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The St. Croix Chronicles #0.5
The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway
Although I have only been part of Society for two years, I am already desperate to escape its confines and eager for adventure. The world my deceased parents have left me is nothing more than a gilded prison, and I will do anything to escape the boredom, even become a collector of bounties.
My name is Cherry St. Croix, and I may be young, but I am old enough to know when I am in over my head. My first collection seemed easy: Mr. Strangeway’s debts have come due, and the purse for his capture is hefty. Yet the wastrel remains one step ahead of me, and my efforts are hampered by another collector after the same coin. What’s more, a simple hunt becomes the forefront of a conspiracy that leads me on a chase through London’s low-class streets.
Not only does my pride demand success, but the well-being of many rest upon the choices I make—failure is not an outcome I can live with.
29,000 words
My name is Cherry St. Croix, and I may be young, but I am old enough to know when I am in over my head. My first collection seemed easy: Mr. Strangeway’s debts have come due, and the purse for his capture is hefty. Yet the wastrel remains one step ahead of me, and my efforts are hampered by another collector after the same coin. What’s more, a simple hunt becomes the forefront of a conspiracy that leads me on a chase through London’s low-class streets.
Not only does my pride demand success, but the well-being of many rest upon the choices I make—failure is not an outcome I can live with.
29,000 words
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2013
4 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Karina Cooper
22books266followersAfter writing happily ever afters for all of her friends in school, Karina Cooper eventually grew up (sort of), went to work in the real world (kind of), where she decided that making stuff up was way more fun (true!). She is the author of dark and sexy paranormal romance, steampunk urban fantasy, and writes across multiple genres with mad glee.
One part glamour, one part dork and all imagination, Karina is also a gamer, an airship captain’s wife, and a steampunk fashionista. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a husband, a menagerie, a severe coffee habit, and a passel of adopted gamer geeks. Visit her at , because she says so.
One part glamour, one part dork and all imagination, Karina is also a gamer, an airship captain’s wife, and a steampunk fashionista. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a husband, a menagerie, a severe coffee habit, and a passel of adopted gamer geeks. Visit her at , because she says so.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 5, 2013
After the death of her father, Cherry St. Croix was taken in by a villain and for a time worked as a pick pocket. Then the executor of her father's will found her, plucked her from the street and installed her in a large house in the care of servants. But her time on the street left her addicted to laudanum (a tincture of opium and alcohol) and the servants are under strict orders to limit her consumption. Deciding to take matters into her own hands she becomes a bounty hunter so she can make some money to buy her drug of choice.
I have a problem with this book. It's a novella on the shorter side of novellas. It's obviously been released as a lead in to the third full length novel in the St. Croix Chronicles series which is due out at the end of the month. As a free gift to the diehard fans, to people who have been reading and enjoying this series, Mr Strangeway would have worked.
But I'm not a fan, I haven't read the first two books in the series, and I paid for this book. $1.99 for 85 pages in which story and character development are thin on the ground and honestly the heroine of the story doesn't do all that much...it kind of seems wrong.
Fans of the series will enjoy this. Not really sure if they will enjoy paying for it.
I have a problem with this book. It's a novella on the shorter side of novellas. It's obviously been released as a lead in to the third full length novel in the St. Croix Chronicles series which is due out at the end of the month. As a free gift to the diehard fans, to people who have been reading and enjoying this series, Mr Strangeway would have worked.
But I'm not a fan, I haven't read the first two books in the series, and I paid for this book. $1.99 for 85 pages in which story and character development are thin on the ground and honestly the heroine of the story doesn't do all that much...it kind of seems wrong.
Fans of the series will enjoy this. Not really sure if they will enjoy paying for it.
August 1, 2013
This must be my week for prequels, truth be told...I love them. Deep insight into the beginnings of characters we've come to adore...The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway is one of these adored insight giving story lines.
In The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway we meet the young Cherry St. Croix and she is about to take her very first collection. Mr. Strangeway has apparently gained some debt but the situation behind his circumstances aren't quite what they seem.
A wonderful adventure, and introduction into the fabulous world of Cherry St. Croix before she learned the ropes and lots of background into a series I fervently follow...what else could you ask for? Life and death chases into the dregs of London, it has that too. The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway is a must read for all The St. Croix Chronicles fans but if you want an introduction into this wonderful series it is also a great place to start.
A fast paced, shorter novel made this a wonderful afternoon read.
I received this ARC copy of The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway from Carina Press in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication August 5, 2013.
Written by: Karina Cooper
Series: The St. Croix Chronicles
Sequence in Series: .5
Print Length: 85 pages
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: August 5, 2013
Rating: 4.5
Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy, Scifi
For more about the author check out her website at:
Find this book on:
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For more reviews check out or find us on .
In The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway we meet the young Cherry St. Croix and she is about to take her very first collection. Mr. Strangeway has apparently gained some debt but the situation behind his circumstances aren't quite what they seem.
A wonderful adventure, and introduction into the fabulous world of Cherry St. Croix before she learned the ropes and lots of background into a series I fervently follow...what else could you ask for? Life and death chases into the dregs of London, it has that too. The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway is a must read for all The St. Croix Chronicles fans but if you want an introduction into this wonderful series it is also a great place to start.
A fast paced, shorter novel made this a wonderful afternoon read.
I received this ARC copy of The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway from Carina Press in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication August 5, 2013.
Written by: Karina Cooper
Series: The St. Croix Chronicles
Sequence in Series: .5
Print Length: 85 pages
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: August 5, 2013
Rating: 4.5
Genre: Steampunk, Fantasy, Scifi
For more about the author check out her website at:
Find this book on:
|
For more reviews check out or find us on .
October 31, 2013
Synopsis:
My Thoughts:
I finished it and ended up enjoying it. The beginning had a difficult time keeping my attention, but eventually, things started getting interesting.
This book is actually written after the first three books in the series, so it's kind of Cherry looking back and telling the story of her first collection. Therefore, some of the characters have personalities that have already been established throughout the series. I felt a little lost at times because of that, but it wasn't that bad.
The story went in a different direction than I expected and I ended up being pleasantly surprised in the end.
I'll likely read the rest of the books because I want to see what Cherry is like when she's older. She's only 15 in this book, but she's an adult in the rest. Also, I'm really interested in seeing more of Micajah Hawke.
There isn't any romance here, but I have a feeling some will develop when Cherry is older.
My Thoughts:
I finished it and ended up enjoying it. The beginning had a difficult time keeping my attention, but eventually, things started getting interesting.
This book is actually written after the first three books in the series, so it's kind of Cherry looking back and telling the story of her first collection. Therefore, some of the characters have personalities that have already been established throughout the series. I felt a little lost at times because of that, but it wasn't that bad.
The story went in a different direction than I expected and I ended up being pleasantly surprised in the end.
I'll likely read the rest of the books because I want to see what Cherry is like when she's older. She's only 15 in this book, but she's an adult in the rest. Also, I'm really interested in seeing more of Micajah Hawke.
There isn't any romance here, but I have a feeling some will develop when Cherry is older.
December 30, 2017
oh man this was bad. I hate steampunk
July 28, 2013
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Yeah... the lady can write!! I have loved everything Karina Cooper has turned out, & hail the day that I discovered her books. Her Dark Mission series was a captivating thrill ride from book one to its amazing finale, and The St. Croix Chronicles were my first foray into Steampunk. They instantly added a heroine to my list of top favorites, and reminded me why I adore the Victorian era Horror Classics so very much.
A foray into Cherry's life is always an eagerly awaited adventure, so The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway was a fabulous surprise in my not-so-patient wait for Corroded; and what a surprise it was! As I started with, Karina can write - she has a gift - but this book was SO beautifully written I found myself whispering a "wow" to myself on more than one occasion and highlighting several passages. It was like dark poetry - fluid, sinuous, and wonderfully tenebrous.
Being a fan of the series, it was awesome to read Cherry's recounting of how everything came to be; how she became a collector at the age of 15, how her debut take went down, how she first met the enigmatic Micajah Hawke, how her odd turns of fate would eventually lend to her extremely high rate of success (as twisted as the facts may be), and more -including some more tidbits into her childhood before she was sent to London proper in the care of Fanny and the Booths. There is an absolutely beautiful passage from the book that I have to quote here, as it was the perfect phrase to denote the catalyst for Cherry's character throuout the series: "This point, the lowest I can recall clearly enough to remember it as something other than a dream, became the match that would light the sick of my aspirations. For this was the moment in which a deliberate disregard for the expectations of others overwhelmed the inner voice of the young girl who sobbed for help." [You want to know what brought on that thought don't you!!? Well you're just going to have to read it to find out! ;)]
Outside of all of that, the story itself was wonderful. Like all of the St. Croix Chronicles installments, Karina took something from history and twined it into the story, it was chock full of intrigue, there was plenty of action, and the dynamic characters and vivid world building absolutely sucked you in.
The Mysterious Case of Mr Strangeway is a solid 5 Skull read and I would highly recommend it! I, personally, would not recommend reading it as a standalone, however, and even though it's classified as a Prequel due to the timeline of the story, it works best exactly where it was released, and should be slotted in after Gilded.
An absolutely wonderful tide-over until Corroded. A big thanks to Karina for sharing her beautiful mind with us all, and a portion of her sales with kids who have big dreams (kinda like Cherry)*!
*A portion of the sales of The Mysterious Case of Mr Stragneway are going to the Make A Wish Foundation.
*eARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Yeah... the lady can write!! I have loved everything Karina Cooper has turned out, & hail the day that I discovered her books. Her Dark Mission series was a captivating thrill ride from book one to its amazing finale, and The St. Croix Chronicles were my first foray into Steampunk. They instantly added a heroine to my list of top favorites, and reminded me why I adore the Victorian era Horror Classics so very much.
A foray into Cherry's life is always an eagerly awaited adventure, so The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway was a fabulous surprise in my not-so-patient wait for Corroded; and what a surprise it was! As I started with, Karina can write - she has a gift - but this book was SO beautifully written I found myself whispering a "wow" to myself on more than one occasion and highlighting several passages. It was like dark poetry - fluid, sinuous, and wonderfully tenebrous.
Being a fan of the series, it was awesome to read Cherry's recounting of how everything came to be; how she became a collector at the age of 15, how her debut take went down, how she first met the enigmatic Micajah Hawke, how her odd turns of fate would eventually lend to her extremely high rate of success (as twisted as the facts may be), and more -including some more tidbits into her childhood before she was sent to London proper in the care of Fanny and the Booths. There is an absolutely beautiful passage from the book that I have to quote here, as it was the perfect phrase to denote the catalyst for Cherry's character throuout the series: "This point, the lowest I can recall clearly enough to remember it as something other than a dream, became the match that would light the sick of my aspirations. For this was the moment in which a deliberate disregard for the expectations of others overwhelmed the inner voice of the young girl who sobbed for help." [You want to know what brought on that thought don't you!!? Well you're just going to have to read it to find out! ;)]
Outside of all of that, the story itself was wonderful. Like all of the St. Croix Chronicles installments, Karina took something from history and twined it into the story, it was chock full of intrigue, there was plenty of action, and the dynamic characters and vivid world building absolutely sucked you in.
The Mysterious Case of Mr Strangeway is a solid 5 Skull read and I would highly recommend it! I, personally, would not recommend reading it as a standalone, however, and even though it's classified as a Prequel due to the timeline of the story, it works best exactly where it was released, and should be slotted in after Gilded.
An absolutely wonderful tide-over until Corroded. A big thanks to Karina for sharing her beautiful mind with us all, and a portion of her sales with kids who have big dreams (kinda like Cherry)*!
*A portion of the sales of The Mysterious Case of Mr Stragneway are going to the Make A Wish Foundation.
August 27, 2013
If you're a steampunk fan and haven't picked up Karina Cooper's St. Croix Chronicles yet, what are you waiting for? This series really has it all - a tortured yet capable lead, fabulous supporting characters, a gritty underworld, intriguing steam-powered devices, and a plot filled with tension and heart-breaking emotion. Karina's books are truly underrated and deserve to find a larger audience. This novella would be perfect for readers looking for a taste of Cherry St. Croix before they commit to a full novel. While Cherry is much younger here than in the series, the storytelling was still deftly balanced and showcased Cherry struggle to find herself.
The Curious Case of Mr. Strangeway follows a 15-year-old Cherry St. Croix as she begins her career as a Collector. It is her first bounty and she is nowhere near as skilled and savvy as in the main series. I really liked the narrative of Cherry retelling the story because we got insights and side notes that we wouldn't have otherwise. I also liked seeing the difference between how Cherry thought of the side characters then and her relationship with them now. The story was very effective at showing how this incident affect Cherry and influenced her growth both as a Collector and with fitting into society. While not required reading for the series, it did provide an interesting perspective into Cherry's character that the reader wouldn't otherwise have.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for providing an ARC copy of this book!
The Curious Case of Mr. Strangeway follows a 15-year-old Cherry St. Croix as she begins her career as a Collector. It is her first bounty and she is nowhere near as skilled and savvy as in the main series. I really liked the narrative of Cherry retelling the story because we got insights and side notes that we wouldn't have otherwise. I also liked seeing the difference between how Cherry thought of the side characters then and her relationship with them now. The story was very effective at showing how this incident affect Cherry and influenced her growth both as a Collector and with fitting into society. While not required reading for the series, it did provide an interesting perspective into Cherry's character that the reader wouldn't otherwise have.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press for providing an ARC copy of this book!
April 28, 2014
One of the things I really wanted in Tarnished was more of the collector side of Cherry St. Croix and less of the society side. This prequel novella is all about Cherry becoming a collector and her first taste of the life. It was really a quick, enjoyable read. There was a ton of action and a lot of it was based on some true to history moments, which I thought was great.
We get some great moments with one of the most intriguing characters in the series, Micajah Hawke. I want so much more of him and I hope we can delve beneath all that hotness and see what he’s all about in the future books. I enjoyed seeing Cherry interact with the people of lower London for the first time. It was easy to see how she became so good at her job eventually.
This prequel was written after the first few books, but could easily be read before reading book 1 or really at any point in time in the series. I kind of wish I had read it before Tarnished. I might have been more accepting of the society bits if I had read this first. This is a great addition to the series, but could easily be read as a standalone as well.
Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review
We get some great moments with one of the most intriguing characters in the series, Micajah Hawke. I want so much more of him and I hope we can delve beneath all that hotness and see what he’s all about in the future books. I enjoyed seeing Cherry interact with the people of lower London for the first time. It was easy to see how she became so good at her job eventually.
This prequel was written after the first few books, but could easily be read before reading book 1 or really at any point in time in the series. I kind of wish I had read it before Tarnished. I might have been more accepting of the society bits if I had read this first. This is a great addition to the series, but could easily be read as a standalone as well.
Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review
August 8, 2018
Read this first
I read the first in the series but found this after, and it should be read first, as it is a prelude to the series when the main character was young. Loved them all!
I read the first in the series but found this after, and it should be read first, as it is a prelude to the series when the main character was young. Loved them all!
December 31, 2017
Why did I bother?
March 28, 2014
I don't normally read Steampunk, but seem to have acquired most of this series through Netgalley so thought it would be worth giving it a go and you know what? I really quite enjoyed this one, although it didn't appear as Steampunk-y as other Steampunk books I have read, but maybe because it's a novella so there wasn't much time/space to develop the Steampunk world. There were hints of it though so I'm guessing more will be revealed in the main books.
Cherry St Croix is a Society girl, but has had a difficult life in her young 15 years of age and having been abandoned before she finds trying to become a lady pretty boring and hates virtually everything that Society expects of her. After overhearing a conversation about collectors - people who collects others debts for them, usually from pretty unsavoury characters, she decides she would quite like this collector job to be a secret part of her life.
She sets off on her first job, which does not go too well for her at all. In fact, she doesn't collect her quarry at all, but instead pairs up with him to do a completely different job against the man who posted the collection note instead! She does start to get a feel for what collecting is all about and how dangerous is might get for her as well, but that doesn't scare her off at all. In fact, it makes all the more determined to be the best female, the only female, collector in all of London low!
Although this book was fairly short, I thought it was a great insight to this genre, especially for the likes of me who does not read it all that often. Cherry was a great character, feisty, determined and really didn't have a clue how much danger she was putting herself in, but kept on going regardless. I will very likely read the rest of this series at some point.
I did receive this book from the publisher through Netgalley but this review is my own honest review!
Cherry St Croix is a Society girl, but has had a difficult life in her young 15 years of age and having been abandoned before she finds trying to become a lady pretty boring and hates virtually everything that Society expects of her. After overhearing a conversation about collectors - people who collects others debts for them, usually from pretty unsavoury characters, she decides she would quite like this collector job to be a secret part of her life.
She sets off on her first job, which does not go too well for her at all. In fact, she doesn't collect her quarry at all, but instead pairs up with him to do a completely different job against the man who posted the collection note instead! She does start to get a feel for what collecting is all about and how dangerous is might get for her as well, but that doesn't scare her off at all. In fact, it makes all the more determined to be the best female, the only female, collector in all of London low!
Although this book was fairly short, I thought it was a great insight to this genre, especially for the likes of me who does not read it all that often. Cherry was a great character, feisty, determined and really didn't have a clue how much danger she was putting herself in, but kept on going regardless. I will very likely read the rest of this series at some point.
I did receive this book from the publisher through Netgalley but this review is my own honest review!
July 29, 2013
*Genre* Steampunk, Historical
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Karina Cooper has an interesting way of intertwining historical events with steampunk fantasy into a story that you can sit back and truly enjoy. Her heroine, Cherry St. Croix, has been on my radar since reading Tarnished back in 2012 and it's sequel Gilded that same year. There has been an underlying mystery and question as to how Cherry came about being the only female collector in London with a fairly impressive resume of getting things done and not failing at her job despite being so young and let's be honest, a female in a male dominated profession who is expected to also maintain a certain stature in London's Society.
As I am expecting the release of Corroded (September 23, 2013 by Carina Press) and even more answers to the question as to what will happen next to Cherry after the stunning ending of Gilded, this was the perfect book to reflect on how a 15 year old Cherry tossed aside stereotypes and challenged the world of collectors. The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway does exactly what it is supposed to do. It gives readers an insight by Cherry herself as to what made her become a collector and the arrival of the mysterious Micajah Hawke, The Veil, and The Midnight Menagerie into her life which all play important parts in this series.
Although a novella, the story still kept me entertained as well as on the edge of my seat since Cherry doesn't understand limitations or restraint or how to gracefully bow out when she's over-matched, and outgunned. I would say that she's a boar in a china shop, but that would be too simplistic.
Thank you very much Carina Press for allowing me early access to this title!
07/26/2013 - Recvd via NetGalley* Expected publication: August 5th 2013 by Carina Press
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Karina Cooper has an interesting way of intertwining historical events with steampunk fantasy into a story that you can sit back and truly enjoy. Her heroine, Cherry St. Croix, has been on my radar since reading Tarnished back in 2012 and it's sequel Gilded that same year. There has been an underlying mystery and question as to how Cherry came about being the only female collector in London with a fairly impressive resume of getting things done and not failing at her job despite being so young and let's be honest, a female in a male dominated profession who is expected to also maintain a certain stature in London's Society.
As I am expecting the release of Corroded (September 23, 2013 by Carina Press) and even more answers to the question as to what will happen next to Cherry after the stunning ending of Gilded, this was the perfect book to reflect on how a 15 year old Cherry tossed aside stereotypes and challenged the world of collectors. The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway does exactly what it is supposed to do. It gives readers an insight by Cherry herself as to what made her become a collector and the arrival of the mysterious Micajah Hawke, The Veil, and The Midnight Menagerie into her life which all play important parts in this series.
Although a novella, the story still kept me entertained as well as on the edge of my seat since Cherry doesn't understand limitations or restraint or how to gracefully bow out when she's over-matched, and outgunned. I would say that she's a boar in a china shop, but that would be too simplistic.
Thank you very much Carina Press for allowing me early access to this title!
07/26/2013 - Recvd via NetGalley* Expected publication: August 5th 2013 by Carina Press
July 26, 2014
I'm so sad that Avon decided not to publish more of this SteamPunk series. They were able to publish the first two books in the series: Tarnished and Gilded, but decided not to pursue the rest with this novella, which is the prequel to the whole series. This is the beginning of a new publisher for Karina and Cherry St. Croix and I'm glad that Karina didn't end it and got Carina Press (not related to Karina the author) to pick it up and publish the rest of the series.
I absolutely loved it! It's so great to see how Cherry came to be a Collector and of how she met the smoking Micajah Hawke!
I love how this novella showed us how Cherry will grow to be that famous Collector that she is in the series and of how she came to get the name Sparrow for her disguise.
I also really enjoyed the mystery, as always, and how there were twists and turns to the case she was collecting.
Cherry will always be quick witted which we know will be her greatest suit and she will become even more.....intellectual on how to get information of those she's chasing. You also get to see how she came to be inspired to invent her own weapons and gears from this first case of hers, so we definitely see how much she has grown from a curious child to an intelligent woman from this novella.
Though there were many repeated information about people and such in this novella as it does state in the novels, it was.....kind of in the way for us who has read the first two novels at this point. It would have been great for those who just started but it just got in the way of the story for me. But I love it still!
I absolutely loved it! It's so great to see how Cherry came to be a Collector and of how she met the smoking Micajah Hawke!
I love how this novella showed us how Cherry will grow to be that famous Collector that she is in the series and of how she came to get the name Sparrow for her disguise.
I also really enjoyed the mystery, as always, and how there were twists and turns to the case she was collecting.
Cherry will always be quick witted which we know will be her greatest suit and she will become even more.....intellectual on how to get information of those she's chasing. You also get to see how she came to be inspired to invent her own weapons and gears from this first case of hers, so we definitely see how much she has grown from a curious child to an intelligent woman from this novella.
Though there were many repeated information about people and such in this novella as it does state in the novels, it was.....kind of in the way for us who has read the first two novels at this point. It would have been great for those who just started but it just got in the way of the story for me. But I love it still!
August 17, 2013
A great prequel to one of my favorite steampunk series. It's a must-read for loyal St. Croix fans and a perfect introduction for readers who have been interested in starting the series.
I enjoyed being in the mind of a young Cherry St. Croix and learning about her first experience with collecting. She's a brave, determined girl wanting to prove that she's capable of becoming a collector below the drift and able to earn money of her own. Being a young heiress in London and a lady bound by society's rules, she has no way of supporting her opium habit without sneaking away and earning coin in other, more creative, ways.
Another thing I enjoyed about this story was the introduction of the Midnight Menagerie's Micajah Hawke. He's a character that followers of the series have become very familiar with and it was interesting reading about the first time they crossed paths.
If you're a fan of stories with a steampunk element and you enjoy tough anti-heroines and seedy underworld settings, then you'll love the St. Croix Chronicles. The last installment in the series, Corroded, releases this September.
Favorite Quotes:
"Born wealthy, raised poor, a criminal long before I was ever a lady. I was no more a part of London's streets than I was a part of my mother's Society. A deucedly lonely position, were I to let it haunt me."
"I shall be cautious as a mouse." A hungry one, with no fear, and fearsome teeth.
I enjoyed being in the mind of a young Cherry St. Croix and learning about her first experience with collecting. She's a brave, determined girl wanting to prove that she's capable of becoming a collector below the drift and able to earn money of her own. Being a young heiress in London and a lady bound by society's rules, she has no way of supporting her opium habit without sneaking away and earning coin in other, more creative, ways.
Another thing I enjoyed about this story was the introduction of the Midnight Menagerie's Micajah Hawke. He's a character that followers of the series have become very familiar with and it was interesting reading about the first time they crossed paths.
If you're a fan of stories with a steampunk element and you enjoy tough anti-heroines and seedy underworld settings, then you'll love the St. Croix Chronicles. The last installment in the series, Corroded, releases this September.
Favorite Quotes:
"Born wealthy, raised poor, a criminal long before I was ever a lady. I was no more a part of London's streets than I was a part of my mother's Society. A deucedly lonely position, were I to let it haunt me."
"I shall be cautious as a mouse." A hungry one, with no fear, and fearsome teeth.
August 19, 2013
Following the jaw dropping and heart stopping events in Gilded, Karina Cooper, takes us on a stroll down memory lane as we witness Cherry St. Croix's first collection gig Mr. Strangeway is Cherry's first target and suffice to say that this mission will pump your blood full with adrenalin.
I love this novella, Cherry as a 15yo collector is as tenacious and aggravating as her current self. And her first meeting with the mouth watering Micajah Hawke was very telling in terms of what their future relationship will be like. In a way I think this is everybody's way of bidding "old" Cherry goodbye because I don't think she, and us readers, will ever be the same after Gilded. Corroded is sitting on my TBR and I'm a little nervous reading it after THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF MR. STRANGEWAY because I have this nagging feeling that the new Cherry will be different and possibly far from improved.
Here's to hoping that Cherry's resilience will prevail against the most recent blow she was recently dealt with. Book three's title, Corroded, is very suggestive of what's going to happen next, my only wish that Cherry will remain an optimist and will continue to plow through, heartbreak and all.
P.S. I encourage everyone to buy a copy of this novella. KCooper is giving a portion of its proceeds to the Make A Wish Foundation so let's support this selfless endeavor of hers while helping kids' dreams come true.
July 28, 2013
3.5/5
This is a very nice and very short novella from a fabulous steampunk series which I can't help but recommend to anyone I know. If you haven't read Tarnished or Gilded yet, you must do it!
There are couple of reasons why my rating is lower than 9 out of 10 - which is what I rate this series in general.
First of all, I dislike the nature of novella itself as it's short enough to prevent any good plot development or character depth, so my ratings of novellas are generally not higher than ratings of the same author's full books.
The second reason is specific to The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway. The chosen narration is particularly awkward, because it reads like something told from Cherry's memories and with a lot of hindsight. The reader gets distracted by "if only I knew" and "after this job I learnt to", and for me specifically this didn't work at all.
Otherwise it's a pleasant story of a 15-year old Cherry trying to make her first collection, her many silly mistakes and her propensity to get into more trouble than she can deal with. Delightful!
For fans of Hawke (RAWR!): you have to read this, because it shows how they met for the first time, and I absolutely loved his derision for the snooty girl and his unexpected acknowledge of what she managed to accomplish in the end :) Recommended with slight reservations.
This is a very nice and very short novella from a fabulous steampunk series which I can't help but recommend to anyone I know. If you haven't read Tarnished or Gilded yet, you must do it!
There are couple of reasons why my rating is lower than 9 out of 10 - which is what I rate this series in general.
First of all, I dislike the nature of novella itself as it's short enough to prevent any good plot development or character depth, so my ratings of novellas are generally not higher than ratings of the same author's full books.
The second reason is specific to The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway. The chosen narration is particularly awkward, because it reads like something told from Cherry's memories and with a lot of hindsight. The reader gets distracted by "if only I knew" and "after this job I learnt to", and for me specifically this didn't work at all.
Otherwise it's a pleasant story of a 15-year old Cherry trying to make her first collection, her many silly mistakes and her propensity to get into more trouble than she can deal with. Delightful!
For fans of Hawke (RAWR!): you have to read this, because it shows how they met for the first time, and I absolutely loved his derision for the snooty girl and his unexpected acknowledge of what she managed to accomplish in the end :) Recommended with slight reservations.
September 7, 2013
This “mysterious case� is the prequel to Cooper’s St. Croix series, and as such it offers a teasing glimpse into the origins and backstory of her heroine, Cherry St. Croix� before she became the only female “collector� in her steampunk London. Cherry’s origin story is both a rollicking adventure in its own right and a peek into a steampunk world filled with stranger delights and darker depths than the surface the author touches on in introductory tale.
Cherry’s story of riches-to-rags-to-riches is classic. Rich child orphaned and lost to the underworld, trained as a thief, is discovered by family lawyers, but much too late to forget the life lessons learned in adversity without the anodyne of laudanum. Society makes no sense, so she takes to collecting bounties to earn pocket money her own way. Then she finds her pigheaded self in the middle of much more than she bargained for, but is too stubborn to back out. And readers are too fascinated not to follow.
Verdict: Recommended. Steampunk readers who have not already discovered this series will love this teaser novella, and roll right into . Cherry is a flawed, selfish and willful heroine who is not always lovable, but she does keep the reader tantalized to the end.
Cherry’s story of riches-to-rags-to-riches is classic. Rich child orphaned and lost to the underworld, trained as a thief, is discovered by family lawyers, but much too late to forget the life lessons learned in adversity without the anodyne of laudanum. Society makes no sense, so she takes to collecting bounties to earn pocket money her own way. Then she finds her pigheaded self in the middle of much more than she bargained for, but is too stubborn to back out. And readers are too fascinated not to follow.
Verdict: Recommended. Steampunk readers who have not already discovered this series will love this teaser novella, and roll right into . Cherry is a flawed, selfish and willful heroine who is not always lovable, but she does keep the reader tantalized to the end.
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July 19, 20162.5 stars from Kat, read the full review at
I picked up The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway (2013) because it was free at Audible a while back. It’s the prequel to Karina Cooper’s ST. CROIX CHRONICLES which is set in Victorian London and begins with the novel Tarnished. In The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway, we meet Cherry St. Croix, an opium-addicted tomboyish teenage orphan who lives with a wealthy benefactor and sneaks out at night to earn money to support her addiction. She does this by being a “collector,� which is something like a bounty hunter.
This is the story of her first collection attempt. She must bring in a Mr. Strangeway, who is wanted for his various debts. As she tracks him down, she has to hang out in the sooty seedy parts of London where she gets involved with many disreputable characters such as terrorists, traitors, and a man who is exploiting child laborers. ...read the full review at
I picked up The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway (2013) because it was free at Audible a while back. It’s the prequel to Karina Cooper’s ST. CROIX CHRONICLES which is set in Victorian London and begins with the novel Tarnished. In The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway, we meet Cherry St. Croix, an opium-addicted tomboyish teenage orphan who lives with a wealthy benefactor and sneaks out at night to earn money to support her addiction. She does this by being a “collector,� which is something like a bounty hunter.
This is the story of her first collection attempt. She must bring in a Mr. Strangeway, who is wanted for his various debts. As she tracks him down, she has to hang out in the sooty seedy parts of London where she gets involved with many disreputable characters such as terrorists, traitors, and a man who is exploiting child laborers. ...read the full review at
August 6, 2013
A prequel to Cooper's excellent St. Croix Chronicles series, The Mysterious Case of Mr. Strangeway is an addictive adventure, featuring brash would-be Collector Cherry St. Croix on the hunt for her first official bounty. If you love Cherry's world, this glimpse at her beginnings is a must-read. It's dark, it's delicious, and yet Cherry is just setting her feet on the path towards becoming her best � and her worst � self. Cooper's prose is both sharp-edged and beautifully shaped, the story moves along at a fast pace, and you won't want to put it down until you reach the very end of the novella.
Last, but not least, Star Wars fans will love the appropriately steampunk-themed Easter Egg.
Last, but not least, Star Wars fans will love the appropriately steampunk-themed Easter Egg.
August 11, 2013
You are introduced to Cherry St Croix a fifteen year old laudanum addict and wannabe collector. KC easily meshes historical events with steam-punk elements as we get acquainted with Cherries dramatic past and her first foray into the collection business, a bright young girl being slowly suffocated by overprotective stuffy indomitable staff, she is not sure she can wait the interminable period till she reaches twenty-one to inherit her wealth.
Resourceful, naive and pigheaded she embarks on her first adventure, though as always, things are not as they first appear.
The novella kept my interest and is written well it just missed that all important element to get me really excited but tantalised enough to be ready to read the next one in the series.
Resourceful, naive and pigheaded she embarks on her first adventure, though as always, things are not as they first appear.
The novella kept my interest and is written well it just missed that all important element to get me really excited but tantalised enough to be ready to read the next one in the series.
February 7, 2018
Aug 2015 - Very rarely do I DNF a book but this novella was a struggle for me. The premise of the story sounded amazing & I was extremely excited to start it. I got 20% through & just couldn't pick it back up. I can confidently say the writing style is what turned me off. I love a great historical but this dialect reminded me so much of watching the tv show Peaky Blinders with the subtitles on because I couldn't understand a damn thing coming out of their mouths. If this is your forte by all means go for it! Myself, not so much. I like my reading to be effortless & I was unable to enjoy the story for what it was worth.
January 17, 2014
While I enjoy the idea and plot of this story, I just cant seem to grasp any interest for it. The "Language" of it, which I imagine was the common "language" of the time period this book is set in, is very confusing. I even found myself reading it in the voice of an old lady, and I found that distasteful.
I was lost and confused and eventually had to put the book down. It wasnt for me. However, I noted that the author had other series, and they look more to my taste, so Im not giving up on her writing just yet.
I was lost and confused and eventually had to put the book down. It wasnt for me. However, I noted that the author had other series, and they look more to my taste, so Im not giving up on her writing just yet.
September 26, 2016
Prequel to . Novella about a 15 yr old girl in 1880s London, raised in poverty but recently raised to gentility, who rails against her restricted life and tries to become a "collector" (bounty hunter) so she can buy books, laudanum and other things she craves. She takes a notice to find Mr. Strangeway, and stubbornly pursues her quarry despite dangers and pitfalls. Enjoyable.
August 10, 2013
I have made it very clear that I absolutely adore Karina's writing, and this novella is no exception.
Cherry is fifteen, and as reckless as ever. It was a delight to read her first collection, and every character she meets is wonderful. Not to mention Cherry's introduction to Hawke.
*fangirl squee* Hawke! How does the man get hotter every time I read him? Unf. He's such a great part of these stories.
Anyway, if you haven't read these awesome steampunk stories, WHY NOT?!
Cherry is fifteen, and as reckless as ever. It was a delight to read her first collection, and every character she meets is wonderful. Not to mention Cherry's introduction to Hawke.
*fangirl squee* Hawke! How does the man get hotter every time I read him? Unf. He's such a great part of these stories.
Anyway, if you haven't read these awesome steampunk stories, WHY NOT?!
August 19, 2013
Cherry St. Croix narrates this steampunk novella that serves as a prequel to the St. Croix Chronicles. Having had a quite unusual childhood, at fifteen she decides to become a “collector,� a bounty hunter of sorts. However, her first “collection� doesn’t go quite as planned. Cherry is a very likable character, and I definitely find myself wanting to read about more of her adventures. I will definitely be adding the St. Croix Chronicles to my “to-read� list.
September 27, 2014
Strange and Interesting
It took me a bit to really get into this book, but I finally took the plunge and started. It was unexpected and a bit difficult to understand in the beginning because of my lack of knowledge about the series. After working my way through the first couple of chapters, it became fascinating. This is my first introduction to the steampunk world. I plan on coming back.
It took me a bit to really get into this book, but I finally took the plunge and started. It was unexpected and a bit difficult to understand in the beginning because of my lack of knowledge about the series. After working my way through the first couple of chapters, it became fascinating. This is my first introduction to the steampunk world. I plan on coming back.
June 1, 2013
Excellent prequel to one of my favorite series. An imaginative steam punk alternate universe with wonderfully complicated characters I fell in love with.
September 4, 2013
3.5 stars
August 3, 2013
Awesome prequel to an outstanding series. Both the historical references as well as nods to the steampunk community made this a very entertaining read.
August 14, 2013
An insight into how Cherry became the Collector we know and love in the series. A great introduction to the series
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