What do you think?
Rate this book
The Adventures of Bodacious Creed #2
Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake
James "Bodacious" Creed stopped a killer and helped bring peace to Santa Cruz, a coastal California city on the edge of the American frontier. Now, the undead lawman, resurrected with steam-based technology, takes on dangerous criminal cases as a private investigator.
One night while riding by the wharf, Creed hears a gunshot. He and his coyote companion, Coconino, rush to the scene. In a forest clearing, he finds two dead men and a dying woman. Mechanical parts ring her neck and wrist, and as she whispers of her travails, the former Chinese slave dies in his arms.
Someone in San Francisco is using illegal machinery to alter and control women like her. To hunt down the perpetrator, Creed travels to the City by the Bay. His journey takes him into the depths of Chinatown, reveals a secret society, and puts old and new friends in danger.
How can Creed learn the truth before more women are changed, manipulated, or killed?
One night while riding by the wharf, Creed hears a gunshot. He and his coyote companion, Coconino, rush to the scene. In a forest clearing, he finds two dead men and a dying woman. Mechanical parts ring her neck and wrist, and as she whispers of her travails, the former Chinese slave dies in his arms.
Someone in San Francisco is using illegal machinery to alter and control women like her. To hunt down the perpetrator, Creed travels to the City by the Bay. His journey takes him into the depths of Chinatown, reveals a secret society, and puts old and new friends in danger.
How can Creed learn the truth before more women are changed, manipulated, or killed?
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2021
5 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Fesmire
12 books63 followersJonathan Fesmire is a happy author of speculative fiction. While he loves a variety of genres, including high fantasy, hard sf, and superheroes, the niche steampunk western genre has a strong grip on his imagination. Hence, the Creedverse was born.
A single father, Jonathan lives in California with his son. They enjoy going to movies, to Disneyland when possible, and play guitar together most evenings. Early in the covid pandemic, Mr. Fesmire took up the hobby of resin 3D printing. He enjoys printing, and painting, miniatures and dice towers when he has the time.
As an author, one of his goals is to write and publish at least one novel per year, and with "Bodacious Creed and the San Francisco Syndicate," he's come close.
A single father, Jonathan lives in California with his son. They enjoy going to movies, to Disneyland when possible, and play guitar together most evenings. Early in the covid pandemic, Mr. Fesmire took up the hobby of resin 3D printing. He enjoys printing, and painting, miniatures and dice towers when he has the time.
As an author, one of his goals is to write and publish at least one novel per year, and with "Bodacious Creed and the San Francisco Syndicate," he's come close.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 11, 2022
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S BODACIOUS CREED AND THE JADE LAKE ABOUT?
Years ago, Bodacious Creed, was one of the most feared/respected/famous lawmen in nineteenth-century California—then he was killed, and somehow brought back to something like life due to some amazing technology, to become a super-powered force for good.
After his "resurrection" (for lack of a better term), he's started repairing his relationship with his daughter and has taken on a new level of folk-hero status as he seeks to take down the criminal empire that controls too much of California—and was responsible for his near-death.
One night he rushes to the rescue of an escaped Chinese slave—but is too late, and as she dies in his arms, she gives him enough information to track down where she escaped from so he can find some justice for her. Implanted in her are mechanical parts not too dissimilar from those he's been augmented with. The idea that women are having this done to them unwillingly (and for an unknown reason), is too much—so Creed sets his sights on bringing this done.
Creed sets out for San Francisco, finds new allies for his quest (think Team Arrow/Team Flash)—they're a strange batch of scientists, thinkers, and community activists looking for ways to make a difference. THey're also begging to have a series made centering on them. Between their resources and Creed's dogged determinism, they're sure to get to the bottom of things.
San Francisco of the time isn't the nicest place—which is pretty much how it's always fictionally depicted, I guess. It's not quite Mos Eisley, but the odds of finding even a mostly honest lawman aren't that great—so, Creed and his friends are largely on their own.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BODACIOUS CREED AND THE JADE LAKE?
Like its predecessor, Jade Lake, is simply an entertaining read—just look at all the elements: Western, Steampunk, and Zombies*. Take three beloved and entertaining genres and put them together—sure, so many things could go wrong—but it's hard to imagine how that's not a crowd-pleaser.
* Okay, I know I'm not a huge Zombie fan—but almost everyone else is.
And it is, Fesmire tells a good adventure story. I don't know what else to say about this, and I've tried. The Bodacious Creed series delivers what it promises: steam-powered action and adventure. With an enhanced coyote sidekick! How do you pass that up?
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S BODACIOUS CREED AND THE JADE LAKE ABOUT?
Years ago, Bodacious Creed, was one of the most feared/respected/famous lawmen in nineteenth-century California—then he was killed, and somehow brought back to something like life due to some amazing technology, to become a super-powered force for good.
After his "resurrection" (for lack of a better term), he's started repairing his relationship with his daughter and has taken on a new level of folk-hero status as he seeks to take down the criminal empire that controls too much of California—and was responsible for his near-death.
One night he rushes to the rescue of an escaped Chinese slave—but is too late, and as she dies in his arms, she gives him enough information to track down where she escaped from so he can find some justice for her. Implanted in her are mechanical parts not too dissimilar from those he's been augmented with. The idea that women are having this done to them unwillingly (and for an unknown reason), is too much—so Creed sets his sights on bringing this done.
Creed sets out for San Francisco, finds new allies for his quest (think Team Arrow/Team Flash)—they're a strange batch of scientists, thinkers, and community activists looking for ways to make a difference. THey're also begging to have a series made centering on them. Between their resources and Creed's dogged determinism, they're sure to get to the bottom of things.
San Francisco of the time isn't the nicest place—which is pretty much how it's always fictionally depicted, I guess. It's not quite Mos Eisley, but the odds of finding even a mostly honest lawman aren't that great—so, Creed and his friends are largely on their own.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BODACIOUS CREED AND THE JADE LAKE?
Like its predecessor, Jade Lake, is simply an entertaining read—just look at all the elements: Western, Steampunk, and Zombies*. Take three beloved and entertaining genres and put them together—sure, so many things could go wrong—but it's hard to imagine how that's not a crowd-pleaser.
* Okay, I know I'm not a huge Zombie fan—but almost everyone else is.
And it is, Fesmire tells a good adventure story. I don't know what else to say about this, and I've tried. The Bodacious Creed series delivers what it promises: steam-powered action and adventure. With an enhanced coyote sidekick! How do you pass that up?
August 17, 2021
Excellent Thriller. This was such a clever and interesting book to read, with so many great characters. I also really enjoyed another great book by Jonathan Fesmire: Bodacious Creed – a Steampunk Zombie Western, which is also well worth a read. So many wonderful hours of entertainment.
James Creed is angry when an Asian prostitute is killed, and very surprised when he finds mechanical parts on her. Not quite sure what the mechanics would do for her, however being a whore in the slave market he could probably guess. James then decides to travel to San Francisco to investigate where Sun Jing came from and see if he can save any of the other women in the slave market.
I really enjoyed this book from the first page, right through to the last page. A very entertaining and captivating read. 5/5 Star Rating.
James Creed is angry when an Asian prostitute is killed, and very surprised when he finds mechanical parts on her. Not quite sure what the mechanics would do for her, however being a whore in the slave market he could probably guess. James then decides to travel to San Francisco to investigate where Sun Jing came from and see if he can save any of the other women in the slave market.
I really enjoyed this book from the first page, right through to the last page. A very entertaining and captivating read. 5/5 Star Rating.
November 8, 2021
I loved listening to this western mystery that has a twist of steampunk woven throughout the story. This audiobook kinda makes me feel like I’m on the sideline, watching the murder mystery unfold! I enjoyed the characters and the individual traits that help the individuals stand out. Imagine that when a character dies, it doesn’t mean they will stay dead. James Creed has been resurrected himself, no longer a federal marshal, but now an investigator. He no longer has to follow the federal marshal rules and can investigate whoever he wishes and bring them to justice. This audiobook has action, danger, murder, outlaws, zombies, mystery, family, friends, loyalty, marshals, gunfights, the syndicate, mechanical tech, robots, suspense, history, revenge, romance, and twists and turns and more!
May 23, 2023
Another action-packed Bodacious Creed story.
The second book in the Bodacious Creed stories is just as action packed as its predecessor. Creed travels to San Francisco to solve a case and encounters adversaries as well as new allies. While the initial bodacious Creed story was more an origin story, Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake introduces new characters, story elements that are right out of the history books with a steampunk twist and furthers the familial bond that was introduced in the first book. If you enjoy highly entertaining stories that provide an excellent escape from ‘real Life” I highly recommend grabbing a copy of the audiobook of Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake and settling in as Drew Blood’s excellent narration takes you to a San Francisco where you will find all manner of wonderment.
The second book in the Bodacious Creed stories is just as action packed as its predecessor. Creed travels to San Francisco to solve a case and encounters adversaries as well as new allies. While the initial bodacious Creed story was more an origin story, Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake introduces new characters, story elements that are right out of the history books with a steampunk twist and furthers the familial bond that was introduced in the first book. If you enjoy highly entertaining stories that provide an excellent escape from ‘real Life” I highly recommend grabbing a copy of the audiobook of Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake and settling in as Drew Blood’s excellent narration takes you to a San Francisco where you will find all manner of wonderment.
April 17, 2023
What happens when a woman dies in the arms of a steam-powered resurrected zombie ex-marshall investigator? An old fashioned quest for justice, of course.
Bodacious Creed heads to San Francisco to find justice for the murdered woman. Along the way he meets new allies, but as he's drawn deeper into a seedy secret society, can he trust them? A cast of new characters is introduced, but Coconino remains my favorite.
The story is fast-paced, with action, drama, danger, mystery and several twists. Throughout, we get to know Bodacious and what motivates him. I like that he's nuanced and complicated.
Drew Blood had the perfect "Western" voice to my ear, and I loved the way he narrated the story.
Bodacious Creed heads to San Francisco to find justice for the murdered woman. Along the way he meets new allies, but as he's drawn deeper into a seedy secret society, can he trust them? A cast of new characters is introduced, but Coconino remains my favorite.
The story is fast-paced, with action, drama, danger, mystery and several twists. Throughout, we get to know Bodacious and what motivates him. I like that he's nuanced and complicated.
Drew Blood had the perfect "Western" voice to my ear, and I loved the way he narrated the story.
November 9, 2022
I am fascinated by Jonathan Fesmire’s marriage of traditional steampunk with western to create this science fiction thriller series, The Adventures of Bodacious Creed. This book, the second in this series, is as thrilling as the first book.
The world-building is excellent, the mystery captivating. The characters are interesting and well-rounded, which includes Coconino, Creed’s altered coyote, who is as sweet, gentle, and intelligent as man’s best friend.
The plot is thought-provoking and moves at a nice pace. Though this book is not a cliffhanger (thank goodness!), Fesmire left a lose thread for Creed to pull in the third book. And I can’t wait!
The world-building is excellent, the mystery captivating. The characters are interesting and well-rounded, which includes Coconino, Creed’s altered coyote, who is as sweet, gentle, and intelligent as man’s best friend.
The plot is thought-provoking and moves at a nice pace. Though this book is not a cliffhanger (thank goodness!), Fesmire left a lose thread for Creed to pull in the third book. And I can’t wait!
December 14, 2021
Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake is a mystery, wrapped in a science fiction thriller, wrapped in a grand old steampunk adventure! I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment and so wasn't expecting to like the second as much as I did the first novel, but surprisingly I loved it more. The narrator, Drew Blood, completely brings you into this story and I found myself listening to nearly the entire audible in a single day! All six hours and forty minutes! It actually took two days, but even so, I was very enthralled by Mr. Fesmire's tale to no end.
July 6, 2022
Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake is the second book in The Adventures of Bodacious Creed series by Jonathan Fesmire. This story is well written and the plot moves at a great speed for the genre. The MC is well written and continues to develop himself and those around him. The world building is excellent and this story is shaping up nicely. Audio Version: Drew Blood does a great job narrating each character, this book, and the overall series.
August 18, 2021
I love that this author has brought us such a unique genre. This was a great continuation storyline of Creed’s adventures. I love the characters. One of my favorite aspects of these books is Creed’s companion Coconino - who is a great character in his own right.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
October 8, 2021
Old West meets Steampunk. What a great twist.
The storyline, the character development, and the narration (I listened to the book) were all excellent. I discovered halfway through that this was book two, yet it worked perfectly as a stand-alone.
I'd like to meet Bodacious Creed - he's an honorable man - and his coyote!
The storyline, the character development, and the narration (I listened to the book) were all excellent. I discovered halfway through that this was book two, yet it worked perfectly as a stand-alone.
I'd like to meet Bodacious Creed - he's an honorable man - and his coyote!
December 7, 2022
I loved the first book, not just the characters, but the writing style as well. Everything that made the first book a solid read is present here and I didn't want to put it down. Here, Creed travels to San Francisco, looking for answers. He's an absolutely engaging character, complex and nuanced. The world -building is immersive, I found myself pulled into the world right away.
October 30, 2021
James Creed has more than enough criminal catching to do. Intriguing from start to finish. There’s no stopping until you find out what happens. Can’t wait for the next book.
January 19, 2022
Jonathan Fesmire – Bodacious Creed Bk 2 – Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake – Reviewed 8/7/21 – Read 8/5-6/21
Update for the Audio Version 1-18-22
A dying woman with mechanical parts dies in Bodacious's arms, starting the new case for Creed.
Having read the ebook version, I was interested in what it would be like to hear it on the updated sound for the Audio. I was very impressed with the sound quality and loved the voice of the Narrator, Drew Blood. His deep voice just made the book come alive.
U.S. Marshal James Creed has known loss, starting from the premature death of his wife and daughter in a sudden fire. His work, chasing down and arresting outlaws across the Wild West, is all he has left to live for. Then one day, in 1876, the infamous killer Corwin Blake catches Creed by surprise and guns him down. Creed awakes after a mysterious young woman resurrects him in a basement laboratory beneath a brothel. Half alive, Creed feels torn between his need for justice and his desire to fall back into the peace of death. Creed's instincts drive him to protect the city of Santa Cruz, California, from the outlaws it harbors while searching for Blake.
Creed hears a gunshot while riding past the wharf; he finds two dead men and a dying woman with mechanical parts. The young Chinese woman whispers to him what she had been through. Creed could not let this pass, previously having been a US Marshal. Now, as an Inspector, he travels to San Francisco to learn more about the dead woman and help to end the slave market at the same time.
Join Creed as he searches for the truth and stops more women from the slave market or alters their bodies with mechanical parts…
What did I like? Steampunk books had never really interested in in the past, but when Jonathan asked me to review his first book back in 2017, but to my surprise, I found it enjoyable. So, when he sent me this book, I was ready to enjoy another great adventure, and I was not disappointed. It was incredibly satisfying to have Creed help in an area still a problem today. Too bad we don't have a Creed around to help take care of it.
What will you like? Interesting, Mysterious, Action-packed, Unusual, thought-provoking – fascinating, and a good old-fashioned western kicked up! The characters are outstanding, and even a little outrageous but so likable. The mystery runs deep and takes Creed in different directions till he finds the answers he is seeking. I think you will find the well-written storyline fascinating with a more than satisfying ending. Sometimes Karma just has to take over for the justified answers. If you are ready for an over-the-top read in the Steampunk genre, then look no further. Check out both books about Bodacious Creed and get ready for a great read. "Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake" is available today, 8/7/21!
• ASIN: B099Z5B9S4
• Audio: B09GTB49VW
• Publication Date: 8/7/2021
• File Size: 735 KB
• Print Length: 206 pages
• Audio Length: 6 hours & 38 minutes
• Genre: Western Science Fiction, Steampunk Fiction, Steampunk Science Fiction
Update for the Audio Version 1-18-22
A dying woman with mechanical parts dies in Bodacious's arms, starting the new case for Creed.
Having read the ebook version, I was interested in what it would be like to hear it on the updated sound for the Audio. I was very impressed with the sound quality and loved the voice of the Narrator, Drew Blood. His deep voice just made the book come alive.
U.S. Marshal James Creed has known loss, starting from the premature death of his wife and daughter in a sudden fire. His work, chasing down and arresting outlaws across the Wild West, is all he has left to live for. Then one day, in 1876, the infamous killer Corwin Blake catches Creed by surprise and guns him down. Creed awakes after a mysterious young woman resurrects him in a basement laboratory beneath a brothel. Half alive, Creed feels torn between his need for justice and his desire to fall back into the peace of death. Creed's instincts drive him to protect the city of Santa Cruz, California, from the outlaws it harbors while searching for Blake.
Creed hears a gunshot while riding past the wharf; he finds two dead men and a dying woman with mechanical parts. The young Chinese woman whispers to him what she had been through. Creed could not let this pass, previously having been a US Marshal. Now, as an Inspector, he travels to San Francisco to learn more about the dead woman and help to end the slave market at the same time.
Join Creed as he searches for the truth and stops more women from the slave market or alters their bodies with mechanical parts…
What did I like? Steampunk books had never really interested in in the past, but when Jonathan asked me to review his first book back in 2017, but to my surprise, I found it enjoyable. So, when he sent me this book, I was ready to enjoy another great adventure, and I was not disappointed. It was incredibly satisfying to have Creed help in an area still a problem today. Too bad we don't have a Creed around to help take care of it.
What will you like? Interesting, Mysterious, Action-packed, Unusual, thought-provoking – fascinating, and a good old-fashioned western kicked up! The characters are outstanding, and even a little outrageous but so likable. The mystery runs deep and takes Creed in different directions till he finds the answers he is seeking. I think you will find the well-written storyline fascinating with a more than satisfying ending. Sometimes Karma just has to take over for the justified answers. If you are ready for an over-the-top read in the Steampunk genre, then look no further. Check out both books about Bodacious Creed and get ready for a great read. "Bodacious Creed and the Jade Lake" is available today, 8/7/21!
• ASIN: B099Z5B9S4
• Audio: B09GTB49VW
• Publication Date: 8/7/2021
• File Size: 735 KB
• Print Length: 206 pages
• Audio Length: 6 hours & 38 minutes
• Genre: Western Science Fiction, Steampunk Fiction, Steampunk Science Fiction
July 24, 2023
Story: ****
Performance: ****
A Different Sort of Western ...
To start … and I am fan of westerns and I would place the story firmly in the middle of that genre (note there is an extremely wide variance here). If that were all, there really wouldn’t be much to make it standout from the crowd, but this story added a steampunk flare and zombies to make a fusion genre that is just fun to read/listen to (and would be right at home in the tabletop strategy game known as Malifaux by Word Games (which I also play) … which is a round about way of saying that I am probably the target audience to this series (ad why it scores as well as it does). The world-building is pretty basic and even a tad silly, supporting a storyline where a resurrected lawman investigates the illegal used of the “tech” that keeps him alive and is centered in Southern California (Frisco and south) where we have corrupt police and politicians that facilitate and take advance of, the human trafficking of Chinese prostitute … where one such anchors the plot of this specific story as Creed tries to find justify for the woman who died in his arms while also possessing the “magic mechanicals” (the same tech Creed himself has) that both enslave and enhance the Blossoms … the euphemism for indentured prostitutes. As might be expected, there is a Chinese criminal underground that protects this practice, so Creed has his work cut out for him as he tried to get the answers he needs.
The narration is a mixed bag … the individual voices were excellent, but the pacing and enunciation was often awkward and felt unnatural … however, that didn’t really take away much from the enjoyment of the total performance, which was still very fun to listen to.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#BodaciousCreedAndTheJadeLake #TheAdventuresOfBodaciousCreed #StoryOrigin
Performance: ****
A Different Sort of Western ...
To start … and I am fan of westerns and I would place the story firmly in the middle of that genre (note there is an extremely wide variance here). If that were all, there really wouldn’t be much to make it standout from the crowd, but this story added a steampunk flare and zombies to make a fusion genre that is just fun to read/listen to (and would be right at home in the tabletop strategy game known as Malifaux by Word Games (which I also play) … which is a round about way of saying that I am probably the target audience to this series (ad why it scores as well as it does). The world-building is pretty basic and even a tad silly, supporting a storyline where a resurrected lawman investigates the illegal used of the “tech” that keeps him alive and is centered in Southern California (Frisco and south) where we have corrupt police and politicians that facilitate and take advance of, the human trafficking of Chinese prostitute … where one such anchors the plot of this specific story as Creed tries to find justify for the woman who died in his arms while also possessing the “magic mechanicals” (the same tech Creed himself has) that both enslave and enhance the Blossoms … the euphemism for indentured prostitutes. As might be expected, there is a Chinese criminal underground that protects this practice, so Creed has his work cut out for him as he tried to get the answers he needs.
The narration is a mixed bag … the individual voices were excellent, but the pacing and enunciation was often awkward and felt unnatural … however, that didn’t really take away much from the enjoyment of the total performance, which was still very fun to listen to.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#BodaciousCreedAndTheJadeLake #TheAdventuresOfBodaciousCreed #StoryOrigin
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews