The Affair of the Mysterious Letter (edition 2019)

by Alexis Hall (Author)

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"Upon returning to the city of Khelathra-Ven after five years fighting a war in another universe, Captain John Wyndham finds himself looking for somewhere to live, and expediency forces him to take lodgings at 221b Martyrs Walk. His new housemate is Ms. Shaharazad Haas, a consulting sorceress of mercurial temperament and dark reputation. When Ms. Haas is enlisted to solve a case of blackmail against one of her former lovers, Miss Eirene Viola, Captain Wyndham finds himself drawn into a mystery that leads him from the salons of the literary set to the drowned back-alleys of Ven and even to a prison cell in lost Carcosa. Along the way he is beset by criminals, menaced by pirates, molested by vampires, almost devoured by mad gods, and called upon to punch a shark. But the further the companions go in pursuit of the elusive blackmailer, the more impossible the case appears. Then again, in Khelathra-Ven reality is flexible, and the impossible is Ms. Haas' stock-in-trade"--… (more)

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Member:	Nuricarmen
Title:	The Affair of the Mysterious Letter
Authors:	Alexis Hall (Author)
Info:	Ace (2019), 352 pages
Collections:	Your library
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The Affair of the Mysterious Letter by Alexis Hall

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The Anvil of the World by Kage Baker (nessreader)
nessreader: Fantasies with a touch of cthullhu,with a 19th century- ish tech and some murder plot, told in a slightly arch and detached tone. M letter is a sherlock homage.

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Showing 1-5 of 20 (next | show all)

This was pretty cute. An interesting start very similar to the original stories - it was a brief history and re-telling. I liked how the gender was very easily slid into the beginning and something I would have missed if I hadn't known beforehand. Loved it.

The rest of the story took a moment to get the hang of. The magic and the change in world were different and not quite what I had expected. But I did end up really enjoying it and instantly fell into the world and the story. It's a very good re-telling and I loved most of the changes. I hope this is a first of many. (

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Trisha_Thomas | Nov 14, 2024 |

Trying too hard, but an interesting world, if over described. Mirrors Sherlock Holmes. Some funny lines, but maybe too obvious. Not his best. (

)

AerialObrien | Jun 16, 2024 |

Sci-fi mystery. Not my jam. (

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ditdan | Jan 21, 2024 |

At 37%, I'm wondering if I'll finish this (I'm reading the kindle version via my library). It's very good, mind you. I'm just not sure it has enough of what I crave to pull me past what I find a bit dull.

At less than 50%, I decided to bail & return it to the library. Sad, because I usually like this author's work. This one just wasn't grabbing me. (

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terriaminute | Dec 4, 2022 |

I've listened to the Nicholas Boulton recording of this five times now. It's that good. (

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Adamantium | Aug 21, 2022 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Alexis Hall	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Boulton, Nicholas	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

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The Affair of the Mysterious Letter

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That I must begin these reminiscences with a description of myself and my origins is a necessity that runs contrary to both my character and my upbringing.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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"Upon returning to the city of Khelathra-Ven after five years fighting a war in another universe, Captain John Wyndham finds himself looking for somewhere to live, and expediency forces him to take lodgings at 221b Martyrs Walk. His new housemate is Ms. Shaharazad Haas, a consulting sorceress of mercurial temperament and dark reputation. When Ms. Haas is enlisted to solve a case of blackmail against one of her former lovers, Miss Eirene Viola, Captain Wyndham finds himself drawn into a mystery that leads him from the salons of the literary set to the drowned back-alleys of Ven and even to a prison cell in lost Carcosa. Along the way he is beset by criminals, menaced by pirates, molested by vampires, almost devoured by mad gods, and called upon to punch a shark. But the further the companions go in pursuit of the elusive blackmailer, the more impossible the case appears. Then again, in Khelathra-Ven reality is flexible, and the impossible is Ms. Haas' stock-in-trade"--

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