What do you think?
The Last Rhinemaiden
If you think the most sensational events of 1888 were the shocking and gruesome Jack The Ripper murders in the East End of London, you're wrong.
A woman leaps from Westminster Bridge at sunrise on the morning of the German Kaiser's death. The only witness is Alf Winchester, a naive young scholar, who is shocked and puzzled by her suicide. Why did she jump? Why did she leave behind a purse of gold coins?
Russian agent and Underworld go-between Sylvester de Winter intervenes, and soon Alf is drawn into the world of those who roam Victorian London seeking pleasure and vice in equal measure.
Meanwhile, Louis Beauregard, head of a shadow organisation at the heart of the British Establishment and Consort of the one they call The Lady, summons the gentlemen of the Cuckoo Club to an extraordinary meeting. They are sworn to protect the last Rhinemaiden, by whatever means necessary.
By nightfall they have swarmed across the parishes of London, armed to the teeth, hunting for the man who will become the Lady's future Consort, while a mob forms in the East End and rioters gather outside Parliament.
Will Alf learn the truth about the girl from the bridge?
Will Louis meet the death he seeks but does not want?
And will Sylvester de Winter destroy them both in a desperate attempt to change the future?
A woman leaps from Westminster Bridge at sunrise on the morning of the German Kaiser's death. The only witness is Alf Winchester, a naive young scholar, who is shocked and puzzled by her suicide. Why did she jump? Why did she leave behind a purse of gold coins?
Russian agent and Underworld go-between Sylvester de Winter intervenes, and soon Alf is drawn into the world of those who roam Victorian London seeking pleasure and vice in equal measure.
Meanwhile, Louis Beauregard, head of a shadow organisation at the heart of the British Establishment and Consort of the one they call The Lady, summons the gentlemen of the Cuckoo Club to an extraordinary meeting. They are sworn to protect the last Rhinemaiden, by whatever means necessary.
By nightfall they have swarmed across the parishes of London, armed to the teeth, hunting for the man who will become the Lady's future Consort, while a mob forms in the East End and rioters gather outside Parliament.
Will Alf learn the truth about the girl from the bridge?
Will Louis meet the death he seeks but does not want?
And will Sylvester de Winter destroy them both in a desperate attempt to change the future?
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Lee McAulay
28 books10 followersI live in the UK and write speculative fiction.
You can find out more on my blog: The Cuckoo Club Archives.
Follow me on Twitter where I'm @LeeMcAulay1.
...
I'm also responsible for the Petticoat Katie series of humorous steampunk novels by Vita Tugwell.
Currently working on a standalone novel, some poetry and a non-fiction project.
You can find out more on my blog: The Cuckoo Club Archives.
Follow me on Twitter where I'm @LeeMcAulay1.
...
I'm also responsible for the Petticoat Katie series of humorous steampunk novels by Vita Tugwell.
Currently working on a standalone novel, some poetry and a non-fiction project.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
June 4, 2014
We are quickly embroiled in the politics of Victorian London and the Cuckoo Club, where everyone seems involved in conspiracies. I did find the nature of the mythology tricky to follow at times. The powers that Louis Beauregard, the hero’s would-be mentor, seem to be more problems than gains.
It’s the characters and the description of Victorian London that are the strengths of this novel. The people are real and the words conjure up the scenery. It’s a shame that the description links it to Jack the Ripper, because it’s not that; it’s really quite different, a magical, mythical tale.
It’s the characters and the description of Victorian London that are the strengths of this novel. The people are real and the words conjure up the scenery. It’s a shame that the description links it to Jack the Ripper, because it’s not that; it’s really quite different, a magical, mythical tale.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review