Keith W. Dickinson gleefully returns to Hammersmyth with another adventure for Dexter the mechanical cat, and his unlikely partner, John Sinister.
Washerwomen, captains, and airship owners seek the help of Hammersmyth’s detecting agents to stop airship pirates plundering their profits. Aside from knowing next to nothing about airflight, political intrigue and power-grabs a plenty keep John Sinister on his toes.
Pirates rule the skies, robbing ships at will
They’re ruthless, efficient, and surprisingly well informed. There’s a rat in the Air Courier’s Guild, and to catch a rat you need a rat catcher. You need Dexter and Sinister.
Up in the air and out of their depth, John and Dexter will have to watch their backs on this one. The Guild might be on their side but the captains sure aren’t. They have secrets to keep, secrets that could get a man killed, and it’s a long way down for those who stick their noses in where they don’t belong. And their cats too, if they’re not careful!
With airship battles over the English lakes, marauding vegan chefs, and the return of everyone’s favourite muscle for hire, Agnes Goodenough, The Dragonfly Delivery Company is a tale of heroism and high adventure, full of fun, laughs, and the sort of steam-powered shenanigans everyone can enjoy.
While the novel picks up where the first ends, readers will be pleased to know that The Dragonfly Delivery Company also works as a stand-alone.
It’s good to see my favourite characters have returned in this second installment. John’s approach to the discovering who the pirates are is bolstered by Dexter’s intellect, and Agnes’s grounded yet very physical take on things.
There are many different styles within steampunk and The Dragonfly Delivery Company embraces the more uplifting aspect. This lighthearted steampunk novel is cheerfully written but doesn’t shy away from the hard-done-by, smog, and the odd cog.
The focus is on the characters and it’s a pleasure to follow them interacting with their industrial world, and for airship lovers there is plenty of recognition to these magnificent flying machines.
Like Dexter and Sinister, Detecting Agents, the humour is lighthearted. Dickinson’s jaunty voice stays true to the genre and weaves that splendid steampunk magic.
Airship battles over stunning lakes, and tongue in cheek gizmo names are just part of this books charm. It reminds you that there is good in the world, no matter how wonky it is.
I have no doubt The Dragonfly Delivery Company was designed to be a fun read, to be read for the joy of reading, not for critique or judgmental attacks. If you are looking for something to lift the spirit, I recommend this.
Published June 14th 2022 by Hammersmyth Press
Availability: Paperback. Kindle
ISBN: 183815034X
Authors Website: https://keithwdickinson.com
Review copy curtesy of courtesy of the author.
Shellie Horst @2022
