The Engineer Wore Venetian Red

Mysterious Devices, Book 4 (Magnificent Devices, Book 20)

By: Shelley Adina

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

Book four of the Mysterious Devices series of clockwork cozies set in the Magnificent Devices world!

An earthquake strikes. A prince is missing—a victim of disaster or foul play?

Hot on the trail of their missing father, Daisy and Freddie Linden step off the airship Iris in San Francisco de Asis. At the moment they discover their best clue to Papa’s whereabouts, an earthquake levels the city—and a disaster is the best time for a political coup.

The forces of evil have two targets: May Lin, the river witch, and Carlos, the country’s handsome young ruler. She is sucked alive into a crevasse, having never told the prince she loves him. Carlos is abducted—with Freddie the only witness. The kingdom will descend into chaos unless someone can find them both—and Daisy and Freddie seem to be the only ones left standing.

©2020 Shelley Adina Bates (P)2022 Shelley Adina Bates

I was completely bowled over

I don't want to give anything away saying I was bowled over reading The Engineer Wore Venetian Red, but you'll understand what I mean when you read this novel. It's especially gratifying to read about San Francisco in the alternate reality of the 1890s.

I have spent the last 16 weeks enchanted by Shelley's steam punk series (a new genre for me) Magnificant Devices and also discovering and reveling in Mysterious Devices. The whole experience has been made even more delectable by the incomparable narration of Fiona Hardingham. I don't want to stop so I will move onto the next novel post haste.