Previous outings with Elizabeth Barnabas have combined her continual efforts to escape capture by or for the Duke of Northampton, an adversarial relationship with the powerful Patent Office, entanglement with agent John Farthing, and her circus past with her case work as a detective. This time out, however, instead of employment as a detective we find Elizabeth being roped into a new sort of adventure, joining other former members of a traveling circus on a heist caper.

And what a caper it is. Full of plotting, peril, and occasional poor decisions, as the final book of a trilogy this ticks all the boxes, wrapping everything up so well while managing to give the reader a story that progresses in unexpected ways.

If you enjoy fantasy, alternate histories, steampunk, heists, circus performers, mysterious vaults, dastardly dukes that get their…just read this, but do read the trilogy in order. And then, don’t be surprised if you want more (which the author has kindly provided with the follow-up trilogy The Map of Unknown Things).

This review refers to a purchased paperback, though the publisher was kind enough to approve my NetGalley request. All opinions expressed are my own.

The third Elizabeth Barnabus book set in the gas-lit Empire, following on from The Bullet Catcher's Daughter and Unseemly Science. Elizabeth is on the run from the authorities as both halves of Britain – independent and suspicious of each other – prepare to sign an extradition treaty that could send Elizabeth and all the Kingdom refugees back home against their will. If that happens the slimy Duke of Northampton will be waiting to snatch her into sexual slavery. Even before the treaty is signed Elizabeth is rounded up with other refugees and has to use all her skills to escape. But not to be outdone she takes matters into her own hands in a dangerous, last-ditch attempt to be free. We meet some old friends from previous books. There's a slow burn romance with Patent Office agent John Farthing, a daring heist, and a satisfying resolution. I've thoroughly enjoyed the whole trilogy and I see that Elizabeth is back in The Queen of All Crows, book 1 of a new trilogy. Excellent!

Ummm, sort of embarrassed. I didn't know this was the second book in a series so I was confused for a good portion of the book...