I’ve made no secret of my love for Christopher Healy’s fantastic and hilarious Hero’s Guide series — so it should be no surprise that I’ve been greatly anticipating his next book. I am pleased to say that A Perilous Journey of Danger & Mayhem: A Dastardly Plot does not disappoint.
It’s 1883—the Age of Invention! A time when great men like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Nicola Tesla, and George Eastman work to turn the country into a land of limitless opportunity.
And it all happens at the world famous Inventor’s Guild headquarters in New York City—a place where a great idea, a lot of hard work, and a little bit of luck can find you rubbing elbows with these gods of industry who will usher humanity into the future.
Unless, of course, you’re a woman.
Molly Pepper, daughter of brilliant but unknown inventor Cassandra Pepper, lives with her mother in New York. By day, they make ends meet running a pickle shop; but by night, they toil and dream of Cassandra taking her place among the most famous inventors in America.
In an attempt to find a way to exhibit Cass’s work at the World’s Fair, they break into the Inventor’s Guild, where they discover a mysterious plot to destroy New York.
The evidence points to the involvement of one of the world’s most famous inventors, and now it’s up to Molly, Cassandra, and a shop hand named Emmett Lee to uncover the truth—even if no one will ever know it was they who did it.
There is so much to love about this book, and I’m delighted that it’s only the first of a new series — because I’m already eager for more, and can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Healy’s signature sense of humor is woven throughout the book, keeping the story fast-paced and funny even in the most dire situations. I loved the zany, mad-cap style to the story and the twisty, turny plot kept me on my toes.
And despite taking place in the 19th century, many of the key issues Healy touches upon seem intensely relevant right now — especially in regard to how women and minorities are treated. There are some excellent lessons incorporated into the tapestry of this book; they are powerful without being forced, and they made me love this book even more.
Also, this book gets my personal award for Best Execution of a Candy Corn Joke — which quite literally unfolds over the entirety of the book.
A Dastardly Plot is in stores now! And don’t miss the rest of the blog tour & your chance to win a finished copy.
Novel Novice 
Leave a Reply