The Unpleasantness at Baskerville Hall (Reeves & Worcester Steampunk Mysteries Book 4) (33 page)

“Apparently so, sir. She views her previous life as somewhat monotonous and lacking in opportunity. Whereas now, she sees herself as a character actress with an exciting future.”

“But they turned her into a giant octopus, Reeves,” said Emmeline.

“A temporary position, miss. She’s been promised the role of a pterodactyl in
The Quarry That Time Forgot
.”

Tom appeared, staggering across the lawn carrying a heavy trunk. Reeves helped him hoist the last of our luggage onto the back of the carriage.

“This train doesn’t stop at Gretna Green, does it, Reeves?” asked Emmeline.

“No, miss.”

“Then onward to the next mystery.”

Acknowledgements

Thank you to my editors: Jennifer Stevenson and Sherwood Smith.

And, of course, Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

About Chris Dolley

Chris Dolley is a
New York Times
bestselling author. He now lives in rural France with his wife and a frightening number of animals. They grow their own food and solve their own crimes. The latter out of necessity when Chris’s identity was stolen along with their life savings. Abandoned by the police forces of four countries, who all insisted the crime originated in someone else’s jurisdiction, he had to solve the crime himself. Which he did, and got a book out of it — the international bestseller,
French Fried: one man’s move to France with too many animals and an identity thief
.

His SF novel
Resonance
was the first book to be plucked out of Baen’s electronic slushpile. And his first Reeves and Worcester Steampunk Mystery —
What Ho, Automaton!
— was a WSFA Small Press Award finalist in 2012.

Other Books By Chris Dolley

What Ho, Automaton! — $2.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

Finalist for the
2012 WSFA Small Press Award for short fiction
and the first of the Reeves and Worcester Steampunk Mysteries. This book contains two stories —
What Ho, Automaton!
and the short novel,
Something Rummy This Way Comes
.

Wodehouse Steampunk! Reggie Worcester and Reeves, his automaton valet, are consulting detectives in an alternative 1903 where an augmented Queen Victoria is still on the throne and automata are a common sight below stairs. Humour, Mystery, Aunts and Zeppelins!

“A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun! But where Dolley really excels is in capturing the atmosphere and humor of the Bertie and Jeeves stories. Any Wodehouse fan will want to grab a copy of this work, but even if you have never explored that world, What Ho, Automaton! is a fun and fascinating read. Highly recommended, take a spin in this steampunk hybrid and enjoy the ride!”
—
SFRevu

“Dolley got me to laugh out loud near the end. Which, frankly, is VERY hard to do. Dolley's tone is spot on Wodehouse and the steampunk elements tie into both plot and silliness admirably.”
—
Gail Carriger, author of
Soulless

“I enjoyed every page of this book. A steampunk novel that combines classic British Humor, tongue-in-cheek references to Sherlock Holmes and a cast of great characters. I don’t think I’ve actually laughed out loud this much while reading a book in a very long time.” —
ErisAerie

“I found myself snickering and snorting as I read, thinking the entire time 'this is pure awesome'” —
Tiffany A. Harkleroad

Reggiecide — $2.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

This novella is the second of the Reeves and Worcester Steampunk Mysteries.

Guy Fawkes is back and this time it’s a toss up who’s going to be blown up first — Parliament or Reginald Worcester, gentleman consulting detective.

But Guy might not be the only regicide to have been dug up and reanimated. He might be a mere pawn in a plan of diabolical twistiness.

Only a detective with a rare brain — and Reggie’s is amongst the rarest — could possibly solve this ‘five-cocktail problem.’ With the aid of Reeves, his automaton valet, Emmeline, his suffragette fiancée, and Farquharson, a reconstituted dog with Anglican issues, Reggie sets out to save both Queen Victoria and the Empire.

“I find that a good book is enjoyable by the end of the first chapter. This book was good by the end of the first SENTENCE —
‘It is a truth universally acknowledged that a chap in possession of a suffragette fiancee is in need of a pair of bolt cutters.’
As you can guess this story is a treasure trove of homages as well as just a jolly good romp. Treat yourself to this joyride.”
—
Media Junkie

“Funny, extremely well-written, short and sweet. All those words come to mind after reading this little masterpiece.”
—
zjordi

The Aunt Paradox — $2.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

This novella is the third of the Reeves and Worcester Steampunk Mysteries.

H.G. Wells has a problem. His Aunt Charlotte has borrowed his time machine and won't give it back. Now she's rewriting history!

Reggie Worcester, gentleman's consulting detective, and his automaton valet, Reeves, are hired to retrieve the time machine and put the timeline back together. But things get complicated. Dead bodies start piling up behind Reggie's sofa, as he finds himself embroiled in an ever-changing murder mystery. A murder mystery where facts can be rewritten, and the dead don't always stay dead.

“What ho!! This quick read was so good I read almost the entire thing aloud to everyone in the room! Witty, charming, urbane and clever, the more-than-slightly clueless Reginald Worcester and his automaton Reeves are the best thing to happen to steam punk.”
—
Chris Keen

An Unsafe Pair Of Hands — $3.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

Peter Shand is the ‘safe pair of hands’ — a high-flying police administrator seconded to a quiet rural CID team to gain the operational experience he needs for promotion. On his second day he’s thrust into a high-profile murder case. A woman’s body is discovered in an old stone circle — with another woman buried alive beneath her.

The pressure on Shand is enormous. The case is baffling. There appears to be no link between the two crimes. The media is clamouring for answers. And Shand’s convinced his wife is having an affair with someone called Gabriel.

Which just happens to be the name of the two chief suspects. Both are womanisers, and both mention a mystery woman — who sounds suspiciously like Shand’s wife — as their alibi. The pressure builds. Shand can’t sleep, a local journalist is out to discredit him, his wife is about to be dragged into the case and then, goaded at a press conference about lack of progress, he invents a lead. And keeps on lying — to the press, his boss, his team — telling himself that he’ll solve the case before anyone finds out.

And then another murder occurs. And had there been a third?

Shand begins to doubt his ability. He’s desperate, increasingly unpredictable, pursued by an amorous psychic, and somehow gaining a reputation for arresting livestock.

Which will break first? The case, or Shand?

“I gave up sleep so that I could read to the surprising and satisfying ending. I laughed out loud in public in response to the quirky plot twists. An Unsafe Pair of Hands by Chris Dolley is a masterful addition to the British mystery genre.”
—
Barth Siemens

“This mystery is so much fun. The humor is delightful and the plot is complex enough to keep you turning pages to the end. And the characters are marvelous, from the snobby London “incomers” the Marchants to The Moleman and even a cock-a-doodle-dooing chicken, all of whom are suspect at one time or other. This is by far one of the best summer reads of 2011.”
—
Jensview

Resonance — $3.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

Graham Smith is a 33 year old office messenger. To the outside world he’s an obsessive compulsive mute — weird but harmless. But to Graham Smith, it’s the world that’s weird. And far from harmless. He sees things other can’t…or won’t. He knows that roads can change course, people disappear, office blocks migrate across town — all at night when no one’s looking.

Only by following a rigid routine can he lessen these effects. If he walks the same route to work every morning and catches the same train, and keeps himself to himself, then there’s a good chance his house will still be where he left it when he returns home in the evening.

Annalise Mercado hears voices. Sometimes she thinks they’re spirit guides, sometimes she thinks she’s crazy. But then they start telling her about Graham Smith, the danger he’s in and how only she can save him. So begins the story of two people whose lives appear fragmented across alternate realities. And how, together, they hold the key to the future of a billion planets…

“Resonance is a tremendously accomplished book … and immediately raises Dolley into the ranks of writers to watch. It’s a head-over-heels romp through ever-changing realities, crammed with great set-pieces, excellent hooks and some nice one-liners.”
—
Keith Brooke, Infinity Plus

“This is one of the most original new science fiction books I have ever read. In fact, as an inspired new take on a familiar SF idea it’s original enough to stand comparison with “The Time Traveler’s Wife” or “Memoirs of an Invisible Man.” If it is as big a hit as it deserves, it may well be this book which becomes the standard by which SF stories about … are judged.”
—
Marshall Lord

“I have read a lot of science fiction and have gone through tons of plots, so when I find one that is unique I certainly take notice. Resonance is one of those books that have it all. Interesting plot with plenty of mysteries and twists, characters you care about, and solid writing that strings it all together.”
—
Jeffrey Miller

Shift — $3.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

A near future SF mystery thriller with a touch of out-of-body horror.

A serial killer with multiple personalities. An astronaut who returns from higher dimensional space a changed man. And two unlikely detectives who have to get inside the mind of a killer … literally.

“Shift is an exciting and shocking futuristic thriller. The characters are original, and the imagery pulls you in. Incorporating heart-pounding suspense and an inventive twist of science fiction, I enjoyed this story even more than Dolley’s Resonance.”
—
SciFiChick

Magical Crimes — $0.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

Magical Crimes is a fun CSI with magic and ‘a little something else’ novelette. The little something else being two foot long and lurking in the hero’s trousers. But don’t worry, the boinkwurst in this story is used purely for the purpose God intended — humour and crimefighting — not lustful titillation.

“Fun main characters and a couple of twists. But above all it made me laugh, smile, smirk and chuckle time and again...the sleight of hand with language, the odd but pleasing combination of wit and silliness, and of course the quirky law enforcement setting, rather reminded me of Jasper Fforde.”
—
Tiggrie

“I have read a lot of strange things, but this idea tops the kooky list.”
—
Cheryl M-M

“I found myself laughing real belly laughs at times and loved the ending too.”
—
Leicester Tiger

“This is a very enjoyable short story...At one point, I was laughing out loud. However, the story actually works well as a mystery story.”
—
AnneDon

French Fried — $2.99 from
Amazon US
or
Amazon UK

—
NEW YORK TIMES
BESTSELLER —

Animals behaving badly, other people’s misfortunes and the most bizarre true crime story ever. The international bestseller, French Fried, is the unfortunately true account of Chris Dolley’s first eight months in France and has been described as ‘A Year in Provence with Miss Marple and Gerald Durrell.’