This is the first of Michael Coolim’s works I have read. Wow! I love the steampunk world he has created! This novelette was a quick read with enough action to keep me reading. I will be reading more of Mr. Coolim’s works. I received this book from Library Thing to read and review. ( )

A Matter of Spirit is another short mystery by Michael Coorlim in his Galvanic Century series. This time is a locked room mystery. James Wainwright is called in by the Royal Guild of Artificers and Engineers to help defend another member against an accusation of murder. His partner, Alton Bartleby, sees another level of intrigue to what seems a clear-cut case. With nods to Sherlock Holmes and 19th century spiritualists, Bartleby and James take on the cons of ghost whisperers and the bigotry of established religion to find a killer.
As always, the story moves quickly. Coorlim has built an intriguing alternate London filled with both stock characters and quirky individuals. I always enjoy the unique technology of the steampunk universe and appreciate Wainwright’s expertise in engineering. This is a good chapter in the Galvanic Century, but not the best one to introduce a reader to this world. Definitely worth reading, but I would suggest reading others first though the plot does not depend on it. The ending implies there will be more chronicles. As Bartleby points out : “We’re making waves here in the city and its being noticed by power players“. ( )

Investigators James Wainwright and Alton Bartleby (affectionately known as Bartleby and James) are off to investigate a mystery involving one of James' old school friends and a missing medium. James' friend, Buckley, and his female associate have been conning people with fake seances, but her disappearance is all too real. Did a malignant spirit really snatch her away, as Buckley claims, or is the culprit all too human?

I don't typically read shorter-length fiction. I like to be entertained for a while and get really into a story. However, I have to say that I did enjoy this Bartleby and James adventure. I enjoy steampunk, the two seemed to have a nice chemistry, and the story was well-written. I plan to read more of Coorlim's work. ( )

Alton Bartleby and James Wainwright are asked to investigate a missing person case involving a former acquaintance named Buckley. Buckley and Miss Duscha Fedorovna were partners in performing seances for wealthy elite of London. Bartleby and James working on behalf of The Guild trying to solve this mystery. Bartleby and James ask questions of Miss Maple and Mrs. Lakewood about their experiences from the seances. Both report that they firmly believe in what Buckley and Miss Fedorovna were doing. Buckley claims that his machine called NecroGram is to blame for disappearance for Miss Fedorovna. Curate Lakewood has just returned from a missions trip to Japan. Can Bartleby and James clear Buckley's name? What is the connection to Miss Fedorovna's disappearance and seances? What kind of faith does Curate Lakewood possess? Your answers await you in A Matter of Spirit.

I really enjoyed reading my first book in steampunk genre. I admit I've always been curious about this genre but hadn't found the right book to read. I thoroughly enjoyed Bartleby and James banter which is either filled with sceptism or great faith. Subscribing to the belief that there is a logical explanation to what happens around them. I will definitely picking up more books in steampunk genre in the future. Thanks to the author for giving me a new book genre to read from. ( )

A Matter of Spirit is a novella and is part of the Bartleby and James mystery circle of the Galvanic Century series. Steampunk fiction.

We start out of trying to figure out a mystery of a missing, presumed dead, woman.

I found the read very Sherlock Holmesy type of read. They are shorter stories so with someone who doesn't have time for a long read this is perfect. ( )