The Unpleasantness at Baskerville Hall

Reeves & Worcester Steampunk Mysteries, Book 2

By: Chris Dolley

Narrated by: Paul J. Rose

Wodehouse steampunk version of The Hound of the Baskervilles!

"Jeeves and Wooster meet (or run face-first into) Holmes and Watson with a touch of steampunk in the hilarious first full-length Reeves and Worcester tale.... This laugh-out-loud parody works on several levels.... With razor-sharp wit and fast pacing that plays fair with the reader, this is an excellent genre mash-up that fires on all cylinders." (Publishers Weekly)

An escaped cannibal, a family curse...and Reginald Worcester turning up on the doorstep. Could things get any worse for the Baskerville-Smythe family?

As the bodies pile up, only a detective with a rare brain - and Reggie's is so rare it's positively endangered - can even hope to solve the case.

But...there is the small matter that most of the guests aren't who they say they are, the main suspect has cloven feet, and a strange mist hangs over great Grimdark Mire.

Luckily, the young master has Reeves, his automaton valet, and Emmeline, his suffragette fiancée, on hand to assist.

This novel is the fifth Reeves & Worcester Steampunk mystery and is set a few months after The Aunt Paradox. The first four mysteries appear in the collection, What Ho, Automata.

©2016 Chris Dolley (P)2018 Chris Dolley

hysterical

if you enjoy numerous knockoffs of Jeeves and Wooster you should enjoy this. Wonderful array of characters. Helpful to read the previous book but not required.

hilarious

Great story with fantastic and memorable characters! The vocal performance was very well done and very well acted!

Fun P.G. Wodehouse writes Sherlock Holmes

This made me laugh, as is usual with Bertie & Jeeves, and captivated as I listened for resolution of the familiar mystery(s). Well written, imaginative, and witty, and the performance was impeccable.

Combines Genres

An interesting fact to point out at the outset, is that the author has combined genres to make for an interesting story. A little Frankenstein and a little Agatha Christie combine for a surprisingly funny murder mystery. Though I personally find the protagonist to be a bit annoying (we’ve all known people like this) and the cover art a little creepy, the book was enjoyable with twists and turns that are fun, albeit a bit confusing at times, to follow. The reader did an excellent job engaging multiple, unique voices to really imbibe the story with personality. Very entertaining! Always listen to your butler!!!

A Lighthearted and Fun Listen

What did you love best about The Unpleasantness at Baskerville Hall?

I thoroughly enjoyed Reggie's ways of thinking.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I just loved Reggie. He's just too funny.

Have you listened to any of Paul J. Rose’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't but would like to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I did, well if you discount a bit of pausing here and there for the kids.

Any additional comments?

I loved the way the story read. I had a smile on my face from beginning to end. It is a great lighthearted listen. Chris Dolley definitely wrote a very entertaining tale . If you want an audio book which is fun to listen to and will help lighten up your day, then you really need to give this book a chance!

I received this audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Reggie and and Jeeves and Steampunk, Oh My

Good Show Mr Dolley for successfully meshing Hound of the Baskervilles and Bertie and Jeeves . I needed something very funny, witty and light and this was perfect. You took two things that are well known and still kept me wondering. Excellent choice of narrator. Mr. Rose keeps the tone perfectly. Another please?

Such fun!

An amusing mixture of Sherlock Holmes, Isaac Asimov and P.G. Wodehouse with hints of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde and Poe.

Imitation and Flattery

Would Wodehouse be spinning in his grave or rolling on the floor in hearty laughter while listening to this loving steampunk tribute to his mastery of the Servant/Master class farces which entertained his audiences a century ago? Enhanced by Paul J. Rose's delightful narration, author Chris Dolley's twisted tale of mires and manors and the nascent motion picture industry includes a cleverly created whodunnit you will enjoy solving.

A missed opportunity

What an idea! Combine Wodehouse and Doyle for a mashup of Jeeves and Holmes!
Unless:
it's not funny, none of the Wodehouse wit
the mystery descends quickly into slapstick
The characters aren't developed; the Wooster character seems just stupid.