Tales from the Archives - Three

Tales from the Archives - Three

By:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Written & Narrated by:  Nathan Lowell

Format:  Podcast, 45.10 minutes

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  3nd in Tales of the Archives podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series

Recommendation:  Yes. Nice way to meet new characters in this steampunk-ish world particularly if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising. But keep in mind there is a little bit of blood in this one.

Synopsis:
The Astonishing Amulet of Amenartas

Agent Heathcliff Durham finds himself crisscrossing Africa, looking for an Amulet that could spell disaster for any who come near it. Battling blistering heat, starvation, wild animals, and despair, he is not comforted by the company of a rough and ready sort named Morrison. Soon Durham begins to suspect he may never return home—and to top it all off the tea has almost run out.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Agent Books and Agent Braun pick us a case with some dust on top, African dust, and a case well before either of their time with The Ministry.  And the Amulet is no where in the case file as well...

Agent Heathcliff Durham is sent to meet with Agent Randell Morrison in Africa to look for a man who the director of Ministries is concerned will be 'intending trouble with the natives'.  But there is a catch in the name given... A large group of 53 men was found dead after reporting the necklace of blue glowing stones with a pair of men they meet.  And there is a history of large groups or villages being slaughtered over many years past.  The agents travel for six weeks, on the verge of ends rope ~ Heathcliff's tea is running out and Morrisons gin is dwindling ~ heading back to civilization to contact The Ministry, they finally come across a clue.  A young boy who is missing a leg still living in a village where all others were brutally murdered.  Will both the agents make it home?  And from the attracting powers of the blue jeweled necklace?

We meet new characters here; Heathcliff Durham and Randell Morrison.  Heathcliff Durham reminds me of a formal scientific man who likes the large formal words.  Morrison is a harder agent in a rough world of Africa.  And in the end we see Dr. Sound show up as a new director at this time.

This story does have the presence of fighting and blood.  But I did enjoy it.  And we have neat steampuck items ever present again in this podcast.  Heathcliff has a new mysterious steam trunk that he guides along behind him, but it kind of has a way of walking about with the use of steam boilers inside.  We even have the two characters talking, or briefly not seeing eye to eye, on weaponry.  The comparison of the traditional rifle, Morrison's preference, to Heathcliff's modern weapons and sidearms.  Nifty tools mentioned here when comparing and then off to fight with too, which Heathcliff has.

Nathan, the narrarator and writer does all his own voices.  The voices are all done with accents and wonderful articulation in the way the words are spoken in speed and enunciation.  Nicely done and easy to listen to.

Would you like to listen to these?  For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit HERE.

There are short stories always added to the listing.  So keep checking back!

I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.