First of all I did not like this book, then I thought maybe to many distractions, so I started again.This is the kind of book like a hot drink you are offered, you hope it's a nice cup of tea only to find it's coffee and later someone takes it away and gives that nice cup of assam you truly wanted.The first half is a Sherlock Holmes derivative, but every now and then there is a moment that shines that moment when you stop reading and you start to see the story. And then "sigh" he gets nervous an...

This review was first published by the Historical Novel Society. I received a free copy of the book.This novel is the fourth in a series of fantasy/steampunk adventures featuring detectives Sir Maurice Newbury and Veronica Hobbes. For the purposes of this review it is considered on its individual merits, but it draws heavily on events and world-building from the previous novels in the series, and the final chapter sets up the action for the next installment.Overall I found this novel to be fast-...

I thought this was another fun adventure, although the ending certainly wasn't very fun. This is another book where I felt like I've missed something though, and looking back there are several short stories that take place between books 2-4 so maybe I need to read some of those to figure out everything that is going on. I also definitely figured out who the bad guy was before Newbury, although he came to the answer not long after I did. I'm still a little confused about the Secret Service but ma...

I've been a fan of George Mann's Newbury & Hobbes series for some years now. The stories are often fast-paced and exciting, with a lot more going on in the series' steampunk universe than intricate clockwork automata and chuffing great engines. The central duo of Sir Maurice Newbury and Veronica Hobbes are often engaging and great fun (even if their mutual lusty restraint doesn't exactly chime). The books are blessed with a well-drawn cast of supporting characters, from Newbury's chum on the for...

At the start of this book Newbury has been locked away in his home in a opiod stupor. I at first I was disappointed that we were going through this again, finding it to be to repetitive. But as I read on it made sense. Newbury is aware of the dangers but still he needs to keep doing this. The drug opens up his mind to things that he would not be able to comprehend otherwise. So he needs to walk this dangerous edge to safe the life of the sister of the woman he loves. I was disappointed to see th...

Newbury has been sinking further into the mire his friends had hoped to extricate him from. His days are made up of dark arts and drugs. Yet little do they know he is doing it for them. His and Amelia's visions of a darkness to come brought by the sinister Executioner need to be studied so that it can perhaps be avoided. Though with bodies turning up with their hearts ripped out, perhaps the darkness is nearer at hand then they had hoped. With motives being questioned and no one knowing who to t...

I am in love with this.I am obsessed with the settings. also the characters especially Victoria Hobbes, the independent partner for Newbury. I love the strong woman characters being feature.This books follow Maurice Newbury and Victoria Hobbes, an agent for Queen investigating the murder where the victim's heart missing. Further investigation, the Executioner name appears and lots of twist an turn happen leading a tragedy happen to Miss Hobbes. The style of writing giving me a vivid imagery and

Outstanding.... as the pace of the storyline increases, you will find it difficult to stop until the last word is read. Alas, a huge cliff hanger awaits you at that point. Possibly the best installment in the series.

Didn't realise this was coming out til I found it by chance, I'd enjoyed the first three and like the mix of steampunk, crime and the almost gothic aspect of Newbury and Hobbs.It's best to read them in order, and there's short stories on Mann's website for free to keep you going in between.Newbury and Hobbs begin to grow as partners, though they still seem to keep secrets from each other. Bainbridge also puts in an appearance,as they delve into the investigation into a series of murders. Each of...

George Mann’s “Newbury and Hobbes” series is unique in that, literarily, it gets better with every book! “The Executioner’s Heart” is a fun read as the Queen’s machinations continue. Newbury, Hobbes, and Bainbridge continue to grow in their relationships. We see multiple points of views in this text, including a few fun chapters from the villain. I must say she was written incredibly well. I felt her for plight and even thought to myself I would have loved to see a short story or novella followi...

To my mind, this is a perfect example of this type of novel. It's inventive, the characters are engaging, the writing is punchy, the plot is full of twists and turns, there's a healthy dose of the macabre and the supernatural, and the whole thing grabs you by the collar and doesn't let up from page one. Any issues you might've had with the series will be far-gone by the time you finish this book, I can assure you, readers - just give it the time and let the world be built before you. Then you ca...

Another fine entry in the Newbury and Hobbes series. The author has proven adept at combining the world building of Victorian era London with well-rounded (yet flawed) characters, an intriguing mystery plot, and a deadly villain. Adventure at every turn.I've not had good luck in my steampunk selections lately, except for this series, which has grown into a wonderful set. I always look forward to the next one. Especially this time around due to a massive cliffhanger at the end.

Newbury and Hobbes embark on a fourth investigation in this novel. They are called upon when a series of bodies start being found with the chest cavities ripped open and the hearts removed. What's more, they are all agents of the Queen. Who is behind the gruesome murders and does it have anything to do with the Kaiser, as the Prince believes?This book starts with the end if that makes sense. The first chapter sees Veronica exploring a building and being attacked and then we go back to the start

Though the main story ends, this book has the worst possible cliffhanger ever. So I suggest you wait for The Revenant Express before you start reading this book. You're welcome. I am so mad. I hate cliffhangers!Short summary: Newbury and Hobbes are helping Charles Bainbridge with a serial killer case. The victims are all left without heart. That's the main story. There is a threat of conspiracy among the agents of the Crown and nobody knows who or what the murderer is.And, as if that weren't...

Do you know those books you love so much you cannot help but give a 5* rating, even though they have their flaws? This is one of those books for me...We once again find ourselves in the company of Sir Newbury and Miss Hobbes, as well as their friend inspector Bainbridge in a steampunk, Victorian London. Mann has done a very good job in the previous books in the series to naturally build the relationship between these three characters, making it very enjoyable to read about their adventures and b...

I do like the Newbery & Hobbes tales: steampunk is a favourite genre of mine.This is the 4th in the series of Novels featuring Sir Maurice Newbery & his assistant, Miss Veronica Hobbes- (somewhat reluctant) agents of a Queen Victoria who's lifespan has been artificially extended by cybernetics. Newbery is a specialist in the occult & the arcane, who is called in to assist chief inspector Bainbridge in solving a series of particularly gruesome murders....The background of the titular Executioner

A good entry into the Hobbes and Newbury series.Excellent world building and really evoked the sense of Victorian England. It seems very similar to the London we know but then so different with the steampunk elements. It's very enthralling.The characters are really developing and it's certainly worts and all. They all have their flaws but it does make it more realistic in that aspect when so much of what is going on is fantastical. Veronica is really developing but it's Amelia I'd like to see mo...

Newbury & Hobbes are into another mystery in this popular Steampunk series from George Mann. This is the fourth book in the “A Newbury & Hobbes Investigation” series with the other three books being “The Affinity Bridge” , “The Osiris Ritual”, and “The Immorality Engine” ALL ARE RECOMMENDEDIn this book we run into Newbury & Hobbes’s being asked to investigate the murder of three apparently unrelated individuals. What is perplexing the police is that the murderer is opening up their victims chest...

Following hot on the heels of the events in 'The Immorality Engine', George Mann brings us the fourth installment in his highly entertaining Newbury & Hobbes series of novels.Thrusting us right back into a steampunk London of machines, monsters and madmen, we once again find ourselves in the company of Queen's Agents Sir Maurice Newbury, his assistant Miss Veronica Hobbes and Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard, Sir Charles Bainbridge as they investigate a series of brutal murders. The victims sava...

There is a perverse pleasure in reading these books. The sheer scale of nonsense is addictive.In this novel, at one point the antagonist exclaims to Newbury: "You are just too damned clever, Newbury! You were getting too close to the truth!"This line made me laugh out loud. Newbury was nowhere near the truth and had done absolutely bugger all in the way of investigation. In fact, much of the start of the book concerns itself with this opium addiction which he self-justifies as attempts to percei...