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The Clockwork Detective
Aubrey Hartmann left the Imperial battlefields with a pocketful of medals, a fearsome reputation, and a clockwork leg.
The Imperium diverts her trip home to investigate the murder of a young druwyd in a strange town. She is ordered to not only find the killer but prevent a full-scale war with the dreaded Fae.
Meanwhile, the arrival of a sinister secret policeman threatens to dig up Aubrey’s own secrets – ones that could ruin her career.
It soon becomes clear that Aubrey has powerful enemies with plans to stop her before she gets started. Determined to solve the mystery, Aubrey must survive centaurs, thugs and a monster of pure destruction.
The Imperium diverts her trip home to investigate the murder of a young druwyd in a strange town. She is ordered to not only find the killer but prevent a full-scale war with the dreaded Fae.
Meanwhile, the arrival of a sinister secret policeman threatens to dig up Aubrey’s own secrets – ones that could ruin her career.
It soon becomes clear that Aubrey has powerful enemies with plans to stop her before she gets started. Determined to solve the mystery, Aubrey must survive centaurs, thugs and a monster of pure destruction.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2019
12 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
R.A. McCandless
11 books33 followersR.A. McCandless has been a writer both professionally and creatively for nearly two decades and recently became a publisher with Ellysian Press. He was born under a wandering star that led him to a degree in Communication and English with a focus on creative writing.
He is the author of the steampunk book THE CLOCKWORK DETECTIVE and urban fantasy TEARS OF HEAVEN and HELL BECOMES HER, short stories "And Into A Watery Grave" in In Shambles, "Grenadiers and Dragon's Fire" in Gears Gadgets and Steam, "Through the Sting of Fairy Smoke" in Nine Heroes: Heroic Fantasy anthology, and "He Who Tells the Tale" and "Holes Full of Dark" in Holes: An Indie Author Anthology.
He continues to research and write historical and genre fiction, battle sprinklers, and play with his three boys.
He is the author of the steampunk book THE CLOCKWORK DETECTIVE and urban fantasy TEARS OF HEAVEN and HELL BECOMES HER, short stories "And Into A Watery Grave" in In Shambles, "Grenadiers and Dragon's Fire" in Gears Gadgets and Steam, "Through the Sting of Fairy Smoke" in Nine Heroes: Heroic Fantasy anthology, and "He Who Tells the Tale" and "Holes Full of Dark" in Holes: An Indie Author Anthology.
He continues to research and write historical and genre fiction, battle sprinklers, and play with his three boys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 13, 2019
This is a new series about Aubrey Hartman, female war hero, turned Constable, who is traveling home by air ship when she is stopped by the Imperium (the government) and tasked to solve the possible murder of a young druid and prevent an all-out war with the Fae if their involvement is suspected.
Reading this book made me realize I need to read Steampunk more often. I always enjoy the genre when I do. This series actually combines the fantasy, steampunk and mystery genres all together which was a lot of fun.
I do wish the author would have touched more on the history of the town the Druid was from, Sankt Andra and their spirit Malusilva a little earlier on then at the end, in the middle of the banishment ceremony. It felt a little late in coming. Other then that though, I thought the story was well written and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the series.
*I received this ARC from NetGalley and Ellysian Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Reading this book made me realize I need to read Steampunk more often. I always enjoy the genre when I do. This series actually combines the fantasy, steampunk and mystery genres all together which was a lot of fun.
I do wish the author would have touched more on the history of the town the Druid was from, Sankt Andra and their spirit Malusilva a little earlier on then at the end, in the middle of the banishment ceremony. It felt a little late in coming. Other then that though, I thought the story was well written and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the series.
*I received this ARC from NetGalley and Ellysian Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
February 21, 2022
The Clockwork Detective by R. A. McCandless is book one of a new steampunk fantasy mystery series. The setting is a very early Victorian (it almost has a more Georgian feel) fantasy Europe (Prussia?) where we first meet war hero and veteran of the Empress’s Imperial Army, 4th Division, Constable Aubrey Hartmann on airship The Haenlein, traveling from Grazburg to Aqualinne. Aubrey left the Imperial battlefields with a pocketful of medals, a fearsome reputation, and a clockwork leg.
The Imperium diverts her trip home to investigate the murder of a young druwyd in a strange town. She is ordered to not only find the killer but prevent a full-scale war with the dreaded Fae. Meanwhile, the arrival of a sinister secret policeman threatens to dig up Aubrey’s own secrets – ones that could ruin her career.
I really liked it. A very entertaining story with a great main character. Struggling with her disability, a clever but somewhat caustic Aubrey has plenty going on to carry this new series. I always like somewhat flawed characters that have potential to grow. There is subtle fae magic, we meet hostile Centaurs in the woods and a strange dark power that is not fae hovering over the village. There is some light flirting with a few ladies and some brief ogling of a dude, but no romance. Aubrey has other things on her mind, as holding on to her prosthetic limb, solving a murder, and staying alive.
I’ve lined up part two (a much shorter novella this time) already.
Part one is available on Scribd as book and audio book.
Themes: Ludolf-Salian Empire, Malusilva, centaurs in the Old Forrest.
4.5 Stars
The Imperium diverts her trip home to investigate the murder of a young druwyd in a strange town. She is ordered to not only find the killer but prevent a full-scale war with the dreaded Fae. Meanwhile, the arrival of a sinister secret policeman threatens to dig up Aubrey’s own secrets – ones that could ruin her career.
I really liked it. A very entertaining story with a great main character. Struggling with her disability, a clever but somewhat caustic Aubrey has plenty going on to carry this new series. I always like somewhat flawed characters that have potential to grow. There is subtle fae magic, we meet hostile Centaurs in the woods and a strange dark power that is not fae hovering over the village. There is some light flirting with a few ladies and some brief ogling of a dude, but no romance. Aubrey has other things on her mind, as holding on to her prosthetic limb, solving a murder, and staying alive.
I’ve lined up part two (a much shorter novella this time) already.
Part one is available on Scribd as book and audio book.
Themes: Ludolf-Salian Empire, Malusilva, centaurs in the Old Forrest.
4.5 Stars
April 18, 2019
The Clockwork Detective is a steampunk fantasy mystery involving flying airships, an ornery but dedicated constable with a ⏰ Clockwork leg, palace intrigue, centaurs, and magic. The constable is a strong female character who a whole series might be built around. The centaurs are a most intriguing group, unyielding, terrifying, battle-hardened. As a reader, you feel that you barely got a glimpse into this fascinating world of far off kingdoms and fae creatures. The cover doesn’t really hint at the fantasy side of this terrific novel, well-written, and absorbing.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
October 12, 2019
3.5/5
Steampunk aesthetic appeals to me. It’s cool to see pocket watches and gas lamps in worlds inhabited by automatons strolling the cobblestone streets. And when you look up, you see bizarre airships cutting through clouds. Yummy.
The Clockwork Detective takes place in such a world. To make things even more fun, it throws dangerous Fae to the mix. Aubrey Hartmann, a war veteran with a pocketful of medals, fearsome reputation, and a clockwork leg investigates the murder of a young druwyd. Her potential mistakes can cause a full-scale war with the Fae. Her enemies want her to fail. Her past can ruin her career. As you see the stakes are high.
As a lead, Aubrey doesn’t lack the roguish charm and charisma. Despite her military past and her current work in law enforcement, she repetitively straddles the line between crime and justice. She drinks too much. She does questionable things for personal gain but she also sees the big picture and works for the interest of the society. Her intelligence allows her to see the matters clearly and unmask dangerous conspiracy and find creative solutions to problems at hand. All of this makes her nuanced and layered.
The story has a strong feel of a police procedural. Supernatural elements come into play into the final third and that’s when the fun begins. I especially enjoyed Centaurs presented as wild and lethal predators able to tear humans into pieces without breaking a sweat. Those few chapters kept me at the edge of the seat. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the ending. Or, rather, the path to the climax. Just when things get exciting, the pacing slows down and loses most of its momentum and tension. Exciting parts mix with pages of dialogue and thinking. I’m a huge proponent of thinking, mind you. I just prefer to see its results faster in books.
The story comes together well and the main plot is well oiled and all tied up. Sure, there are hints about a bigger conspiracy Aubrey still needs to unravel, but the answers we get satisfied my curiosity but also whet my appetite for more. Despite its minor flaws, The Clockwork Detective should appeal to readers who enjoy intelligent protagonists and murder mysteries with complex politics in the background.
Steampunk aesthetic appeals to me. It’s cool to see pocket watches and gas lamps in worlds inhabited by automatons strolling the cobblestone streets. And when you look up, you see bizarre airships cutting through clouds. Yummy.
The Clockwork Detective takes place in such a world. To make things even more fun, it throws dangerous Fae to the mix. Aubrey Hartmann, a war veteran with a pocketful of medals, fearsome reputation, and a clockwork leg investigates the murder of a young druwyd. Her potential mistakes can cause a full-scale war with the Fae. Her enemies want her to fail. Her past can ruin her career. As you see the stakes are high.
As a lead, Aubrey doesn’t lack the roguish charm and charisma. Despite her military past and her current work in law enforcement, she repetitively straddles the line between crime and justice. She drinks too much. She does questionable things for personal gain but she also sees the big picture and works for the interest of the society. Her intelligence allows her to see the matters clearly and unmask dangerous conspiracy and find creative solutions to problems at hand. All of this makes her nuanced and layered.
The story has a strong feel of a police procedural. Supernatural elements come into play into the final third and that’s when the fun begins. I especially enjoyed Centaurs presented as wild and lethal predators able to tear humans into pieces without breaking a sweat. Those few chapters kept me at the edge of the seat. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the ending. Or, rather, the path to the climax. Just when things get exciting, the pacing slows down and loses most of its momentum and tension. Exciting parts mix with pages of dialogue and thinking. I’m a huge proponent of thinking, mind you. I just prefer to see its results faster in books.
The story comes together well and the main plot is well oiled and all tied up. Sure, there are hints about a bigger conspiracy Aubrey still needs to unravel, but the answers we get satisfied my curiosity but also whet my appetite for more. Despite its minor flaws, The Clockwork Detective should appeal to readers who enjoy intelligent protagonists and murder mysteries with complex politics in the background.
May 7, 2019
In the Clockwork Detective, we see Constable Aubrey temporarily assigned to the town of Aqualinne to help investigate the murder of a young druid that has recently occurred. While there she meets Constable Sterben and the two work together to help solve the case, which takes them into the nearby village of Sankt Andra and later into Fae territory.
Of this novel, I have two minds. During the first 45%, I didn't feel any connection to the story or to the characters. With each new character I held out hope for turning the book around for me. However, it wasn't just the story or the characters that was bothering me. There were specific parts of the story that were incongruous to other parts and felt so out of place that I had no idea where the emotions the characters held were coming from. In one specific example, Constable Aubrey is invited to have dinner with Constable Sterber and his wife. The dinner is going well until a visitor arrives, which Constable Sterber clearly is unhappy about. After dinner, Constable Aubrey thanks her hosts and leaves for her boarding house. However, the next day while riding together she contemplates reaching for her weapon on Sterber. Say what? Where did these emotions come from? I spent a good deal of time reading and re-reading the part to see where my understanding went wrong. Did I skip a sentence? Or paragraph? They had dinner and the next day one small comment about the previous nights visitor and weapons are thought of? Perhaps in some way it makes sense, but there was nothing to indicate within the story that this was even coming. After finishing the book and before writing this review I went again to the sections where the emotions in play didn't match up to the previous section to see if my thoughts had changed, but they had not.
About 45% through I knew I needed a break. So I intentionally took several days off from reading the book so that when I came back to it I wasn't so frustrated. And it helped. Once I picked the book up again I found the remaining portion of the story very nice and easy to read. Starting from when Constables Aubrey and Sterber begin looking for the fae the pace of the story really picks up and became difficult for me to put down. During portions of the latter half of the book there were parts I truly did not see coming.
Throughout the story you also get a sense that there is a bigger world that it is fleshed out, but just not told or explored yet in this particular book, which is a good thing. With each new book in the series, I can see the world expanding more and more - for there are a lot of good things that the author can draw upon.
All in all, I found this book to be a mixed bag for review purposes. The first 45% I would give 2 stars, but the latter half I would give 4. If some of the first portion of the book could be redone a little, I think it would be a solid 4 stars from me.
My recommendation is that if you are interested in steampunk, with a little fantasy mixed in then you may want to consider picking up this novel, but just realize that it may need fleshing out in some sections.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Of this novel, I have two minds. During the first 45%, I didn't feel any connection to the story or to the characters. With each new character I held out hope for turning the book around for me. However, it wasn't just the story or the characters that was bothering me. There were specific parts of the story that were incongruous to other parts and felt so out of place that I had no idea where the emotions the characters held were coming from. In one specific example, Constable Aubrey is invited to have dinner with Constable Sterber and his wife. The dinner is going well until a visitor arrives, which Constable Sterber clearly is unhappy about. After dinner, Constable Aubrey thanks her hosts and leaves for her boarding house. However, the next day while riding together she contemplates reaching for her weapon on Sterber. Say what? Where did these emotions come from? I spent a good deal of time reading and re-reading the part to see where my understanding went wrong. Did I skip a sentence? Or paragraph? They had dinner and the next day one small comment about the previous nights visitor and weapons are thought of? Perhaps in some way it makes sense, but there was nothing to indicate within the story that this was even coming. After finishing the book and before writing this review I went again to the sections where the emotions in play didn't match up to the previous section to see if my thoughts had changed, but they had not.
About 45% through I knew I needed a break. So I intentionally took several days off from reading the book so that when I came back to it I wasn't so frustrated. And it helped. Once I picked the book up again I found the remaining portion of the story very nice and easy to read. Starting from when Constables Aubrey and Sterber begin looking for the fae the pace of the story really picks up and became difficult for me to put down. During portions of the latter half of the book there were parts I truly did not see coming.
Throughout the story you also get a sense that there is a bigger world that it is fleshed out, but just not told or explored yet in this particular book, which is a good thing. With each new book in the series, I can see the world expanding more and more - for there are a lot of good things that the author can draw upon.
All in all, I found this book to be a mixed bag for review purposes. The first 45% I would give 2 stars, but the latter half I would give 4. If some of the first portion of the book could be redone a little, I think it would be a solid 4 stars from me.
My recommendation is that if you are interested in steampunk, with a little fantasy mixed in then you may want to consider picking up this novel, but just realize that it may need fleshing out in some sections.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2019
***************************************
From JAMES P. BLAYLOCK, World Fantasy Award-Winning Author, and Co-Founder of the Modern Steampunk Genre
“This is my kind of book: A wonderful, fully-realized, utterly plausible steampunk world with a dynamite plot, great characters, and the best dirigibles this side of anywhere. I hope there’s more to come.”
***************************************
From JAMES P. BLAYLOCK, World Fantasy Award-Winning Author, and Co-Founder of the Modern Steampunk Genre
“This is my kind of book: A wonderful, fully-realized, utterly plausible steampunk world with a dynamite plot, great characters, and the best dirigibles this side of anywhere. I hope there’s more to come.”
***************************************
April 27, 2019
I've never read steampunk before, so this was a treat for me. From the first page it's clear that world-building is McCandless's superpower. Between the Haenlein, the developing city of Aqualinne, and the backwoods town of Sankt Andra, I felt immersed in a surreal fantasy world where old meets new. Likewise, McCandless does a fabulous job with character development. Though I did find Aubrey a little too perfect at times, she makes for a formidable protagonist--clever, levelheaded, and strong--which is a refreshing detour from the dramatic or angsty female leads featured in so many novels today. Kerrigan is equally as awesome. McCandless does a wonderful job casting a shadow of suspicion on the inspector, keeping us perpetually on our toes wondering if he is a 'good guy' or 'bad guy'. Even side characters such as the town's doctor and the centaur Nessus have strong, unique voices.
Though this is a fantasy, it's surprisingly realistic. The old-fashioned elegance by which the characters speak and details concerning the townsfolk's homes and Aubrey's clockwork leg lend themselves to a well-researched, fleshed out novel.
The pacing of The Clockwork Detective felt a little bit 'off' to me (overdrawn exposition and a climax that occurs a little too early in the novel), but not enough to detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. Any fan of steampunk, high fantasy or Firefly-like SciFi will want to give this one a go.
*Advanced Copy Reviewer
Though this is a fantasy, it's surprisingly realistic. The old-fashioned elegance by which the characters speak and details concerning the townsfolk's homes and Aubrey's clockwork leg lend themselves to a well-researched, fleshed out novel.
The pacing of The Clockwork Detective felt a little bit 'off' to me (overdrawn exposition and a climax that occurs a little too early in the novel), but not enough to detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. Any fan of steampunk, high fantasy or Firefly-like SciFi will want to give this one a go.
*Advanced Copy Reviewer
November 10, 2021
Recently I read The Clockwork Detective. It was my first book in the genre. I’ve read science fiction and fantasy for years, but not Steampunk. Before starting R. A. McCandless’ book, I read several definitions of steampunk hoping they’d help me understand the book. They did help.
I was intrigued by Aubrey, the remarkable main character. She was a strong, fierce woman who didn’t allow her hollow leg to get in her way. She made accommodations. When the fighting got tough, she was able to protect herself and deal with pain.
This book was set in the era when doctors still used hollow legs. A woman detective with a wooden leg wasn’t the only unusual aspect of the book. The Clockwork Detective was full of unusual adventures, encounters with strange creatures and monsters, including the frightening Fae. These cruel Fae seemed different. I’ve read about the Fae as sly, clever, kind and cute, but not scary and always cruel. I rooted for Aubrey when she dealt with a murder suspect. She fought with such fierceness. I was glad to see this was Book One. I look forward to Aubrey’s adventures in Book Two.
I was intrigued by Aubrey, the remarkable main character. She was a strong, fierce woman who didn’t allow her hollow leg to get in her way. She made accommodations. When the fighting got tough, she was able to protect herself and deal with pain.
This book was set in the era when doctors still used hollow legs. A woman detective with a wooden leg wasn’t the only unusual aspect of the book. The Clockwork Detective was full of unusual adventures, encounters with strange creatures and monsters, including the frightening Fae. These cruel Fae seemed different. I’ve read about the Fae as sly, clever, kind and cute, but not scary and always cruel. I rooted for Aubrey when she dealt with a murder suspect. She fought with such fierceness. I was glad to see this was Book One. I look forward to Aubrey’s adventures in Book Two.
August 7, 2019
This book was a bit of a departure for me, and I’ll admit that it took a while to get oriented within the novel. I’ve never read a whole Steampunk novel before, although I think ‘The Clockwork Detective’ would please fans of most fantasy and adventure genres. If you give it time, you’ll find that McCandless has created a dynamic and well conceived fantasy world. You get a sense of a rich history and an epic political structure in which Aubrey Hartmann, the titular Constable of Aqualinne, is a capable but vulnerable player.
There is a scene about halfway through ‘The Clockwork Detective’ in which Aubrey and an associate face off against an angry centaur. This moment is vivid, well-realized, and fraught with tension, and it’s where this book clicked into place in my mind. The scene is reminiscent of the centaur scene in the first Harry Potter film, with a similar creation of awe and power at the mythical creature’s arrival. But ‘The Clockwork Detective’ is overall, more similar in tone to the later Harry Potter books than the first one.
Aubrey Hartmann makes an appealing protagonist. She’s equipped with a clockwork leg due to a mishap on a battlefield with a cannon ball. The leg is heavy and causes her great discomfort which she alleviates through the occasional swig of a mystical potion she carries around in a flask. The potion isn’t good for her, but the long term consequences are preferable to enduring the anguish of the present.
I enjoyed how the emissaries of the Fae were developed. McCandless taps into a common psychological place equally capable of realizing flights of fancy or nightmares. The Fae embody the slivers of truth inherent in folklore, the part of a fantastic tale that stops you from instantly dismissing it, and instead acknowledging that there are mysteries in the world we’ll never fully understand.
‘Mortal Engines’ is my only other real exposure to Steampunk, and I enjoyed ‘The Clockwork Detective’ more. There is a bit of Sherlock Holmes in this book, a bit of Harry Potter, and even a touch of the wild west. Mix them all together, shake them up, and the result is a highly entertaining work that hopefully will be the start of an engaging new series.
There is a scene about halfway through ‘The Clockwork Detective’ in which Aubrey and an associate face off against an angry centaur. This moment is vivid, well-realized, and fraught with tension, and it’s where this book clicked into place in my mind. The scene is reminiscent of the centaur scene in the first Harry Potter film, with a similar creation of awe and power at the mythical creature’s arrival. But ‘The Clockwork Detective’ is overall, more similar in tone to the later Harry Potter books than the first one.
Aubrey Hartmann makes an appealing protagonist. She’s equipped with a clockwork leg due to a mishap on a battlefield with a cannon ball. The leg is heavy and causes her great discomfort which she alleviates through the occasional swig of a mystical potion she carries around in a flask. The potion isn’t good for her, but the long term consequences are preferable to enduring the anguish of the present.
I enjoyed how the emissaries of the Fae were developed. McCandless taps into a common psychological place equally capable of realizing flights of fancy or nightmares. The Fae embody the slivers of truth inherent in folklore, the part of a fantastic tale that stops you from instantly dismissing it, and instead acknowledging that there are mysteries in the world we’ll never fully understand.
‘Mortal Engines’ is my only other real exposure to Steampunk, and I enjoyed ‘The Clockwork Detective’ more. There is a bit of Sherlock Holmes in this book, a bit of Harry Potter, and even a touch of the wild west. Mix them all together, shake them up, and the result is a highly entertaining work that hopefully will be the start of an engaging new series.
October 14, 2021
The Clockwork Detective is a steampunk-flavored fantasy about Constable Aubrey Hartmann, an imperial Constable from the city of Grazburg. Aboard a zeppelin, she arrives at Aquallinne, a coastal city, where she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
The clockwork in the title is Aubrey’s wind-up artificial leg, replaced after an encounter with a cannonball during her military service. The leg plays a small part in the story arc, but it isn’t obvious how until the end. Aubrey is paired with Constable Sterben of the Aqualinne constabulary, whom she comes to respect. He invites her to lodge at his home while they solve the mystery.
The murder victim is one of two young druwyds, priests of the village where the murder happened. Examination of the body suggests poison. Since the victim was healthy and ate the same food as the other druwyd, the villagers suspect that the Fae poisoned the victim with magic. The involvement of the Fae is the reason Aubrey was assigned to the case. Hostilities with the Fae have the potential to lead to war and she’s handled sensitive negotiations with the Fae before.
The team of Aubrey and Sterben encounter numerous obstacles to their investigation, including encounters with Fae centaurs. One named Nessus evokes memories of classical mythology as well as Larry Niven’s Known Space sci fi series.
Negotiations with the Fae and investigations in the village finally turn up the truth, which is logical based on earlier foreshadowing. There is an appropriate amount of sleuthing, a cast of potential suspects that is neither too long nor too short, and the outcome is satisfying.
The writing is fluid and easy to understand, the characters well fleshed out, the emotional arc of the characters as they get to know each other, the interaction between Fae and humans and the final resolution are nicely done. The integration of magic and steampunk technology is well handled.
Highly recommended.
The clockwork in the title is Aubrey’s wind-up artificial leg, replaced after an encounter with a cannonball during her military service. The leg plays a small part in the story arc, but it isn’t obvious how until the end. Aubrey is paired with Constable Sterben of the Aqualinne constabulary, whom she comes to respect. He invites her to lodge at his home while they solve the mystery.
The murder victim is one of two young druwyds, priests of the village where the murder happened. Examination of the body suggests poison. Since the victim was healthy and ate the same food as the other druwyd, the villagers suspect that the Fae poisoned the victim with magic. The involvement of the Fae is the reason Aubrey was assigned to the case. Hostilities with the Fae have the potential to lead to war and she’s handled sensitive negotiations with the Fae before.
The team of Aubrey and Sterben encounter numerous obstacles to their investigation, including encounters with Fae centaurs. One named Nessus evokes memories of classical mythology as well as Larry Niven’s Known Space sci fi series.
Negotiations with the Fae and investigations in the village finally turn up the truth, which is logical based on earlier foreshadowing. There is an appropriate amount of sleuthing, a cast of potential suspects that is neither too long nor too short, and the outcome is satisfying.
The writing is fluid and easy to understand, the characters well fleshed out, the emotional arc of the characters as they get to know each other, the interaction between Fae and humans and the final resolution are nicely done. The integration of magic and steampunk technology is well handled.
Highly recommended.
August 2, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Clockwork Detective is the first book in a new steampunk mystery series by R. A. McCandless. Released 7th May 2019 from Ellysian, it's 317 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a competently written mystery with good characters, rendered well. The main protagonist is a flawed war hero who is a pragmatist on her way to an assignment in another city when she receives orders to make a detour to investigate a suspicious death in the provinces.
Apart from the tendency on the part of the author to go for the easy option with word choices in setting and environment (druwyd, Haenlein, two different secondary characters named Alina, Bergen/krona), the characterizations and world building are quite well done. The narrative is technically very good with a well defined, smooth tension arc and a satisfying denouement. There aren't a lot of surprises, but the book is mostly character driven, so seeing their development made it an enjoyable read. I was sometimes confused by the abrupt appearance and rapid disappearance of a number of secondary characters (Maritta) and plot threads, but I am willing to see if the disparate threads are picked up later. I appreciated the positive (not overemphasized) depiction of LGBTQIA+ characters. That being said, this volume is refreshingly free of overt romance and there's no graphic sexual content. There's one threatened sexual assault against the MC, but she dispatches the mob with aplomb. The language is quite clean and there's nothing scandalous. I loved the airships. Everyone loves airships.
I enjoyed reading the book very much and look forward to seeing more in the series. There's apparently an anthology of short fiction at least one of which is set in the same world as this one.
Four stars. Well written steampunk murder mystery. (Airships!)
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Clockwork Detective is the first book in a new steampunk mystery series by R. A. McCandless. Released 7th May 2019 from Ellysian, it's 317 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a competently written mystery with good characters, rendered well. The main protagonist is a flawed war hero who is a pragmatist on her way to an assignment in another city when she receives orders to make a detour to investigate a suspicious death in the provinces.
Apart from the tendency on the part of the author to go for the easy option with word choices in setting and environment (druwyd, Haenlein, two different secondary characters named Alina, Bergen/krona), the characterizations and world building are quite well done. The narrative is technically very good with a well defined, smooth tension arc and a satisfying denouement. There aren't a lot of surprises, but the book is mostly character driven, so seeing their development made it an enjoyable read. I was sometimes confused by the abrupt appearance and rapid disappearance of a number of secondary characters (Maritta) and plot threads, but I am willing to see if the disparate threads are picked up later. I appreciated the positive (not overemphasized) depiction of LGBTQIA+ characters. That being said, this volume is refreshingly free of overt romance and there's no graphic sexual content. There's one threatened sexual assault against the MC, but she dispatches the mob with aplomb. The language is quite clean and there's nothing scandalous. I loved the airships. Everyone loves airships.
I enjoyed reading the book very much and look forward to seeing more in the series. There's apparently an anthology of short fiction at least one of which is set in the same world as this one.
Four stars. Well written steampunk murder mystery. (Airships!)
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
April 25, 2019
I enjoy a young female protagonist, and even though this particular young female protagonist might as well be a man for most purposes, she's determined, competent, perceptive, and an excellent negotiator who thinks well in a dangerous situation - things we're shown rather than told, to the author's credit.
There's a mystery plot, which played out well, but also an underlying political plot which is part of a larger series arc. There are tense confrontations and powerful moments of action and magic.
The setting is steampunk, but with a strong magical component from the Fae; there's the usual lighter-than-hydrogen gas for the airships, clockwork where clockwork doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense (in a prosthetic leg), and the rest of the steampunk trappings that you just have to take a deep breath and swallow.
The protagonist serves a somewhat corrupt and potentially dystopian empire, something that I hope will lead to more conflicts later in the series.
I read a pre-release copy from Netgalley, which needed an awful lot of copy editing work, even more than average for steampunk (which is typically a lot); I hope it gets it, though inevitably even a really good copy editor will still miss things. For an author who boasts of two decades of experience and a degree in communication and creative writing, the punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary errors are extraordinarily numerous.
Leaving that aside, I enjoyed it as a story, and would consider reading another in the series, though I'd probably want to read it after it had been thoroughly edited rather than before.
There's a mystery plot, which played out well, but also an underlying political plot which is part of a larger series arc. There are tense confrontations and powerful moments of action and magic.
The setting is steampunk, but with a strong magical component from the Fae; there's the usual lighter-than-hydrogen gas for the airships, clockwork where clockwork doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense (in a prosthetic leg), and the rest of the steampunk trappings that you just have to take a deep breath and swallow.
The protagonist serves a somewhat corrupt and potentially dystopian empire, something that I hope will lead to more conflicts later in the series.
I read a pre-release copy from Netgalley, which needed an awful lot of copy editing work, even more than average for steampunk (which is typically a lot); I hope it gets it, though inevitably even a really good copy editor will still miss things. For an author who boasts of two decades of experience and a degree in communication and creative writing, the punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary errors are extraordinarily numerous.
Leaving that aside, I enjoyed it as a story, and would consider reading another in the series, though I'd probably want to read it after it had been thoroughly edited rather than before.
October 31, 2021
Steampunk is such a romantically creative genre and I really did enjoy this book. It follows injured war veteran-turned-detective Aubrey Hartmann who is attempting to solve a murder. The story tilts towards fantasy rather than science fiction as she encounters fae creatures and supernatural beings that feed of a city's collective fear.
I give it a 5 stars rating, but 4 1/2 might be more accurate, but I round up, not down. I quite liked Aubrey and some of the side characters. The mystery was engaging enough to hold my attention and the world in which it is set is rich and immersive. My only complaint is that the story dragged towards the end as it attempted to set up what I assume is going to be a continuing series with Aubrery solving paranormal crime and battling with her wits and trusty can sword against Imperial inspectors and Fae forces.
However, just say the word, and I'll be back for more. I suspect many others will be too.
I give it a 5 stars rating, but 4 1/2 might be more accurate, but I round up, not down. I quite liked Aubrey and some of the side characters. The mystery was engaging enough to hold my attention and the world in which it is set is rich and immersive. My only complaint is that the story dragged towards the end as it attempted to set up what I assume is going to be a continuing series with Aubrery solving paranormal crime and battling with her wits and trusty can sword against Imperial inspectors and Fae forces.
However, just say the word, and I'll be back for more. I suspect many others will be too.
October 12, 2021
McCandless does a superb job in setting the table with immersive detail. First on the airship, then the city of Aqualinne, and finally in the backwoods town of Sankt Andra. It doesn't end there as character development starts off quickly with Constable Aubrey Harmann, her military past, and her mechanical prosthetic. She's a strong character to root for with a sharp mind for the investigation.
The twists and turns of the plot kept me reading at a quick pace. The motives and characters are believable and fit well inside a steampunk world.
Fae, magic, and steam driven clockworks are a great mix and this book proves it. I won't spoil it with more than that.
I'm looking forward to more from this world and McCandless.
The twists and turns of the plot kept me reading at a quick pace. The motives and characters are believable and fit well inside a steampunk world.
Fae, magic, and steam driven clockworks are a great mix and this book proves it. I won't spoil it with more than that.
I'm looking forward to more from this world and McCandless.
November 2, 2021
I haven't read any steampunk books before, so please take my review for what its worth knowing I don't have much background in this genre.
Overall I really liked this book.
I liked the world building, although at times it seemed to be a bit too much detail which bogged down the book where I feel it should have kept pace with the action. This didn't have too much of a deleterious effect, but it was noticeable in a few instances. Overall the world building allowed me to get into the story and really picture the characters and the scenes, and I appreciate the author's time and effort to build a tangible world which really brought the book to life. (Building a world is not an easy thing to do.)
I appreciate the MC isn't perfect and has issues and flaws but is still strong. She does seem to figure things out a bit too easily at times, but overall she is a strong, flawed character with spunk which I enjoyed. I like the fact she conquers a personal issue by the end of the book (I don't want to give too much away.) Also her relationships with other characters throughout the story aren't all rosy and perfect, so that lent a more realistic and gritty feel to the story.
I was thrown off a bit by the strong presence of fantasy creatures which I wasn't expecting in this genre (that could be my inexperience), but they are great characters and add another layer of complexity and danger to the story.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more books with this MC in the future.
*Honest review provided in exchange for a copy of the book.
Overall I really liked this book.
I liked the world building, although at times it seemed to be a bit too much detail which bogged down the book where I feel it should have kept pace with the action. This didn't have too much of a deleterious effect, but it was noticeable in a few instances. Overall the world building allowed me to get into the story and really picture the characters and the scenes, and I appreciate the author's time and effort to build a tangible world which really brought the book to life. (Building a world is not an easy thing to do.)
I appreciate the MC isn't perfect and has issues and flaws but is still strong. She does seem to figure things out a bit too easily at times, but overall she is a strong, flawed character with spunk which I enjoyed. I like the fact she conquers a personal issue by the end of the book (I don't want to give too much away.) Also her relationships with other characters throughout the story aren't all rosy and perfect, so that lent a more realistic and gritty feel to the story.
I was thrown off a bit by the strong presence of fantasy creatures which I wasn't expecting in this genre (that could be my inexperience), but they are great characters and add another layer of complexity and danger to the story.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more books with this MC in the future.
*Honest review provided in exchange for a copy of the book.
May 3, 2019
I jumped at the chance to preview a steampunk mystery and R.A. McCandless did not disappoint! McCandless writes an engaging, strong, LGBTQ+ heroine who is fearless, intelligent, and sassy. I look forward to reading more of Aubrey's adventures.
Equal parts mystery and steampunk, this book will satisfy a wide audience of readers. The cast was interesting and well-developed, and the well-paced action made this one difficult to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ellysian Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Equal parts mystery and steampunk, this book will satisfy a wide audience of readers. The cast was interesting and well-developed, and the well-paced action made this one difficult to put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ellysian Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.
May 13, 2019
Steampunk is not normally a genre I enjoy. Too often an author tries too hard to explain the science behind the world, leaving nothing to tell in the story.
This is not the case with The Clockwork Detective.
From the opening moment when Detective Aubrey Hartmann arrives by airship in the out of way town of Aqualinne, it is apparent this is a different than the "same old/same old". McCandless builds a believable world, populated with relate-able characters striving to unravel a seemingly insignificant mystery. The stakes get progressively higher, even as you come to care what happens to everyone involved.
Street thugs, constables, secret police, Fae, druids and more are woven in a rich tapestry that make this a gem of a tale. While the initial mystery is indeed solved, a wider net is spread and this had better be the first book of at least a trilogy. There are a lot of threads dangling as we leave Hartmann in her new Aqualinne locale.
I think R.A. McCandless may have converted me to Steampunk...
This is not the case with The Clockwork Detective.
From the opening moment when Detective Aubrey Hartmann arrives by airship in the out of way town of Aqualinne, it is apparent this is a different than the "same old/same old". McCandless builds a believable world, populated with relate-able characters striving to unravel a seemingly insignificant mystery. The stakes get progressively higher, even as you come to care what happens to everyone involved.
Street thugs, constables, secret police, Fae, druids and more are woven in a rich tapestry that make this a gem of a tale. While the initial mystery is indeed solved, a wider net is spread and this had better be the first book of at least a trilogy. There are a lot of threads dangling as we leave Hartmann in her new Aqualinne locale.
I think R.A. McCandless may have converted me to Steampunk...
October 29, 2019
The Constable of Aqualinne is overall a very good read. A refreshing take on the returning war hero, a little worse for wear, but still ready to meet every challenge head on. Aubrey Hartmann is intelligent, driven, and yet manages to make some very human mistakes. The world created is surreal in its familiarity equally with its mysteries. Set up as the first book of a series, I look forward to more!
April 24, 2019
Constable Aubrey Hartmann is a war hero with a reputation, she also has a clockwork leg. Aubrey is ordered to help a local policeman to investigate the murder of a young Druwyd in a strange town. But Aubrey has some powerful enemies who are out to stop her. I was really looking forward to reading this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me.. Sorry.
November 18, 2019
I ADORE a good steampunk adventure and this sure fit the bill! Aubrey is a strong female lead charged with solving a murder with possible fae links. The pacing is good, though sometimes things felt a little too easy. I love a good sleuth story, and when you throw in magic and clockworks, I'm up all night until the end.
October 14, 2021
Inspector Aubrey Hartmann is a well-drawn character and the world itself is vivid and interesting. The plot moves along smartly, the writing is often compelling. I finished it in one sitting and would gladly see a sequel.
May 9, 2019
Oh wow.
I didn't know what to expect, and what I received is a whirlwind of characters and events.
I bought this book as it combines fantasy with steam-punk and some amazing detective work.
We have a powerful war hero as the main character - and whilst she is looking forward to a comfortable anonymous job in the big city, fate - and the empire - intervene.
Humans, Fae, Hybrids, Royalty, blunderbuss's - this has something for everyone!
I didn't know what to expect, and what I received is a whirlwind of characters and events.
I bought this book as it combines fantasy with steam-punk and some amazing detective work.
We have a powerful war hero as the main character - and whilst she is looking forward to a comfortable anonymous job in the big city, fate - and the empire - intervene.
Humans, Fae, Hybrids, Royalty, blunderbuss's - this has something for everyone!
November 3, 2021
What an exhilarating read, a definite page-turner.
The Clockwork Detective is one I will read over and over again in the future.
Synopsis:
Aubrey Hartman left the Imperial battlefields with a pocketful of medals, a fearsome reputation, and a clockwork leg. The Imperium diverts her trip home to investigate the murder of a young druid in a strange town. She is ordered to not only find the killer but prevent a full-scale war with the dreaded Fae. Meanwhile, the arrival of a sinister secret policeman threatens to dig up Aubrey’s own secrets – ones that could ruin her career. It soon becomes clear that Aubrey has powerful enemies with plans to stop her before she gets started. Determined to solve the mystery, Aubrey must survive centaurs, thugs, and a monster of pure destruction.
The Clockwork Detective is one I will read over and over again in the future.
Synopsis:
Aubrey Hartman left the Imperial battlefields with a pocketful of medals, a fearsome reputation, and a clockwork leg. The Imperium diverts her trip home to investigate the murder of a young druid in a strange town. She is ordered to not only find the killer but prevent a full-scale war with the dreaded Fae. Meanwhile, the arrival of a sinister secret policeman threatens to dig up Aubrey’s own secrets – ones that could ruin her career. It soon becomes clear that Aubrey has powerful enemies with plans to stop her before she gets started. Determined to solve the mystery, Aubrey must survive centaurs, thugs, and a monster of pure destruction.
October 18, 2021
fun steampunk adventure read. The mystery kept me wondering to the end.
May 14, 2019
R.A. McCandless has once again created a compelling, strong, female lead character, this time in an imaginative steam punk world. Constable Aubrey Hartmann, the titular Clockwork Detective is a richly written, many faceted hero, and I look forward eagerly to her further adventures. And, she has a sword cane; what more could you want out of a book?
May 29, 2019
I don't know what I expected from this book, but a mixture of the Wild West and Celtic Myths wasn't it. It has both futuristic and past features. The Clockwork Detective is a police woman with an uncomfortable false leg due to losing her real one to a cannonball. She has to solve a murder which may be at the hands of the Fae, and which could cause a war.
I hope there will be more books in the series.
I hope there will be more books in the series.
October 7, 2021
This is his best stuff yet. Please write more of this!!! Love this protagonist and the world
October 7, 2021
The Clockwork Detective was a really fun read—a blend of steampunk fantasy and mystery that takes unexpected twists and turns in a well-crafted world. Highly recommend it.
November 1, 2021
I really enjoyed this! I have to admit, I read mostly kids' lit, so this was a pleasant "adult" break from my usual fare. It was a bit slower starting than I'm used to, but the beginning ties in very well with the conclusion, and gives added weight to the MC's decision to stay in the town as its Constable. I read it in one night (I started, the Kindle battery died, had to recharge, but I had barely started, I promise), staying up to 1 am to finish. I got the sense there were other books / stories before it, but it reads well as a stand-alone and doesn't require previous story knowledge to enjoy. I have to admit, I'm going to look for the sequel or previous books, if there are any. I'd highly recommend it!
May 26, 2019
It’s a great fusion of two disparate genres handled with the deft touch of a master who really believes in what he’s doing. That belief shines through in a text that draws you in and keeps you in its world even after you close the book. Well-written, engaging, and flat-out fun to read. This is a perfect summer book that doesn’t shirk its responsibility of taking the reader to new places and letting them wander around in a fleshed out world.
You can read the whole review on my blog. Or just eschew the review and go buy a copy. It's a great read.
You can read the whole review on my blog. Or just eschew the review and go buy a copy. It's a great read.
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