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Werewolves and Gaslight #1
A Hunt By Moonlight
A Scotland Yard Inspector hunts something more dangerous than werewolves through the gaslit streets of London.Royston Jones, unacknowledged bastard of a high-born family, is determined to track the killer before more young women fall to his knife. But his investigation puts him in the way of a lord who is a clandestine werewolf and the man’s fiancée , a woman alchemist with attitude and a secret of her own.Will they destroy Royston to protect their covert identities, or will they join with him to hunt the hunter?First in the award-winning Werewolves and Gaslight Mysteries.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2016
140 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Shawna Reppert
25 books61 followersFrom earliest childhood, Shawna Reppert has had a passion for stories-- for reading them and for writing them. She obtained a BA in English with a Writing Option from Penn State University and has participated in numerous writing workshops and seminars given by the likes of Charles de Lint, David Farland and Elizabeth Lyon. Two of her stories have won honorable mentions from Writers of the Future. Previous short stories sold to 10 Flash Quarterly and to Everyday Fiction can be read for free at their websites. Several 'indie' short stories are available for sale at Amazon, and her story 'The Beast Within' will appear in the second Gears and Levers anthology, edited by Phyllis Irene Radford. Her first novel is due out as a Carina Press e-book in the summer of 2013.
In college, Shawna volunteered at a raptor rehabilitation center, which became valuable background for her short story The Sword and the Kestrel. Shawna has always had an affinity for wolves, and used to keep a wolf-dog hybrid as a pet. Her current four-footed children are a Lipizzan stallion and an orange-and-black cat named Samhain. She enjoys Irish social dancing and is an ardent supporter of live Irish music. Shawna also likes to play with the Society for Creative Anachronism and can sometimes be found in medieval garb on a caparisoned horse, throwing javelins into innocent hay bales that never did anything to her.
A Pennsylvania native, she currently lives in the beautiful wine county of Oregon.
In college, Shawna volunteered at a raptor rehabilitation center, which became valuable background for her short story The Sword and the Kestrel. Shawna has always had an affinity for wolves, and used to keep a wolf-dog hybrid as a pet. Her current four-footed children are a Lipizzan stallion and an orange-and-black cat named Samhain. She enjoys Irish social dancing and is an ardent supporter of live Irish music. Shawna also likes to play with the Society for Creative Anachronism and can sometimes be found in medieval garb on a caparisoned horse, throwing javelins into innocent hay bales that never did anything to her.
A Pennsylvania native, she currently lives in the beautiful wine county of Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 29, 2022
This was a slow read for me, primarily due to the author's prose. It's not terrible, it's a historical, which to me feels tedious. Anyway, the plot's good, the MC is okay if into self-blame, the 'wolf is great and his fiancée is terrific. I figured out the murder mystery, but I'm old (experienced). I'm not sure I'll read the next book. Maybe in a few months.
June 29, 2017
3.5 Goodreads; 4.0 Amazon: I liked it
Characters definitely get more fleshing out in this novel than in the shorter-than-I-expected short story prequel. This time, the primary PoV is that of Inspector Royston Jones, though some scenes shift to Lord Bandon or to Catherine Fairchild, A.K.A. Charles Foster. All three have admirable qualities as well as fears and biases. The tensions between classes are well-portrayed, as low-born Jones struggles to do his job and protect the city's vulnerable citizens while receiving little support from his superiors and calumny from the press and offended aristocrats. From common constables and shopgirls, to a high-powered barrister (whom I believe the author erroneously refers to as simply an "attorney", though I'd have to check to be 100% sure), many sorts of people play a part.
Out of protectiveness for her fiancé's secret, the scientifically brilliant but emotionally not-so-wise Miss Fairchild makes a hurtful threat that Jones finds it understandably difficult to forgive. Still, Bandon's conscience won't let him sit in idle safety while young women are dying horribly and his curse could finally serve a purpose, perhaps even saving a life; gradually he and the Inspector learn to work together, even with his wolf form unable to speak.
I don't want to get into spoiler territory, so I'll just say that several suspects emerge who may have done certain wicked things, but is any of them the killer?
The world is on the cusp of modernity, with horseless carriages among the nobility, and risky blood transfusions (because they've figured out that there seem to be different kinds of blood, but have no way to distinguish between them!).
The writing style is good, with the exception of some missing or extra quotation marks, a number of should-be apostrophes (9-shaped) starting spoken dialect/slang words (i.e., occurring after a space) that are written as single opening quotes (6-shaped), I believe just one I-should-be-me, one occasion where Bandon is called Brandon, and a couple iffy word choices (iron-tight?!).
Also, Ms. Reppert needs to realize that just because most romance novels star over-six-foot brawny alphas, a 5'10" man would not have had then, and DOES not have today, any reason to be embarrassed by his slightly-above-average height — look it up! If she'd said 5'7" or even 5'8"... What was the actual minimum for acceptance by Scotland Yard?
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the book, and would be happy to read another in the series. I already have Ms. Reppert's first Raven story buried unread in my Kindle library, though, so I guess it's time to pull it out and read it.
Characters definitely get more fleshing out in this novel than in the shorter-than-I-expected short story prequel. This time, the primary PoV is that of Inspector Royston Jones, though some scenes shift to Lord Bandon or to Catherine Fairchild, A.K.A. Charles Foster. All three have admirable qualities as well as fears and biases. The tensions between classes are well-portrayed, as low-born Jones struggles to do his job and protect the city's vulnerable citizens while receiving little support from his superiors and calumny from the press and offended aristocrats. From common constables and shopgirls, to a high-powered barrister (whom I believe the author erroneously refers to as simply an "attorney", though I'd have to check to be 100% sure), many sorts of people play a part.
Out of protectiveness for her fiancé's secret, the scientifically brilliant but emotionally not-so-wise Miss Fairchild makes a hurtful threat that Jones finds it understandably difficult to forgive. Still, Bandon's conscience won't let him sit in idle safety while young women are dying horribly and his curse could finally serve a purpose, perhaps even saving a life; gradually he and the Inspector learn to work together, even with his wolf form unable to speak.
I don't want to get into spoiler territory, so I'll just say that several suspects emerge who may have done certain wicked things, but is any of them the killer?
The world is on the cusp of modernity, with horseless carriages among the nobility, and risky blood transfusions (because they've figured out that there seem to be different kinds of blood, but have no way to distinguish between them!).
The writing style is good, with the exception of some missing or extra quotation marks, a number of should-be apostrophes (9-shaped) starting spoken dialect/slang words (i.e., occurring after a space) that are written as single opening quotes (6-shaped), I believe just one I-should-be-me, one occasion where Bandon is called Brandon, and a couple iffy word choices (iron-tight?!).
Also, Ms. Reppert needs to realize that just because most romance novels star over-six-foot brawny alphas, a 5'10" man would not have had then, and DOES not have today, any reason to be embarrassed by his slightly-above-average height — look it up! If she'd said 5'7" or even 5'8"... What was the actual minimum for acceptance by Scotland Yard?
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the book, and would be happy to read another in the series. I already have Ms. Reppert's first Raven story buried unread in my Kindle library, though, so I guess it's time to pull it out and read it.
July 15, 2023
I read the audio version. Full disclosure, I won a promotional contest.
This was an interesting read for me, especially, since I was born in England and grew up there and worked in London during a time when most of the buildings were still covered in soot and it was easy to imagine the days of Jack the Ripper and the Victorian era. Adding werewolves to the mix in a society where they were considered to be one more layer in the social structure and strict class system was a unique angle that worked well with fog, horse-drawn carriages, women in corsets and long skirts, and men who followed a strict code of honor. I have another audio book in this series to listen to, and am expecting another unique experience with twists, turns and surprises.
This was an interesting read for me, especially, since I was born in England and grew up there and worked in London during a time when most of the buildings were still covered in soot and it was easy to imagine the days of Jack the Ripper and the Victorian era. Adding werewolves to the mix in a society where they were considered to be one more layer in the social structure and strict class system was a unique angle that worked well with fog, horse-drawn carriages, women in corsets and long skirts, and men who followed a strict code of honor. I have another audio book in this series to listen to, and am expecting another unique experience with twists, turns and surprises.
January 11, 2023
This book was wonderful. Rather than trying to trick the reader and have the criminal be a surprise, evidence was scattered through the pages allowing for suspense to build. Each character was perfectly planed out and it was obvious that Reppert had done a lot of work not only in back story's for the characters but for building the world itself. I think adding little inside jokes and referring to past events that the reader did not see make a book so much more special and fun to read. I never once got bored and was always excited when I had a few spare moments to read.
June 7, 2024
The first 40% of this one needed a little something...more fleshing out, more detail, more something because I almost gave up. I'm really glad I didn't, just after that mark things started getting more interesting, and the characters and plotline started to gel into a really good start to this series.
It's a completely different take on werewolves, which makes it unique and intriguing. So much so that I've gladly moved on to the next in the series. If you can hang in there through some of the slogging forward, you're in for an interesting read.
It's a completely different take on werewolves, which makes it unique and intriguing. So much so that I've gladly moved on to the next in the series. If you can hang in there through some of the slogging forward, you're in for an interesting read.
April 26, 2020
Excellent
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the detective, Royston. If you have the chance, read the prequel The Beast within as it’s helpful when reading this although it’s not necessary to enjoy this book.
Interesting and well developed characters, a solid plot line, steampunk elements and a devilish villain combine to make this a great read. Well done! Now off to get book 2.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the detective, Royston. If you have the chance, read the prequel The Beast within as it’s helpful when reading this although it’s not necessary to enjoy this book.
Interesting and well developed characters, a solid plot line, steampunk elements and a devilish villain combine to make this a great read. Well done! Now off to get book 2.
August 15, 2020
A Superb Supernatural Tale of Steampunk Mystery.
Exceptional dialogue and an intriguing plot made this story a fast and enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed watching Ripper Street, Copper, or Penny Dreadful. The author captures the essence of the era while also adding her own supernatural flare. I certainly will be picking up the sequel!
Exceptional dialogue and an intriguing plot made this story a fast and enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed watching Ripper Street, Copper, or Penny Dreadful. The author captures the essence of the era while also adding her own supernatural flare. I certainly will be picking up the sequel!
January 24, 2021
A London Victorian with Werewolf in it, tale done up extremely well. I have never read or listen to this Author before this book and found the author very articulate in additude of the Inspector and his Principles. The Werewolves you met in this story are not the storybook kind, but people bitten and then ostosized by society for something beyond their fault or wants.
October 23, 2022
Werewolves rule the world !!
I loved this book ! I got it whilst browsing the kindle store I didn’t know what to expect but I was very pleasantly surprised it has a great world building story that I feel will develop over a series and I will be following it , it is a great read a well deserved 5 stars
I loved this book ! I got it whilst browsing the kindle store I didn’t know what to expect but I was very pleasantly surprised it has a great world building story that I feel will develop over a series and I will be following it , it is a great read a well deserved 5 stars
July 31, 2017
Excellent!
Very enjoyable . I've already enjoyed the first story in the Fairchild/Brandon. It was nice to find them again, and to be introduced to Inspector Jones. I look forward to more stories with either, or both sets of characters.
Very enjoyable . I've already enjoyed the first story in the Fairchild/Brandon. It was nice to find them again, and to be introduced to Inspector Jones. I look forward to more stories with either, or both sets of characters.
December 15, 2019
Steampunk and werewolves? Oh yes!
I loved this book! Suspenseful, with a bit of magic, and did I mention werewolves? I hope there are more books about this world, because I'm hooked!
I loved this book! Suspenseful, with a bit of magic, and did I mention werewolves? I hope there are more books about this world, because I'm hooked!
October 24, 2022
Enjoyed this book, set in 19th century London. A series of Jack the ripper like murders of young women happening and a police inspector with the help of a woman alchemist and her fiance a gentleman who is also a werewolf work to solve the crimes, a very good read
October 29, 2022
On to Book 2!
A little stuffy at first but as the plot and the characters developed in depth this book became an intriguing and lively read! A new series is always something to look forward to and this is one I'm excited to explore.
A little stuffy at first but as the plot and the characters developed in depth this book became an intriguing and lively read! A new series is always something to look forward to and this is one I'm excited to explore.
November 18, 2022
Alternate England with a "Ripper" mystery
Engrossing story well written and paced. I'm looking forward to reading the sequels. Werewolves, detectives and alchemists fighting crime and horseless carriages.
Engrossing story well written and paced. I'm looking forward to reading the sequels. Werewolves, detectives and alchemists fighting crime and horseless carriages.
April 16, 2023
Book 1 werewolves
At first it was a little slow and I'm not used to old English words. But I kept reading and found it becomes very exciting and very mysterious. I really enjoyed the story. Looking forward to reading book 2. Of course I do like werewolves in stories.
At first it was a little slow and I'm not used to old English words. But I kept reading and found it becomes very exciting and very mysterious. I really enjoyed the story. Looking forward to reading book 2. Of course I do like werewolves in stories.
June 13, 2023
A good story
The writing is fine, the story is okay. I loved the characters. The message of not judging a person by their place in life is a good one.
I didn't like how soon I figured out who the killer was.
The writing is fine, the story is okay. I loved the characters. The message of not judging a person by their place in life is a good one.
I didn't like how soon I figured out who the killer was.
August 15, 2023
Loved this book. My first werewolf mystery and I wasn't sure I was going to like it but I totally did! Definitely want to keep reading this series and other works by this author.
Met the author at a live book event and she was fun to talk to - and her book was even more fun to read.
Met the author at a live book event and she was fun to talk to - and her book was even more fun to read.
February 2, 2024
Brilliant
This is a fantastic steampunky/werewolfy/murder mystery story. It feels real, despite the alternative Victorian setting, and is wonderfully written. I will be reading more by this author.
This is a fantastic steampunky/werewolfy/murder mystery story. It feels real, despite the alternative Victorian setting, and is wonderfully written. I will be reading more by this author.
September 25, 2024
I loved it - certainly a different view on werewolves, but a good different. The character were well rounded, and if at times a bit melancholic, I think they reflected the "trends" and thoughts of society around this time.
More please.
More please.
December 18, 2024
A supernatural delight
What a beautifully told mystery in shades of supernatural delight! The werewolves, glamours and Victorian setting are absolutely charming.
10/10 recommend.
What a beautifully told mystery in shades of supernatural delight! The werewolves, glamours and Victorian setting are absolutely charming.
10/10 recommend.
April 16, 2025
Fantastic!
Charming, fast paced, intriguing page turner! The trio of Catherine, Richard, and Jones make for a roller coaster ride in a horse less carriage. I lost way too much sleep because I couldn't stop reading it!
Charming, fast paced, intriguing page turner! The trio of Catherine, Richard, and Jones make for a roller coaster ride in a horse less carriage. I lost way too much sleep because I couldn't stop reading it!
September 21, 2017
This is a well-written, fast-paced mystery-thriller with strong characters, exciting plot, with just the right touches of steampunk and supernatural.
July 10, 2019
Predictable (I figured out the bad guy waaaaay early) but a fun enough story.
August 25, 2019
Fun read!
But...there are a lot of typos that interrupt the flow as you read. I'll read the next book. Like the characters.
But...there are a lot of typos that interrupt the flow as you read. I'll read the next book. Like the characters.
November 17, 2019
Unique
A novel take on werewolves and their roles in society. Highly enjoyable! I look forward to reading more by this author.
A novel take on werewolves and their roles in society. Highly enjoyable! I look forward to reading more by this author.
February 27, 2024
An excellent story
A great story filled with mystery and mixed with some fantasy. Set in London dealing with a set of gruesome murders. The right Inspector is on the trail.
A great story filled with mystery and mixed with some fantasy. Set in London dealing with a set of gruesome murders. The right Inspector is on the trail.
March 21, 2024
Good read.
Good read. Presents a new idea on werewolf existence in 1800s England. Interesting concept and story line. I really enjoyed it.
Good read. Presents a new idea on werewolf existence in 1800s England. Interesting concept and story line. I really enjoyed it.
April 14, 2024
Wow. Too new series that I consider must reads back to back. An outstanding combination of detective novel, werewolf store and steampunk.
December 25, 2024
Inspector Royston Jones hunts for a killer in Victorian London. Can werewolf and Lord, Bandon, and alchemist Miss Fairchild help.
Am entertaining historical mystery with its diverse characters
Am entertaining historical mystery with its diverse characters
September 17, 2016
What if Queen Victoria and H.P. Lovecraft’s love child was raised by Arthur Conan Doyle? The result might be something like Shawna Reppert’s new detective fiction, the steampunk/paranormal/detective mashup genre known as gaslamp fantasy. Like steampunk, its alternate-history cousin, gaslamp fantasy is set in a Jules Verne world of Victorian steam powered wonders. But this world includes magic and fantasy elements, and often steps away from the steampunk promise of simplicity, romance, and cool design to showcase the grittier elements of the Victorian world.
For the most part, the story is from the point of view of Detective Inspector Royston Jones—The Watson. In 1930, when the venerable British Detection Club drew up their list of rules for writing detective fiction—rules regularly broken by members such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, etc.—rule #9 was: “The stupid friend of the detective, the Watson, must not conceal any thoughts which pass through his mind; his intelligence must be slightly, but very slightly, below that of the average reader.”
In Detective Jones’ Victorian London, werewolves are a pathetic subsection of society, openly and legally discriminated against more even than women or Irish. So neither Jones nor most of London can explain why it’s a werewolf who finally takes down the Jack the Ripper-style murderer known as Ladykiller. But when a new series of murders occurs with the same methods used by the dead murderer, Jones finds clues leading him back to the werewolf, and to a pair of young aristocrats hiding devastating secrets of their own.
Although nominally the detective, Jones willingly admits that he’s the least intelligent person involved in the case. In the manner of every Watson—from Sherlock’s actual Watson to Poirot’s Captain Hastings, Harry Potter’s Ron Weasley, any of Dr. Who’s Companions, and every other member of the cast of House except Dr. House himself—Jones main job is to narrate the story as he sees it unfold, sharing all available clues with the reader, but never actually being the one to put it together until All Is Revealed.
But author Reppert plays with this trope as well. If the detective is The Watson, who solves the crime? With help from Jones’ friends, associates, and the murderer, the reader is offered clues. While Jones slogs doggedly on, always a step behind the murderer, the case also reveals his own backstory, as well as the desperate lives of lower class Londoners. His own history as the illegitimate son of an aristocratic family drives him to seek justice for vulnerable victims such as young women, and the even more vulnerable infant victims of “baby farms” where supposed caretakers murdered their little victims after promising care to the desperate mothers.
I wouldn’t hesitate to give five stars to this book. Not only is the pace perfectly suited to the increasingly desperate search to stop a killer, but the voice is a fabulously subtle nod to the original Watson. I particularly enjoyed the way the character of Inspector Jones grew and developed over the course of the novel, while the supporting cast was well developed and three dimensional. Clearly, we’re going to see more of all of them—the doggedly determined detective, the brilliant young aristocratic alchemist, and her equally aristocratic and ridiculously noble werewolf lover. I can’t wait.
***I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
For the most part, the story is from the point of view of Detective Inspector Royston Jones—The Watson. In 1930, when the venerable British Detection Club drew up their list of rules for writing detective fiction—rules regularly broken by members such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, etc.—rule #9 was: “The stupid friend of the detective, the Watson, must not conceal any thoughts which pass through his mind; his intelligence must be slightly, but very slightly, below that of the average reader.”
In Detective Jones’ Victorian London, werewolves are a pathetic subsection of society, openly and legally discriminated against more even than women or Irish. So neither Jones nor most of London can explain why it’s a werewolf who finally takes down the Jack the Ripper-style murderer known as Ladykiller. But when a new series of murders occurs with the same methods used by the dead murderer, Jones finds clues leading him back to the werewolf, and to a pair of young aristocrats hiding devastating secrets of their own.
Although nominally the detective, Jones willingly admits that he’s the least intelligent person involved in the case. In the manner of every Watson—from Sherlock’s actual Watson to Poirot’s Captain Hastings, Harry Potter’s Ron Weasley, any of Dr. Who’s Companions, and every other member of the cast of House except Dr. House himself—Jones main job is to narrate the story as he sees it unfold, sharing all available clues with the reader, but never actually being the one to put it together until All Is Revealed.
But author Reppert plays with this trope as well. If the detective is The Watson, who solves the crime? With help from Jones’ friends, associates, and the murderer, the reader is offered clues. While Jones slogs doggedly on, always a step behind the murderer, the case also reveals his own backstory, as well as the desperate lives of lower class Londoners. His own history as the illegitimate son of an aristocratic family drives him to seek justice for vulnerable victims such as young women, and the even more vulnerable infant victims of “baby farms” where supposed caretakers murdered their little victims after promising care to the desperate mothers.
I wouldn’t hesitate to give five stars to this book. Not only is the pace perfectly suited to the increasingly desperate search to stop a killer, but the voice is a fabulously subtle nod to the original Watson. I particularly enjoyed the way the character of Inspector Jones grew and developed over the course of the novel, while the supporting cast was well developed and three dimensional. Clearly, we’re going to see more of all of them—the doggedly determined detective, the brilliant young aristocratic alchemist, and her equally aristocratic and ridiculously noble werewolf lover. I can’t wait.
***I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews