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Harry Lampeter and the Return to Steam #3

Harry Lampeter and the Turing Engine

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Renegade patriot Harry Lampeter is called back into service by MI6

The Franco-German alliance has occupied the island of Guernsey and plans to invade England. They try to pass their action off as a peacekeeping operation but they have built steam launchers for their flying bombs, high altitude observation balloons for targeting, and Big Bertha, an enormous gun sited on the French coast that can bombard London. But all this activity is a smoke screen intended to hide their real intentions, an invasion from a completely different and unexpected direction.

Harry, with the help of the Brigadier, Ms Rigby, Shaky Tom and erotic dancers Emma and Elsa are called to play their part in saving Albion.

Even Mr Tze Lim’s Chinese Magic Lantern Show with its cornucopia of ‘Bare-naked Ladies’ has a role.

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About the author

Roger Ley

10 books23 followers
Roger Ley has written eight novels and one anthology of speculative stories, including his four-part series 'Harry Lampeter and the Return to Steam', the three-part ‘Chronoscape Chronicles’ and the two-part ‘Cyber Crisis’ series. His writing has been podcast and broadcast internationally.

He was born and educated in London, and spent some of his formative years in Saudi Arabia. Later, he worked as an engineer in the oilfields of North Africa and in the North Sea before starting a career in higher education.

His early articles, which appeared in publications including The Guardian, Reader's Digest, The Oldie, and Best of British, led to his well-received collection of autobiographical stories 'A Horse in the Morning'.
He lives in Suffolk (UK).


This is his Amazon author page:
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01KOVZFHM

This is his website:
rogerley.co.uk

‘Chronoscape’ is a science fiction novel about time and alternate realities in which the Government is able to read the newspapers from two weeks in the future. 'The future is flexible, we can change it.'

'The Muslim Prince' is an alternate history thriller that asks the question, 'What if Princess Diana hadn't died?' It is a spin-off novel from 'Chronoscape'

'Dead People on Facebook' is a collection of stories connected to 'Chronoscape' in various speculative genres including: Steampunk, Horror, Time Travel, a little Magic and one Romance.

Harry Lampeter and the War with Scotland' tells how Harry leaves the Merchant Airship Service and joins MI6 as an observer of the war with Scotland and, more importantly, the American 'peacemakers'.

'The Steampunk Adventures of Harry Lampeter' is an irreverent romp through a steam age world as the Unted States Army attempts to takeover England in preparation for its invasion of Europe

'Harry Lampeter and the Turing Engine' describes Harry's adventures during the war against the Franco German alliance.

'Harry Lampeter and the Unholy Alliance continues Harry's unruly adventures, as mad Pope Benedict XVII attempts to fill the political vacuum in Europe by reviving the Holy Roman Empire and becoming its Emperor.

'The Digital Meltdown' is a prequel to the Harry Lampeter stories and tells how the digital age ended and the world returned to the age of steam.

‘A Horse in the Morning’ is a collection of mainly comic autobiographical stories.

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Clay Davis.
Author 4 books162 followers
June 15, 2022
A very good story about a European conflict using steam power. Would like more of the story be about the mechanical computer that is in the title. Could use a more interesting cover.
Profile Image for One Sentence Audio Critic.
939 reviews18 followers
September 9, 2023
Great fun! Humor in the side comments😀

While #3 in the Harry Lampeter series, this book would function well as a standalone. Set in a steampunk world, author Roger Ley weaves an entertaining tale of spys and international intrigue. The story is highly entertaining, but the characteristics that keeps me returning to the series are the humorous side comments made by the characters. The audiobook is presented by Craig Bowles, a wizard at audio characterization, effectively presenting the various class and period voices of Britannia. Enjoyable!
Profile Image for April.
2,201 reviews58 followers
October 27, 2023
Harry Lampeter and the Turing Engine
Harry Lampeter and the Return to Steam, Book 3
By: Roger Ley
Narrated by: Craig Bowles

4 STARS

This is book 3 in the series, but it’s my first listen in this series. I have listened to two of his other novels and enjoyed them greatly.
An adventurous storyline, with quirky characters and a touch of humor as the agents do their work. Steampunk with great machines. Twists and surprise ending.



The narration was well done, Craig Bowles gave great energy to all the characters. I adore a British accent for this genre. The French accents were cool too.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have
voluntarily left this review.
23 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2024
Omg! This series has been so good! This one is about European power struggles and a French-German alliance that threatens to invade England. Harry and his friends will save the day once again with their intelligence, resourcefulness and humour.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and found the characters very interesting Another brilliant story and narration.
636 reviews3 followers
September 19, 2023
Well, Harry is at it again we are talking about WW2 and the Franco/German alliance who are already in Guernsey so the next move is England, but will it happen? Harry is called back into service MI6 and it makes you wonder what the other agents are like if you literally take on Harry as an agent.
Can he or will he save the day, of course, he will in a fashion.
You can expect a good few laughs along the way, it's well written although I have the audio version and Craig Bowles really knows how to bring Harry across to the listener.
My usual genre is Crime Thriller even historical crime as before the days of television, mobile phones, etc., where the reader has to think and this Steam, so still ways to go. Very light-hearted and uplifting and really makes a change from the norm.
Not overly long just 5hrs and a bit but worth every minute.
I would like to thank Roger Ley for a copy of this audio thoroughly enjoyed it very uplifting and made my day with Craig Bowles they make a good combination.

804 reviews7 followers
September 20, 2023
I enjoyed this story, but even in a world turned on its head by the virus the government are just as corrupt and maybe more so. Harry's friend and him go places with their stage shows, seems sex is a big thing to go see in this future. The Narrator does a very good job with the characters and the Entire Storyline.
483 reviews4 followers
October 16, 2024
Harry Lampeter and the Turing Engine
Harry Lampeter and the Return to Steam, Book 3

By: Roger Ley
Narrated by: Craig Bowles

This Story Has Everything! Perfection!

Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 10-15-24

Airships, balloons, zeppelins and … bombs away … ohhh my! Harry’s in the thick of it AGAIN, this time pressed into service by MI6! He’ll need his friends, his wits and one heck of a lot of luck if THIS mission’s to succeed in “Harry Lampeter and the Turing Engine”! This series just keeps getting better and better! I’m the first to admit, I’m gleefully and heavily infested in this fabulous series and these wonderful characters. They truly have become like family, and even in the best of families … there are secrets … some of which are juicily revealed in THIS story … but not here, not now, and not by me! Listen and ALL will be revealed! In addition to the secrets, there are some real juicy tidbits to be had in this one, and of course I’ll not be revealing those either … One thing I WILL tell you is THIS story is perfect! It has everything! There is not one dull moment, not one lag, and not one thing I would have had any other way! At more than one point, this listener was fist pumping in delight at the outcome! I will tell you the writing is satirically brilliant with dialogue that manages to be at once witty and clever while ringing as completely authetic! The scene setting is clear, entertaining and informative. The action is fast, beautifully described and completely absorbing! I’m not going to give up any details, but I’ll let this one slip … did you know our narrator can sing? I didn’t, but oh holy wow he can, he does, and that really had THIS listener smiling and enjoying his BRILLIANT performance all the more! This story is priceless perfection, perfectly performed! I LOVED it, I loved every single FIVE star moment and I want more!
Profile Image for Helen.
998 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2023
What a great series

Where do we start with this one? Again, another great book from Roger Ley. This man can write a book that keeps you on edge from start to finish.
These are not my usual reads, but I absolutely love them. Write from the get-go. They keep you immersed in a world that, although different, you can imagine living in.
I love the characters, especially Harry. He has a wonderful humour and depth of nature, a lovable rogue, but intelligent and very resourceful.

The narration was excellent, and the story was highly engaging. At no point did I think I could guess where the story was going, which was great.

I highly recommend this book/audio and have done it to friends. I know I keep saying this about this author, but it's true: Pick up his books and try them.

Craig Bowles is a great narrator, and this is my fifth book read by him. He did wonders with the characters. Easy to listen to. I did speed up the narration to 1.3 on Audible.

Harry Lampeter and the Turing Engine
Harry Lampeter and the Return to Steam, Book 3
By: Roger Ley
Narrated by: Craig Bowles
Series: Harry Lampeter and the Return to Steam, Book 3
Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

❤❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚 📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.30 speed on Audible

I received this audiobook for free at my request. My review is my opinion and an honest review - nor did the author influence my opinion.
870 reviews25 followers
September 4, 2023
Never mind history judging us - Roger Ley has looked and found our governments wanting. The subtle ways he digs at our current shock horror of governance raises the level of these books from thought provoking and funny to mind blowing and laugh out loud. The concepts Mr Ley's brain creates are so clever and his observations so sharp, the listener can't fail to be captivated. The future holds a great many shocks in store and for those listeners that have followed Martin Riley's well-intentioned bacteria, the surprises keep on coming. Harry Lampeter, the kind of chap you pray your daughter will never bring home, is an absolute delight even though he's an utter rogue. All these brilliantly executed characters are brought to life by the vocal ministrations of Graig Bowles and if Ley and Bowles aren't to audiobooks what Morecambe and Wise were to Christmas Day than I don't know who is. The only question remaining is why this isn't being transferred to either the silver or small screen? It's an absolute gift.
Profile Image for Johan Coetzee.
21 reviews
June 21, 2022
When I first met Harry Lampeter, I thought he was a fun character but not someone I'd like to know in real life. How that guys has grown on me! He gets himself into the stickiest situations imaginable and then gets himself out again through hubris, charm and a serious dose of guts. And oh boy does he get the girl(s) in the end (also in the beginning and the middle, the naughty bugger).

My first thought when I downloaded the book was "oh, more of the same". Which sounds like a bad thing, but it's not meant as such. It's like sitting down in a café and ordering the same coffee and cheesecake as last week. You get because it's your favourite.

The new novel follows the same mold as the previous two, which is a good thing. The setting and the characters are the same, but the story is fresh and new. It's not a thick book, yet the story and the characters are well developed.

Read at face value it is fun and light, but that's just scratching the surface. It really tackles a number of bigger issues. Selflessness, loyalty to friends and country, revenge and the fight of a woman trying her best in a male dominated work environment.
Profile Image for Callum Stewart.
9 reviews
November 1, 2023
"Felicity slid out the equaliser, put it to his forehead and pulled the trigger"

brilliant 3rd edition to the series! really starting to love Craig's voice more and more with every new book, really brings the character's to life!

Roger's done great work on all three of these book's and I would recommend these to anyone.
3 reviews
September 18, 2023
It was a good story but I felt some missions were rather rushed and should have been fleshed out.
Profile Image for Tom Casey.
676 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2024
This story is so mad you will love it, lots of laughs and a real page turner of a climax.
I received this book for free and I wanted to leave an honest review.
This book is superbly written and the narrator is perfect for the role of bringing this story to life.
Sit back and enjoy.
Profile Image for Brad Audiobibliophile.
687 reviews31 followers
January 27, 2024

This is the third book in the series which seems to get better with each book. The steampunk setting is well thought out and works well giving a real feel for the fictional future without electricity and a return to steam power. This time Harry is sent to scupper France & Germany's plans to invade England. Loads of humour and off-page sex during Harry & Telford's adventures.



Harry-Lampeter-on-Motorcycle

The narrator does a cracking job of bringing the characters to life and is easy to listen to.

I received a free copy of this book at my request and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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