STRANDS

Steampunk Mystery #4

by Hollis Shiloh

Gareth Silverman has been locked up, away from his magic — and is slowly dying. Silus is desperate to get him free. With the help of friends from Skeffield Manor, he might just manage it...but at what cost?Join friends old and new — magicians, mechanicalized men, and others, including one sparkly designer — at the revolving doors of Skeffield Manor, as it once again becomes a stage for magic, mystery...and love.Takes place after "Mystery at Skeffield Manor," and in the same universe as "Wes and Kit" and "Robert and Louie," "Like A One-Eyed Cat," "Cold Hands Warm Heart," and "Gear Heart." A story told from multiple points of view. approx. 54,000 wordsHeat LowEXCERPT"It's only a cup of cocoa." I heard the familiar voice outside my door, bargaining with the guards. At least he was being polite that was a definite improvement.I sat in the dark cell and listened, waiting. It was too dark to see, and I had my arms around my knees, drawing up to my chest. It was the high point of the day when Silus visited. The cell was specially treated so that no magic could be worked in it, and I was not trusted with any sort of natural light or window. I sat in the dark for nearly twenty hours a day, and had a few supervised hours of light, so that my eyes did not atrophy, and so that I did not go mad.The matron who supervised me frightened me, though, and so the light was little better than the dark. I was not allowed any books, which would have been a help. Instead, I got to see the condition of the cell, myself, and the matron staring at me with hard eyes, while I waited through those few hours with light. She never seemed to tire, and rarely took her eyes away from me. By the end of three hours, I welcomed the dark.The fourth hour, that was when I was allowed visitors. I had only one."Gareth," said Silus.I uncurled from my position and looked up at him, raising my head and squinting against the bright light of the glowing lantern he brought with him. He'd talked — or bribed — the guard into allowing the cocoa in, so he held that in one hand. The guard held the lantern and followed him in.Alas, we couldn't do as much as we'd have liked in our hour together. He smiled at me, and I saw it, despite how his face was thrown into shadow by the bobbing lantern light, and how the rest of the light dazzled me a little, though the lantern was turned low."Drink this," he ordered me. "I've gone to a lot of trouble."I knew his gruff words hid his concern. Silus Smith was my boyfriend, and our magic was sewn together. I could always sense his arrival at the prison, and when he drew closer. It made me feel a little more alive. When he was far away, I sometimes thought dark things, and wondered if he would abandon me after all — cut the ties between us as easily as he had once snapped them, and leave me on my own to face the wrath of the magical ministry and the whole justice system come down on my head.I had been involved with a man of the magical ministry, Bauer, who had turned, who had been working towards his own ends. He'd interfered with and contaminated a number of cases, not to mention stolen things and interfered with the law. Bauer was set to be locked away for life, after they got the information they needed from him.I was imprisoned for an indeterminate amount of time, perhaps forever, in a cell in which I could not touch my magic, nor even have light most of the time.

Genres: Steampunk, M M Romance, LGBT, Romance, Mystery

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2016

Reviews

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always know what I'm getting with one of Hollis Shiloh's fabulous little books, they put me into such a happy and relaxed state and do me the world of good. They are by no means perfect, they can be a little repetitive and slow at times but I love them so much. One character is usually vulnerable, very caring and kind and the other is usually an older, slightly damaged, brute of a guy. But once they get together they work, they enrich each others lives and it's absolute bliss.

[Erebia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series. If you read most or all of the other books first, the multiple-view writing isn't confusing or annoying but terribly interesting, because you come to love all the people in this universe. I hope there will be another book soon!

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 This is definitely a series to be read in order. That said, it was wonderful to catch up on all the friends/couples that we've met in this world. Even those whose stories seemed finished get a few new touches as well. There are many points of view and each truly captures the character and narrative voice of its narrator. The book almost completely character driven with not a great deal happening in the way of plot. There is a mystery/suspense element to the story that is delightfully creepy with a twist that is a complete surprise. The pacing is sedate without being slow, mainly because we are being treated to the characters' introspection dealing with everything from loves to personal history to the nature of magic. The steampunk elements are light, mostly to do with the ex-soldiers who survive by means of organs or limbs of a made up a merging of gearworks and magic. These are characters and couples that are touching and positive, leaving the reader with a feeling of warm satisfaction at the end.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love it or leave it type of series and for me, it is "love it!" Let me say that this was a great way to wrap up several loose ends, but what about Jocelyn? I am hoping to see another book in the future... I really need resolution for Jocelyn!!!

It always amazes me how much I enjoy this author's steampunk stories! Going into the first one, I was so prepared to hate it and ended up adding another author to my long list of must read authors... *headdesk* ;p

[Heather York · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another great entry into Hollis Shiloh's Steampunk Mystery universe. It's always nice to see old friends and new working together to further the story we've come to love. Just like Mystery at Steffield Manor, magic is a bigger factor than steampunk but again it works.

[blub · Rating 3 out of 5]

A free copy was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

I'm going to go ahead and say that the books probably should be read in order although readers get just enough to get by about each character to get what is happening and why to the characters. That being said I really hadn't read the other stories in the book and I found myself just a tad confused. I couldn't really keep track of all the characters since I didn't know them since I hadn't read their stories in the other books in the series. A bit of a mistake on my part, considering the story is told in alternating POVs.

That being said I did still enjoy the story when I stepped back and stopped overthinking about who was who. Right off the bat readers get sucked in by Gareth's situation. In fact, for me, his POV and situation was the main foci of the book and I found I wanted to know more about him and his relationship with Silus. Readers get tidbits about their situation and relationship along with updates about other characters and their involvement with Gareth. When I finished the book I was wishing would have a full length novel just for them.

I was intrigued by the world the author built and will most probably go check out the other books in the series just to learn more about it and the characters.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to the world of steampunk and magic, back to Wes and Kit and Robert and Louis and the rest of the crew. I enjoyed catching up with them and seeing what developed after the big mystery in the last book was solved. Of course there were new mysteries and dangers for our characters, and much about the healing power of love.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful as always

Loved this story.
Got a bit confused with all the different POV but picked it up soon enough.
This was a great story heartily recommended in fact I bought it as soon as I realised it was book 4 I adore Hollis Shiloh stories

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mysteries Continue

I continue to enjoy this series. Catching up with established couples- they are growing, & have new concerns. New couples, New mysteries. Heat level about 2. Characters and their interactions are well developed. I look forward to the next one.