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(More customer reviews)I was first introduced to Chris Dolley's work in International Kittens of Mystery and was happy to find out that more fun and frivolity were forthcoming in What Ho, Automaton!. If you're a fan of wry historical fiction that isn't afraid to be silly and absurd (in a good way) then this book is a good bet.
Reggie is, in a word, a goofball. His primary concerns in life are avoiding the yoke of holy wedlock and trying to solve mysteries, which he considers himself uniquely qualified to do because of his enjoyment of Sherlock Holmes novels. When he discovers Reeves, a thoroughly capable, steam powered automatic valet, telling fortunes at a club he frequents, he figures it's a good match.
It totally is- without Reeves, Reggie would know his you-know-what from a hole in the ground, and even with Reeves thoroughly managing things behind the scenes, Reggie manages to make a muddle out of just about anything, even without trying. He fixates on an idea and simply cannot let go of it, much to the amusement of the reader and the chagrin of the rest of the characters.
There's a lot going on in this story- missing debutantes, secrets and lies, intrigue, pork products, you name it. It's a story that strives to make people laugh, especially those who are fond of Victorian detective novels or mysteries in general. It doesn't try to save the world and overhaul the characters from the beginning to the end, and I appreciated that- sometimes it's nice to just have a good joke and leave it at that. This is a novella, as well, so it's the perfect thing for a short reading break. Plus, with a price tag of $2.99, what's not to love?
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What Ho, Automaton! chronicles the adventures of Reggie Worcester, gentleman consulting detective, and his gentleman's personal gentle-automaton, Reeves. Reggie, an avid reader of detective fiction, knows two things about solving crime: One, the guilty party is always the person you least suspect. And, two, The Murders in the Rue Morgue would have been solved a lot sooner had the detective the foresight to ask the witnesses if they'd seen any orang-utans recently. Reeves needs all his steam-powered cunning and intellect to curb the young master's excessive flights of fancy. And prevent him from getting engaged. The book contains two stories set in an alternative 1903 where an augmented Queen Victoria is still on the throne and automata are a common sight below stairs. What Ho, Automaton! - an 8,000 word novelette of how the two met. Something Rummy This Way Comes - a 41,000 word novella chronicling their first case. When Reggie discovers that four debutantes have gone missing in the first month of The London Season and, for fear of scandal, none of the families have called the police, he feels compelled to investigate. With the help of Reeves's giant brain and extra helpings of fish, he conducts an investigation that only a detective of rare talent could possibly envisage. Mystery, Zeppelins, Aunts and Humour. A steam-powered Wodehouse pastiche. REVIEWS“I found myself laughing out loud at Reggie and the fabulous Reeves as they romped their way through various adventures. A homage to Wodehouse without being sycophantic, this is fantastic. One thing to say to Chris Dolley: More please!" Sueo23“I enjoyed every page of this book. A steampunk novel that combines classic British Humor, tongue-in-cheek references to Sherlock Holmes and a cast of great characters. I don't think I've actually laughed out loud this much while reading a book in a very long time." ErisAerie“Dolley has managed to capture Wodehouse's style, rhythm, and sense of humor almost perfectly ... it is just so much fun, and the author's exploration of this alternative England, full of robots and polite Frankenstineian constructs, adds an absurd depth not found in its inspiration." Magus Manders“Absolutely enjoyable book to read. The author creates this fantastical old England with a nut of a main character and a mechanic sidekick that leave you grinning after each page. It's the next best thing to Sherlock Holmes, and I hope there are sequels."Ashschreck“A rollicking good read! Not having read the original Wodehouse (although feeling a sudden desire to) but being a huge fan of the TV series I adored these stories - I could hear Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry in my head. True to character and quick of wit, I couldn't stop laughing." Larry Auld
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