the humour!
Recommended for all Bertie/ Jeeves fans!
November 6, 2016
"Everyone close their eyes," I said. "And count to one hundred. If I see one eye open before one hundred, I shall feed it to my robot."
May 2, 2017
Wodehouse would be pleased I think.
didn-t-finish
October 8, 2018I'd like to give this another go sometime, but just not right now.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews