Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Book View Cafe (2012), 81 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. HTML: Guy Fawkes is back and this time it's a toss up who's going to be blown up first - Parliament or Reginald Worcester, gentleman consulting detective. But Guy might not be the only regicide to have been dug up and reanimated. He might be a mere pawn in a plan of diabolical twistiness. Only a detective with a rare brain - and Reggie's is amongst the rarest - could possibly solve this 'five-cocktail problem.' With the aid of Reeves, his automaton valet, Emmeline, his suffragette fianc�e, and Farquharson, a reconstituted dog with an issue with Anglicans, Reggie sets out to save both Queen Victoria and the Empire. This 19,000 word novella is the sequel to the WSFA Small Press Award finalist, What Ho, Automaton!.
User reviews
LibraryThing member buttsy1
Chris Dolley’s ‘Reggiecide’ is the second book in Dolley’s steampunk Worcester series, the first being ‘What Ho, Automaton’. I read it on a Kindle Touch.
Reginald Worcester is a gentleman’s consulting detective, with a passing acquaintance of detective work. Fortunately, he has the
In this episode, Reggie stumbles upon prometheans and necrometheans, reanimated dead people (and pets). Worse is to come – one of the necromeatheans has been misplaced. Guy Fawkes, reanimated to clear his name, cannot be found, and Worcester and Reeves are brought onto the case.
The story becomes a bizarre mix of Wodehouse, Frankenstein, Inspector Clouseau and Sherlock Holmes. Dolley pretty much manages to make this assortment work. Once I accepted some of the unlikely names and dialog, I enjoyed this brief story, journeying through an alternative Victorian London, above and below street level.
‘Reggiecide’ is light, funny, intriguing and easy to read. I will be looking for more of Dolley’s work when I need to fill a couple of hours and do not want to have to think too hard – ideal for travelling.
Reginald Worcester is a gentleman’s consulting detective, with a passing acquaintance of detective work. Fortunately, he has the
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support of his automaton, Reeves, and his spunky fiancée, Emmeline.In this episode, Reggie stumbles upon prometheans and necrometheans, reanimated dead people (and pets). Worse is to come – one of the necromeatheans has been misplaced. Guy Fawkes, reanimated to clear his name, cannot be found, and Worcester and Reeves are brought onto the case.
The story becomes a bizarre mix of Wodehouse, Frankenstein, Inspector Clouseau and Sherlock Holmes. Dolley pretty much manages to make this assortment work. Once I accepted some of the unlikely names and dialog, I enjoyed this brief story, journeying through an alternative Victorian London, above and below street level.
‘Reggiecide’ is light, funny, intriguing and easy to read. I will be looking for more of Dolley’s work when I need to fill a couple of hours and do not want to have to think too hard – ideal for travelling.
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LibraryThing member Katyas
Book Info: Genre: Steampunk mystery, humorous/Wodehouse parody
Reading Level: all ages (if able to read it)
Recommended for: people who enjoy steampunk stories, fans of Wodehouse's Jeeves novels, who like to laugh
My Thoughts: This is the sequel to What Ho, Automaton! (review linked here where
Again, this was a very funny novella. It was a fast read, and like the first, full of all kinds of wonderful nonsense. The first book featured mostly automata, and only a few Prometheans (creatures sewn together of various parts and reanimated a la Frankenstein); in this book we mostly see Prometheans, with Reeves being the only automaton featured. I'm not certain if there will be any more of these, but if there are I'll be sure to search them out. Dolley has a dry absurdist sense of humor I find very appealing, and I will most likely be picking up more of his books if I am able. I have two more of his books available to me right now, which I plan to read over the weekend, so watch for those reviews coming up.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Guy Fawkes is back and this time it’s a toss up who’s going to be blown up first—Parliament or Reginald Worcester, gentleman consulting detective.
But Guy might not be the only regicide to have been dug up and reanimated. He might be a mere pawn in a plan of diabolical twistiness.
Only a detective with a rare brain—and Reggie’s is amongst the rarest—could possibly solve this ‘five-cocktail problem.’ With the aid of Reeves, his automaton valet, Emmeline, his suffragette fiancée, and Farquharson, a reconstituted dog with an issue with Anglicans, Reggie sets out to save both Queen Victoria and the Empire.
Reading Level: all ages (if able to read it)
Recommended for: people who enjoy steampunk stories, fans of Wodehouse's Jeeves novels, who like to laugh
My Thoughts: This is the sequel to What Ho, Automaton! (review linked here where
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formatting allowed), and a parody of the Wodehouse Jeeves books, set in a steampunk version of Victorian England (right after the turn of the 20th century; they are set in 1903).Again, this was a very funny novella. It was a fast read, and like the first, full of all kinds of wonderful nonsense. The first book featured mostly automata, and only a few Prometheans (creatures sewn together of various parts and reanimated a la Frankenstein); in this book we mostly see Prometheans, with Reeves being the only automaton featured. I'm not certain if there will be any more of these, but if there are I'll be sure to search them out. Dolley has a dry absurdist sense of humor I find very appealing, and I will most likely be picking up more of his books if I am able. I have two more of his books available to me right now, which I plan to read over the weekend, so watch for those reviews coming up.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Guy Fawkes is back and this time it’s a toss up who’s going to be blown up first—Parliament or Reginald Worcester, gentleman consulting detective.
But Guy might not be the only regicide to have been dug up and reanimated. He might be a mere pawn in a plan of diabolical twistiness.
Only a detective with a rare brain—and Reggie’s is amongst the rarest—could possibly solve this ‘five-cocktail problem.’ With the aid of Reeves, his automaton valet, Emmeline, his suffragette fiancée, and Farquharson, a reconstituted dog with an issue with Anglicans, Reggie sets out to save both Queen Victoria and the Empire.
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LibraryThing member Luisali
Reggiecide is a funny short story that resembles in some aspect Mel Brooks' films. Like these, is an affectionate parody of a genre (the early crime novel) that twist the usual themes in a wacky, tongue in check, and humorous way.
“A person, or persons, with at least one leg between them. Now,
I think Mr S-F was pretty impressed by my demonstration of the deductive arts, for he took a moment to reply, his mouth agape in obvious reverence.”
This aspect would be enough to make me appreciate Reggiecide, but there are also other elements that made me love this short story: a dash of Steampunk, a quote from Asimov, and the surprise appearance of Karl Marx (“The music hall entertainer, sir. One of the three Marx Brothers — Karlo, Engelo and Lenino — a song, a dance, and dialectical materialism.”).
I liked a lot Reggiecide, and now I'm a happy reader, because I discovered a new and enjoyable author.
“A person, or persons, with at least one leg between them. Now,
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who else knew that your relative was here?”I think Mr S-F was pretty impressed by my demonstration of the deductive arts, for he took a moment to reply, his mouth agape in obvious reverence.”
This aspect would be enough to make me appreciate Reggiecide, but there are also other elements that made me love this short story: a dash of Steampunk, a quote from Asimov, and the surprise appearance of Karl Marx (“The music hall entertainer, sir. One of the three Marx Brothers — Karlo, Engelo and Lenino — a song, a dance, and dialectical materialism.”).
I liked a lot Reggiecide, and now I'm a happy reader, because I discovered a new and enjoyable author.
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LibraryThing member soraki
Reggie, his fiance Emmy, and his mechanical butler Reeves are back in another steampunk mystery. They are hired to track down a missing Guy Fawkes. Yes, that Guy Fawkes, the one who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, the one who has been dead for three hundred years. Their client had
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recently resurrected his ancestor Guy Fawkes to prove his innocence but some nefarious villain has kidnappped Guy Fawkes instead. A simple missing person investigation turns into a race to prevent the villains from blowing up the Houses of Parliament. Show Less
LibraryThing member JulesJones
(Note: I received a free review copy of this through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.) An entertaining steampunk pastiche of Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster stories. It's one of a series of shortish stories about gentleman private detective and silly ass Reggie Worcester, his automaton valet Reeves,
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and his fiancee Emmeline, In this one, the chaps have to investigate the disappearance of Guy Fawkes, who has been revived as a Promethean by one of his descendents. Alas, Fawkes has but one thought left in his head... I found that it worked well even though I hadn't read the earlier stories. Good fun if you like speculative fiction and Wodehouse. Show Less
LibraryThing member pratchettfan
Reggiecide continues the adventures of would be detective Reggie and his mechanical butler Reeves. They find themselves investigating the disappearance of a recently resurrected Guy Fawkes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this humorous Steampunk novella and am looking forward to further adventures of this trio
I thoroughly enjoyed this humorous Steampunk novella and am looking forward to further adventures of this trio
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(Emma, Reggie's fiancee, does play a crucial role in the story as well). Show Less
LibraryThing member ljbwell
This is the 2nd of Dolley's Reeves and Worcester adventures. A send up of Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster stories, with additional nods to Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein, and a wee bit of British history, Dolley once again incorporates steampunk elements (though less prominent here than in What Ho,
The Reeves/Worcester relationship is faithful enough to the Jeeves/Wooster one. While I would have preferred more content and a bit more resolution at the end, and while the whodunit element is fairly obvious, Reggiecide is light and entertaining enough to bring a smile to a commute or a dark, rainy afternoon. Though it probably helped that the entire time I was reading this, there were fireworks being set off for what has apparently been a whole weekend build-up to Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night on November 5th.
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Automaton!) and Worcester's brainless sleuthing as he and Reeves are recruited to locate the recently re-animated Guy Fawkes. It's 1903 and there's a new plot afoot, but what is it and who's behind it? The Reeves/Worcester relationship is faithful enough to the Jeeves/Wooster one. While I would have preferred more content and a bit more resolution at the end, and while the whodunit element is fairly obvious, Reggiecide is light and entertaining enough to bring a smile to a commute or a dark, rainy afternoon. Though it probably helped that the entire time I was reading this, there were fireworks being set off for what has apparently been a whole weekend build-up to Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night on November 5th.
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LibraryThing member ninichkeh
I am probably too old to be fair to this book. It has some good ideas -- too many. It seems to be an overstuffed combination of P. G. Wodehouse, sci-fi, with bits of Sherlock Holmes and god only knows what else. The author has read a lot of books, and lets you know it. It is smothered in puns (some
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of the mildly salacious), very self-consciously tongue-in-cheek, what was once called arch. It is not a lighhearted romp, more like a heavy-handed stomp. I'm sorry, I cannot like this book. Possibly some will find it humourous. Two stars, barely. Show Less
LibraryThing member lesliejung
i'm afraid despite its geniality, the story line is weak and it is so derivative that i found it tedious - some ideas are funny (an offstage accident with a clergyman is left offstage for legal purposes - and Dolley doesn't forget, and so that is fun!) but the energy is high, and i can see that the
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author is having a good time and that's infectious. Show Less
LibraryThing member zjordi
Funny, extremely well-written, short&sweet.
All those words come to mind after reading this little masterpiece that re-creates (not a mere imitation, but a well-crafted re-creation) the style of the Conan Doyle books, with a none too subtle vein of fun that compounds to the enjoyment of the
If I had to find a fault in it, I wish the book were longer, to have more time to delve into the life and facts of the gentlemanly detective, his sufragette fiancée, or his mechanical batman.
Highly commendable.
All those words come to mind after reading this little masterpiece that re-creates (not a mere imitation, but a well-crafted re-creation) the style of the Conan Doyle books, with a none too subtle vein of fun that compounds to the enjoyment of the
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reading.If I had to find a fault in it, I wish the book were longer, to have more time to delve into the life and facts of the gentlemanly detective, his sufragette fiancée, or his mechanical batman.
Highly commendable.
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LibraryThing member lostinalibrary
In this steam punk homage to PG Wodehouse (with a nod to Sherlock Holmes and a slight royal wave to Christie), it is 1903 and reanimating dead relatives has become something of a trend in England. Reginald Worcester, gentleman detective, and his steam operated automaton valet, Reeves have been
As you might guess from the title, Reggiecide is a humourous take on the steam punk genre which has been known to take itself way too seriously. This short novella is full of puns and corny jokes some of them so old, they were probably already past their tell-by date in 1903 and yet, somehow, at least for me, it worked. No, this isn't great literature but it is damnably funny. It is also short enough to absorb in an hour or two when the holiday spirit is starting to get you down and you need an antidote to annoying relatives who just decided to drop in unannounced for Thanksgiving or Christmas or even that most British of holidays, Guy Fawkes Day.
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hired to find Guy Fawkes who was reanimated by a relative to prove his innocence. Unfortunately, Guy has gone walk-about and may be planning on finishing what he started in the 17th c., blow up Parliament while the Queen is visiting.As you might guess from the title, Reggiecide is a humourous take on the steam punk genre which has been known to take itself way too seriously. This short novella is full of puns and corny jokes some of them so old, they were probably already past their tell-by date in 1903 and yet, somehow, at least for me, it worked. No, this isn't great literature but it is damnably funny. It is also short enough to absorb in an hour or two when the holiday spirit is starting to get you down and you need an antidote to annoying relatives who just decided to drop in unannounced for Thanksgiving or Christmas or even that most British of holidays, Guy Fawkes Day.
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LibraryThing member Kaczencja
It's a short steampunk novella and I really enjoyed it. I laughed out loud a few times and most of the time the smile did not disappear from my face. I kind of felt the ending came a bit too soon but other than that (and maybe a bit more editing) I think it was a very quick and enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member Rutherford8
This short, steampunk novella was a really enjoyable read. I liked how the tone was light-hearted and humorous. The detective-style of the story line felt like it lent itself to a natural flowing plot line. The character development worked well in conjunction with the world-building; neither were
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lacking or overdone for the length of this piece--they did not detract from the story line. I would have liked to see perhaps a more detailed climax/ resolution at the end of this novella, but for the shortness it is a great story. With all of the talk about Guy Fawkes, more description and involvement of him at the end of the story would have been rewarding. I wished this story was longer to be able to enjoy the world a bit more. Show Less
LibraryThing member sjthszn
This was my first foray into "steampunk". While mildly entertaining, I don't see myself going back for any more. I was glad it wasn't any longer than 60 pages, it was getting tedious keeping up with a variety of characters, all with horribly long & strange names. Probably a good story if you like
Reviewed for Early Reviewers, librarything.com. I received this edition free through the Early Reviewers program.
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this genre. Reviewed for Early Reviewers, librarything.com. I received this edition free through the Early Reviewers program.
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LibraryThing member media-junkie
Can you imagine Jeeves and Wooster in a steampunk world with a little Frankenstein thrown in? If you think that's a good idea then you are going to LOVE Reggiecide. I find that a good book is enjoyable by the end of the first chapter. This book was good by the end of the first SENTENCE.
"It is a
As you can guess this story is a treasure trove of homages as well as just a jolly good romp. Treat yourself to this joyride.
"It is a
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truth universally acknowledged that a chap in possession of a suffragette fiancee is in need of a pair of bolt cutters."As you can guess this story is a treasure trove of homages as well as just a jolly good romp. Treat yourself to this joyride.
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LibraryThing member terriko
This is more hilarious Steampunk, Jeeves and Wooster style. The mechanical butler, the suffragette fiancée, zombie Guy Falkes, a zombie dog who really loves sausages, and our hapless hero of a detective... what more could you want?
LibraryThing member JosephLYoung
A Novella farce set in 1903 England. The principle characters are Mr. Worcester, the Gentleman's consulting detective, his man Reeves (an steam powered automaton subject to Babbages laws), Worcester's fiancee Miss Emmeline (a suffragette and protester at the gates of the Westminister's Palace),
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Snuggles a reanimator (one who revived Guy Fawkes and Sir Roger Mortimer - reanimated known as Prometheans who were orange from use of a French salve called ReVitaCorpse that kept old corpses from turning to dust). Their principal means of transportation was a Stanley Steamer which with the steam powered automaton, Reeves, lends to the description "Steam Punk" as a category for this book. The characters were very loosely modeled after Sherlock Holmes (Worcester) and Dr. Watson (Reeves) and use what Worcester terms logic to attempt to thwart another attempt to blow up the House of Parliament on the morning of the Queen's visit (the original crime that Guy Fawkes was hung, drawn and quartered for). This is a real tongue in the cheek corruption of history as well as Sherlock Holmes character as originally conceived but, the far ranging plot and ever suffering Man Reeves is amusing as they jump between obscure and mistaken conclusions as well as just plain funny situations and reactions. An enjoyable quick read to find out if the Prometheans and their modern coconspirators can succeed where their predecessors failed. Show Less
LibraryThing member saalaame
The cover's not much to look at. In fact, I was a little creeped out when I first saw it. Luckily, the blurb saved it from going into my discard pile. Thing is, I love steampunk. Add a dash of humour, and I'm a goner. So yes, I enjoyed this book. It was funny, witty and wacky. Heck, it's got a
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mechanical butler and a zombie Guy Fawkes. What's not to love? Show Less
LibraryThing member BrianEWilliams
I received this book as a LibraryThing Early Reviewer and for no good reason I postponed reading it for way too long. This is actually a real fun book to read - a short detective story set in a fictional Victorian England where there's robots run by steam and dead people are brought back to life
I recommend it to read for real pleasure.
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(don't take it too seriously!) There's a clever plot -- a revived Guy Fawkes is trying to blow up Parliament. Consulting Detective Worcester and his trusty side kick Reeves are called in the stop the plan. Worcester is a great send up of the stuffy pompous Victorian/Edwardian who really has no talent, but manages to get good results due to Reeves. I think the british call it muddling through., It's a laugh out loud story - easy to read in an hour or so and entertaining.I recommend it to read for real pleasure.
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LibraryThing member SimoneA
This is the second book about Reginald Worcester, a detective who does his best work with a few cocktails in his system. These cocktails are made by his butler Reeves, who is an automaton. In this story, some reanimated corpses go missing. The style of this book is quite funny. There is a dry wit
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in many parts, that made me chuckle. All in all, the book is a short and light-hearted read, nothing more, but surely nothing less. Show Less
LibraryThing member AMAMUR
I was delighted to receive this second instalment in the adventures of Worcester and Reeves. I thoroughly enjoyed What Ho, Automaton. This caper involved our heroes foiling a dastardly plot to destroy parliament by a reanimated Guy Fawkes. Tons of slapstick humour and mayhem ensue in this novella.
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A very funny book. Show Less
LibraryThing member khrister
This is the second book about Worcester and Reeves, in a steampunk/P G Wodehouse crossover (the first being What Ho, Automaton).
Just like in the first book, Worcester is a bumbling english gentleman, and Reeves his trusted automaton. This time, the adventures involves reanimated corpses,
Overall, it was fast paced and funny, and the wit was dry even in the sewers.
Just like in the first book, Worcester is a bumbling english gentleman, and Reeves his trusted automaton. This time, the adventures involves reanimated corpses,
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explosives, and plot.Overall, it was fast paced and funny, and the wit was dry even in the sewers.
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LibraryThing member Releanna
having read many of the original P.G.Wodehouse books, I can only say that this parody is really funny and did live up to my expactations - having also read some books by Chris Dolley, which I all thoroughly enjoyed!
LibraryThing member wolfangel87
I fully have to admit that I did not read the first book in this series. With that being said I think the author did an amazing job of bringing the character Guy Fawkes back to life. The story as a whole reminded me a little bit of Sherlock Holmes with a brilliant character on the investigating
Note: I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviews.
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scene. This book was a fast paced entertaining read. Towards the ending of the book it seemed as if the author lost his way and just wanted to get the story finished.Note: I received this book from LibraryThing Early Reviews.
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LibraryThing member magicians_nephew
Look. P. G. Wodehouse made it look easy. Bertie the silly ass about town and Jeeves, his perfect, brilliant god like manservant. Romantic comedy and nothing usually more at stake than taking the right girl to tea or evading the gorgon aunties.
But Wodehouse when he is good is effortless and casual
So Reggiecide tries to take Bertie and Jeeves into a steampunk England and the book tries hard. But we see the author working like a horse on every page and the charm and humor - disapates.
It's basically a long short story with too much on its mind - Mysteries, reviving the dead, the Gunpowder Plot, women's suffrage, and God know what else. Someone told the author that all you had to do was give a character a funny name and you don't have to power giving him or her a personality. So the book is strewn with Ffolkes and Ffarquars and people like Lady Penelope Hyphen-Hyphen-Jones. It's exhausting.
The author tries to recreate the giddy dialogue between Jeeves and Bertie, and sometimes it clicks. But mostly it doesn't.
Promising series hits the sophomore slump. Be curious to see what the author comes up with next
But Wodehouse when he is good is effortless and casual
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- tossing off outrageous plots and comical characters like he's telling you a good one over a pint at the pub.So Reggiecide tries to take Bertie and Jeeves into a steampunk England and the book tries hard. But we see the author working like a horse on every page and the charm and humor - disapates.
It's basically a long short story with too much on its mind - Mysteries, reviving the dead, the Gunpowder Plot, women's suffrage, and God know what else. Someone told the author that all you had to do was give a character a funny name and you don't have to power giving him or her a personality. So the book is strewn with Ffolkes and Ffarquars and people like Lady Penelope Hyphen-Hyphen-Jones. It's exhausting.
The author tries to recreate the giddy dialogue between Jeeves and Bertie, and sometimes it clicks. But mostly it doesn't.
Promising series hits the sophomore slump. Be curious to see what the author comes up with next
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Language
Original publication date
2012
ISBN
9781611382075
Local notes
vio kindle
series: #02 reeves
series: #02 reeves