
What Ho, Automaton!
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Narrated by:
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Paul J. Rose
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By:
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Chris Dolley
About this listen
"A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk, and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun!" (SF Revu)
What Ho, Automaton! chronicles the adventures of Reggie Worcester, gentleman consulting detective, and his automaton valet, Reeves.
Reggie, an avid reader of detective fiction, knows two things about solving crime: One, the guilty party is always the person you least suspect. And, two, the Murders in the Rue Morgue would have been solved a lot sooner had the detective the foresight to ask the witnesses if they’d seen any orangutans recently. Reeves needs all his steam-powered cunning and intellect to curb the young master’s excessive flights of fancy. And prevent him from getting engaged.
This book contains two stories set in an alternative 1903 where an augmented Queen Victoria is still on the throne and automata are a common sight below stairs.
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Overall
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Story
The king's coronation brings hope. Until a murderer strikes. Spring 1661: After years of civil war followed by Oliver Cromwell's joyless rule as Lord Protector, England awaits the coronation of King Charles II. The mood in London is one of relief and hope for a better future. But when two respectable gentlemen are found in a foul lane with their throats cut, it becomes apparent that England's enemies are using the newly re-established post office for their own ends.
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More please
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Editorial reviews
Narrator Paul J. Rose's graceful, airy performance injects witty fun to this steampunk-inspired pastiche of P.G. Wodehouse. Gentleman amateur detective Reggie Worcester and his automaton valet Reeves, recently dug out from the attic at his gentleman's club, deal with terrifying aunts and less-frightening murders. Rose expertly conveys Reggie's fey, bumbling Wodehouse-ian mannerisms, contrasting them with great effect to Reeves' unflappable demeanor. Listeners will be won over by the rollicking pace of the two stories in this audiobook as Reggie stumbles into one sticky spot after another.
What listeners say about What Ho, Automaton!
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- AZ Book Addict
- 05-08-21
Jeeves and Steampunk and aunts, oh my
If you like Stephen Fry as Jeeves, or you like the BBC radio series, or the original books, then this Steampunk fusion is for you. Mr. Dolley captures the spirit and tone of those books and then livens them up. Also the younger women in these are much less of a caricature than in the originals. The narrator is what really sealed the deal for me. Definitely buying the next one. Good Show, Mr. D. And Mr. R.
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- Scott
- 12-19-16
4 hours and 49 minutes of pure steampunk fun
I'm loving these stories even more than the original "Jeeves and Wooster" tales. The narration by Mr. Rose is spot on perfect
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2 people found this helpful
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- Ijw
- 04-08-19
Great fun
Great steampunk fun for people that enjoy PG Wodehouse. Go to Goodreads to read their reviews. A famous steampunk author (I could name-drop) reviewed it.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mother's Heart
- 09-25-18
Poor Knock Off
This is a poor knock off of P. G. Wodehouse novels. The author needs to find a topic and style that is not copy of someone else's work
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