This third book in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series was a fun addition to the series, although I must admit that like other reviewers, I didn't like this one quite as much as the first two.

In this adventure, Eliza and Wellington set off for America to provide support to their sister office, the Office of the Supernatural and Metaphysical (OSM), for a case they are currently working.  The Ministry's Doctor Sound assumes this will keep his two agents out of trouble for a little while since their last case got them both in a bit of hot water with the higher ups, but what starts out simply as mysteriously disappearing ships turns into something much, much bigger, and the agents are fighting for their lives.

Because Eliza and Welly spent a lot of time working with their American counterparts and not with each other, the spark that makes these characters so lovable was missing throughout a lot of this book.  Eliza and Wild Bill just didn't jive in the same way Eliza and Wellington do.  The same held true for Wellington and the American librarian Felicity.  Despite this, everything worked out quite well in the end for the pair, and Eliza and Wellington actually made significant progress in their burgeoning relationship.  

The series as a whole is wonderfully steampunk, with all manner of gadgets and gizmos an integral part of the story.  If you love steampunk and secret agents, I strongly recommend you check this series out.

(Including the third in the Crowther & Westerman series that I was hoping for)

The novels of Elswyth Thane - the very idea of re-reading one makes me insanely happy.  My mother first gave them to me when I was 11 or 12 - thanks, mom.

Things are still simmering in England after the Janus Affair. Sound has sent Agents Braun and Books as "Goodwill Advisers" to the Americas agency, the Office of the Supernatural and Metaphysical, while the heat of the last case cools a bit. Working with their counterparts of the Americas, they help with the case of ships of ocean and air are disappearing off the coast of the Outer Banks. Mysteriously, no debris is washing up on shore, that many are noticing. But there is one who has seen something. A bright light and debris that is gone the next morning. The Ministry Agents were requested for their experience with the aether gate commandeered from the House of Usher. The light ray takes the four agents to additional cities in the Americas, following Thomas Edison, working to stop the next deadly disaster. Things become suspicious for Dr. Sound as the Queen of England wants her son to visit the Americas, for a clankerton convention and he hears of the troubles stirring in the America's.

Amazing fun with Eliza and Wellington once again! Enlightening on several levels, and will blow you away. We get to see Wellington in action, and the beautiful Eliza as well.

Eliza is reinstated to active field agent. Wellington receives a promotion with her. Nothing is ever relaxing and calm for our duo. On the airship a thief is spied leaving Eliza's room and a race is under foot. There is always trouble in the line of duty that Eliza and Wellington serve.

A shoot 'm up bang, bang of American West blended with the elegance of Europe. Exciting! The American partners Eliza and Wellington meet are just like them, but maybe not as elegant as the British Agents. 'Wild Bill' Wheatley and Felicity Lovelace. I'm sure you can guess which is of Eliza's gun-shooting ways and which is the Librarian. And there is a bit of attraction to the, or from, their counterparts.

I love Eliza's spunk. Welly even gets a gun, or two, in hand. It seems trouble finds our boy Welly as well. Now that he's in the field, he seems to find the right spots to be with his reasoning deductions. We see Wellington in full action, even though he doesn't want to. Mostly, he's paired with his counterpart in the Americas. With doing so, Welly steps up his game and is more active with guns and actions. Having his counterpart present gives us someone to compare and reflect on Wellington's past ways (in previous two books).

We even get views from England. We learn Queen Victoria would like her eldest child, Bertie, occupied out of town for a time. He's taken to much of an interest in her health and away from his own enjoyments. She requests Dr. Sound to arrange for Albert to go to the Americas for a Clankerton Symposium. There is...bad blood between mom and son, Queen and heir to the throne.

Aaah, if you have read this series thus far, you know there are feelings to be sorted. Eliza tries to sort out her own and what relationship she has with Wellington, who seems to have forgotten the kiss he planted on her. There is no time with all the action, and interruptions, for Eliza and Wellington to talk. But, at one point Eliza is ready to explode and makes the time. Hahaha! Perfect timing.

Oh! Are you curious who the Maestro is? Well, you will learn who the person is behind the armor. We learn a bit of Wellington as well. He's picked up some habits from Ms. Eliza Braun, but he has his own secreted talents. I love his bloody car!! He has crafted it with great care and thought! All I will say...Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.

The story here is complete. But in the end leaves me anxious as to what's to come to pass in England. There is much to look forward too. Oh how things are moving there. An amazing adventure with our favorite duo that leads us to so much more to come. 

Another great installment in this series. Only question... will we ever see Welly's face on the cover? I love those teases... :D

In this book our duo is shipped to the Americas finally getting some field work which ends up helping their American counterparts in taking down a notorious evil mastermind... Thomas Edison. Okay, well, he isn't completely evil, it's just good business to destroy any and all competition.

There are also many other elements at play here. There is a side mystery with the Prince, Her Majesty, and the notorious House of Usher (which we have seen in the other episodes/series) and a couple of assassins. The blurb has it right, it is quite convoluted indeed. While all these parts, which could become confusing if it went on for much longer, do come together in the end... there are still loose threads. Including one that will go on in the next chapter for our duo. We know they won't get a moment to just find out what is going on between them relationship wise. Still you know that Eliza will press the issue and Welly will try to dodge it, but we do have some answers regarding their relationship in this book.

I don't want to give away too much, but I was satisfied with the story and I really want the next one in my hot little hands now. I'm curious as to where the last thread leads and what personal developments we will have with Eliza and Welly. I give this book 4 stars and if you are looking for a good series with lots of steampunk gadgets, nods to iconic tv and movies, evil and good historical figures and some great interaction between characters, mystery and thrilling spy work do get this book! In fact this series is great in terms of steampunk and spy work. Get it!