Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

4 of 5 stars

Share
While Lady Amanda is attending medical school after successfully blackmailing her father the Duke, all of London is watching the papers regarding serial murders of gypsies and kraken swarms in the River Thames.

Amanda lives in an alternate steampunk London and is quite skilled as a self-taught scientist. She has even created a spider that if successful may help her brother walk again. She is eager for some assistance or direction from the esteemed Lord Thornton, a prominent neurobiologist. He lectures at the college she has selected.

Lord Thornton hates the lecture hall, but it allows him cover as he works for the Crown. A leg injury is complicating their field investigations and they are no closer to catching the gypsy killer when an autopsy links Amanda’s spider to the bodies.

From, their sizzling chemistry to their collection of brilliant minds I found myself completely caught up in this time sensitive whodunit. Gadgets, automations and London itself all proved delightful.

I forgot how much I love steampunk fiction and The Golden Spider, the first in the Elemental Web Chronicles fed my inner nerd while provided a complex murder investigation and delicious swoon-worthy romance.

Henrietta Meire narrated, and I quite enjoyed her accents, pacing and tones. She helped enhance the story infusing the back-and-forth tension between Thornton and Amanda.

If you’ve never read steampunk, but love historical romances and murder-mysteries this is the perfect story/series to try it. It delivered a romance with sizzling chemistry, a hero who will surely fall and a feisty, strong and clever heroine. Add in some fun sidekicks a Duke with his hands full and wisdom beyond his years the story had all the elements to provide an addictive and entertaining listen. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 28 April, 2019: Finished reading
  • 28 April, 2019: Reviewed