by Anne Renwick
Narrator: Henrietta Meire
Length: 10 hours and 20 minutes
Genres: Steampunk
Source: Won
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating:
Heat Level:
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.3x
London papers scream of dirigible attacks, kraken swarms, and lung-clogging, sulfurous fogs. But a rash of gypsy murders barely rates mention.
Lady Amanda is tired of having both her intelligence and her work dismissed.
After blackmailing her way into medical school, she catches the eye of her anatomy professor from the moment she walks into his lecture hall. Is he interested in her? Or only her invention–a clockwork spider that can spin artificial nerves?
Lord Thornton, a prominent neurobiologist, has been betrayed.
Secret government technology has been stolen from his laboratory, and a foreign spy is attempting to perfect it via a grisly procedure… using gypsies as test subjects. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a beautiful–and brilliant–new student, even if her spider could heal a deteriorating personal injury.
Until her device is stolen and used in the latest murder.
Lord Thornton has no option but to bring her into his laboratory as well as the investigation where they must fight their growing, yet forbidden, attraction. Bodies accumulate and fragile bonds are tested as they race across London, trying to catch the spy before it’s too late
The Golden Spider by Anne Renwick is a romantic steampunk filled with mystery, murder and a hero and heroine you’ll root for.
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.
The Golden Spider by Anne Renwick is a romantic steampunk filled with mystery, murder and a hero and heroine you'll root for. #audio #loveaudiobooks Share on X
Stefanie
Ooh, I like the sound of this one and yay, my library has a copy.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I think I already have these on my list because Jen (Twimom) has read them. I haven’t read a lot of steampunk but I think I’d really like this.
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
I love steampunk stories, but haven’t read one for ages. This sounds fab and a definite addition to my TBR 🙂
sjhigbee
Love the sound of this one! Thank you for sharing, Kimberly.
Jen
Oh yea!! So glad you are enjoying this series – it’s such a good one. I love the “smart” writing style and mystery. The science is so fascinating.
Lorna
To be very honest, steampunk isn’t a genre I like. That being said, I think this sounds very intriguing. Happy you enjoyed it!
Tyler H. Jolley
Nice review, Kimba! I hope things are looking up for you.
Mary Kirkland
I haven’t read a steampunk novel but the spider in the story intrigues me a lot.
Sophia Rose
I’ve been wondering what I’d read when I got the urge to jump back into steampunk. This looks great.
sherry fundin
love the title and it wasn’t what i was expecting
Melliane
Oh it’s been a while since I haven’t read a steampunk novel
Ailyn Koay
i love steampunk too! the spider is spinning such a cool mystery, I think i will read this one