The Curious Steambox Affair

by Melissa Macgregor

The year is 1827, and Alistair Purefoy, a young physician’s assistant, moves to Edinburgh to take a position with one Dr. Hyde. His colleagues call him a monster, while Hyde himself claims to have invented a Steambox that harnesses the human soul. Undaunted by these peculiarities, Alistair proves his mettle with the infamous Doctor, but he soon finds himself occupied outside the Operating Theatre as well…

When someone in his rooming house is murdered, Alistair is unnerved by the lack of interest from the police. He begins to investigate on his own, discovering a string of gruesome murders that appear to be connected, not only to each other, but also to him. Now Alistair can use all the help he can get, and with the aid of a secret society known as The Merry Gentlemen, he’s about to uncover a deadly experiment more monstrous than anything of Dr. Hyde’s imagining.

Genres: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Mystery

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 13, 2012

About the author

Melissa Macgregor was born in Dallas, and traveled the world as a Navy brat. Much of her childhood was spent in Scotland, where she fell in love with all things Edinburgh. Upon her return to Texas, she wrote a weekly article for her hometown's paper, serializing the happenings within her high school. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, Melissa majored in English and History, with a minor in Sociology.
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She attended law school long enough to realize that writing was her true passion. She has a deep love of History, a sick addiction to research, and an undying appreciation of sports. Her heart is divided between a small town near Dallas (and the 100-year old farmhouse inherited from her grandparents), and an even smaller village at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, both of which always welcome her home.

Reviews

[Jonelle Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only did this mystery keep me guessing until the very last page, every time I dipped into it I was instantly transported to nineteenth century Edinburgh, where a killer walks the streets and a band of mysterious gentlemen unite to do what the police can't. Seen through the eyes of a physician's assistant, the city itself is a character, teeming with little-known customs, an upstairs-downstairs society, and strange denizens that flit amongst the shadows.

The author is so good at weaving description into each twist of the plot, I could see and smell and taste the horror of the murders, the luxury of the ballroom, the lively roughness of the streets. If you long to escape to another world for a few immersing hours – especially if you love the Jules Verne-esque era of steam engines and zeppelins – I highly recommend this delicious piece of fiction. Hope there are more to come!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Love the stylistic choice to frame the narrative through letters.

[Davidh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the first person as a series of letters of courtship to the Daughter of the Doctor he previously apprenticed to Alistair Purefoy relates his life in Edinburgh. Now Apprenticed to Dr Hyde and gets drawn into a series of murders and ...

This one is hard to qualify as it is part Steampunk, Mystery and Romance and more. Enjoyable read. I wasn't sure at first where it was heading and I kept thinking Dr Jekyl instead of Dr Hyde.

[Scoyphenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to adjust to the narrative style - the entire tale told through letters - but once I did, I was glad I hung in there. The characters were well-drawn and largely entertaining. The steampunk aspect seemed to me to be steampunk lite, but it's not my normal genre so I'm not the best judge.

Overall, a fun and interesting story with hints of 19th century monsters; namely Hyde and the fascination with reanimation.

[jeri gragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating twist on old favorites

Loved the depiction of Dr. Hyde as an irascible, temperamental genius, hated by all his peers, while subtly he was shown to be sensitive and caring. Enjoyed the story being told through letters by Purefoy to his love. The descriptions of Edinburgh left me wanting to visit immediately. Incorporating the Frankenstein twist at the end made this tale even more fun. Thoroughly enjoyed this story.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read of 2012! It draws you into Alistair Purefoy's world, the coal-dust shrouded streets of 1827 Edinburgh, and makes you loathe to ever return. Deliciously creepy and altogether captivating. Highly recommend.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the letters of the doctor to his sweetheart and I love books written this way. No one writes letters anymore the way people regularly did in the earlier 20th century and before. This kept me interested throughout, despite not understanding the steambox.

[Mary Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut novel! I'm ready to read more right now. It was definitely one I couldn't stop reading.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing and was not too heavy.

[Cherie]

This book was recommended but I can't get into it. Sorry. I've finished three chapters. The narrative is written as a letter to the writer's love interest. He was her father's assistant but has taken a post in Edinburgh with a Dr. Hyde. He is a dull person so far. Intelligent, but uninteresting. I really want to finish it but his letters to his sweetheart are putting me to sleep.