Book Review: Ashes to Ashes by C.J. Archer

Title: Ashes to Ashes

Author: C.J. Archer

Series: The Ministry of Curiosities #5

Genre: New Adult, Steampunk, Paranormal

Publisher: Self-Published

Pub Date: April 26, 2016

Pages: 126

My Copy: E-Book That I bought

Book Summary:

Charlie is gone, and Lincoln finds that Lichfield Towers offers no sanctuary. With reminders of her at every turn, and employees threatening to mutiny, he must try to find the murderer who is killing supernaturals on his own. And keep the murderer away from Charlie. 

When the strongman from the visiting Barnum and Bailey's circus is murdered, Lincoln suspects a link, but piecing together the clues becomes dangerous and difficult work. He can't afford to be distracted, yet he finds he can't concentrate fully on the task. Even worse, Seth's mother, the incomparable Lady Vickers, has come to stay. 

Book Review:

I totally enjoyed this book. Having this book told from Fitzroy’s point of view was interesting, as he is wrestling with the consequences of his actions from the last book. Sending Charlie away has left Lichfield Towers with a void. 

I like how Lincoln seems to be investigating the murder of supernaturals with both Gus and Seth’s help. Yet he has to deal with other things as well. Most of the household is mad at him for sending Charlie away, which I kind of hated he did that to her. You get to see him feel bad about it, but he keeps that part of him away. He gets to learn information, but there seems to be things developing with other characters.

Yet we get to meet Seth’s mother, Lady Vickers who definitely is a piece of work. She is staying and tries to do what a meddling mother does. Lady Vickers thinks that both Lincoln and Seth need to make good matches as this is expected of them at first, but as we get to learn about her, we learn that her life was not what you thought. She also gives Fitzroy a piece of advice, that Love grows over time, not fade. Lady Vickers was glad to have loved her second husband.

We also get to learn that one of the committee members has a wife that’s a paranormal shape shifter and this is going to be important I feel perhaps in later books. It’s also information that’s been withheld from him. Yet he feels sympathy for this woman’s situation. I also found that the investigation into who’s been murdering paranormals is taking some weird turns and that every time he finds a lead or new avenue, it gets taken away by someone being murdered. 

It’s also a shorter book than the other books. He also realizes that Charlie is in danger right at the end and now he is truly worried for her and has to get her. So it will be interesting to see what happens in the next book. I like how this book ended and how it gave us some insight into Lincoln’s mind.

Rating:

Four Hearts