The Clockwork City — Shelley Adina

Shelley Adina is quickly becoming a go-to author for fun, clean steampunk adventures! This delightful mystery completely pulled me in and had me quickly turning the pages. It's a fantastic introduction to a new series I'm looking forward to reading more of. —Melissa's BookshelfA painting holiday in steampunk Venice. A villa on the canal. A body in the water?Lady Georgia Brunel, widowed a year, has been looking forward to a pleasant holiday in the Duchy of Venice with her companion, Millicent Brunel. The clockwork city's annual art exhibition is in full swing, and old friends and new acquaintances make for an exciting social whirl. The married Sir Francis Thorne would pursue her if he dared. Several members of the nobility, including those with connections to Lord and Lady Dunsmuir, make entertaining companions. And Georgia will never admit that Dustin Seacombe, the disheveled and irritating Texican Ranger who steps on one's gown and will not confide his business in Venice, is the most interesting of all.But before breakfast the next morning, the body of Sir Francis washes up on the water stairs at the Brunel villa. An empty gondola floats nearby. Many assume it is an accident. The Duchy police assume a lover's quarrel, with Georgia as their suspect. For there are powerful factions in the city who want this case solved and submerged as soon as possible. Georgia and Millie must act quickly to clear her name and discover the real murderer, before Georgia finds herself dancing with death instead.The Clockwork City is the first novel in the Lady Georgia Brunel Mysteries series set in the Magnificent Devices steampunk world. Though these cozy fantasy novels can be read as standalones, there are threads of love and family, tea and chickens, running through them all. No strong language, just a satisfying solution. If you like books by Gail Carriger, Heather Fawcett, or Emma Jane Holloway, you're in the right place. Enjoy!