When you’re talking Victorian steampunk, London, and Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper is never far from the imagination. Fog, twisting alleyways, and one of the most compelling cases in crime history are inevitably bound together.
The second book of The Baskerville Affair trilogy—A Study in Darkness—sees the heroine, Evelina Cooper, go under cover in the worst parts of London only to encounter the famous murderer. She’s alone, trapped, and fighting to save those she loves with nothing but her wits and the scraps of magic at her command. Of course, her uncle Holmes is on the case, too, but neither of them begin to suspect the real identity of the villain—or that the Whitechapel murderer is hardly the most dangerous creature haunting London’s poorest streets—until their future hangs on the edge of the killer’s blade.
When I was writing Darkness, I went to London to see the Ripper’s hunting grounds near the Tower of London. Many of the sites are gone, but not all of them. The tavern where the ill-fated women drank is still there, as is Mitre Square—the scene of Catherine Eddowes’s death—and many of the old brick structures that stood back in 1888. At night, with the cool, damp autumn air nipping at fingers and nose, it’s not hard to imagine the past is a whisper away. And it was just not the story of the Ripper lurking in those shadows, but the thousands of other men and women—the match girls, anarchists, sailors, dock workers, and suffragettes that walked those alleyways. It was a dramatic age, filled with more stories than any author could ever hope to write.
But steampunk is more than history—it’s fantasy, too. As A Study in Darkness takes the action to the streets, it also sails into the clouds with the Red Jack and a crew of airship pirates. I’ll just say that the Indomitable Niccolo has found a whole new level of roguery, and you’d better hang on to your spyglass. He has another chance to win Evelina’s heart, and this time he has a ship and crew to his name. It’s a good day to be a pirate . . . until he lands in the midst of a rebel plot. There are nefarious villains, wicked devices, a sorcerer wielding death magic, and an automaton ballet. At last the players in the Baskerville Affair begin to step into the gaslight, and not all of them are human.
A Study in Darkness is packed with tricks and even more treats for the reader. I couldn’t be more excited about the release date for this book – October 29, just two days before Halloween! Could it be any more fitting?
What makes you think of steampunk—or the Victorian age—and Halloween together? Dracula? Jekyll and Hyde?
Comment on this post and you’ll be entered into a draw for these book lover’s earrings! Owls adorn tiny bound books with real pages. These are hand-made paper with silver charms. This giveaway is international.
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The Baskerville Affair trilogy
- A Study in Silks (available now)
- A Study in Darkness (available October 29)
- A Study in Ashes (available December 31)
A Study in Silks
September 2013
Evelina Cooper, the niece of the great Sherlock Holmes, is poised to enjoy her first Season in London’s high society, but there’s a murderer to deal with—not to mention missing automatons, a sorcerer, and a talking mouse . . .
In a Victorian era ruled by a Council of ruthless steam barons, mechanical power is the real monarch, and sorcery the demon enemy of the Empire. Nevertheless, the most coveted weapon is magic that can run machines—something Evelina has secretly mastered. But rather than making her fortune, her special talents could mean death or an eternity as a guest of Her Majesty’s secret laboratories. What’s a polite young lady to do but mind her manners and pray she’s never found out?
But then there’s that murder. As Sherlock Holmes’s niece, Evelina should be able to find the answers, but she has a lot to learn. And the first decision she has to make is whether to trust the handsome, clever rake who makes her breath come faster, or the dashing trick rider who would dare anything for her if she would only just ask . . .
A Study in Darkness
October 2013
When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her Uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card.
Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe.
As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting ground of Jack the Ripper.
Emma Jane Holloway
Ever since childhood, Emma Jane Holloway refused to accept that history was nothing but facts prisoned behind the closed door of time. Why waste a perfectly good playground coloring within the timelines? Accordingly, her novels are filled with whimsical impossibilities and the occasional eye-blinking impertinence—but always in the service of grand adventure.
Struggling between the practical and the artistic—a family tradition, along with ghosts and a belief in the curative powers of shortbread—Emma Jane has a degree in literature and job in finance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest in a house crammed with books, musical instruments, and half-finished sewing projects. In the meantime, she’s published articles, essays, short stories, and enough novels to build a fort for her stuffed hedgehog.
- About the Author
- Posts in the Past
Ever since childhood, Emma Jane Holloway refused to accept that history was nothing but facts prisoned behind the closed door of time. Why waste a perfectly good playground coloring within the timelines? Accordingly, her novels are filled with whimsical impossibilities and the occasional eye-blinking impertinence—but always in the service of grand adventure.
Struggling between the practical and the artistic—a family tradition, along with ghosts and a belief in the curative powers of shortbread—Emma Jane has a degree in literature and job in finance. She lives in the Pacific Northwest in a house crammed with books, musical instruments, and half-finished sewing projects. In the meantime, she’s published articles, essays, short stories, and enough novels to build a fort for her stuffed hedgehog.
I was lucky enough to get ARCs of your books and loved then! Thank you for such a great and original series!
*___*books and owls? i WANT pretty pretty please!!!
i don’t really have something that made think about steampunk and halloween….perhaps”jack l’evantreur” but i really need to think to make the link
i do want to discover this series and teh release date for book2 is really fitting yes
thank you so, so much for this giveaway and for opening it to interntional!
happy halloween
*finger crossed*
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
The “darkness” of the time period is what makes me think of Steampunk and Halloween together. I just LOVE Steampunk and I cannot wait for this book release! These earring are marvelous and very fitting for this book and giveaway! Thank you so much for bringing this book and author to my attention so I can add it to my must-buy-list and thank you for the giveaway!
kbinmich@yahoo.com
For the Basketville Affairs series, I think of this era as Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and Dracula. Even though Sherlock Holmes and Dracula are fictional characters that have survived to modern time and still well-known, every criminalogists and law enforcements are still trying to solve the crime and find the identity of Jack the Ripper. There are so many speculations. Throw Halloween into the mix, there is a story to be told however fact or fictional it becomes.
kmccandle(at)yahoo(dot)com
Those are gorgeous earrings! I WANT!!! 🙂 and the book series sounds really good. I’d love a chance to read it! 🙂
goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
cute earrings!
Oh I love the Steam Punk genre! What makes me think of steam punk is all the steam and mechanical stuff: tools, machines, gears, chains, goggles, masks, metals, clocks, etc!! For Victorian it’s all the lace and and net stockings, the puffed dresses. And Halloween, well, put them together and you have a costume! Add some blood and do I hear vampires? LOL But anything kind of dark and mysterious is what I think of steam punk and Halloween.
The book sounds amazing! Will definitely look for it when it’s released!
I really want to read these books! Sherlock Holmes and Victorian London not only make for a great Steampunk atmosphere, but are also eerie enough for Halloween. Another pair of beautiful earrings – I won the last pair, thank you so much, they are exquisite and especially appreciated since I live in the UK and so many contests are only open to US entries. Thanks again and congratulations on what looks like a wonderful series, I hope it’s a roaring success!
What a totally original storyline! I adore steampunk and I’m putting the series on my “must read” list. Halloween is the perfect time to read a steampunk novel.
mcv111 at hotmail.com
I have not read your books
yet but they sound very interesting
Your stories sound interesting and I will be putting them on my TBR list. Love the earrings.
This series sounds great, I can’t wait to read it. The earrings are so cute!
Love the earrings. The series sounds intriguing, I’m going to have to give it a try. 🙂
I am slowly getting into the Steampunk genre and your book sounds wonderful.
I’m not sure I thought of it before, but you’re right, Jekyll and Hyde is very steampunk and definitely Halloween. I listened to the book last year for a Halloween challenge. I couldn’t believe I’d not read it before and thought it was time. I enjoyed listening to it, especially at night when I commuted for work.
The first book in the series is on the Wanton Wantin’ Book List (WWBL) and I think it’s getting bumped up. Looking forward to this one now. Thanks for the cranium’s up.
I think of the Victorian era when I think of Steampunk. Not quite sure why. Love the earrings. They are unique, but do not wear them in the shower.
debby236 at gmail dot com
Jekyll and Hyde remind me of Steampunk and Halloween. There’s the actual monster and the Victorian setting and the darkness that is that book.
Love the earrings, too.
Just dropping by to say thank you so much for visiting, everyone! And on a busy pre-Halloween weekend, too! I just thought of another great Victorian horror story: A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. That one always creeped me out!
Dracula makes me think of the Victorian age the most. I can see him strolling down cobbled streets with the fog curling around dimly lit light poles.
I love The mystery of Dracula in the Victorian setting as it seems like a great time for romance and seduction but also blood and fear in the Halloween sense… Your book sounds wonderful and I plan on down loading it. Thank you!
Read the first one advanced copy it was and would love to read the second one.
I love these earrings! Very interesting book series too!
I was fortunate to get an ARC of the first book which really surprised me. I’ll have to get the second one.
Love the earrings! Your books sound great. 🙂
The books looks interesting and the earrings are so cute! 🙂
I have never read Steampunk before, but this seems very interesting. It has two of my favorite subjects, Sherlock Homes and Jack the Ripper. I defiantly need to put this on my TBR list.
I can not believe that I spelt Holmes and definitely wrong!! Guess I need to get some sleep.
I want all those books! I love steampunk and Holmes, the Victorian era…
I’m looking forward to buying your books and reading them!
Cheers!
Tambra Nicole
I have been looking all over, even on the author’s website, for purchase links for her books at Amazon, and cannot find them! Can anyone help me? Thank you!
I love the Victorian era and Sherlock Holmes…adding the twist of the the Steampunk makes it so much more fun and intriqueing. Thanks for the giveaway – I have added to more tbr list!
This series sounds fascinating! I love the earrings, they are too adorable. Perfect for any booklover. 🙂
Both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Jekyll and his odd friend Hyde make me think of Steampunk. Holmes because of his early use of scientific methods in crime solving and Jeckyll and Hyde because they went beyond what was considered normal for the sciences at that time.
This sounds like a fabulous series. I have been resisting steampunk because I don’t quite get it: I have actually been trying to decide what to start with to get me into the picture. Your books sound perfect – not to mention the earrings, which are an absolute delight! Wait for me Evelina, I’m about to dive into your world…
I love the earrings! Too cute.
Every time I am thinking Steampunk, I am thinking the Victorian era too. I think that Steampunk is a lifestyle that emulates the Victorian industrial age.
Steampunk Costume is the best outfit for Halloween.
Thank you for the giveaway!
artgiote at gmail dot com
Steampunk is extremely exciting. The fashion style can be quite daring, yet sophisticated and intriguing. I can’t wait to read the books. The more the better.