Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
snowbooks (2009), Edition: UK open market ed, Hardcover, 416 pages
Description
Lord Winthrop, a famous Egyptologist, has returned from the Middle East with an unusual mummy and intends to unveil it a party for the cream of London society; Veronica is on the trail of a presumed serial killer; and, Maurice gets an express order from the Queen to bring agent Caspian in. Hovering over all of this is the long shadow of Newbury's predecessor as Queen's expert agent on the occult, one Dr. Knox who seemingly loyal and dedicated to the Empire, had a gruesome agenda--to achieve immortality.
User reviews
LibraryThing member devenish
'The Osiris Ritual' is the second book in the Newbury & Hobbs series. They are set in an alternative Victorian London which is instantly recognizable but at the same time very different from the norm. Airships fly over the city,Land trains speed through the streets and robot-like creatures are
Sir Maurice Newbury is an agent for Queen Victoria and together with his assistant Miss Veronica Hobbs are quickly drawn into two intertwined cases. Newbury attends the unwrapping of an Egyptian Mummy by a famous explorer who's dead body is soon found in the mummy's coffin.
A rogue agent is suspected and Newbury proceeds to track him down. This provides us with many feats of daring-do,including a rather hard to believe chase across the roof-tops and into the underground.
Hobbs in the meantime attempts to solve a case involving the disappearance of several young girls. They have all visited a theatre at which a stage magician has used them as part of his act.
As with his earlier book 'The Affinity Bridge',the action comes fast and furious and one just has to keep reading.My only criticism is that the writer sometimes attempts to put too much into the plot and by doing so,he tends to over-gilds the lily. An excellent read nevertheless.
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commonplace.Sir Maurice Newbury is an agent for Queen Victoria and together with his assistant Miss Veronica Hobbs are quickly drawn into two intertwined cases. Newbury attends the unwrapping of an Egyptian Mummy by a famous explorer who's dead body is soon found in the mummy's coffin.
A rogue agent is suspected and Newbury proceeds to track him down. This provides us with many feats of daring-do,including a rather hard to believe chase across the roof-tops and into the underground.
Hobbs in the meantime attempts to solve a case involving the disappearance of several young girls. They have all visited a theatre at which a stage magician has used them as part of his act.
As with his earlier book 'The Affinity Bridge',the action comes fast and furious and one just has to keep reading.My only criticism is that the writer sometimes attempts to put too much into the plot and by doing so,he tends to over-gilds the lily. An excellent read nevertheless.
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LibraryThing member AHS-Wolfy
The 2nd instalment of the Victorian steampunk adventures featuring Sir Maurice Newbury and his assistant Miss Veronica Hobbes sees the pair investigating separate cases. Newbury has been tasked with meeting a foreign agent returning home after spending several years deep undercover in Russia and
This sequel builds well on both the world building and especially on character development with more than a little respect and affection blossoming between the two investigators. It will be interesting to see how their relationship can handle the revelations of how Hobbes came to be working with Newbury. The action is fairly slow to start but once it does it is fairly unrelenting with rooftop chases, swordfights and even a steampunk style car chase. It's a fun romp through an alternate Victorian London and I'll be more than happy to pick up the next in the series to see what happens next.
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when he fails to show has to track him down. Meanwhile, Hobbes is trying to discover why young women are disappearing after visiting a travelling magician's show. There’s also the case of Lord Henry Winthrop who was found murdered the day after his latest unveiling: The supposed mummified remains of a Theban king. Is there a curse attached to the mummy and if so what can be done to prevent further deaths?This sequel builds well on both the world building and especially on character development with more than a little respect and affection blossoming between the two investigators. It will be interesting to see how their relationship can handle the revelations of how Hobbes came to be working with Newbury. The action is fairly slow to start but once it does it is fairly unrelenting with rooftop chases, swordfights and even a steampunk style car chase. It's a fun romp through an alternate Victorian London and I'll be more than happy to pick up the next in the series to see what happens next.
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LibraryThing member vernefan
A Mummy, A Magician, and a Mechanical Monster
Following up after the first episode of this creative new series, the Affinity Bridge, George Mann returns us to the curious steam-punk London world with another action packed mystery, The Osiris Ritual. Excitement and wonder dazzle the Victorian elite
When theft and murder of the Egyptian expedition’s leader occur the following night, Sir Maurice and his beautiful assistant Veronica Hobbes are once again led on a merry chase to unravel the clues that will unwrap the mystery of the importance of the mummy’s existence, and other relics that were found with it. While Newbury delves into researching the meaning of the ancient symbols, Veronica heads off on her own working on another London crime puzzle, the disappearance of several young local women. Veronica puts a few leads together and arrives at the assumption that because these women have all been attending a traveling magic show, that the magician must be the culprit. Separately, the two investigators creep through the fog and miasma of the lowliest warrens of London’s shadiest neighborhoods, each of them avoiding danger at every turn with their own agendas and criminals to apprehend. Egyptian mummies, a magician gone mad, and a mechanical monster once an agent for the Crown, all concoct one hell of a fun and fanciful murder mystery cocktail. Lots of action, battles of wit and bloodshed, high speed chase scenes, an abundance of dead bodies, added with the continual question of whether there will be a romance between Hobbes and Newbury, make this installment a roller coaster ride of nothing but pure entertainment.
The author is slowly building the characters of Victoria and Maurice as we learn of their weaknesses and strengths, their fears and their secrets, and whether or not they will become the greatest fictional Victorian sleuths since Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. This series is very enjoyable, the characters are very human and endearing, and the action scenes riveting enough to keep the pages flying past your eyes rapidly enough for this to be a one sitting read. Fun is the only one word that comes to mind for describing The Osiris Ritual, and anticipation for book three, The Immorality Engine coming next September is high. Fans of authors Justin Richards and Will Thomas would surely enjoy these works by George Mann as well, as the author shows his incredible talent for evoking a vivid feel for the Victorian world both grand and grotesque.
Following up after the first episode of this creative new series, the Affinity Bridge, George Mann returns us to the curious steam-punk London world with another action packed mystery, The Osiris Ritual. Excitement and wonder dazzle the Victorian elite
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as we burst open the first pages of this novel and we the readers attend a grand unveiling of an unusual mummy just off the boat from Egypt. Mysterious color schemes decorate the sarcophagus, and unfamiliar symbols embellish the outer façade of the mummy causing curiosity in the mind of Sir Maurice Newbury, investigator for the Crown and curator at the British Museum. Newbury stands watching in awe as the mummy is unwrapped slowly and when the last linen bandage is peeled off, he gasps in horror as a terrified screaming skeleton stares up to reveal that it was buried alive.When theft and murder of the Egyptian expedition’s leader occur the following night, Sir Maurice and his beautiful assistant Veronica Hobbes are once again led on a merry chase to unravel the clues that will unwrap the mystery of the importance of the mummy’s existence, and other relics that were found with it. While Newbury delves into researching the meaning of the ancient symbols, Veronica heads off on her own working on another London crime puzzle, the disappearance of several young local women. Veronica puts a few leads together and arrives at the assumption that because these women have all been attending a traveling magic show, that the magician must be the culprit. Separately, the two investigators creep through the fog and miasma of the lowliest warrens of London’s shadiest neighborhoods, each of them avoiding danger at every turn with their own agendas and criminals to apprehend. Egyptian mummies, a magician gone mad, and a mechanical monster once an agent for the Crown, all concoct one hell of a fun and fanciful murder mystery cocktail. Lots of action, battles of wit and bloodshed, high speed chase scenes, an abundance of dead bodies, added with the continual question of whether there will be a romance between Hobbes and Newbury, make this installment a roller coaster ride of nothing but pure entertainment.
The author is slowly building the characters of Victoria and Maurice as we learn of their weaknesses and strengths, their fears and their secrets, and whether or not they will become the greatest fictional Victorian sleuths since Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. This series is very enjoyable, the characters are very human and endearing, and the action scenes riveting enough to keep the pages flying past your eyes rapidly enough for this to be a one sitting read. Fun is the only one word that comes to mind for describing The Osiris Ritual, and anticipation for book three, The Immorality Engine coming next September is high. Fans of authors Justin Richards and Will Thomas would surely enjoy these works by George Mann as well, as the author shows his incredible talent for evoking a vivid feel for the Victorian world both grand and grotesque.
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LibraryThing member ReneBlock
Pros: Interesting blend of steampunk and detective elements.
Cons: The latent romance between Veronica and Newbury feels a bit cliche.
Having successfully wrapped up the Affinity Bridge affair, Sir Maurice Newbury, agent of Queen Victoria, is hoping that life will quiet down a little bit.
It's always fascinating for me to see what happens when Egyptian themes are mixed in with alternate worlds such as fantasy or steampunk. In this case, Mr. Mann has done a wonderful job of combining the early days of Egyptology and Egyptomania with steampunk elements and a plot that feels a bit like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and some of Sax Rohmer's supernatural detectives.
The cast of characters is an interesting one; Newbury's assistant Veronica Hobbes is female, although he still has male friends that not only move within his social circles but that he also works with on a professional basis. It was actually rather irritating every once in a while to see him treat her a bit as an empty-headed female, but that attitude is consistent with the times. There are hints of the two of them having deeper feelings for each other, but that doesn't seem to really go anywhere and for me the boss/assistant idea is something I've seen quite a few times before without an interesting twist to freshen it up.
The suspects are fascinating to watch in action; there are elements of them that definitely aren't human and so I was left guessing until the end of the book. Mr. Mann does a great job of dropping clues that got me off track, but still curious to see if my guesses were correct. The villain felt like a caricature to me instead of a person, but it actually wasn't as much of a problem as it usually is for me because steampunk settings lend themselves so nicely to that sort of thing, so it doesn't feel nearly as out of place.
I have to admit that as I was reading this, I was rather disappointed that there weren't a few more steampunk elements in the book. For those looking for tales heavy on technological wizardry, this book may not be for you. The elements that were there served to accent the events and setting (and do a great job of it) but I wish that the elements could have been explored a bit more. Granted, this is the second book in a series and I haven't read the first one; some of that may be addressed there.
I can definitely see this book appealing to readers who would like a mystery with elements of fantasy and occult. I really enjoyed the way that Mr. Mann was able to work the legend of Osiris into a steampunk plot and turn an ostensibly magic ritual into one with elements of science in the acquiring of ritual components. It's a very satisfying mix of scientific and fantastic, and a fun read to boot!
Cons: The latent romance between Veronica and Newbury feels a bit cliche.
Having successfully wrapped up the Affinity Bridge affair, Sir Maurice Newbury, agent of Queen Victoria, is hoping that life will quiet down a little bit.
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Unfortunately, with women disappearing during magic shows and the reemergence of a villainous former agent coupled with a possible rogue agent, Newbury is nearly completely distracted from the murders that have occurred since the unwrapping of a highly unusual mummy. It's going to take a good deal of work to get things under control for Queen Victoria...It's always fascinating for me to see what happens when Egyptian themes are mixed in with alternate worlds such as fantasy or steampunk. In this case, Mr. Mann has done a wonderful job of combining the early days of Egyptology and Egyptomania with steampunk elements and a plot that feels a bit like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and some of Sax Rohmer's supernatural detectives.
The cast of characters is an interesting one; Newbury's assistant Veronica Hobbes is female, although he still has male friends that not only move within his social circles but that he also works with on a professional basis. It was actually rather irritating every once in a while to see him treat her a bit as an empty-headed female, but that attitude is consistent with the times. There are hints of the two of them having deeper feelings for each other, but that doesn't seem to really go anywhere and for me the boss/assistant idea is something I've seen quite a few times before without an interesting twist to freshen it up.
The suspects are fascinating to watch in action; there are elements of them that definitely aren't human and so I was left guessing until the end of the book. Mr. Mann does a great job of dropping clues that got me off track, but still curious to see if my guesses were correct. The villain felt like a caricature to me instead of a person, but it actually wasn't as much of a problem as it usually is for me because steampunk settings lend themselves so nicely to that sort of thing, so it doesn't feel nearly as out of place.
I have to admit that as I was reading this, I was rather disappointed that there weren't a few more steampunk elements in the book. For those looking for tales heavy on technological wizardry, this book may not be for you. The elements that were there served to accent the events and setting (and do a great job of it) but I wish that the elements could have been explored a bit more. Granted, this is the second book in a series and I haven't read the first one; some of that may be addressed there.
I can definitely see this book appealing to readers who would like a mystery with elements of fantasy and occult. I really enjoyed the way that Mr. Mann was able to work the legend of Osiris into a steampunk plot and turn an ostensibly magic ritual into one with elements of science in the acquiring of ritual components. It's a very satisfying mix of scientific and fantastic, and a fun read to boot!
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LibraryThing member butterflybaby
I would have given it 5 stars but the story was a little dragging in parts and toward the end the author started throwing in information from supposed past cases that were worked on. I didn't like that because this book was supposed to be the second book in the series. Now I feel like I'm missing
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something. Show Less
LibraryThing member graceschumann
Wow, the first book was just amazing and this book did not disappoint me. I love this series. Steampunk is the best thing ever thought up and the way Mann presents it in these books is just phenomenal. I liked how in this book Newbury delved into a more controversial manner. He was always emerging
I can't wait for the next book to see how Newbury will approach Hobbes about her being undercover for the queen and spying on him but it's sure to be entertaining. I'm excited to see the next adventure these two get themselves into.
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from the smoke lounge or coming up from a laudanum binge. It just showed a whole different side to his character that we didn't witness in the first book. And what else can I say about Miss Hobbes. She's awesome! I loved how at the end of the first book we find out she's working for the queen, and her story is revealed more in this book.I can't wait for the next book to see how Newbury will approach Hobbes about her being undercover for the queen and spying on him but it's sure to be entertaining. I'm excited to see the next adventure these two get themselves into.
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LibraryThing member kkisser
The next adventure in the Newbury and Hobbes series in which secrets of the crown investigators is unraveled through an investigation of murders and theft of Egyptian artifacts. A fast paced Victorian romp in a steampunk world where mad science has created unusual consequences. As always a fun,
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fast-paced adventure with wit and humor. Show Less
LibraryThing member adpaton
Steampunk, secret agents, Victorian London, Egyptology and mysterious mummies - very promising elements indeed especially set in an alternate history where robots are common and a sinister doctor keeps Queen Victoria alive by nefarious means.
Sir Maurice Newbury, curator of the British Museum but
Addiction is a terrible disease, not a romantic foible, and is a tedious, irritating and unnecessary part of a tale of action, adventure and derring-do which, by its very nature, features cardboard caracatures rather than caring characters. It is unlikely, even a century ago, that the authorities would have been unaware of addiction on the part of one of their most senior and trusted agents or that they would have counternanced it.
Mummies are always great fun and the Egyptology which was all the rage at that time, is interesting although wildly unrealistic: still, who doesn't thrill to a public unwrapping especially when the revealed corpse is in a rictus of agony, indictating it was mummified while still alive!
Then there are the girls who disappear after having attended conjuring shows, all given by the same magician, leading Hobbes to deduce he is somewho involved in their fates. Meanwhile, a rogue mechanical former secvret agent is working against them in the background, and people are dying left, right and centre. All fairly thrilling and fun..
Sir Maurice Newbury, curator of the British Museum but
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really a secret agent of the crown, is developing feelings for his assistant Miss Veronica Hobbes who is actaully a spy for the queen herself. Ho hum. Plus Sir M is an addict who cannot resist the laudanum. Addiction is a terrible disease, not a romantic foible, and is a tedious, irritating and unnecessary part of a tale of action, adventure and derring-do which, by its very nature, features cardboard caracatures rather than caring characters. It is unlikely, even a century ago, that the authorities would have been unaware of addiction on the part of one of their most senior and trusted agents or that they would have counternanced it.
Mummies are always great fun and the Egyptology which was all the rage at that time, is interesting although wildly unrealistic: still, who doesn't thrill to a public unwrapping especially when the revealed corpse is in a rictus of agony, indictating it was mummified while still alive!
Then there are the girls who disappear after having attended conjuring shows, all given by the same magician, leading Hobbes to deduce he is somewho involved in their fates. Meanwhile, a rogue mechanical former secvret agent is working against them in the background, and people are dying left, right and centre. All fairly thrilling and fun..
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LibraryThing member bposinger
It seemed slow moving at first, but then gripped me so hard that I couldn't find means to put it down. I only wish there had been slightly more detail within the relationships between the main characters, other than that, it was a great read.
I plan on reading the first Newberry and Hobbes mystery
I plan on reading the first Newberry and Hobbes mystery
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as well as continue with the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Razinha
It seems I like steampunk books that aren't burdened with the absurd made-up vernacular of clanking, clacking and a lot of other nonsense. Mann's Newbury & Hobbes series is interesting, engaging, and not bad to read. I do believe I'll have another.
LibraryThing member jerame2999
It's a good middle of the road read. The world is interesting and I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series to get it more fleshed out. I read the second book first by accident. It was my fault and I do not blame the author for that fact. I enjoyed the story and the characters
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regardless. Sir Maurice Newbury the lead character is a mixture of Indiana Jones and Sherlock Holmes complete with the opium addiction. I found myself being more drawn to his plucky female assistant. Sadly Mann does nothing with her other than use her as the standard damsel in distress. There is a sub plot of Hobbes (the assistant) being a secret agent to the Crown. At the end of this novel the main character is clued into this fact. I am hoping for more agency for the female characters in the future. I would like to see some depth moving forward. However considering the male characters there is little hope for that. I really did enjoy this book but there is very little subtlety to it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Al-G
A worthy followup to the first novel, The Affinity Bridge, sees the return of Newbury and Hobbes and yet more mysteries to be unraveled. Newbury is tasked by the queen with finding an operative that has apparently gone rogue. But he has very little to go on. Meanwhile Hobbes is investigating the
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dissappearance of several girls that seem to be connected by a magic show and its magician. As the two work each work their investigation alone it becomes quickly apparent that they need each other's help. I like these characters a lot and Mann has constructed an intricate plot to weave around them. These tales are somewhat grisley, at least thus far, but are very readable and move quickly with plenty of action. Mann''s characters are a bit of a reflection of Doyle's Holmes and Watson, if they were in a steampunk novel. Newbury is remiscent of Holmes and Hobbes makes a passable feamle Watson. The steampunk adds an extra dimension to the story. These are fun reads. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2009-09
Physical description
416 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
1906727449 / 9781906727444
Local notes
Death stalks London and the newspapers proclaim that a mummy's curse has been unleashed. Sir Maurice Newbury, Gentleman Investigator for the Crown, is drawn into a web of occult intrigue as he attempts to solve the murders. And he soon finds himself on the trail of a rogue agent - a man who died to be reborn as a living weapon.
Slipcased Limited Edition, #255 of 500, signed by the author, includes embossed invitation and poster.
Slipcased Limited Edition, #255 of 500, signed by the author, includes embossed invitation and poster.