Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Gangster

SERIES:  Magic & Steam

AUTHOR:  C.S. Poe

PUBLISHER:  Emporium Press

LENGTH:  242 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 12, 2020

BLURB:

1881—Special Agent Gillian Hamilton, magic caster for the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam, has recovered from injuries obtained while in Shallow Grave, Arizona. Now back in New York City, Gillian makes an arrest on New Year’s Eve that leads to information on a gangster, known only as Tick Tock, who’s perfected utilizing elemental magic ammunition. This report complicates Gillian’s holiday plans, specifically those with infamous outlaw, Gunner the Deadly, who promised they’d ring in 1882 together.

The two men stand on the cusp of a romance that needs to be explored intimately and privately. But when Gillian’s residence is broken into by a magical mechanical man who tries to murder him on behalf of Tick Tock, he and Gunner must immediately investigate the city’s ruthless street gangs before the illegal magic becomes a threat that cannot be contained.

This might be their most wild adventure yet, but criminal undergrounds can’t compare to the dangers of the heart. Gillian must balance his career in law enforcement with his love for a vigilante, or lose both entirely.

The novel-length follow-up to The Engineer, in the exciting new steampunk series, Magic & Steam.

REVIEW:

Note:  This is the second book in this series and the major world building and relationship setup is provided in the first book, The Engineer.  It isn’t recommended as a standalone.

After the events in Arizona, SA for the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam Gillian Hamilton is back in NYC, his home base.  He has a New Year;s Eve rendezvous planned with the man he met on his last assignment, none other than the most wanted Gunner the Deadly.  But he’s made an arrest of a man wanted in connection with illegal ammunition after a fight with some thugs from the local gang that goes a bit sideways.  As the interrogation goes on and Hamilton confers with his boss, Director Loren Moore, time drags on and Gillian is late meeting up with Gunner.

When Gunner and Gillian return to Gillian’s flat, another nasty surprise awaits them.  Once again Gillian and Gunner find themselves teaming up to take out the bad guys – though Gillian’s magic and Gunner’s weapon 🙂  And the hits just keep on coming, interrupting the romantic tryst that Gillian had envisioned.  It seems at every turn, there are more bad guys associated with the mysterious Tick Tock who is bent on taking over the city.  Gillian and Gunner have their hands full ferreting out the links between the illegal ammunition, the west coast architect and the lynchpin Tick Tock.  Each turn leads to more danger for our guys even as they try to get some time to themselves 😉

As they get closer and closer to discovering the links between the various bad guys and the quarry they seek, the surprises get more and more shocking.  The way the men who pursue our duo work magic and mechanicals are both fascinating and horrific.  The final battle with the mystery villain leads to further and possibly more dire complications.

Well this was a total surprise!  Gillian would just like to have a nice romantic time with Gunner over New Year’s, but that’s not to be.  The case he’s working on spins completely out of control, and every time he turns around someone is after him.  He’s also dealing with a lot of stuff at his office and with his co-workers, so he just can’t catch a break.  But Gunner proves to be an excellent partner as he continues to batter away at finding out who the mysterious Tick Tock is and how he’s connected to all of the trouble that keeps finding Gillian.  While Gunner and Gillian do not get much alone time, they do try to make the best of the time they do have together.  Secrets are hinted at and other secrets are revealed along the way.  Gillian is obviously torn by his past and the lies he has told.  As much as he wants to be totally honest with Gunner, he’s already shared more with him than he’s shared with anyone.  But shocking twist after shocking twist is revealed in this episode leading to the final cliffhanger reveal 😀  Brilliantly done!  The world building and characters are so original and well done here.  I’m absolutely desperate to find out what happens next.  Highly recommended!

RATING:

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