The Hanged Man

By: P. N. Elrod

Narrated by: Gabrielle Baker

On a freezing Christmas Eve in 1879, a forensic psychic reader is summoned from her Baker Street lodgings to the scene of a questionable death. Alexandrina Victoria Pendlebury (named after her godmother, the current queen of England) is adamant that the death in question is a magically compromised murder and not a suicide, as the police had assumed. After the shocking revelation contained by the body in question, Alex must put her personal loss aside to uncover the deeper issues at stake, before more bodies turn up.

Turning to some choice allies - the handsome, prescient Lieutenant Brooks; the brilliant, enigmatic Lord Desmond; and her rapscallion cousin, James - Alex will have to marshal all of her magical and mental acumen to save queen and country from a shadowy threat. Our singular heroine is caught up in this rousing gas-lamp adventure of cloaked assassins, meddlesome family, and dark magic.

©2015 Patricia Elrod (P)2021 Tantor

Engaging & enjoyable

Having never read from the "Steampunk" genre, I was pleasantly pleased. The author did a good job making the characters endearing and enjoyable. I like the bit of Victorian English history that the author played with while building the world that Miss Alex resided in as well as the liberties taken to alter it to fit her story. I also enjoyed Alex as she navigated thru the feelings of Mr Brookes' touches. Would read more of her story if there are any more books .

Potential wasted

I was really enjoying this book. I liked the alternative history, the psychic service, the main character, and fantasy of the book. But, the motive for the murder was petty and weak. And, worse, the bubble of escape pleasure reading was burst by the overarching political plot, so unnecessary and unimaginative in an alternative history.

very fun steampunk romp

this is a very fun urban fantasy set in a steampunk London. The world building is deft and crisp. The main characters are likeable, clear, and engaging. If this becomes a series, I will certainly be returning to this world. Hope you enjoy it too.

Fantastic

Alexandrina Victoria Pendlebury is a talented member of Her Majesty's Psychic Service, a travelled and independent young woman. Her relatives sneer at her because she’s “in trade” yet she is useful and very good at what she does. Even the mundane cops like her because she uses her brains and eyes as well as her gift.
Not knowing what a gaslamp adventure was I was thrilled to enjoy this thrilling tale of murder, mystery and magic. I plan to play in this playground for a while. For those like me who don’t know what a gaslamp adventure is this book is steampunk light, an alternative history and psychic sleuthing with a tiny bit of romance thrown in for flavor. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of mystery and intrigue. Though this book was almost 12 hours long I was unable to stop listening.

A great experience

This alternative Victorian bistory is everthing a Steampunk novel should be. Leave yourself open for a breathless adventure.