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Glass and Steele #0.5
The Traitor's Gamble: A Glass and Steele Short Story
About THE TRAITOR'S GAMBLE
Five years before Matt meets India in London, he finds himself in the American backwater of Broken Creek, a Wild West town on the fringe of the civilized world. Employed by the local bank to investigate the heist of gold bullion, he goes deep undercover along with his friends, Duke and Cyclops, and his cousin Willie.
Drinking and gambling to excess haven't deterred the pretty schoolteacher's daughter from taking an interest in Matt, and despite the concerns of his friends, he has no intentions of giving up his vices. Not even when the arrival of his outlaw grandfather risks exposure—and his life.
Can Matt find out who is involved in the theft before it's too late? Will his grandfather forgive him for leaving the family trade, or make him pay? And will Matt's bad habits dig him into a deeper hole than he can climb out of?
THE TRAITOR’S GAMBLE is set 5 years before the opening of the first Glass and Steele novel, THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER. This short story should be read ONLY after you’ve completed THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER, as it contains spoilers for that book, but not for the rest of the series.
Story available only through Members Only link on the author's website.
Five years before Matt meets India in London, he finds himself in the American backwater of Broken Creek, a Wild West town on the fringe of the civilized world. Employed by the local bank to investigate the heist of gold bullion, he goes deep undercover along with his friends, Duke and Cyclops, and his cousin Willie.
Drinking and gambling to excess haven't deterred the pretty schoolteacher's daughter from taking an interest in Matt, and despite the concerns of his friends, he has no intentions of giving up his vices. Not even when the arrival of his outlaw grandfather risks exposure—and his life.
Can Matt find out who is involved in the theft before it's too late? Will his grandfather forgive him for leaving the family trade, or make him pay? And will Matt's bad habits dig him into a deeper hole than he can climb out of?
THE TRAITOR’S GAMBLE is set 5 years before the opening of the first Glass and Steele novel, THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER. This short story should be read ONLY after you’ve completed THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER, as it contains spoilers for that book, but not for the rest of the series.
Story available only through Members Only link on the author's website.
63 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2017
18 people are currently reading
1489 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Archer
102 books5,706 followersC.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.
She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
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She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcjarc...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 7, 2021
Glass and Steel Prequel #0.5
May 9, 2019
Interesting to finally know what happened in Broken Creek.
September 5, 2019
Interesting backstory but was pretty short and not really necessary to keep up with the main books.
April 4, 2019
3.25 / 3 Stars
I read this novella awhile ago, I just didn't see the novella on GR to rate at the time.
I'm not big on wild west stories, and although we do already know the background of Matt's near death experience, this story gives me details. Not bad for a quick novella.
I read this novella awhile ago, I just didn't see the novella on GR to rate at the time.
I'm not big on wild west stories, and although we do already know the background of Matt's near death experience, this story gives me details. Not bad for a quick novella.
October 17, 2018
I have read the Watchmakers daughter and loved it so much that I had to read the whole series. I really enjoyed this novella as in it we learn where the magic watch had its origins. Was nice to meet up with the gang again.
January 7, 2020
This was entertaining, but I felt like the language for the American characters was a bit over-the-top. Not that we don't use colorful expressions in the West or that they did not in the Wild West, but... it seemed forced. At a couple of points I felt as though the author was poking fun at the American West's culture. I'm not a gun-toting, dirt-loving wild woman of the American West, and yet I felt a little like I was being made fun of, which is probably ridiculous.
C.J. Archer is a great story-teller and I enjoyed the Ministry of Curiosities Series a great deal. I guess this is just not going to be one of my favorites. It was entertaining and easy-to-read, so overall not bad.
C.J. Archer is a great story-teller and I enjoyed the Ministry of Curiosities Series a great deal. I guess this is just not going to be one of my favorites. It was entertaining and easy-to-read, so overall not bad.
January 23, 2019
It doesn't reveal anything new about Matt's and his companions' past adventures. The critical one was already well described in the main books, there was no need for this short story. It also lacks the Victorian London fascinating atmosphere.
But it's free: nothing lost, save for less than a couple of hours.
But it's free: nothing lost, save for less than a couple of hours.
February 6, 2026
4 Stars
The Traitor's Gamble is the prequel to the Glass & Steele series by C.J. Archer. This series was everything I hoped it would be, and more. It is an enthralling blend of historical fantasy, mystery, intrigue, adventure, action, drama, danger, and emotion – all set in the richly imagined streets of Victorian London.
At the heart of the series are India Steele and Matthew Glass, two outcasts brought together by circumstance, who are then drawn into a hidden world of magic, intrigue, and danger. Ms. Archer has quickly become one of my favourite authors, as she skillfully combined elements of steampunk, magical realism, and classic detective work to construct mysteries that are as clever as they are absorbing.
From the very first book, The Watchmaker’s Daughter, where we are introduced to India’s compelling struggle after the death of her beloved father when her fiancé cons her out of her inheritance and then she’s blacklisted and outcast from the only life she’s ever known. She luckily stumbles into employment with the enigmatic American, Matthew Glass, who we discover has a magical watch that rejuvenates him. Matthew and India’s partnership unfolds against a backdrop of a society both fascinated by and yet incredibly fearful of magic, and where the powerful guilds govern the practice of the crafts.
Each book presents a self-contained mystery while contributing to overarching story, character development, and world-building. The books explore a spectrum of craft disciplines -from mapmaking to toymaking, apothecary skills, silversmithing, and ink magic (and more) -and the magic secretly at work through them all … ensuring each installment felt quite fresh and inventive. Ms. Archer’s pacing is on point, balancing suspenseful investigations with witty character interactions, blossoming romance, and the occasional moral quandary.
I was enthralled through it all, eagerly following the duo (& friends) through the Victorian streets, clandestine guilds, and secretive magical enclaves - all while piecing together puzzles, uncovering conspiracies, and outsmarting dangerous adversaries.
A binge-worthy series!
Highly recommended!
Happy Reading…
The Traitor's Gamble is the prequel to the Glass & Steele series by C.J. Archer. This series was everything I hoped it would be, and more. It is an enthralling blend of historical fantasy, mystery, intrigue, adventure, action, drama, danger, and emotion – all set in the richly imagined streets of Victorian London.
At the heart of the series are India Steele and Matthew Glass, two outcasts brought together by circumstance, who are then drawn into a hidden world of magic, intrigue, and danger. Ms. Archer has quickly become one of my favourite authors, as she skillfully combined elements of steampunk, magical realism, and classic detective work to construct mysteries that are as clever as they are absorbing.
From the very first book, The Watchmaker’s Daughter, where we are introduced to India’s compelling struggle after the death of her beloved father when her fiancé cons her out of her inheritance and then she’s blacklisted and outcast from the only life she’s ever known. She luckily stumbles into employment with the enigmatic American, Matthew Glass, who we discover has a magical watch that rejuvenates him. Matthew and India’s partnership unfolds against a backdrop of a society both fascinated by and yet incredibly fearful of magic, and where the powerful guilds govern the practice of the crafts.
Each book presents a self-contained mystery while contributing to overarching story, character development, and world-building. The books explore a spectrum of craft disciplines -from mapmaking to toymaking, apothecary skills, silversmithing, and ink magic (and more) -and the magic secretly at work through them all … ensuring each installment felt quite fresh and inventive. Ms. Archer’s pacing is on point, balancing suspenseful investigations with witty character interactions, blossoming romance, and the occasional moral quandary.
I was enthralled through it all, eagerly following the duo (& friends) through the Victorian streets, clandestine guilds, and secretive magical enclaves - all while piecing together puzzles, uncovering conspiracies, and outsmarting dangerous adversaries.
A binge-worthy series!
Highly recommended!
Happy Reading…
May 20, 2022
It was alright it gave some of a background into the watch but I wish the author would added in his near death after not believing about the watch and the 5 years after when it was no longer working and he was going to journey to England. That would’ve made the story complete for me. Just those two or three extra chapters
August 2, 2021
A nice short story to fill in the blanks prior to the Glass and Steele series. They always refer to Matt's past it is nice to know what they are talking about, however, it was a quick read and not all that interesting.
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November 30, 2022 free on the authors website once you sign up to the newsletter.
the story of how matt became injured and was healed by the doctor and chronos working together back in america.
"none of 'em like how I dress, and all of 'em reckon they have a right to tell me how to live my life."
the story of how matt became injured and was healed by the doctor and chronos working together back in america.
"none of 'em like how I dress, and all of 'em reckon they have a right to tell me how to live my life."
February 2, 2023
A classic western with some mystery and intrigue. It pulls in the English connection and reveals more about the main characters.
Certainly an enjoyable read for those who like Westerns or who want to see the origins of the Glass and Steele series.
Certainly an enjoyable read for those who like Westerns or who want to see the origins of the Glass and Steele series.
March 27, 2024
Nice to see how the shooting actually went down but it was a little anticlimactic since we knew Matt would be fine. Also, nice to see him working. We just had the author’s word he was good at his job, but seeing a small piece was reassuring.
February 12, 2025
A really fun little story. If you have read the first glass and steel series. You definitely should subscribe to C.J.Archer newsletter so you can get this short story and read, it's more than worth it 🥰
October 17, 2018
I don't really like Westerns.
April 9, 2019
Interesting story how Matt became who he is.
October 18, 2019
Since I’ve read 8 books of this series thought I should read how Matt came to need his watch to live, glad I did.
January 14, 2020
Good set-up for the Glass and Steele series.
January 15, 2020
Nice background short story. It's only about 63 pages long. Don't read until after you've read "The Watchmaker's Daughter".
March 13, 2020
The rest of Mathew Glass' story.
August 18, 2021
It was cute, but kind of lacking in character development... Read book 1 of glass & Steele so this provided some insight.
October 4, 2021
Interesting read...but I don't think it should be read before starting the series.
July 8, 2022
Short but gave some missing pieces needed.
May 5, 2023
Loved the extra backstory on the series!
May 28, 2023
Meh. It was okay but doesn't actually add much to what we already learned in the first book.
January 19, 2024
Interesting prequel to the Glass and Steele series. India Steele adds a lot to the series, so the lack of her in this made it less interesting. But worth reading for backstory.
March 5, 2025
Good to read how it came about the shootout and the magic.
June 6, 2025
A good prequel to finally learn the whole story of how Matt was healed. Nice to see the gang in America on their home stomping grounds.
August 1, 2020
Interesting story about Matt. Appreciate having the background for future audiobooks.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews