Wherein much is Revealed about our Colonial Pepperpot and the Intrepid Mr. Books

THE JANUS AFFAIR (A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel)
Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris
Harper Voyager
May 29, 2012


The second novel in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series (after last year's Airship Award winner, PHOENIX RISING) does not disappoint. Our intrepid Archivists, Eliza D. Braun and Wellington Thornhill Books are returning to London from Edinburgh on the train when a young woman disappears in a flash of lightning and an overwhelming electrical odor before their eyes. Eliza even knows the woman, a colleague in the women's suffrage movement. Even though Eliza is on probation of a sort after the events of PHOENIX RISING, she can't let it go. Neither can Wellington when he discovers identical cases that have been shoved into unsolved cases at the Ministry.


The leading light of the New Zealand suffrage movement, Kate Sheppard, is visiting England in order to rally the troops and asks Eliza to aid in her protection. Along with Kate is her son, Douglas, world explorer and Eliza's first love. It's clear that Douglas would like to restart the relationship but Eliza is not at all sure. Wellington is quite sure that he doesn't want that to happen however! The disappearances continue, the movement is falling apart and it is becoming clear that something is rotten at the very heart of the suffragists. The sinister Maestro, assassin Sophia del Morte, part mechanical housemaid Alice and the Ministry Seven (a band of street urchins much like the Baker Street Irregulars) from PHOENIX RISING all play a large part in the story. Horrifying events abound; non-stop action and a slowly simmering romance make THE JANUS AFFAIR a book you can't put down. Plus great gadgetry and airships of course.


I particularly liked the homage to a real historical figure, Katherine Sheppard, who was the leader of the New Zealand suffrage movement. New Zealand was the first nation to grant the vote to women in 1894 and Katherine Sheppard was largely responsible. The fictional Kate Sheppard does not resemble her physically but embodies her spirit and dedication.


Much is revealed about Eliza's life in New Zealand and just why Welly has been hiding his many talents in the depths of the archives. The novel ends with Eliza and Welly off on assignment in the former American Colonies. One wonders how oh-so-proper Welly will cope with the Americans and whether the Maestro and Sophia will follow.


Rating- 4 1/2 Airships