Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Tales From the Archives, Vol 3: #1

Tales from the Archives, Vol. 3: #1

By:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Written & Narrated by:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Format:  Podcast, 25:25 minutes

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  1st in Tales of the Archives Vol. 3 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:
Silver Linings

Wellington Books and Eliza D. Braun arrive in Cairo, Egypt, sent from Ministry headquarters on an archival audit. What Wellington hopes will be a stay in the cradle of civilization and a break from the bitter winter of England instead looks to be a brief visit on account of Eliza’s poor attitude and the disdain of the area field director, Marcus Donahue.

The plans for an uneventful collection of case documents and artifacts are soon shattered by a massacre that that can only be described by the visiting archivists as peculiar.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Wellington and Eliza are in Cairo for transfer of files, six crates for the last ten years of cases, for archiving back in London. While at the Cairo agency, an urgent call comes in for Donahue to call the police station. While Donahue is gone an agent comes in looking for Agent Donahue as there is a matter involving one of the Queens own Camel Brigade and Lord Arland Rutland. Duke of Rutland is in Cairo and there is reason to suspect there is a threat on his life. Seth, the Duke's cousin, pays a surprise visit to the Duke and while the men are playing cards... All the men are found in a blood bath, having committed suicide.

We get both Eliza's and Wellington's POV in this story. Eliza remembers her past. She remembers Agent Donahue and how she and Henry had to step in on his case. Eliza is a tad saddened she's not a field agent and loves the adrenaline kick she gets when on a case. Wellington is with a saddened and irritated Eliza as he knows she does NOT want to be here. Wellington has gotten to know his partner so well, he can tell by the look in her eyes and face that there will be troubles ahead. And, always, where Eliza is...there's gunfire!

There is a mystical connection to the case. One that drew me to wonder why those playing cards died so terribly. Well, we sure find out!

I love the ties to past that the story has. The strong feelings tied to the artifacts and the affects on people. I'm fascinated when all comes out and together in the end.

After the story I got to thinking... I wonder if it's happen chance that Eliza and Wellington show up where House of Usher is, even with the wide spread touches House of Usher has in the world. Or if House of Usher follows Wellington and Eliza, to draw out Wellington and watch him.

I so enjoyed the way this story ended. Yes, that's all that needs to be said. ;)



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.

You can find the Archives: Amazon Kindle ~ Tales from the Archives Scroll through the list for them all, and the ones you still need.

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



I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.

10 comments:

  1. Sounds intriguing! I've had my eye on this series, but haven't gotten around to reading the books yet. Another great review! :)

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    1. Oh Terri, I love these short stories and the books. You can listen (and read now!) the short stories before the books. You'll be okay. :) Thank you!

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  2. Thanks for reminding me that I still need to read Dawn's Early Light =) I love Books & Braun.

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    1. Cat, do hope you love Eliza and Wellington in Dawn's Early Light. :) It was a great story. Thank you!

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  3. I have this series down to supplement my Peculiar Occurrences series. So glad to see that this is still going strong.

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  4. It sounds very unusual. I loved the whole gunfire part. So happy you enjoyed it :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  5. Sounds super interesting. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Absolutely Jennifer Bielman! It's set in the world created by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris. :) Thank you!

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