This is the second novel in the entertaining Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences steampunk series featuring former Field Agent turned Junior Archivist Eliza Braun and her partner, Archivist Wellington Books.

The suffragist movement is experiencing a bit of a shock as many prominent women in the movement are disappearing in a most unusual way, via a sizzling bolt of lightning.  The only thing these women seem to have in common is their affiliation with the suffragist movement.  But what's the reason behind these abductions?  And what's happening with the stolen women... where exactly are they disappearing to?  

On the request of her old friend and fellow New Zealand native, Kate Sheppard, also a very important figure in the movement, Eliza Braun is anxious to get the bottom of the abductions before people she cares for go missing too.  Agent Books is as eager as ever to be by Eliza's side... completely for her protection of course. ;)

But as things go from bad to worse, and more and more women go missing, Braun and Books have to wonder what they're up against, and hope they can get to the bottom of the mystery before that dazzling bolt of lightning strikes them next.

This was another fun adventure in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.  I really like the chemistry between Eliza and Wellington, and their escapades never cease to amuse me.  The steampunk world here is vivid and real and very well incorporated into the story.  The author seamlessly transports us back to Victorian London not only thru various gadgets and gizmos of the steampunk era, but also through the language, dress, and mannerisms of the characters.  A very well done book with interesting and engaging characters.  I look forward to reading more in this series.

This first novel in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series is a fun-filled steampunk adventure.  Eliza D. Braun is a field agent for the Ministry in a fantastical world filled with all manner of steam-powered gadgets and devices.  Due to her knack for disregarding authority and blowing things up in the field, she's given a transfer to the Ministry Archives, to work alongside the encyclopedic Archivist Wellington Books.  Both are disappointed in the reassignment, Braun because she loves the excitement of working in the field, and Books because he doesn't care for the disruption of his nice, orderly existence down in the bowels of the Ministry.  Yet despite their initial chagrin, the two complement each other quite well, and when Eliza decides to do a bit of investigating on the side into one of the Ministry's unresolved cases, Wellington decides this is just the kind of diversion he needs.

I really enjoyed my first foray into Book's and Braun's steampunk universe.  Eliza can be a bit uncouth and wild, a firecracker, but bookish Wellington is the perfect companion to bring her back down to earth.  And likewise, he starts to find her spark just what's been lacking in his life.  They have great chemistry together and I think their burgeoning relationship will make for a good series going forward.  As usual, the steampunk world with all it's gadgetry and gizmos is fascinating to me and, like the characters themselves, is well done.  I am looking forward to reading more books in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series.

I really rather enjoyed myself while reading this book - its hard to pinpoint why though? maybe the complex characters? not only did they keep secrets from themselves as well as each other but from the reader as well! which i must say is rather talented!

The world was fascinating, I love the whole Old World Steampunk setting - I always get a kick out of it!

The majority of the writing as good - there was at times when i needed to re-read a sentence to understand what the author meant, and sometimes even then i was still left at a bit of a loss (this happened more towards the beginning pf the book in the action scene's rather than at the end).

I loved how the POV took turns between Books and Braun, and i must say, their last names suit there personalities well, lol.

Trying to understand brooks from's Braun's POV was difficult and if we only had her insight i think he may of fell to the wayside, as it was, reading from his POV was spectacular and very informative about himself. and boy these two have some interesting secrets that i cant wait to learn more about!

Who would i recommend to? Any one who enjoys old World Steampunk setting of course.

Will i be reading the next book? Yes, i actually think i have it somewhere... hmm.....

I've owned this book for a while now and thought it was about time i read it. hopefully its good - loving the cover!!

The third book in the series, Dawn’s Early Light has been highly anticipated in my household and it did not disappoint! From the very opening, we are treated to action and adventure with our favorite duo, Books & Braun! Even in transit to the Americas they can’t seem to catch a break and have some peace and quiet. But if they did, they wouldn’t be our favorite agents… :D

Arriving in America they make quick work of finding their American counterparts and getting to know one another. But of course for these two, the simple act of meeting “Wild Bill” and Felicity is entertaining and promises more fun before the end of the book. More than national pride separates the agents, competition is high, and there’s still the emotional confusion welling up within our Ministry agents. It’s all good!

Another exciting facet of the novel, the ‘tech’ in this new ‘Ministry’ book doesn’t disappoint. Wellington’s tinkering and inventive mind certainly make me smile. His continued interest, even so far away from home, was a joy! Add to it a number of other scientists we all know and love… and some perhaps on the other end of the spectrum, and the game is on!

I really appreciate the way the parallel story lines are presented. It’s easy to follow along with all the characters in the adventures covered in this volume. Even with the additional characters that are part and parcel with changing the setting in a series of books, no one seems left out or plays the part of an ‘extra.’ All the characters live and breathe within this brave ‘new world’ of Book Three!

The pacing of the book is another plus for me… the action moves things forward, the relationships and interactions of the characters move the plot along. It’s a satisfying read that clips along and builds excitement not just for the happenings in Dawn’s Early Light, but continuing on in the series.

That is one of the delights of this series. I always worry when the first two books of a series are great… I’ve been let down a few times before with other authors and other genres. So, I was very happy to read this book and know that this is a series that just keeps getting better!