"When Lucy Pickett arrives at Blackwell Manor to tend to her ailing cousin, Kate, she finds more than she bargained for. A restless ghost roams the hallways, werewolves have been reported in the area, and vampires lurk across the Scottish border. Lord Miles himself is clearly hiding a secret. He is brash and inhospitable, and does not take kindly to visitors—even one as smart and attractive as Miss Pickett. He is unsettled by the mysterious deaths of his new wife, Clara, and his sister, Marie. Working together, Miles and Lucy attempt to restore peace to Blackwell Manor. But can Lucy solve the mystery of Miles? Can she love the man—beast and all?"
So we have a steampunk Victorian era with paranormal creatures roaming and making mischief. And this steampunk world is richly imagined, with deft touches like an airship company and telescribes and ray guns. Truly, they work together seamlessly with the time period to enhance this Beauty and the Beast retelling in an intensely vivid way. Everything is very well thought out.
Lucy and Miles are excellent leads. Their characters are strong and interesting and self-aware without resorting to vapid quirkiness. Their romance is slow and sweet, with the tension between them bringing the story along nicely. Add in a villain that I did NOT see coming, at least not from the beginning, and the mystery plays out well too. I really, really loved the ghost and how she helped Lucy do what she could not.
Beauty and the Clockwork Beast is well written, well paced, and has a strong finish. It is a fantastic story and bears re-reading. The paranormal elements enhance the mystery and make it most enjoyable.
Gentle Reader Alert: I found nothing of concern.
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