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Mysterious Devices #3
The Matchmaker Wore Mars Yellow
Book three of the Mysterious Devices series of clockwork cozies set in the Magnificent Devices world!
Daisy and Frederica Linden have tracked their missing father to Bodie, the most dangerous town in the Wild West, where bad men murder without guilt and single ladies are as rare and valuable as gold. Here they must depend upon the help of the society of absent friends, that secret network of boardinghouse keepers who know everyone’s business—and make secrets their stock in trade.
But some secrets are fatal, and when the local matchmaker pays the price with her life on the night of the Autumn Ball, the ladies of the society beg Daisy and Freddie to help them find the killer of their fallen sister. Aided by Miss Peony Churchill, an intrepid family of aeronauts, and a Rocky Mountain Detective, the Linden sisters must see justice done and unmask a deadly conspiracy.
But in a town where murder is more common than spiked absinthe, will they find themselves in the killer’s sights instead?
Daisy and Frederica Linden have tracked their missing father to Bodie, the most dangerous town in the Wild West, where bad men murder without guilt and single ladies are as rare and valuable as gold. Here they must depend upon the help of the society of absent friends, that secret network of boardinghouse keepers who know everyone’s business—and make secrets their stock in trade.
But some secrets are fatal, and when the local matchmaker pays the price with her life on the night of the Autumn Ball, the ladies of the society beg Daisy and Freddie to help them find the killer of their fallen sister. Aided by Miss Peony Churchill, an intrepid family of aeronauts, and a Rocky Mountain Detective, the Linden sisters must see justice done and unmask a deadly conspiracy.
But in a town where murder is more common than spiked absinthe, will they find themselves in the killer’s sights instead?
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2019
33 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Adina
91 books628 followersShelley Adina is the author of 24 novels published by Harlequin, Warner, and Hachette, and a dozen more published by Moonshell Books, Inc., her own independent press. She writes steampunk and contemporary romance as Shelley Adina, and as Adina Senft, writes Amish women’s fiction. She holds an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty. She won RWA’s RITA Award® in 2005, and was a finalist in 2006. When she’s not writing, Shelley is usually quilting, sewing historical costumes, or hanging out in the garden with her flock of rescued chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 11, 2021
Daisy and Freddie have traveled to the rough Wild West town of Bodie in search of their missing father. They are warned about the dangerous town but feel they must keep trying to follow every lead they can to find Prof. Linden.
They soon find themselves tangled up in a murder again, not long after coming to reside in the local matchmaker's residence. They meet up with Detective Hayes (who is posing under an alias for some investigation he is pursuing) and after a few days, Peony Churchill arrives in search of them.
This one had me wondering what was going to happen, if the girls might get swept up in the crazy matchmaking that was going on all around them but as usual, they end up being drawn into solving the murder of Mrs. Moss. It was a bit uneven and meandering but the last quarter of the story really picked up. Really fun read. Read the Nook version, not kindle.
Now on to #4
They soon find themselves tangled up in a murder again, not long after coming to reside in the local matchmaker's residence. They meet up with Detective Hayes (who is posing under an alias for some investigation he is pursuing) and after a few days, Peony Churchill arrives in search of them.
This one had me wondering what was going to happen, if the girls might get swept up in the crazy matchmaking that was going on all around them but as usual, they end up being drawn into solving the murder of Mrs. Moss. It was a bit uneven and meandering but the last quarter of the story really picked up. Really fun read. Read the Nook version, not kindle.
Now on to #4
June 12, 2019
Daisy and Freddie Linden can find friends in unlikely places. They also find criminal behavior. This is the third book with the Linden sisters who are in pursuit of their missing father who suffers from amnesia. While in Bodie, a gold town with little law and order, they make new friends among the boarding house owners. They also enrage to the point of violence a man who has little trouble murdering people who get in his way.
I love the way Shelley Adina ties all of her stories together when her characters appear, disappear, and reappear in each other's lives. This time we are treated to Peony Churchill, a character from several of her Mysterious Devices series.
The ending of this story did seem a bit rushed to me. There are a few details missing that must have occurred between the last two chapters and I would like to know more. Perhaps those details will be filled in somehow in the next book--I hope so.
Of course, this book has just been published, so I have a bit of a wait for the next one...
I love the way Shelley Adina ties all of her stories together when her characters appear, disappear, and reappear in each other's lives. This time we are treated to Peony Churchill, a character from several of her Mysterious Devices series.
The ending of this story did seem a bit rushed to me. There are a few details missing that must have occurred between the last two chapters and I would like to know more. Perhaps those details will be filled in somehow in the next book--I hope so.
Of course, this book has just been published, so I have a bit of a wait for the next one...
December 21, 2019
This is book 3 of Mysterious Devices series, a spin-off or companion series to the Magnificent Devices I've so loved. This new set of stories is set in the same world, but just adds a murder mystery to the story too - blending two of my favourite kind of books! I'm not going to go into the story details and give away spoilers, but I just want to say that I loved how inventive the author was in the use of the painter's view to describe colours (like in the title) and scenes, how she pulled all the strands of the story together, and eventually reached the climatic conclusion. I also loved the appearance of characters and locations from the Magnificent Devices series - a lovely treat for fans! A brilliant read that I'd definitely recommend to all fans of the author, of steampunk and of mysteries. Can't wait to continue the series - hope the next book comes soon!
May 31, 2020
Steampunk Cozy Mystery with a Kick
I say with a kick because I read a lot of cozy mysteries, and this series offer much more intrigue, suspense, and action adventure. Two sisters search for their missing father. There travels take them to Bodie, in the Texican Territories. A gold mining town full of single miners, a few respectable households, hotels, B&Bs, plus a whole lot of disreputable places. Daisy and Freddie will go where the clues lead, even when they encounter murderers. I really liked the Matchmaker. And I loved how all the B&B ladies came together to right a wrong. I also loved how Alice Churchill, a character from Lady of Devises, showed up to help solve the murder mystery. I did miss William and the kids. Otherwise Great Book.
I say with a kick because I read a lot of cozy mysteries, and this series offer much more intrigue, suspense, and action adventure. Two sisters search for their missing father. There travels take them to Bodie, in the Texican Territories. A gold mining town full of single miners, a few respectable households, hotels, B&Bs, plus a whole lot of disreputable places. Daisy and Freddie will go where the clues lead, even when they encounter murderers. I really liked the Matchmaker. And I loved how all the B&B ladies came together to right a wrong. I also loved how Alice Churchill, a character from Lady of Devises, showed up to help solve the murder mystery. I did miss William and the kids. Otherwise Great Book.
June 30, 2019
As usual, I finished reading the last page and found myself already craving the next mystery in this addictive series. This time, we traveled to Bodie, California - and as a Californian by birth, my heart was already there, waiting for Daisy and Frederica to arrive. I knew adventure, mystery and murder couldn't be far behind.
Shelley Adina has a knack for the cozies, and now that we're a few volumes in, she's really settled into her groove. As with her previous steampunky stories, I'll be following the Linden girls on their quest, where ever it leads.
Shelley Adina has a knack for the cozies, and now that we're a few volumes in, she's really settled into her groove. As with her previous steampunky stories, I'll be following the Linden girls on their quest, where ever it leads.
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June 30, 2019Wonderful series of strong girls and women making their way in a steampunk 19th century. Sisters from London are in the Americas trying to find their father who was injured and lost his memory. This installment finds them in a mining town where the town Matchmaker and owner of their boarding house is murdered. In return for their help finding the killer, the women who own boarding houses promise to help find information on the missing father.
November 12, 2021
I listened to an audio book recording, read by Fiona Hardingham, whose voice and narration style I adore! Good clean mystery (despite the murder scene).
I got a little confused at times by the many different names and characters in this book (though I have a feeling the previous books contained just as many moving pieces). It was light and intriguing and entertaining over all. I very much like this author's playful use of descriptive and illustrative words.
I got a little confused at times by the many different names and characters in this book (though I have a feeling the previous books contained just as many moving pieces). It was light and intriguing and entertaining over all. I very much like this author's playful use of descriptive and illustrative words.
May 30, 2019
Another winner
I so enjoy her characters, the development of the story, the suspense. Most of all, I enjoy the skills and gifts of her reluctant heroes. Love the "society of absent friends" idea. Great to be able to find "friends" wherever you go!! Really enjoyed this one. Can't wait for the next one!!
I so enjoy her characters, the development of the story, the suspense. Most of all, I enjoy the skills and gifts of her reluctant heroes. Love the "society of absent friends" idea. Great to be able to find "friends" wherever you go!! Really enjoyed this one. Can't wait for the next one!!
March 9, 2020
The search for thier father continues
Daisy and Freddie are end up in a mining town and are among the very few single ladies and are in huge demand with the miners. While attending a ball, thier landlady is murdered and her friends ask them to investigate.
This is a nice suspenseful addition to the series and I look forward to the next book in the series
Daisy and Freddie are end up in a mining town and are among the very few single ladies and are in huge demand with the miners. While attending a ball, thier landlady is murdered and her friends ask them to investigate.
This is a nice suspenseful addition to the series and I look forward to the next book in the series
June 5, 2019
A very enjoyable reuniting with Daisy, Freddie and Barnaby, as well as a beautifully crafted story with an, engaging cast of wild west characters. There were great visuals in my head of the massive steam-powered rock-crushing machines, as well.
June 22, 2020
Very entertaining
I guessed quite a bit of the mystery but enjoyed the read anyway. Had I not, it would have received 4 stars. Not her best but still I enjoy the world Shelley Adina has created.
I guessed quite a bit of the mystery but enjoyed the read anyway. Had I not, it would have received 4 stars. Not her best but still I enjoy the world Shelley Adina has created.
February 16, 2021
Better pacing than the previous book and events kick off quickly, with meeting previous characters from the series. I really enjoyed this book, and even liked the semi-cliffhanger at the end! Looking forward to the next book!
June 27, 2023
Another fun mystery in this steam punkish Wild West series. Still searching for their father, the ladies end up in mining town Bodie. While fending off constant marriage proposals, they search for their father, find new friends, and reluctantly search for another murderer.
July 24, 2023
68%
It's a really weird book so we end up in the most kill Happy Town ever but then the kill happy people are aren't going to kill the girls that are asking all the questions okay.
This book was lacking in suspense and mystery, it just felt like we were along for the ride
It's a really weird book so we end up in the most kill Happy Town ever but then the kill happy people are aren't going to kill the girls that are asking all the questions okay.
This book was lacking in suspense and mystery, it just felt like we were along for the ride
October 16, 2023
Love this series!!
Daisy and Freddie join up with other familiar faces and some new ones to solve another murder and gain more info about the whereabouts of the girls' father. The usual solid plotting and excellent writing make this installment a pleasant read.
Daisy and Freddie join up with other familiar faces and some new ones to solve another murder and gain more info about the whereabouts of the girls' father. The usual solid plotting and excellent writing make this installment a pleasant read.
January 3, 2020
I just want this series to keep going forever. Keep expanding and branching the characters out!
April 22, 2025
good read
This steampunk story is full of interesting characters and colorful descriptions of landscape and architecture as well as inventions with an engaging plot. Enjoy. 👍💜
This steampunk story is full of interesting characters and colorful descriptions of landscape and architecture as well as inventions with an engaging plot. Enjoy. 👍💜
July 19, 2024
As I anticipated, I am here for the characters. Though, the mystery managed to hang on longer than any of the previous books. Daisy and Freddie continue to meet some of the best the Wild West can offer in terms of outrageous and flamboyant. While they are progressing ever deeper into dangerous territory, they seem to be oddly immune to danger. You can't keep saying the most deadly town (a murder a minute) and have complete strangers ask a bunch of personal questions with no consequences. That contradiction lowered this to the 3 star level.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews