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The Northminster Mysteries #7
The Fatal Engine
As a harsh winter settles on Northminster, a reclusive inventor is found lying dead in his workshop in circumstances which suggest foul play, and Felix Carswell and Major Giles Vernon have a new investigation on their hands. They uncover a cut-throat world of technological rivalry, while the threat of industrial unrest hangs over the city, fuelled by bitter memories of a miscarriage of justice. Twenty years ago, followers of the radical agitator Crimson Mary were wrongfully hanged for machine breaking, and now it seems that the mysterious Mary may soon return to take her revenge.
Celebrated author Oliver Truro has arrived in Northminster to research his new book, and he is soon beguiled into organising Twelfth Night theatricals for the beautiful young Mrs Carswell at Hawksby. But Truro has secrets and enemies, and his presence has unwelcome consequences for all around him, not least for Felix, who is forced into a terrible dilemma when matters come to a tragic head. Meanwhile, unexpected guests force themselves on Giles and Emma, in the form of her half-sister and her children, an event which brings not only tension between them but profound changes in their marriage.
In time, a dangerous enemy is revealed, and Carswell and Vernon face a race against time to avert a blood-stained Christmas.
Celebrated author Oliver Truro has arrived in Northminster to research his new book, and he is soon beguiled into organising Twelfth Night theatricals for the beautiful young Mrs Carswell at Hawksby. But Truro has secrets and enemies, and his presence has unwelcome consequences for all around him, not least for Felix, who is forced into a terrible dilemma when matters come to a tragic head. Meanwhile, unexpected guests force themselves on Giles and Emma, in the form of her half-sister and her children, an event which brings not only tension between them but profound changes in their marriage.
In time, a dangerous enemy is revealed, and Carswell and Vernon face a race against time to avert a blood-stained Christmas.
469 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2021
324 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 27, 2019
I found this story confusing. There was an initial murder, the story of which petered out about halfway through and then another, unconnected murder that was abruptly solved with little work on anyone's part but a lot of barely related emotional angst. And Felix's wife has to be one of the most unlikeable characters I have come across in a while - not evil, just narcissistic and unpleasant. Maybe it is intentional but it spoils things for me.
September 15, 2025
1841 Once again murder comes to Northminster with the death of inventor Benjamin Roper. But he will only be the first to die.
An enjoyable mystery but Eleanor Caswell is definitely unlikeable and Caswell for a man of his age a bit more maturity
An enjoyable mystery but Eleanor Caswell is definitely unlikeable and Caswell for a man of his age a bit more maturity
May 16, 2020
This is the penultimate book in the series The mysteries are pretty good but why does the author insist on having the characters obsess over sex? The two main ones, every time they meet a new woman, immediately begin thinking about what it would be like to have sex with them. Carswell the doctor is particularly bad. It is really offensive. Do men really do nothing but size up women for sex? I could quite cheerfully do without Carswell and his blithering idiot of a wife. He acts like a horny 14 year old and she acts like a spoiled immature 8 year old. Why does the author spoil her books with this type of characterizations?
January 31, 2022
Love this series in general - particularly the historic and cultural events and changes influencing each book. Really dislike Carswell's wife though - can't give the book a 5 with this character getting such free rein to behave badly with her power.
March 16, 2020
While I really do enjoy this series, 'The Fatal Engine' seemed overly long and somewhat contrived. The story should have resolved sooner. There is a dark underbelly to these stories which seems somewhat gothic, although the cast of characters is charming and the period details and believable. And really, for such clever characters, these people seem to do the most outrageously stupid things. The writing could be tighter and rather than more twists and turns, suspense WOULD be increased in that way. Characters do walk and ride everywhere, from time to time zipping along on the new railways, but perhaps the pacing of the book derives from the plodding of the characters.
April 18, 2019
Another great book
It is my hope that Me Smart will be continuing this series . I have become interested in the fa.joy a
This unfortunately is the last of this series. I can only hope Ms. Smart will be continuing on with this interesting period of British life. I find the main principles well developed and hope this adventure will continue.
It is my hope that Me Smart will be continuing this series . I have become interested in the fa.joy a
This unfortunately is the last of this series. I can only hope Ms. Smart will be continuing on with this interesting period of British life. I find the main principles well developed and hope this adventure will continue.
November 5, 2019
Excellent
Harriet Smith provides a true portrayal of her character's faults and merits making her books very realistic. I cannot eat until the next Northminster series is available!
Harriet Smith provides a true portrayal of her character's faults and merits making her books very realistic. I cannot eat until the next Northminster series is available!
July 30, 2020
I have been eagerly reading through each of The Northminster Mysteries series. Thoroughly enjoying each one of them. These books/stories have also acted as a bit of a travel guide to the UK. Easy summer reading, with good character developments. Happy reading to other GoodRead members.
January 9, 2021
Great addition to this series. The original characters all present and enough new people added to give the plot some depth and originality. I am enjoying this series immensely. Can't wait for more.
April 11, 2019
Another surprise ending
Excellent characters and a well written story make a successful book. The author always leads the reader to a wrong conclusion which adds to the enjoyment.
Excellent characters and a well written story make a successful book. The author always leads the reader to a wrong conclusion which adds to the enjoyment.
July 1, 2019
Great
I so hope there will be additional books to complete the lives of the characters in the boos. Thoroughly enjoyed reading them all.
I so hope there will be additional books to complete the lives of the characters in the boos. Thoroughly enjoyed reading them all.
August 3, 2019
Yikes and Felix
I have enjoyed each book in the Northminister Mysteries ! Great read each one, I hate to see these men to be the last! Ms. Smart writes very well!...
I have enjoyed each book in the Northminister Mysteries ! Great read each one, I hate to see these men to be the last! Ms. Smart writes very well!...
November 13, 2019
Not sure why I kept reading this series as I haven't liked the last couple. The plots are unnecessarily complicated and the characters unlikeable. Just couldn't finish this one.
June 25, 2020
A very complicated plot
I loved the flow of this book, the characters have real life passion and problems and The ending totally surprised me.
I loved the flow of this book, the characters have real life passion and problems and The ending totally surprised me.
November 27, 2020
Another excellent book
These books are wonderful. They are historically correct and the characters are interesting and many of them are repeatedly used.
Excellent series!
These books are wonderful. They are historically correct and the characters are interesting and many of them are repeatedly used.
Excellent series!
November 22, 2021
This was an interesting mystery that was engaging and kept me reading until the end.
September 15, 2022
Fantastic read
These characters are so exquisitely drawn, and the plots are so engaging. Well worth giving them a try; you won't regret it!
These characters are so exquisitely drawn, and the plots are so engaging. Well worth giving them a try; you won't regret it!
April 29, 2023
My least favorite in the series so far.
May 5, 2025
More characters, Immaturity, industrialization, frustrations and family matters.
August 2, 2025
Too many complications
A difficult read with numerous subplots stitched together because medical and police services were required. The earliest focus on the design of a sewing machine was soon lost in all the familial manifestations of the protagonist’s households.
A difficult read with numerous subplots stitched together because medical and police services were required. The earliest focus on the design of a sewing machine was soon lost in all the familial manifestations of the protagonist’s households.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews