Tales from the Archives Vol 2 ~ #7

Tales from the Archives Vol. 2 - #7

By:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Written & Narrated by:  Doc Coleman

Format:  Podcast, 56:49 minutes

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  7th in Tales of the Archives Vol. 2 podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series

Recommendation:  Nice way to meet new characters and authors in this steampunk-ish world particularly if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising.  The archives are full of stories to be told.

Synopsis:
The Cross of Columbia

April, 1883

Agent Bryan Teague travels from the London offices to a remote area of Scotland on the call of Lord Pennyfarthing, a self-proclaimed scientist and specialist in ancient and rare fauna.  Agent Teague arrives to find his skepticism of Pennyfarthing's previous follies on finding a traumatised valet and a dying English lord with an incredible fish story...

My Thoughts and Summary:
The sever storms are hitting Eliza's and Wellington's area, but they make it to the Archives.  And Eliza learns the Archives are well protected from leaks.  All is safe.

Agent Bryan Teague is sent on another excursion after the Lord Pennyfarthing, a thorn in Teague's side.  Teague, being a zoological expert has become the one to follow Pennyfarthing around to find exotic creatures, and Teague is to prove them fake.  Teague is now following Pennyfarthing to rainy Scotland to prove yet another farce - a mysterious creature of the lake.

I loved listening to this tale!!  Not only is it of one that is popular with people, the Loch Ness monster, but the tale has it's own twists to it.  Wonderful creation here.  The sight of the demon creature is wonderful!  Well, horrid, but well described and amazing to see the connections of the tale of this story.  I am, however, curious as to what the demon is.  Not that it deters from the story, as it doesn't, but adds great depth to it.  I'm doing my over thinking, and very interested in the creation.  Interested enough to make a trip to investigate on my own. ;)

Pennyfarthing is missing when Teague arrives, and the boy that was with him on the boat swam to shore the previous night and now down with fever.  Teague comes across a priest that seems to sway Teague's thinking, but learns a deeper truth from him, when Pennyfarthing washes up on shore badly hurt from an attack.

The Ministry requires Teague to debunk the findings, if true then samples are needed, and if dangerous to eliminate the threat.  However, what Teague learns from the Priest and of a Secret Order of a Brotherhood of Columbia, he will have to make a choice or let the demon hidden escape.

If you listen to this story, you will be amazed at Doc Coleman's ability to switch accents while talking in character.  Great accent added indeed.  Easy to hear and understand.  Doc Coleman does wonderful with descriptive words, not over-killing the details but using ones that are strong and create a full easy image while listening.

This is one of my top favorites from the Archives.  It's a story I want to hear, and always enjoy.



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.

You can find these for your Reading pleasure in any eFormat you would like at Smashwords.

NEW!! The Tales from the Archives: Volume 1 can now be found on Kindle as The Ministry's 99-Penny Dreadfuls.  You can find the Archives on Kindle for your Reading.

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

I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.