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Chase & Daniels #2
Leviathan
We will survive this, Caroline.
It has been several months since Harkworth Hall burned, and mere weeks since Joanna Chase came back into Caroline Daniels’ life. But when a stranger arrives in their village and asks to see the damaged bay, they know that word of the creature has spread. With tensions simmering between France and England, they depart in haste for Medby, where Sir Edward’s brother resides. There they hope to discover if Thomas Masterson has stepped into Sir Edward’s shoes, and now wields the monster called Leviathan. The situation in Medby, however, is far worse than they anticipated.
Claiming the French attacked his ships, the younger Masterson seems about to launch an audacious reply. But his true plans are not so straightforward and there is little time for Caroline and Jo to uncover them. With the threat of war demanding risks in kind, Caroline and Jo must weigh their deepening affection against the greater good… and learn to trust not only their instincts, but their hearts as well.
It has been several months since Harkworth Hall burned, and mere weeks since Joanna Chase came back into Caroline Daniels’ life. But when a stranger arrives in their village and asks to see the damaged bay, they know that word of the creature has spread. With tensions simmering between France and England, they depart in haste for Medby, where Sir Edward’s brother resides. There they hope to discover if Thomas Masterson has stepped into Sir Edward’s shoes, and now wields the monster called Leviathan. The situation in Medby, however, is far worse than they anticipated.
Claiming the French attacked his ships, the younger Masterson seems about to launch an audacious reply. But his true plans are not so straightforward and there is little time for Caroline and Jo to uncover them. With the threat of war demanding risks in kind, Caroline and Jo must weigh their deepening affection against the greater good… and learn to trust not only their instincts, but their hearts as well.
184 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2018
11 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 24, 2018
"Leviathan" was *such* a refreshing read. Thank you, L.S. Johnson. I've been getting so many "meh" reads lately so I ate this book up.
"Leviathan" is the second book of a series and should NOT be read as a standalone. Read "Harkworth Hall" first. I thought the first book was pretty good but had some issues, mainly around Caroline's character and a slow start to the story. In contrast, "Leviathan" had zero issues. It was a tight and very well-written story. Caroline was fantastic and the pacing was on point while the dialogue and descriptions were vivid and overall excellent.
The second book picks up where the first book left off. Caroline and Jo are going undercover as a heterosexual married couple in a coastal town to stop the unleashing of the leviathan meant to push England into war, leaving unimaginable deathly destruction in its wake.
Like the first book, which takes place in the 1700s, the author did a superb job of really pulling us into that era. It feels like we're there.
The genres are historical, mystery, action, adventure, paranormal, suspense, and romance. I loved everything about it. The characters, ongoing suspense, and unpredictable twists were wonderful.
This is another indie that deserves accolades not only for its storytelling but the quality of editing.
A fantastic 5 stars. I greatly recommend the series.
"Leviathan" is the second book of a series and should NOT be read as a standalone. Read "Harkworth Hall" first. I thought the first book was pretty good but had some issues, mainly around Caroline's character and a slow start to the story. In contrast, "Leviathan" had zero issues. It was a tight and very well-written story. Caroline was fantastic and the pacing was on point while the dialogue and descriptions were vivid and overall excellent.
The second book picks up where the first book left off. Caroline and Jo are going undercover as a heterosexual married couple in a coastal town to stop the unleashing of the leviathan meant to push England into war, leaving unimaginable deathly destruction in its wake.
Like the first book, which takes place in the 1700s, the author did a superb job of really pulling us into that era. It feels like we're there.
The genres are historical, mystery, action, adventure, paranormal, suspense, and romance. I loved everything about it. The characters, ongoing suspense, and unpredictable twists were wonderful.
This is another indie that deserves accolades not only for its storytelling but the quality of editing.
A fantastic 5 stars. I greatly recommend the series.
September 4, 2018
Leviathan is a worthy successor of Harkworth Hall, L.S. Johnson’s first installment of this fantastic Gothic Noir series set in Georgian England. If you haven’t read that one yet you need to start there first.
Leviathan is just as atmospheric as I remember from its predecessor. The descriptions are so vivid, I can almost feel the cold seep into my bones and detect the salty spray of seawater on my face. L.S. Johnson is a terrific storyteller. We are taken right back to oldey timey England when cued wigs and tri-corner hats were fashionable and relations with France extremely volatile.
It seems Caroline and Jo will have to face the monster once again as another Masterson is threatening the safety of England and its poor unsuspecting people. They set off to the harbor town of Medby as married couple Mister and Missus Read, to infiltrate the younger Masterson’s nefarious operations.
And thus begins a whole slew of actions that will keep you turning the pages. I loved Caroline who refused to be side-lined when it came to the hairier bits of the operation and her very human reaction after she had to do wat needed to be done to keep herself and Jo alive. I also love the bond she has with her father.
The author did a great job portraying the sensibilities of 18th century England. It all felt very authentic.
f/f
Themes: women in male drag, that monster will give you the willies, cream buns for the win, the beautiful Madame Viart, oh look my Kindle highlights are finally working, yay!
5 stars
Leviathan is just as atmospheric as I remember from its predecessor. The descriptions are so vivid, I can almost feel the cold seep into my bones and detect the salty spray of seawater on my face. L.S. Johnson is a terrific storyteller. We are taken right back to oldey timey England when cued wigs and tri-corner hats were fashionable and relations with France extremely volatile.
It seems Caroline and Jo will have to face the monster once again as another Masterson is threatening the safety of England and its poor unsuspecting people. They set off to the harbor town of Medby as married couple Mister and Missus Read, to infiltrate the younger Masterson’s nefarious operations.
And thus begins a whole slew of actions that will keep you turning the pages. I loved Caroline who refused to be side-lined when it came to the hairier bits of the operation and her very human reaction after she had to do wat needed to be done to keep herself and Jo alive. I also love the bond she has with her father.
The author did a great job portraying the sensibilities of 18th century England. It all felt very authentic.
f/f
Themes: women in male drag, that monster will give you the willies, cream buns for the win, the beautiful Madame Viart, oh look my Kindle highlights are finally working, yay!
5 stars
November 19, 2020
A sequel to Harkworth Hall - the mystery of the strange sea creature continues, as does the conniving group of men looking to control it for their own nefarious means.
If you like historic lady spies who love each other, you may like this series of books. They are easy to read, and fast paced. Yet also have strong connection and emotion at its core. There's no depicted love scenes, just metaphoric fade to black allusions. But you still get the feelings of true mateship and understanding between Chase and Daniels aka Jo and Caroline, who clearly belong together.
I look forward to the third installment, next.
If you like historic lady spies who love each other, you may like this series of books. They are easy to read, and fast paced. Yet also have strong connection and emotion at its core. There's no depicted love scenes, just metaphoric fade to black allusions. But you still get the feelings of true mateship and understanding between Chase and Daniels aka Jo and Caroline, who clearly belong together.
I look forward to the third installment, next.
May 23, 2022
3,5 stars
A good continuation of Harkwort Hall. I still liked both MCs and the story itself. Once again it could have been longer and more detailed though.
A good continuation of Harkwort Hall. I still liked both MCs and the story itself. Once again it could have been longer and more detailed though.
November 12, 2022
4 stars. This was so much better than the first one. Where I found Caroline to be grating in book one I was pleasantly surprised that that was not the case here. I liked her a lot and I think she’s definitely grown as a character. Jo is still just as dreamy and swoon worthy as she was in book one which is great and I really do like the romance between her and Caroline and the way that it’s developing. They work really well together.
I really liked the plot to this one and the writing was absolutely gorgeous and lush. There’s a very sweeping and engaging atmosphere about these books that I enjoy. I’m glad that this one was a success for me and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.
I really liked the plot to this one and the writing was absolutely gorgeous and lush. There’s a very sweeping and engaging atmosphere about these books that I enjoy. I’m glad that this one was a success for me and I’m looking forward to continuing on with the series.
May 24, 2018
4.5 stars
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Following on from Harkworth Hall, Leviathan follows the further adventures of Caroline Daniels – a well to do young lady in late Georgian England, and Joanne Chase, intrepid investigator of sea cryptids and their human masters. Now both in the employ of His Majesty, George II, the pair have formed a firm friendship since the last book which is ripening into something even closer. But there is little time for love when word comes that French agents may be meeting with the brother of the villainous Masterson who caused them so much heartache and danger before. The tale of a frightened local woman clinches the decision to remove at once to the port town of Medby – it would seem that the creature roused from the deeps before may have returned…
I am 80% in this just for Jo and Caroline’s relationship. The other 20% is carried along by the historical setting and the author’s crisp and engaging style. Told in first person from Caroline’s POV, these books are a very easy read in the sense that they just sweep you up and take you back to Georgian England. While they are a little light on the mystery side, this works far better in terms of the story which is concentrated on Jo and Caroline’s burgeoning romance, as well as on familial loyalties and constraints. Johnson includes enough historical detail to set the scene without bogging the reader down in needless detail. The depiction of Medby was a spot on portrayal of Georgian Scarborough and while there was no need for long descriptions of tall ships, this volume in the series gave a pleasing feel of the age of sail.
There’s an almost Lovecraftian element too in terms of the sea beastie which is most definitely carnivorous and possibly madness inducing. I enjoyed each twist and turn as the plot thickened and ambitious villains, turbulent rival nations and oceanic abominations all came together for a very dastardly plot indeed.
Caroline and Jo are just adorable together. While there are difficulties and influences on their relationship it would have been strange to ignore, Johnson never turns it into a story about issues. This is an adventure story, a fantasy mystery and very sweet romance.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it. More please.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Following on from Harkworth Hall, Leviathan follows the further adventures of Caroline Daniels – a well to do young lady in late Georgian England, and Joanne Chase, intrepid investigator of sea cryptids and their human masters. Now both in the employ of His Majesty, George II, the pair have formed a firm friendship since the last book which is ripening into something even closer. But there is little time for love when word comes that French agents may be meeting with the brother of the villainous Masterson who caused them so much heartache and danger before. The tale of a frightened local woman clinches the decision to remove at once to the port town of Medby – it would seem that the creature roused from the deeps before may have returned…
I am 80% in this just for Jo and Caroline’s relationship. The other 20% is carried along by the historical setting and the author’s crisp and engaging style. Told in first person from Caroline’s POV, these books are a very easy read in the sense that they just sweep you up and take you back to Georgian England. While they are a little light on the mystery side, this works far better in terms of the story which is concentrated on Jo and Caroline’s burgeoning romance, as well as on familial loyalties and constraints. Johnson includes enough historical detail to set the scene without bogging the reader down in needless detail. The depiction of Medby was a spot on portrayal of Georgian Scarborough and while there was no need for long descriptions of tall ships, this volume in the series gave a pleasing feel of the age of sail.
There’s an almost Lovecraftian element too in terms of the sea beastie which is most definitely carnivorous and possibly madness inducing. I enjoyed each twist and turn as the plot thickened and ambitious villains, turbulent rival nations and oceanic abominations all came together for a very dastardly plot indeed.
Caroline and Jo are just adorable together. While there are difficulties and influences on their relationship it would have been strange to ignore, Johnson never turns it into a story about issues. This is an adventure story, a fantasy mystery and very sweet romance.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it. More please.
June 24, 2018
After finishing Harkworth Hall, I had to wait a while to read about the next adventures of Caroline and Jo, but it was worth it. The set-up was a bit of a stretch, but I was happy to suspend my disbelief to give this couple a chance at happiness. But they have little time to enjoy it. They're barely settled into their new lives when the trouble starts. The dangers felt real and compelling, and the crises just keep coming, getting worse and worse until the exciting climax. The writing is smooth, and there's just enough period setting details for my love of Austen-type novels to kick in. The new characters of Mr. Morrow, Captain Hebert, and Madame Viart added extra interest, and kept me wondering who was on which side.
This was a fast, easy read, and I know some readers will prefer that. I wanted more, though. More development of the core relationships (Caroline and Jo, Caroline and her father), more build-up of tension, and more details and explanation of the plans and plot points. I wanted more about the monster the book is named after, and much more from the big bad guy. Having the main characters in a lesbian relationship in this period felt fresh and intriguing. But that made it feel more unbelievable that their relationship proceeded so easily, without even the typical amount of problems adapting to cohabitation, doubts about their own or the other's feelings, or pushback from others. I was hoping for more challenge there, that they would have to strive to overcome. Still, I can't help be happy for them, and hope to see them in a third book together in the future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys plucky heroines and historical fiction.
This was a fast, easy read, and I know some readers will prefer that. I wanted more, though. More development of the core relationships (Caroline and Jo, Caroline and her father), more build-up of tension, and more details and explanation of the plans and plot points. I wanted more about the monster the book is named after, and much more from the big bad guy. Having the main characters in a lesbian relationship in this period felt fresh and intriguing. But that made it feel more unbelievable that their relationship proceeded so easily, without even the typical amount of problems adapting to cohabitation, doubts about their own or the other's feelings, or pushback from others. I was hoping for more challenge there, that they would have to strive to overcome. Still, I can't help be happy for them, and hope to see them in a third book together in the future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys plucky heroines and historical fiction.
June 24, 2018
I'm a sucker for Georgian and Regency-era British historicals a la Jane Austen. When the historical in question also includes the supernatural and queer characters, just take my money already.
This is a perfect sequel to Harkworth Hall, which I unabashedly adore. Caroline Daniels is an enlightened narrator, as she has come to know herself and her own desires since Harkworth Hall. She is certainly aware of the expectations of those around her, but she longs to be true to herself and her beloved Joanna. Caroline also has a guiding desire to do her duty to her country, whether it is protecting her country from the French or from more nefarious supernatural dangers.
Caroline's father and Mr. Simmons are wonderfully-written secondary characters, and the mysterious Mr. Morrow and Captain Herbert keep the reader guessing as to their motives and goals. Along with a vividly-written setting, the urgency of the plot, and the desires of the heroine and her love interest, these things kept me reading from start to finish, because I just had to know what was going to happen.
I very much hope there will be sequels to this. I truly enjoy spending time with Caroline and Joanna
This is a perfect sequel to Harkworth Hall, which I unabashedly adore. Caroline Daniels is an enlightened narrator, as she has come to know herself and her own desires since Harkworth Hall. She is certainly aware of the expectations of those around her, but she longs to be true to herself and her beloved Joanna. Caroline also has a guiding desire to do her duty to her country, whether it is protecting her country from the French or from more nefarious supernatural dangers.
Caroline's father and Mr. Simmons are wonderfully-written secondary characters, and the mysterious Mr. Morrow and Captain Herbert keep the reader guessing as to their motives and goals. Along with a vividly-written setting, the urgency of the plot, and the desires of the heroine and her love interest, these things kept me reading from start to finish, because I just had to know what was going to happen.
I very much hope there will be sequels to this. I truly enjoy spending time with Caroline and Joanna
June 15, 2018
I knew that I would love Leviathan from the moment where the "pretending to be married" trope was introduced at the end of Harkworth Hall. I love those sort of stories, and with where Caroline and Jo left off at the end of the first book, it was just what they needed to add a bit of tension to their story.
In this book, Catherine and Jo have to pose as man and wife to infiltrate the business of the late Edward Masterson's brother. They want to know if Thomas has taken control of the leviathan that almost killed them last summer and if so, what he plans to do with it.
Mixing mystery, intrigue and romance, Leviathan is the perfect sequel to Harkworth Hall. L. S. Johnson knows how to wield suspense, and she surprises us at every turn.
Caroline and Jo's relationship honestly developed faster than I would have expected, as I thought they would still spend much of this book in the limbo of will-they-won't-they. I was actually pleasantly surprised that instead, Johnson decided to cut short with the bullshit and explore an established relationship in depth instead, with it's ups and downs, and also the reaction of Caroline's family and friends who aren't fooled one minute by this "pretending" to be married business.
I won't be going too much into the plot here, as the book is still in pre-orders (and actually getting published this week I think?), but all in all, it is a very solid sequel and I still heartily recommend this series to everyone.
Five stars!
In this book, Catherine and Jo have to pose as man and wife to infiltrate the business of the late Edward Masterson's brother. They want to know if Thomas has taken control of the leviathan that almost killed them last summer and if so, what he plans to do with it.
Mixing mystery, intrigue and romance, Leviathan is the perfect sequel to Harkworth Hall. L. S. Johnson knows how to wield suspense, and she surprises us at every turn.
Caroline and Jo's relationship honestly developed faster than I would have expected, as I thought they would still spend much of this book in the limbo of will-they-won't-they. I was actually pleasantly surprised that instead, Johnson decided to cut short with the bullshit and explore an established relationship in depth instead, with it's ups and downs, and also the reaction of Caroline's family and friends who aren't fooled one minute by this "pretending" to be married business.
I won't be going too much into the plot here, as the book is still in pre-orders (and actually getting published this week I think?), but all in all, it is a very solid sequel and I still heartily recommend this series to everyone.
Five stars!
November 13, 2019
Now I’m more curious about Madame Viart....
June 15, 2018
I loved, loved, loved Harkworth Hall, and I looked forward to the sequel. A book about a leviathan? Yes, please.
However, most of this book centers on Caroline and Jo's inquiry into the man behind the beast. I have to say I'm a tad disappointed that the main creature's appearance was so sparse. However, I like the couple, and I'm glad to follow their adventures. The climax was gripping and left me wishing for more.
Release the kraken!
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
However, most of this book centers on Caroline and Jo's inquiry into the man behind the beast. I have to say I'm a tad disappointed that the main creature's appearance was so sparse. However, I like the couple, and I'm glad to follow their adventures. The climax was gripping and left me wishing for more.
Release the kraken!
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2018
I read both books in the series and greatly appreciated the platform. These books are captivating in that they take us back to what mystery stories started out to be. I would think the Poe would have loved the story as much as those of us whom read it. It follows the characters on the further journey of uncovering and stopping a cult bent on gaining power over England. The lesbian relationship was genuine and fresh not the usual modern sex at every stop. No spoiler alerts here just a plot that was well thought out and a reader that hopes the author would continue the story. We would like to see the next adventure of Chase and Caroline.
July 20, 2020
Book 1 had me hooked! So, I dove right into Book 2 and was not disappointed. The story kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Personally, I think the author does a great job of merging a period piece with fantasy elements. The mix makes it feel less like fiction. The pacing is perfect yet again and the characters have real depth.
July 16, 2018
Wonderful follow-up to Harkworth Hall. Enjoyed the character development and the change in setting. Again, the author knows how to breathe life into the near-distant past.
November 25, 2019
A fun conclusion to this duology. A nice f/f romance, engaging ancillary characters and an interesting, propulsive plot. A nice weight to the discussions of morality, gender and sexuality.
September 16, 2022
jo and caroline are my people, idk what else to tell you
June 5, 2023
3.5 Stars
January 2, 2021
Very interesting story and characters. Well written and edited.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews