Title:Automatic Woman
Author:Nathan L. Yocum
Publisher:Curiosity Quills Press
Category: Action & Adventure
I ordered Automatic Woman from Netgally because I thought it was steampunk, and I like steampunk, but I didn’t like this very much, possibly because it wasn’t really steampunk, just an action story with a murderous automaton. It also had a little too much gore for my taste. After setting the events in motion, the automaton pretty much disappeared from the story, and we were left with a man playing a pawn in a deadly game between Charles Darwin and his nemesis.
The story is unusual, one where we’re not quite sure who Jolly should be siding with. It’s well-structured and well-paced with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I had to keep reading to find out how Jolly was going to get himself out of his double bind. Mary’s presence was a welcome addition. Without her and the touch of love and humanity that she brought, it would have been a barren story indeed. As it was, their relationship provided a way for Jolly to develop as a character.
My favourite scene is the debate between Darwin and an American Christian determined to prove his theories wrong. The frustration Darwin felt at having logic and reason denied by ignorance masquerading as faith came across very clearly and allowed us to understand the motivation behind Darwin’s actions.
If you enjoy murder mysteries and don’t mind a nit of gore, you’ll might enjoy this one. It’s got the fighting, the thugs (Jolly is one himself) and the bosses who pull their strings, making them dance to their own personal tune. 3 stars.
Description
The London of 1888, the London of steam engines, Victorian intrigue, and horseless carriages is not a safe place nor simple place…but it’s his place. Jolly is a thief catcher, a door-crashing thug for the prestigious Bow Street Firm, assigned to track down a life sized automatic ballerina. But when theft turns to murder and murder turns to conspiracy, can Jolly keep his head above water? Can a thief catcher catch a killer?
