The Gilded Scarab

Lancaster's Luck, Book 1

By: Anna Butler

Narrated by: Gary Furlong

Book one in the Lancaster's Luck M/M steampunk trilogy.

When Captain Rafe Lancaster is invalided out of the Britannic Imperium's Aero Corps after crashing his aerofighter during the Second Boer War, his eyesight is damaged permanently, and his career as a fighter pilot is over. Returning to London in late November 1899, he's lost the skies he loved, has no place in a society ruled by an elite oligarchy of powerful Houses, and is hard up, homeless, and in desperate need of a new direction in life. Everything changes when he buys a coffeehouse near the Britannic Imperium Museum in Bloomsbury, the haunt of Aegyptologists. For the first time in years, Rafe is free to be himself.

In a city powered by luminiferous aether and phlogiston, and where powerful men use House assassins to target their rivals, Rafe must navigate dangerous politics, deal with a jealous and possessive ex-lover, learn to make the best coffee in London, and fend off murder and kidnap attempts before he can find happiness with the man he loves.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019, 2020, 2022 Anna Butler (P)2022 Decent Fellows Press

Very enjoyable

Excellent character building. Interesting story elements woven together very well. I’ll be picking up the next in the series soon.

Great book and narration!

I’ve been waiting for this book to come out on audio and I’m so pleased that it finally has! Truly enjoyed the story and Gary Furlong is absolutely wonderful.

Great adventure and great romance

As someone who grew up on Wells, Burroughs, H. Rider Hagard, Verne, et al, this book took the Victorian adventure trope and tweaked it with a sprinkling of steampunk, and some well done moments of M/M sex and romance. This version of our British Empire was richly detailed and fascinating. This was never gratuitous, but advanced the story. Beautifully performed by one of my favorite narrators, Gary Furlong. He is so gifted with accents, and male or female voices. Enhanced an already superb volume 1, and volume 2 is coming out soon. This is a three book series I have read more than once, and with Furlong narrating, I will happily listen to it again.

lovely

My first by this author, and I loved it!

Even though this is a steam punk novel, it's light enough with the twist of terms and gadgets that if you're not a huge fan, like me, you'll be fine.

This story follows mainly one MC, Rafe, and his life from a career ending accident to him sorting out what comes next. Although, we do have a number of secondary characters that make up this very entertaining tale.

I really hope book 2 comes along very soon.

Gary does an extraordinary job with all these voiced and keeping the story entertaining.

wonderful story, great narrator

I'd read this book a while ago, but wanted to hear it. Gary Furlong is an exceptional voice artist, and brought Anna Butler's characters to life.