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The Family Cursebreakers #1
Curse of Bronze
Bella Hathaway comes from a family of daredevil adventurers -- but she's a a quiet scholar of magical languages who wouldn't say boo to a goose.
When her curse-breaker aunt is murdered in the Eldritch Library, Bella inherits a house full of dangerous artefacts & talking furniture. As she investigates her aunt's death, she finds more mysteries: a hoard of gargoyles, a lost language, a family of werewolves... and a tragic family secret.
When her curse-breaker aunt is murdered in the Eldritch Library, Bella inherits a house full of dangerous artefacts & talking furniture. As she investigates her aunt's death, she finds more mysteries: a hoard of gargoyles, a lost language, a family of werewolves... and a tragic family secret.
130 pages, ebook
First published December 18, 2020
About the author
Tansy Rayner Roberts
135 books325 followersTansy Rayner Roberts is a fantasy and science fiction author who lives in southern Tasmania, somewhere between the tall mountain with snow on it, and the beach that points towards Antarctica.
Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.
You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.
Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.
You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 16, 2021
This is such a delightful, witty fantasy/mystery novella with great magic and characters and some very funny twists on the Beauty & the Beast fairy tale! I got it early as a $2/month Patreon supporter. Honestly, I think anyone who likes my adult stories probably ought to do the same! (And not just because of this one. You'll love the Teacup Magic series, too!)
January 23, 2026
I don’t know how to give this more than 5 stars but I’d sure like to try.
*gives it 10 stars*
Lively, funny, with heart and oomph. Plays with several Beauty and the Beast tropes that make it remarkably fresh. Utterly charming and very clever. Delighted to hear there’ll be more!!
*gives it 10 stars*
Lively, funny, with heart and oomph. Plays with several Beauty and the Beast tropes that make it remarkably fresh. Utterly charming and very clever. Delighted to hear there’ll be more!!
February 14, 2021
I need to know SO much more about Bella, and also novellas about her sisters please and thank you.
May 10, 2026
This had all the elements I like in a cozy fantasy book - I loved that the main character studies linguistics and I felt like the world the author built was rich and full of fun characters. This book clips along and is in general a fun read.
December 12, 2022
This was a joy to read. Fun, engaging, with lively characters and wit. I could barely put it down.
July 6, 2026
adorable
Quick cozy fantasy mystery with a fun beauty and the beast vibe. This is book one and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Quick cozy fantasy mystery with a fun beauty and the beast vibe. This is book one and I’m looking forward to reading more.
September 1, 2026
What a mess!
I have a whole long linguistic rant built up in my head, but everyone here is all "this book doesn't take itself seriously", so alright, I won't bother to dump all my grievances here.
In short, though, this book wants to be too many things at once: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, but also The Mummy and all the similar classic archaeological swashbucklers, but also a monster city, but also magical linguistics, but also gargoyles and demons and pharaohs smashed together (Why would you perpetuate the misconception and make gargoyles demonic? Why?). And it's so bloody cozy! No conflict, no tension, someone always hands the protagonist the answer and if there's even a hint of possible danger / action, it's resolved off page within 4 sentences. Then bam! - you learn of the death of 18 expedition members and absolutely horrific fate of the archaeologists (and don't forget Minotaur leather!), but it's just swept under the rug. Crown this with a bland protagonist and a spectacularly ineffectual villain, add a dash of moralising, and finish off with the most trite and annoying naming conventions (and misuse of the word "infamous"). You would expect that in a book with magical languages and a protagonist who is a translator and linguistic prodigy, the author would put some actual thought into how language impacts worldbuilding and vice versa.
There's a core of a good story here - a daring family, a murder mystery and an unusual approach to magic, if only it were placed in a better thought-out world or at least not connected that much to all the elements we've already seen before in other better works.
I have a whole long linguistic rant built up in my head, but everyone here is all "this book doesn't take itself seriously", so alright, I won't bother to dump all my grievances here.
In short, though, this book wants to be too many things at once: Disney's Beauty and the Beast, but also The Mummy and all the similar classic archaeological swashbucklers, but also a monster city, but also magical linguistics, but also gargoyles and demons and pharaohs smashed together (Why would you perpetuate the misconception and make gargoyles demonic? Why?). And it's so bloody cozy! No conflict, no tension, someone always hands the protagonist the answer and if there's even a hint of possible danger / action, it's resolved off page within 4 sentences. Then bam! - you learn of the death of 18 expedition members and absolutely horrific fate of the archaeologists (and don't forget Minotaur leather!), but it's just swept under the rug. Crown this with a bland protagonist and a spectacularly ineffectual villain, add a dash of moralising, and finish off with the most trite and annoying naming conventions (and misuse of the word "infamous"). You would expect that in a book with magical languages and a protagonist who is a translator and linguistic prodigy, the author would put some actual thought into how language impacts worldbuilding and vice versa.
There's a core of a good story here - a daring family, a murder mystery and an unusual approach to magic, if only it were placed in a better thought-out world or at least not connected that much to all the elements we've already seen before in other better works.
June 20, 2026
3-3.5 stars
Do you know that the difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque is that the former possess a water spout? You will, when this little novella tells you no less than three times in less than 130 pages. The more you know.
Even still, this is an entertaining cozy fantasy about a world filled with magic and fantastical creatures. Bella, the youngest of three sisters, inherits her aunt’s enchanted, curse ridden house upon her aunt’s death and must also investigate said aunt’s mysterious cause of death. My only complaint is that 120 odd pages is too short to develop this story, its world, and its characters much. But it was an easy and rather delightful read.
Do you know that the difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque is that the former possess a water spout? You will, when this little novella tells you no less than three times in less than 130 pages. The more you know.
Even still, this is an entertaining cozy fantasy about a world filled with magic and fantastical creatures. Bella, the youngest of three sisters, inherits her aunt’s enchanted, curse ridden house upon her aunt’s death and must also investigate said aunt’s mysterious cause of death. My only complaint is that 120 odd pages is too short to develop this story, its world, and its characters much. But it was an easy and rather delightful read.
July 30, 2023
Engrossing and beautifully paced!
I haven’t been this excited about an imaginary world in ages. I’m very, very much hoping she turns this into a new series. Fingers crossed!
Belle comes from a family of adventurous individuals, including one sister who is a duchess and daredevil and another sister who is a war correspondent. Belle, however, is content to live in her little cottage in the country translating books in the many magical languages she knows. Then with no warning she is chosen to become the family’s new curse breaker.
This mystery takes place in a most magical land. Her new home in the city is filled with dangerous cursed objects, as well as furniture that talks to her and feeds her. Plus her new neighbor’s home is a large library and the librarian seems to be a well dressed lion.
I haven’t been this excited about an imaginary world in ages. I’m very, very much hoping she turns this into a new series. Fingers crossed!
Belle comes from a family of adventurous individuals, including one sister who is a duchess and daredevil and another sister who is a war correspondent. Belle, however, is content to live in her little cottage in the country translating books in the many magical languages she knows. Then with no warning she is chosen to become the family’s new curse breaker.
This mystery takes place in a most magical land. Her new home in the city is filled with dangerous cursed objects, as well as furniture that talks to her and feeds her. Plus her new neighbor’s home is a large library and the librarian seems to be a well dressed lion.
August 8, 2026
A fun and humorous romp that doesn't take itself too seriously. Roberts here beats the daylights out of the tropes of the '30s archaeological curse story as she did with Regency romance in Tea and Sympathetic Magic: fondly but with such overpowering zaniness that I couldn't help but smile. There's a lot of love for the Disney Beauty and the Beast going on as well, though none of those threads go very far here.
This is a short piece (novella?) and I felt the ending rushed. A shame, because the setup could easily have sustained a longer work, but I gather it's series starter.
This is a short piece (novella?) and I felt the ending rushed. A shame, because the setup could easily have sustained a longer work, but I gather it's series starter.
July 3, 2023
I absolutely adored this short story that I received when signing up for Tansy Rayner Robert's newsletter. Everything about it was perfect. I haven't been this excited about an imaginary world or the characters in it since....I can't remember when! I very much hope that there will be more stories in The Gargoyle Mysteries series.
February 26, 2024
A charming novella mystery involving curses and libraries and all kinds of magical beings, much fun.
May 6, 2026
Lovely cozy, fantasy novella. Dark Academia vibes for sure. My only con is that I wish it were longer and that we had more time with Bella and the world that was created.
June 17, 2026
A fun little fantasy adventure mystery.
August 3, 2026
Paranormal murder mystery featuring werewolves, curses, talking furniture, and other oddities. It was a bit silly at times, but still a fun read. I'll likely continue the series.
Did Not Finish
September 1, 2026Dnf at 27 percent
February 17, 2025
Fun novella! Would love to read more of Bella and her sisters’ adventures
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 13, 2026
Perfect for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle, this Beauty and the Beast inspired mystery is full of whimsical fun!
Tansy’s creativity and imagination always shine through, and this cosy tale is exactly that. I’m excited to hear she’s got more in the series planned as I want to get to know Bella and her family more, and uncover the magic of her aunts house!
Tansy’s creativity and imagination always shine through, and this cosy tale is exactly that. I’m excited to hear she’s got more in the series planned as I want to get to know Bella and her family more, and uncover the magic of her aunts house!
May 5, 2026
The protagonist of this Gaslamp fantasy is Bella who inherits her aunt’s house in London in the Lyceum quarter where the Fae live. The inheritance of the house comes with all the cursed objects within from her aunt Charlotte’s very successful career as s curse breaker.
Unfortunately for Bella, she has no skills in curse breaking but id a qualified linguist. The inheritance of the house can only occur with her aunt Charlotte’s death.
Soon, Bella is taken from the comforts of her antiquarian lifestyle and thrust into solving who killed her aunt Charlotte, why and using an unusual method of turning her to bronze.
Final Thoughts
Curse of Bronze was my first book that is read by Robert’s and I really enjoyed the clever mixture of Gaslamp fantasy and murder mystery. The archaeological tomb raiding was an extra bonus of excitement. Well-written, comfortable read and highly enjoyable.
Conclusion
A recommended novel for readers who enjoy Gaslamp fantasy, mystery and humour. The archaeological angle was also well done. A Great read!
Unfortunately for Bella, she has no skills in curse breaking but id a qualified linguist. The inheritance of the house can only occur with her aunt Charlotte’s death.
Soon, Bella is taken from the comforts of her antiquarian lifestyle and thrust into solving who killed her aunt Charlotte, why and using an unusual method of turning her to bronze.
Final Thoughts
Curse of Bronze was my first book that is read by Robert’s and I really enjoyed the clever mixture of Gaslamp fantasy and murder mystery. The archaeological tomb raiding was an extra bonus of excitement. Well-written, comfortable read and highly enjoyable.
Conclusion
A recommended novel for readers who enjoy Gaslamp fantasy, mystery and humour. The archaeological angle was also well done. A Great read!
June 20, 2026
This is a really fun gaslamp fantasy novella about Bella Hathaway who inherits her famous curse breaking aunt's house after she is murdered. Bella's first task is to find the murderer.
I really loved that Bella was a translator and a scholar of magical languages and that the plot hinged on magical linguistics and the language of the gargoyles. There’s a Beauty and the Beast twist to this as well although no romance. Overall, it’s just a terrifically fun story with a lot of creative world building details (furniture cursed to talk, Minotaurs, tomb raiders) and a satisfying mystery. I would love to see more stories in this world.
I really loved that Bella was a translator and a scholar of magical languages and that the plot hinged on magical linguistics and the language of the gargoyles. There’s a Beauty and the Beast twist to this as well although no romance. Overall, it’s just a terrifically fun story with a lot of creative world building details (furniture cursed to talk, Minotaurs, tomb raiders) and a satisfying mystery. I would love to see more stories in this world.
April 29, 2026
I thought that this was an okay interesting little read. Could use another round of editing though.
August 9, 2026
Just a rollicking good time in my opinion
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews