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Alexia Maccon, née Tarrabotti, is awakened one morning by her husband bellowing out orders and questions. He doesn’t take time to answer her questions, but of course she finds out what’s going on later. Something or someone has found a way to completely negate whatever magic makes supernatural beings, well–supernatural. This has London in an uproar. When the phenomenon seems to be traveling north to Scotland, Lord Maccon sets out in that direction too. He wants to investigate further, plus he needs to check in with his old pack. Alexia just can’t be left behind, so one dirigible ride later, she joins him up there to find the pack in disarray.
Another fun entry into The Parasol Protectorate! I swear I smiled and giggled the whole way through. Alexia is just as hardheaded and Lord Maccon is just as Alpha. Yum-mmmeeeee. *Waggling eyebrows lasciviously* Alexia is settling into her role as the Woolsey pack’s Alpha female with ease. It’s a role she was practically made for. There’s one confrontation with a member of the pack who has just returned from India that left me laughing. She handled him as only Alexia can. She manages to get herself into even more trouble this time around, believe it or not.
A strange French inventor, Madame Lefoux, makes an appearance too. We’re never quite sure what her role is in everything, but she had me hopelessly intrigued. She is to Alexia as Q is to Bond. Talk about a tricked-out parasol! She hooks Alexia up! MacGyver would be jealous of this thing! She’s wonderfully eccentric and I couldn’t help but love her even as I wondered about her loyalties.
Ivy Hisselpenny and Alexia’s sister Felicity have a much-larger role in this book, and all I have to say about that is, “Poor Tunstell. He didn’t stand a chance.” Ivy’s hats are even more garish, Felicity is even bitchier, but their catty spats with each other and Alexia are priceless.
I had an idea what was going on with the mystery and wondered why no one even thought to consider it until the end.
Speaking of the ending…
That’s really what knocked this back a star. It’s a cliffhanger, it came out of the blue, (Well, sort of. I knew part of what was going on), and it relied heavily on miscommunication. I know miscommunication happens but it irritates the heck out of me when a whole new plot turns on it.
Still, highly recommended for fans of this kind of funny, character-driven, supernatural mystery. I’m anxiously awaiting Blameless. Darn cliffhangers.
1 Comment
I love Alexia! She is such a trip, isn't she? I agree with the cliffhanger ending. I was by turns astonished and supremely pissed that it ended that way. I need to get my hands on Blameless soon just to make me feel better!