The Immorality Engine: A Newbury & Hobbes Investigation (Newbury & Hobbes, 3)
The Immorality Engine: A Newbury & Hobbes Investigation (Newbury & Hobbes, 3) book cover

The Immorality Engine: A Newbury & Hobbes Investigation (Newbury & Hobbes, 3)

Paperback – July 3, 2012

Price
$25.99
Format
Paperback
Pages
352
Publisher
Tor Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0765327772
Dimensions
5.5 x 0.79 x 8.5 inches
Weight
10.7 ounces

Description

“Mann turns out a riveting page-turner that mixes the society of manners in turn-of-the-century London with a gritty and brutal murder mystery. And in the midst of all this, automatons clank about, zombies lurk in the night and dirigibles float majestically in the sky―until they crash and burn…. Will leave readers clamoring for the next book.” ― AM New York on 'The Affinity Bridge' “A science fantasy novel that should appeal to lovers of both genres. One of the biggest surprises of the year, and I can't recommend the book enough.” ― Fantasy Book Critic on The Affinity Bridge “Steampunk is making a comeback, and with this novel Mann is leading the charge…. An engaging melodrama that rattles along at a breakneck pace.” ― The Guardian on The Affinity Bridge GEORGE MANN is the author of the Newbury & Hobbes Investigations, beginning with The Affinity Bridge , and other works of fiction including Ghosts of Manhattan and official Doctor Who tie-in material. He edited the Solaris Book of New Science Fiction anthology series and The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Science Fiction .

Features & Highlights

  • On the surface, life is going well for Victorian special agent Sir Maurice Newbury, who has brilliantly solved several nigh-impossible cases for Queen Victoria with his indomitable assistant, Miss Veronica Hobbes, by his side. But these facts haven't stopped Newbury from succumbing increasingly frequently to his dire flirtation with the lure of opium. His addiction is fueled in part by his ill-gotten knowledge of Veronica's secret relationship with the queen, which Newbury fears must be some kind of betrayal. Veronica, consumed by worry and care for her prophetic but physically fragile sister, Amelia, has no idea that she is a catalyst for Newbury's steadily worsening condition. Veronica and Newbury's dear friend Bainbridge, the chief investigator at Scotland Yard, tries to cover for him as much as possible, but when the body of a well-known criminal turns up, Bainbridge and Veronica track Newbury down in an opium den and drag him out to help them with the case. The body clearly, irrefutably, belongs to the man in question, but shortly after his body is brought to the morgue, a crime is discovered that bears all the dead man's hallmarks. Bainbridge and Veronica fear someone is committing copycat crimes, but Newbury is not sure. Somehow, the details are too perfect for it to be the work of a copycat. But how can a dead man commit a crime?
  • Newbury & Hobbes Investigation
  • #1 The Affinity Bridge#2 The Osiris Ritual#3 The Immortality Engine#4 The Executioner's Heart#5 The Revenant Express

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(71)
★★★★
25%
(60)
★★★
15%
(36)
★★
7%
(17)
23%
(54)

Most Helpful Reviews

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An Inventive Tale of Alternative History

As one reviewer doth state, this volume is a galloping romp: for me, a roller coaster ride of thrills and chills, which suffices for many, of whom are encouraged to proceed to read. For others, we like to taste and digest, pause and then proceed, letting the ideas develop, and there are novel ideas sufficient in this novel to explore further without the unrelenting adrenaline rush. The author might be wise to dwell in detail, develop, then rise to the pinnacle and plummet, and then rise again, instead of attempting to maintain the racehorse speed throughout.
1 people found this helpful
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Pleasant adventure featuring likeable allies

Really enjoy this series featuring Newberry and Hobbs. It's just a frolicking adventure featuring Sir Maurice and his assistant, the lovely (of course) Miss Veronica Hobbs. These stories feature a touch of the supernatural in an alternative England that uses machinery and life-extending science to capture the imagination. He takes the old London and adds fantastical elements that make me think, if only. I particularly like the author's fight scenes because he goes into detail and these fights are not over and done with quickly. These people are fighting for their lives and you feel it and root for those heroes and mourn the not-so-lucky victims. Just a pleasant reading experience with a plausible plot line the opportunity to view Victorian England in a new way.
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Victorian spy thriller

Somewhat incredible Victorian spy series of the Queen running her own agents. Lots of technology from the era, as well as super agents and villains.
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Four Stars

Fun series of books
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Great Read and Intro into Steampunk

You don't know what steampunk is? Then go ahead and read this! Well, read the Affinity Bridge... but this series is a great bridge into the idea of Steampunk for normal, casual readers. it'll be GREAT!!
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Really wanted to like it, but . . .

I really wanted to like this book and kept at it even after losing interest halfway through. The plot is fine, the characters are fine, the writing is fine -- but it's all just fine. There is too much explanation and exposition and too little is left to the reader's imagination. Great for youngsters maybe, but not for dedicated fans of steampunk.