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The Casebook of Esho St. Claire: The Gibbering Mr. Cravat ~ The Current Killer
This book features two cases from the files of occult consulting detective Esho St. Claire.
The Gibbering Mr. Cravat
A rich man's son isn't Detective Esho St. Claire's usual sort of client. Bearing a hideous curse, Mr. Cravat begs him to find a way to discover its cause and reverse it if he can. The case will take him from the homes of Manhattan’s wealthy to the Undercity, where creatures of legend live.
The Elder Gods are using the money and power flowing through the upper echelon of society to stage a comeback, and poor Mr. Cravat is just the first victim. Esho and a whiskey fueled strongman named Sean Younger must stop their priesthood before the invasion is complete.
The Current Killer
Detective Esho St. Claire now has a ghost for client. Speaking through Nikola Tesla's ether recording machine, a man wants St. Claire to prove that Thomas Edison is guilty of his murder. The detective never thought that a case would have him dodging death rays, but nothing about this one is typical.
When he discovers magic is being tapped to make a super weapon, Detective St. Claire realizes that this job is even less straight-forward than he had thought. St. Claire and Tesla have to stop the techno-magical nightmare before it rips open the fabric of reality.
The Gibbering Mr. Cravat
A rich man's son isn't Detective Esho St. Claire's usual sort of client. Bearing a hideous curse, Mr. Cravat begs him to find a way to discover its cause and reverse it if he can. The case will take him from the homes of Manhattan’s wealthy to the Undercity, where creatures of legend live.
The Elder Gods are using the money and power flowing through the upper echelon of society to stage a comeback, and poor Mr. Cravat is just the first victim. Esho and a whiskey fueled strongman named Sean Younger must stop their priesthood before the invasion is complete.
The Current Killer
Detective Esho St. Claire now has a ghost for client. Speaking through Nikola Tesla's ether recording machine, a man wants St. Claire to prove that Thomas Edison is guilty of his murder. The detective never thought that a case would have him dodging death rays, but nothing about this one is typical.
When he discovers magic is being tapped to make a super weapon, Detective St. Claire realizes that this job is even less straight-forward than he had thought. St. Claire and Tesla have to stop the techno-magical nightmare before it rips open the fabric of reality.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2015
About the author
Scott Roche
55 books56 followersA military brat, fan of horror and occult fiction at an embarrassingly (for my parents anyway) young age, and a seeker of the true reality beyond that which we see every day, I try and include as much life experience in my writing as I can. Every story I write combines these elements into something that I hope you will not only enjoy, but tell all of your friends about. I am active in the podcast fiction sphere and am a contributing editor at Flying Island Press.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 2, 2015
As stated in the synopsis and title, this book has two stories in it for us with Esho St. Claire on the job. They are of a magical sense with Esho and his abilities. But the second story starts to blend the possibility of much more with electric and technology blended with magic.
I've had the opportunity to read a few of Scott Roche's short stories in a few anthologies. I have enjoyed his story telling and surprises he adds. It was a pleasure to read a few more stories from him.
This is a wonderful introduction into the world Esho lives in. I do hope to see more stories of Esho on the magical cases.
****FULL REVIEW****
*I was offered this book for an honest review.
As stated in the synopsis and title, this book has two stories in it for us with Esho St. Claire on the job. They are of a magical sense with Esho and his abilities. But the second story starts to blend the possibility of much more with electric and technology blended with magic.
I've had the opportunity to read a few of Scott Roche's short stories in a few anthologies. I have enjoyed his story telling and surprises he adds. It was a pleasure to read a few more stories from him.
This is a wonderful introduction into the world Esho lives in. I do hope to see more stories of Esho on the magical cases.
The Gibbering Mr. Cravat
Due to the discretion of Madame Francesca's home of ladies, Esho is meeting his client here. Mr. Cravat has been cursed. He's physically changing. Esho thinks this transformation sounds like a cult he has seen in Pennsylvania. Esho recruits his friend, San Younger, to help him with investigating as he's worked with him and he's got the muscle. The man is also the tallest man Esho's ever seen. Sean is always ready for a fight and the way this case is looking, they are going to have to venture into the Undercity to find their answers.
First, I love that Esho is not your normal main character. He's got some age on him which makes him the wiser rather than barreling in head first. Esho is also a man of color. I don't get to read many books that reference characters of different origins. Esho has a magical essence to him and a power that comes in handy, along with his sword.
Sean is another character, kind of a side kick, that I truly enjoy as well. He has his own secret, that Esho knows and we learn though the story. It has to do with his drinking of alcohol daily, well constantly.
The story starts with subtle magic and paranormal hints to the world, other than the client and his terrible change. Esho has a handy straight razor he carries with him at all times. This common object is not as simple as one would think. It's got a magic to it and Esho uses it on several occasions through the story. Handy! I'm rather taken with the razor.
The magic here has a cost for Esho when he uses it. I like that there is a limit to magic usage and Esho doesn't come out seeming immortal. But he also has magic stored in spells in other objects, which is a great boost to the system.
We do get to journey to the Undercity, but not before it comes to Esho. There are many creatures in this world! It's an interesting setup, and hinted at more down in the Undercity.
The Current Killer
Esho has an appointment with the one and only Nikola Tesla. Nikola wants to show Esho his recording of a ghost. He's discovered a murder and plans against mankind. Is it true? Can Nikola contact the dead with his technology? Esho must find it the ghost Tesla has recorded is for certain dead to verify the machines ability. And what could it bring to the world Esho knows exists that others do not? The magical side of the world.
Scott has created a short story where Nikola Tesla is present and his abilities are present and seen along with explaining how things would work out for Nikola in the future. And speaking of future, there could be a chance of many new devices and work with Nikola? I'm hoping! Nikola is working on creating a marriage of science/technology and the mystical. His desire to bring scientists to look into the phenomenon (as he calls it) more than they have. It's so neat to see Nikola working his magic here and braver than he ever thought he was.
Esho has a different partner in this story. Madame Samedi. Esho needs her help to see if the device really does record the departed spirits. She then becomes aware that if Nikola's device is true, it could mean trouble for other mediums and magical beings. Man kind is known for making tools into weapons.
Nikola has his battles with Edison, and it's seen here. We see their battle of minds and ways clash in a deadly manner. We get our fight at the climax of the story. I enjoyed that scene and climax at the end. All the magics, technological and magic, come together as they battle each other. It's a sight to see as you read!
I've had the opportunity to read a few of Scott Roche's short stories in a few anthologies. I have enjoyed his story telling and surprises he adds. It was a pleasure to read a few more stories from him.
This is a wonderful introduction into the world Esho lives in. I do hope to see more stories of Esho on the magical cases.
****FULL REVIEW****
*I was offered this book for an honest review.
As stated in the synopsis and title, this book has two stories in it for us with Esho St. Claire on the job. They are of a magical sense with Esho and his abilities. But the second story starts to blend the possibility of much more with electric and technology blended with magic.
I've had the opportunity to read a few of Scott Roche's short stories in a few anthologies. I have enjoyed his story telling and surprises he adds. It was a pleasure to read a few more stories from him.
This is a wonderful introduction into the world Esho lives in. I do hope to see more stories of Esho on the magical cases.
The Gibbering Mr. Cravat
Due to the discretion of Madame Francesca's home of ladies, Esho is meeting his client here. Mr. Cravat has been cursed. He's physically changing. Esho thinks this transformation sounds like a cult he has seen in Pennsylvania. Esho recruits his friend, San Younger, to help him with investigating as he's worked with him and he's got the muscle. The man is also the tallest man Esho's ever seen. Sean is always ready for a fight and the way this case is looking, they are going to have to venture into the Undercity to find their answers.
First, I love that Esho is not your normal main character. He's got some age on him which makes him the wiser rather than barreling in head first. Esho is also a man of color. I don't get to read many books that reference characters of different origins. Esho has a magical essence to him and a power that comes in handy, along with his sword.
Sean is another character, kind of a side kick, that I truly enjoy as well. He has his own secret, that Esho knows and we learn though the story. It has to do with his drinking of alcohol daily, well constantly.
The story starts with subtle magic and paranormal hints to the world, other than the client and his terrible change. Esho has a handy straight razor he carries with him at all times. This common object is not as simple as one would think. It's got a magic to it and Esho uses it on several occasions through the story. Handy! I'm rather taken with the razor.
The magic here has a cost for Esho when he uses it. I like that there is a limit to magic usage and Esho doesn't come out seeming immortal. But he also has magic stored in spells in other objects, which is a great boost to the system.
We do get to journey to the Undercity, but not before it comes to Esho. There are many creatures in this world! It's an interesting setup, and hinted at more down in the Undercity.
The Current Killer
Esho has an appointment with the one and only Nikola Tesla. Nikola wants to show Esho his recording of a ghost. He's discovered a murder and plans against mankind. Is it true? Can Nikola contact the dead with his technology? Esho must find it the ghost Tesla has recorded is for certain dead to verify the machines ability. And what could it bring to the world Esho knows exists that others do not? The magical side of the world.
Scott has created a short story where Nikola Tesla is present and his abilities are present and seen along with explaining how things would work out for Nikola in the future. And speaking of future, there could be a chance of many new devices and work with Nikola? I'm hoping! Nikola is working on creating a marriage of science/technology and the mystical. His desire to bring scientists to look into the phenomenon (as he calls it) more than they have. It's so neat to see Nikola working his magic here and braver than he ever thought he was.
Esho has a different partner in this story. Madame Samedi. Esho needs her help to see if the device really does record the departed spirits. She then becomes aware that if Nikola's device is true, it could mean trouble for other mediums and magical beings. Man kind is known for making tools into weapons.
Nikola has his battles with Edison, and it's seen here. We see their battle of minds and ways clash in a deadly manner. We get our fight at the climax of the story. I enjoyed that scene and climax at the end. All the magics, technological and magic, come together as they battle each other. It's a sight to see as you read!
May 19, 2026
Logging for similarly titled book at work, was super long so feel like i need to get credit for this in my 2026 reading goal
April 28, 2015
DISCLAIMER: I'm a big fan of the Dead Robots Society, hosted by Scott Roche.
Author Scott Roche creates a remarkably vivid world and intriguing setting in his work "The Casebook of Esho St. Claire: The Gibbering Mr. Cravat ~ The Current Killer" and populates it with exceptionally fascinating characters.
The protagonist, Esho St. Claire, is unlike any other I've read of before. Truly a unique character and entertaining as hell. In addition, the side characters which people the works are every bit as fascinating as Esho.
Set in an eldritch, steampunk meets urban fantasy with a dash of Lovecraft tossed in for good measure, the stories, while not connected per se, are complementary and show different facets of both character and setting.
The pace of the work is spot-on, dialogue is just right for the time / setting and the action scenes are simply fun to read.
The author demonstrates a knack for getting right to the important parts without wasting time. Where other authors might dally about, with prologues, scene settings and other tricks Roche dumps the entire plot into the reader's lap and you have to (rightfully) place your trust in the rest of the work to make sense of it all.
As a reader I got the distinct impression that it was really just a fun book to write.
I very much enjoyed the works and look forward to reading more by the author.
Author Scott Roche creates a remarkably vivid world and intriguing setting in his work "The Casebook of Esho St. Claire: The Gibbering Mr. Cravat ~ The Current Killer" and populates it with exceptionally fascinating characters.
The protagonist, Esho St. Claire, is unlike any other I've read of before. Truly a unique character and entertaining as hell. In addition, the side characters which people the works are every bit as fascinating as Esho.
Set in an eldritch, steampunk meets urban fantasy with a dash of Lovecraft tossed in for good measure, the stories, while not connected per se, are complementary and show different facets of both character and setting.
The pace of the work is spot-on, dialogue is just right for the time / setting and the action scenes are simply fun to read.
The author demonstrates a knack for getting right to the important parts without wasting time. Where other authors might dally about, with prologues, scene settings and other tricks Roche dumps the entire plot into the reader's lap and you have to (rightfully) place your trust in the rest of the work to make sense of it all.
As a reader I got the distinct impression that it was really just a fun book to write.
I very much enjoyed the works and look forward to reading more by the author.
May 1, 2015
Esho St. Claire takes you to a gaslight New York City that you've never seen before. "The Gibbering Mr. Cravat" drags you into a horrific underworld confrontation with ancient horror. "The Current Killer" blends science, magic and murder as the protagonist aids Mr. Tesla in his search for a murderer. Both stories left me wanting more tales from Scott Roche about this early supernatural detective!
May 22, 2015
At first I didn't know what to think about this book, but it didn't take long before I couldn't put it down. It consists of two mesmerizing stories with fascinating characters in a strange new world. I thoroughly enjoyed them both.
January 22, 2024
While reading The Casebook of Esho St. Claire by Scott Roche, I couldn't help but imagine it as series on PBS, like Masterpiece Theatre, in the style of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Jeremy Brett. The flavour of these two stories is akin to the famed detective's tales, only with a fantastic, supernatural twist. An occult consulting detective, the polite and brave, Esho St. Claire, possesses just the right skills to deal with the arcane cases brought to him by varied clients. Whether a Lovecraftian threat growing beneath Manhattan in the Undercity or a ghost crying for justice against a potential death-ray, Esho is the man with the knowledge and spectral connections to solve the mystery. Roche has created a thoroughly engaging character, dropping just the right amount of background to have you wondering what Esho might be capable of next. My only issue is I wished for a little more of that history to further flesh him out. However, that's due to my liking for extended novels over short stories. Yet, the two adventures do get me wishing for more. Now, about that series ...
August 8, 2017
Scott Roche's supernatural detective story is brought to life by David Robinson's superb narration. Although the stories are short their depth will engage readers and leave them wanting for more. Characters are colorful and expertly crafted. Robinson's interpretation of each character enhanced the story and added additional enjoyment. A must-listen for those interested in supernatural detective stories.
August 17, 2017
Jumping into this book was a little disorienting, as I had no real foundation of who, when, or where was involved. That said, it was easy to sink into this book. You get two excellent mysteries here, with plenty of mysticism, industry, and colorful characters.
Now that I have the grounding in Esho's life, I want more.
Now that I have the grounding in Esho's life, I want more.
June 7, 2025
This was my first introduction to Esho St. Claire. Esho carried himself with poise and was an absolute delight to read. I really respected Roche's ability to bring to life a character and setting that is just rich with culture and legends that are a staple of America. These tales feel like an homage to--and at the same time a spin on--the classic Sherlock stories, with a bit of a flair for the fantastical. Can't wait to read more.
February 28, 2016
I enjoyed it and will read it again.
a fun story to let your imagination eat up.
I give complements to the story chef.
a fun story to let your imagination eat up.
I give complements to the story chef.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews