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The Windy City Files #1
An Untimely End
It has been almost a year since the denizens of the purple house were mysteriously transplanted back in time to the Victorian-era. Of course, Chicago and its people are still healing after the catastrophic blaze that all but destroyed the city and claimed thousands of lives. And still, there is a killer at large who’s not at all twice-shy about playing with fire.
For what kind of monster would burn a man alive?
Regardless of the horrors the Aubrey Milner case renews, River, a coroner disguised as a man, and her brother Archer, the district’s police inspector, are duty-bound to seek justice. It’s what they do. They will find the burned man’s murderer and maybe lay to rest a ghost or two of their own.
For what kind of monster would burn a man alive?
Regardless of the horrors the Aubrey Milner case renews, River, a coroner disguised as a man, and her brother Archer, the district’s police inspector, are duty-bound to seek justice. It’s what they do. They will find the burned man’s murderer and maybe lay to rest a ghost or two of their own.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
31 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Ellison Blackburn
12 books87 followersAn early interest in the soft sciences, together with a career in information technology, ignited Ellison Blackburn's curiosity in singularities. Among her published stories are "Flash Back," the literary, slow-burn book one of The Fountain post-apocalyptic trilogy; "If There Be Giants," book one of The Watchers urban fantasy duology; "An Untimely End," the first book in the time-travel mystery series the Windy City Files; and the dystopian, cyberpunk novella "Virtue Us, The Future of Love."
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 22, 2018
"The Ashes of Aubrey Milner" is a detective story with a difference: the detective in question is a woman who has been brought from the future back into Victorian-era Chicago, and is now working as a police medical examiner, disguised as a man. When she is asked to examine a horribly burned victim, she ends up investigating a case that's much closer to home than she ever expected.
The story cleverly combines multiple genres: historical fiction, cozy mystery, time travel, and a touch of steampunk. There's the detailed descriptions of late-19th-century Chicago, which is a kind of character itself; the investigation of a mysterious murder with the traditional unmasking of the villain in a group "trial" scene at the end; the time-travel subplot and the heroine's desire to return to her own time; and the combination of 19th and 22nd-century gadgets that the heroine uses. Although this book will probably appeal primarily to mystery fans, there's a bit of everything in it for other readers.
While it's quick and easy read, it also finds time for River's (the heroine's) introspections on when and where she finds herself, and how it differs from her home time, especially in its treatment of women. River is a thoughtful rather than "feisty" heroine, but that makes her all the more feminist in thought and deed, so readers looking for a smart, intellectual female lead should definitely check this book out.
I received a free review copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
The story cleverly combines multiple genres: historical fiction, cozy mystery, time travel, and a touch of steampunk. There's the detailed descriptions of late-19th-century Chicago, which is a kind of character itself; the investigation of a mysterious murder with the traditional unmasking of the villain in a group "trial" scene at the end; the time-travel subplot and the heroine's desire to return to her own time; and the combination of 19th and 22nd-century gadgets that the heroine uses. Although this book will probably appeal primarily to mystery fans, there's a bit of everything in it for other readers.
While it's quick and easy read, it also finds time for River's (the heroine's) introspections on when and where she finds herself, and how it differs from her home time, especially in its treatment of women. River is a thoughtful rather than "feisty" heroine, but that makes her all the more feminist in thought and deed, so readers looking for a smart, intellectual female lead should definitely check this book out.
I received a free review copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2018
Format: Kindle
I was given an ARC of this novel with the promise of an honest review. I greatly enjoyed this novel. Ms. Blackburn wonderfully described life in 1871 Chicago, at the time of the great Chicago fire. I felt as if I were a part of that era. At the same time the author seems to have started the first of a series. (I hope!)
I had a bit of trouble getting into this novel upon first reading, however. I felt as if I were missing a novel, as if I’d started reading book 2 before book 1. It seemed as if I was missing some meaning of the novel. I didn’t understand the family relationships between members of the St. Claire family or how they all ended up in the year 1871 when they were living in the year 2135 or thereabouts. As I continued in my reading, I understood how the family “emigrated” to Victorian Chicago, and things became clear. But I do admit the beginning of this novel was tough going.
Ms. River St. Claire is a medical examiner living with her brothers in the St. Claire family home. As women had no status or rights, nor could they have any meaningful employment (in 1871), River calls herself “Reid” St. Claire. She is presenting herself as a man. This, at times, leads to some humorous scenes, as she is small-boned & of short stature.
Dr. St. Claire examines a corpse who has been doused with kerosene & set on fire. (Hence the title.)
The ending of this novel really tied the whole novel together. It really hit the spot!
If you like historical fiction with a good murder mystery, this is definitely worth a read.
Looking forward to further novels in this series!
September 21, 2018
Steampunk. Murder. Time travel. The main characters of The Ashes of Aubrey Milner, siblings, are from the future. They have somehow been stranded in Chicago the year after the Great Chicago Fire swept the city. One brother is working as a police chief. The sister of the sibling group is the Medical Examiner. Considering the year in which they are living, she has had to disguise herself as a man to be able to work. There is a murder to be solved, as well as contemplation of identity, sexism, grief, loss and hope.
The first half of the book was difficult for me to get through. There were so many threads and people introduced, along with long descriptions of physical locations, and I had difficulty figuring out the connections. I felt like there was a prequel that I had missed.
By the second half, I mostly understood who was who, what was what, and, eventually, who had killed the unfortunate Aubrey Milner. I grew to like the characters and was caught up in the murder investigation, their work to blend in to a long ago time, and their hopes of being able to return to their own time. I am probably a little too easily confused, but once I got my mind around all the different aspects, I really enjoyed the book.
The first half of the book was difficult for me to get through. There were so many threads and people introduced, along with long descriptions of physical locations, and I had difficulty figuring out the connections. I felt like there was a prequel that I had missed.
By the second half, I mostly understood who was who, what was what, and, eventually, who had killed the unfortunate Aubrey Milner. I grew to like the characters and was caught up in the murder investigation, their work to blend in to a long ago time, and their hopes of being able to return to their own time. I am probably a little too easily confused, but once I got my mind around all the different aspects, I really enjoyed the book.
September 22, 2018
The Ashes of Aubrey Milner is a historical fiction murder mystery set in 1871 Chicago at the time of the Chicago fire.
Quite abstract at the beginning and not easy to understand, if the reader persists in reading the story it slowly becomes clear.
Well written, with a good plot and storyline, it includes time travel, murder, mystery and much more.
There is good detailed description to the various scenes and settings.
Characters have been well thought out and are believable.
There is also good interaction and dialogue between characters.
For readers who love a murder mystery and historical fiction combined.
Gifted with a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Quite abstract at the beginning and not easy to understand, if the reader persists in reading the story it slowly becomes clear.
Well written, with a good plot and storyline, it includes time travel, murder, mystery and much more.
There is good detailed description to the various scenes and settings.
Characters have been well thought out and are believable.
There is also good interaction and dialogue between characters.
For readers who love a murder mystery and historical fiction combined.
Gifted with a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
September 22, 2018
They need to go back in time to solve a murder. Her brother and her maybe have the tech of the future but it is of no use in this time. They will have to use their brains and instinct to solve the crimes before heading back to their own time. See how they will get on
I received an advanced copy and I enjoyed it so much that I want to review
I received an advanced copy and I enjoyed it so much that I want to review
September 18, 2018
The St. Clairs of the Clarion Division, Chicago, Illinois are an elite twenty-second-century agency of investigators of technology misuse—have recently arrived back in time; Chicago, October 8, 1871, to be precise to solve the murder of Aubrey Milner
August 15, 2019
Pleasantly intriguing
A good take on Victorian culture in Chicago. Characters well fleshed out. Story unique. I sincerely hope Ms. Blackburn has more mysteries to come in this setting.
A good take on Victorian culture in Chicago. Characters well fleshed out. Story unique. I sincerely hope Ms. Blackburn has more mysteries to come in this setting.
March 10, 2020
An interesting premise but at 20% I'm finding it confusing and not very interesting. Th female character masquerading as a Male is pretty whiny and not very likeable. So DNF.
September 25, 2019
This was an interesting mix of mystery and time travel. The descriptions are excellent, I felt like I was actually there. I was a little bit disoriented at the beginning, and the writing style took me a while to get used to but I'm really glad I kept reading. The story is complex and the characters believable. I like that River is smart and resourceful, and doesn't let a little thing like being a woman in Victorian Chicago stop her from doing what she wants. Her 21st century perspective on the 19th century is really insightful.
September 26, 2019
This is my first steampunk, time travel, mystery and if you are a lover of this genre you will like this book. I enjoyed that it takes place after the Chicago fire and authors description of that time period and the surroundings is wonderful. She interweaves the environment and characters with skill. I must admit I was a bit lost at first until I realized they were time travelers then I really got into the book. If you enjoy this time period and mysteries pick up the book. A suggestion: read the short story "From Time to Time" first, It set the stage for the St. Clairs in Chicago.
March 22, 2021
3 stars. Not bad. But I kept feeling like I was reading the second of a series as allusions were made to things previously occurring or technologies existing for which there was no prior reference. Ending of the book also seemed rushed with the "mystery" underlying the book getting solved with no foundation.
September 22, 2018
I was given an ARC of this novel with the promise of an honest review. I greatly enjoyed this novel. Ms. Blackburn wonderfully described life in 1871 Chicago, at the time of the great Chicago fire. I felt as if I were a part of that era. At the same time the author seems to have started the first of a series. (I hope!)
I had a bit of trouble getting into this novel upon first reading, however. I felt as if I were missing a novel, as if I’d started reading book 2 before book 1. It seemed as if I was missing some meaning of the novel. I didn’t understand the family relationships between members of the St. Claire family or how they all ended up in the year 1871 when they were living in the year 2135 or thereabouts. As I continued in my reading, I understood how the family “emigrated” to Victorian Chicago, and things became clear. But I do admit the beginning of this novel was tough going.
Ms. River St. Claire is a medical examiner living with her brothers in the St. Claire family home. As women had no status or rights, nor could they have any meaningful employment (in 1871), River calls herself “Reid” St. Claire. She is presenting herself as a man. This, at times, leads to some humorous scenes, as she is small-boned & of short stature.
Dr. St. Claire examines a corpse who has been doused with kerosene & set on fire. (Hence the title.)
The ending of this novel really tied the whole novel together. It really hit the spot!
If you like historical fiction with a good murder mystery, this is definitely worth a read.
Looking forward to further novels in this series!
I had a bit of trouble getting into this novel upon first reading, however. I felt as if I were missing a novel, as if I’d started reading book 2 before book 1. It seemed as if I was missing some meaning of the novel. I didn’t understand the family relationships between members of the St. Claire family or how they all ended up in the year 1871 when they were living in the year 2135 or thereabouts. As I continued in my reading, I understood how the family “emigrated” to Victorian Chicago, and things became clear. But I do admit the beginning of this novel was tough going.
Ms. River St. Claire is a medical examiner living with her brothers in the St. Claire family home. As women had no status or rights, nor could they have any meaningful employment (in 1871), River calls herself “Reid” St. Claire. She is presenting herself as a man. This, at times, leads to some humorous scenes, as she is small-boned & of short stature.
Dr. St. Claire examines a corpse who has been doused with kerosene & set on fire. (Hence the title.)
The ending of this novel really tied the whole novel together. It really hit the spot!
If you like historical fiction with a good murder mystery, this is definitely worth a read.
Looking forward to further novels in this series!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews