Tales from the Archives Vol 2 ~ #5

Tales from the Archives Vol. 2 - #5

By:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Written & Narrated by:  Catherine Ford

Format:  Podcast, 30:54 minutes

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  5th in Tales of the Archives Vol. 2 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.

Synopsis:
The Wrong Camera

Blythe is very excited to receive a camera for her birthday, but finds that gifts can have their price.  What she sees through the lens offers a chilling insight into the future that people will kill for.

My Thoughts and Summary:
We start with learning this case was one of Eliza's first, and in New Zealand.  There are several strange pictures present with the case file.

Blythe's Uncle Fredrick takes her to get her birthday present, at the camera shop.  There is another man, tall and in dark clothing and kind of scary look to his eyes, which Mr. Evans asks to take care of first.  Blythe's gift is a camera.  Blythe and her Uncle walk around the city and she takes several pictures of people, children, women, and also of the buildings of the city.  Returning to Mr. Evans camera shop to have the film developed.  However, when Blythe receives the photos she is shocked by what she sees, and when tries to return to the shop to talk to the owner is surprised to bump into the tall man from the previous visit, and a shorter man with him, both wanting the camera.  Blythe is on the run being chased by these men as they fly after her on ornithopters, when a strange woman shows up as the men catch up to her.

Ahh, this is interesting.  We do get to hear what is in the photos that Blythe took.  It even makes me wonder if they are of a futuristic version of the city Blythe is in.  The clothing is different and the scenes are completely unfamiliar to her, things missing and different things present.

I did enjoy the action of the chase and the Ministry Agent that appears to help Blythe.  Would you like to guess who this woman was?  There are gun shots.  And there is a drop that maybe, someday, Blythe would hear from this Ministry Agents agency as she liked the way Blythe handled herself in the action.

I do like the ornithopters as well.  These are machines mentioned in the books, but so neat to think about as having wings and flying.  Then we are left with a picture of a strange air ship that is not of the current day type, one that is very peculiar to Blythe.  Sounds very interesting.


Would you like to listen to these? For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

NEW!! The Tales from the Archives: Volume 1 can now be found on Kindle as The Ministry's 99-Penny Dreadfuls.  You can find these for your Reading pleasure in any eFormat you would like at Smashwords.

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

I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.