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Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives #1
The Ghostly Tower
Meet Heyward and Andersen, consulting detectives in a paranormal London you never imagined...
Elspeth Heyward has never met a puzzle she didn't want to solve, or an adventure she didn’t relish. Taking Sherlock Homes as her benchmark, she is determined to be the best detective and monster hunter in London.
Lars Andersen’s ambitions aren't nearly as demanding. He just wants to stay alive, out of trouble, and out of jail. But when your partner likes guns and dynamite, that could be a challenge. Can he survive his new employment?
The Case: Discover if a stone tower on their client's estate is haunted. It should be straightforward, but ghosts aren’t all they find. When they dig up a body, they also unearth a murder and a tangle of secrets. Secrets they’d better unravel quickly before someone else dies.
Set in an alternate, supernatural version of Victorian Britain, The Ghostly Tower is the first riveting story in the Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives series.
Elspeth Heyward has never met a puzzle she didn't want to solve, or an adventure she didn’t relish. Taking Sherlock Homes as her benchmark, she is determined to be the best detective and monster hunter in London.
Lars Andersen’s ambitions aren't nearly as demanding. He just wants to stay alive, out of trouble, and out of jail. But when your partner likes guns and dynamite, that could be a challenge. Can he survive his new employment?
The Case: Discover if a stone tower on their client's estate is haunted. It should be straightforward, but ghosts aren’t all they find. When they dig up a body, they also unearth a murder and a tangle of secrets. Secrets they’d better unravel quickly before someone else dies.
Set in an alternate, supernatural version of Victorian Britain, The Ghostly Tower is the first riveting story in the Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives series.
- GenresMystery
ebook
Published May 1, 2022
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
A.F. Stewart
60 books403 followersI'm from Nova Scotia, Canada, and I write speculative fiction (fantasy, sci-fi, horror), as well as poetry. I have been plying the trade for several years, periodically interrupted by those pesky events from life.
I have published independently and authored such books as the Saga of the Outer Islands series, the Killers and Demons series, Fairy Tale Fusion, and Ruined City. I've also had stories published in various anthologies, including Hell's Empire, A Twist of Fate, the Christmas Lites series and Mechanized Masterpieces from Xchyler Publishing.
I have published independently and authored such books as the Saga of the Outer Islands series, the Killers and Demons series, Fairy Tale Fusion, and Ruined City. I've also had stories published in various anthologies, including Hell's Empire, A Twist of Fate, the Christmas Lites series and Mechanized Masterpieces from Xchyler Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 7, 2023
Entertaining from beginning to end! A steampunk driven, supernatural laden Holmes-esque mystery with simply wonderful characters. Elspeth was perfect as the headstrong, independent, rash amateur sleuth and I rather liked how Lars was a reluctant foil for her adventures. Short, but action packed I am hoping there are many more to come in the series. Thoroughly enjoyed! I received a complimentary copy and was happy to review.
April 29, 2023
Was a different kind of read for me, but I did enjoy it. Ghost and some suspense! Was a bit short but would read the next one and do recommend!
December 25, 2024
The Ghostly Tower: A Heyward and Andersen Mystery (Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives, #1), my first read from author A.F. Stewart is a 43-page-turning, delightful, amateur sleuth mystery, combining Sherlock Holmes and steampunk Victorian Britain that draws you in deeper and deeper with every word read! Serves as an introduction to the Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives series. I look forward to the next book in the series, Shadow in Scarlet: A Heyward and Andersen Mystery, Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives #2. "I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
August 22, 2022
Lars Andersen finds himself in a predicament. Escaping from an unwanted marriage and taking funds from his father placed him there. Now he must pay the price. He's blackmailed into being the partner of Elspeth Heyward, a private detective. Soon he finds he'll be fighting monsters and ghosts. Solving the case of the haunted tower also leads to solving a murder. Just what has he gotten himself into? Delve right in to this short story, you'll want more.
April 29, 2023
Lars's and Espeth's characters are completely different as Lars is fidgety and Espeth dives headfirst into his case. This is a very quick and casual read.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
May 25, 2022
Fun
This book was not what I expected but was still a light quick fun read. Looking for next book in this a series.
This book was not what I expected but was still a light quick fun read. Looking for next book in this a series.
June 25, 2022
This is fine if you're looking for a quick read and willing to accept some of the rather abrupt conclusions the heroine takes. It really could have benefited from being longer.
April 5, 2023
A young lady who fancies herself a female ghost detective inestogates a ghostly tower and discovers a real ghost
January 29, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed! Very cozy, quick read, and highly recommend. The character dynamics are fun, and this is a great intro to steampunk as my first time experience!
December 27, 2023
При много инди автори е доста често срещано явление да се отделя огромно внимание на планирането на цели поредици, герои и сюжети, но по отношение на тяхното писане нещата не винаги да се случват, както е било пожелано. Имам спомен за една авторка, която амбициозно беше направила тригодишен план, с нова книга на всеки две седмици, цели поредици, сборници с разкази и самостоятелни книги, всяка с готов сюжет, корица и план на развитие на действието, но всичко пропадна за няколко месеца в началото на ковид, когато писателката просто… изперка, смени си името, беше убедена, че я преследват руснаците, и въобще си разви цял Джеймс Бонд в главата. Не, няма добър край тази история.
Творенията на мис Стюарт обаче са по-скоро началото на поредица от елегантни новели от под стотина странички всяка, някои планирани, други вече разказани, дори вървящи си с корици, обединени от оригинална двойка детективи в зловещ свят на стиймпънк технологии и чудовища. Тя е Елспет Хеуърд – неуморен фен на Шерлок Холмс, богаташка дъщеря с много добре функциониращи сиви клетчици и колекция от изменени оръжия, само дето изглежда като невръстно хлапе от рандъм манга сериал и никой не я взема насериозно. Той е Ларс Андерсон, и е вечно гладен, боли го всичко от мързел и се съгласява да е партньор, бодигард и някой, към когото да гледат хората, на които им е неудобно да се взират към дребното кълбо мозъчна енергия до него, само защото се крие от бившата си годеница.
На такива дуота им казват двойки, създадени в рая, но въпреки, че няма абсолютно никаква романтична искричка между тях, те са добър екип – комедиен, шантав и все им се падат я призраци, я вампири, или някаква друга нечовешка гад, творяща съвсем човешки престъпления. Двамата прибират всички отхвърлени от великият Холмс клиенти, особено онези, които имат подчертано откачена аура и мърморят за зловредна намеса от нежив тип в животите им. Но какво пък знае кокаиновият гений с лулата – в повечето случаи клиентите са доста прави. С огромна доза късмет и уместно използване на здравия разум може да се разреши и най-странния и нелогичен случай, а Хеуърд и Андерсон имат нужното поне да оцеляват в повече от нездравословна среда. С нетърпение чакам останалите новели на Стюърт да видят бял свят, това са герои и сюжети с огромен потенциал, заслужаващи много, много читателско внимание.
Творенията на мис Стюарт обаче са по-скоро началото на поредица от елегантни новели от под стотина странички всяка, някои планирани, други вече разказани, дори вървящи си с корици, обединени от оригинална двойка детективи в зловещ свят на стиймпънк технологии и чудовища. Тя е Елспет Хеуърд – неуморен фен на Шерлок Холмс, богаташка дъщеря с много добре функциониращи сиви клетчици и колекция от изменени оръжия, само дето изглежда като невръстно хлапе от рандъм манга сериал и никой не я взема насериозно. Той е Ларс Андерсон, и е вечно гладен, боли го всичко от мързел и се съгласява да е партньор, бодигард и някой, към когото да гледат хората, на които им е неудобно да се взират към дребното кълбо мозъчна енергия до него, само защото се крие от бившата си годеница.
На такива дуота им казват двойки, създадени в рая, но въпреки, че няма абсолютно никаква романтична искричка между тях, те са добър екип – комедиен, шантав и все им се падат я призраци, я вампири, или някаква друга нечовешка гад, творяща съвсем човешки престъпления. Двамата прибират всички отхвърлени от великият Холмс клиенти, особено онези, които имат подчертано откачена аура и мърморят за зловредна намеса от нежив тип в животите им. Но какво пък знае кокаиновият гений с лулата – в повечето случаи клиентите са доста прави. С огромна доза късмет и уместно използване на здравия разум може да се разреши и най-странния и нелогичен случай, а Хеуърд и Андерсон имат нужното поне да оцеляват в повече от нездравословна среда. С нетърпение чакам останалите новели на Стюърт да видят бял свят, това са герои и сюжети с огромен потенциал, заслужаващи много, много читателско внимание.
June 15, 2023
What a wonderful start to a new series so well written .The array of characters are a spirited leading young woman partnered with a reserved young man they're like oil and water but I think they make a good team when A.F. Stewart puts them up against Gohstly apparitions and liers for clients. You find yourself shaking your head and laughter spilling out and wanting to read more of this series. Acquire " The Gohstly Tower " so you yourself can enjoy getting to know this new series as much as I have .Kat
August 31, 2023
This book is an absolute delight to read. My only regret is that it wasn't much, much longer. I truly enjoyed my time in this book. It is a clever way to go about being a sleuth, a detective. The characters were created well and the way they were written, I knew who they were almost immediately because they were described so well and succinctly. This is really an enjoyable book and I can't wait to read the next one. This author is truly talented. Thanks for letting me be a part of this world, I truly enjoyed it!
March 15, 2025
hello, I had lots of fun reading this short story. I missed some deepness in the characters. The plot rush them together without much time to met each other.
But the witty dialogs and the unexpected plot turns made up for me. Lookin for the second in the series to see how it evolves
But the witty dialogs and the unexpected plot turns made up for me. Lookin for the second in the series to see how it evolves
April 18, 2023
This was an interesting book. It was just kind of choppy for me. I loved the premise of the mystery but it was like a snippet of an event here and a snippet there and then all the snippets were placed together without any structure in between. It was still a good story, it just needs a bit of polish to make it fantastic. I loved the main characters. I can see a lot of potential in them as they work together if there are subsequent books.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews