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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Diamond Conspiracy by Pip Ballentine and Tee Morris

Series: Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #4
357 p.
Publisher: Ace
Published: 3/31/15
Source: TBR pile
For years, the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences has enjoyed the favor of Her Majesty the Queen. But even the oldest loyalties can turn in a moment… 
Having narrowly escaped the electrifying machinations of Thomas Edison, Books and Braun are looking forward to a relaxing and possibly romantic voyage home. But when Braun’s emergency signal goes off, all thoughts of recreation vanish. Braun’s street-wise team of child informants, the Ministry Seven, is in grave peril, and Books and Braun must return to England immediately. 
But when the intrepid agents finally arrive in London, the situation is even more dire than they imagined. The Ministry has been disavowed, and the Department of Imperial Inconveniences has been called in to decommission its agents in a most deadly fashion. The plan reeks of the Maestro’s dastardly scheming. Only, this time, he has a dangerous new ally—a duplicitous doctor whose pernicious poisons have infected the highest levels of society, reaching even the Queen herself...
My thoughts:
Another great addition to the series and it starts where the last one left off. This is a series I would suggest you start from the beginning. Not just because of a story arc running through the series but also with the characterization. You really get to know Agents Brawn and Books though the series and each book builds from the last. There is also enough steampunk gadgets for it to make it interesting but not too much tech that you get totally lost. It is a good balance of gadgets and mystery.

For me, this one was a bit more harrowing as the Ministry Seven (a group of street urchins Eliza "adopted") become part of the mystery and not in a good way. They also become more important within the ministry itself. The action is harrowing and while the book is complete and there is a huge twist in the end there is still more of the mystery we need to resolve. In fact, with the twist it feels as if it has almost become important to our duo to really figure out what is going on. It may be the key to Welly's mysterious background. Oh and Welly, will we ever see your full face on the cover of these books? LOL

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It was a good addition to the series and I highly recommend it to those that enjoy steampunk and spy genre books. It has plenty of both within the pages.



Bloggy PS
Lookie what I got! :)
I won this on a promo tour for this book.
I know the kiwi came from NZ since they were just there. The ring is also quite comfy and cute in person! Steampunk rules! :D

12 comments:

  1. Cool winnings. I keep meaning to try this series because I haven't invested in a good steampunk series, and I know that you and Maja both like this one and I trust your judgement.

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    1. I think you'll like this one. For me the steampunk is important but doesn't overshadow the spy story.

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  2. I do love when you really get to know characters as you go through the stories. I haven't read this series yet but I think I'm going to have to try it out! Good steampunk, FTW!

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  3. I really adore this series and these two are hilarious even when they are in mortal danger. I haven't read this one just yet, but I fully intend to.
    Wonderful review!

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    1. I love them together too! I think you'll really enjoy the twist... ;)

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  4. Oh I've been waiting to see what you thought of this one. I loved all the additional "history" in this book! And Welly, oh Welly.... LOL!

    Congrats on the win! :D I love the ring!

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  5. Oh it's great to see that it's again a really good one! I really need to start the series! Iknow it! Gerat review!

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  6. Oh those are such fun goodies to win! I've not read steampunk outside of an anthology. One day I do need to try more out.

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  7. SQUEE..I have this on audio and cannot wait to devour it. However I have a few audios for publishers to go first.

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Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!