The Transatlantic Conspiracy

By: G. D. Falksen

Narrated by: Erin Moon

The year is 1908. Seventeen-year-old Rosalind Wallace's blissful stay in England with her best friend, Cecily de Vere, has come to an abrupt end, which is fine with Rosalind. She was getting tired of being high-society Cecily's American "pet".

Her industrialist father is unveiling his fabulous new Transatlantic Express, the world's first underwater railway. As a publicity stunt, he has booked her on the maiden voyage - without asking. Rosalind is furious. But lucky for her, Cecily and her handsome older brother, Charles, volunteer to accompany her home.

Fun turns to worry when Charles disappears during boarding. Then, deep under the sea, Cecily and her housemaid, Doris, are found stabbed to death in their stateroom. Rosalind is now trapped on Father's train, fighting to clear herself of her friend's murder, to find the killer, and ultimately to uncover the sinister truth behind the railway's construction.

©2016 G. D. Falksen and Soho Press, Inc. (P)2016 Recorded Books

Had so much potential

This story had so much potential. The set up was wonderful but it fell short on plot development and world building. Both of these issues could have been addressed if the story was longer. The steampunk world and political relations could have been better explained since this time period is supposed to resemble that of before the Great War. More historical background and integration of the steampunk elements would have made the story more substantial.

I was disappointed with the hero of of the story as well. Obviously Rosalind is supposed to be a strong willed, feminist female out of place in this era but the book was too short to show off all of her supposed potential. Rosalind has the answers to the mystery/conspiracy handed to her when it would have been more appropriate for her to figure them out on her own or with aid from her allies. She is the intelligent spunky protagonist after all.

A strong start into a larger story.

Alternative history with good intrigue and characters that makes you want to read more. The setting is vividly detailed, and there is so much to take in. One thing that I truly enjoyed was the gradual evolution of the main character as her reality is constantly being altered, and how she reacts to these changes. Overall it was quite enjoyable and I look forward to seeing where the story takes us next.