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Richard Dee
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The Sensaurum and the Lexis.: A Steampunk tale of action, danger, and intrigue, with a little romance. (The adventures of the Orphan Detectives Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Richard Dee (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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In a world of steam and clockwork, evil forces are at work.

Jackson Thwaite is unaware of the constant battles fought to keep Norlandia safe. After the accident that took his parents, he’s just another poor soul in Makewright Orphanage.
Surviving the day is the only thing on his mind.

He’s about to learn that the orphanage hides a secret. Although he doesn’t know it, Jackson has been selected to join the ranks of the Orphan Detectives; a secret group dedicated to maintaining the peace and stability of the realm. Jessamine Batterlee, a seasoned detective, is to be his teacher. But could she ever become more than that?

Their foe, in Jackson’s first case with the detectives, is armed with the latest devices that perverted science has devised. Control of Norlandia and everyone in it is his ultimate aim.

All that stands between civilisation and anarchy are Jackson, Jessamine, and the rest of The Orphan Detectives. Jackson, although he doesn’t know it, holds the key to success or failure.

Lives will be lost and saved; dangers will be faced. Hard decisions must be taken. Can Jackson and Jessamine survive when all seems lost?

"A fantastical world filled with gears, pneumatics, airships, and intrigue aplenty that kept everyone on their toes."

"This is definitely a page-turner."

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    The adventures of the Orphan Detectives
  2. Print length
    334 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    March 26, 2020
  5. File size
    1.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Bundle price: Kindle price
$7.98
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Editorial Reviews

Review

From a Goodreads reader."Brilliant story, great characters! Cannot wait to read more about Jessamine and Jackson's adventures. If steampunk is what you like, read this book, never read stuff like that- read it, it is very good book!"

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083CXS2H8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 4Star Scifi (March 26, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 334 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

About the author

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Richard Dee

Richard Dee

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I’m Richard Dee and I’m from Brixham in Devon.

I write all kinds of speculative fiction, from Science Fiction and Steampunk to sci-fi crime and psychological thrillers.

Forty years at sea gave me the ideas, I just changed the names and set them in the future or in an alternative now.

All my work is fuelled by black coffee and homemade digestive biscuits.

You can keep up with me at https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/ where you’ll find free short stories, regular features on writing, book reviews and guest appearances from other great authors.

I can also be contacted at richarddeescifi@gmail.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
14 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • L Pieters
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fun old-school adventure with gizmos and gadgets galore
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2020
    I received a free advance copy of this book from the author, for the purpose of finding any last-minute errors prior to release. The decision to review, and any opinions herein, are my own.

    Richard's latest offering is a steampunk delight. His plot twists keep the pace moving speedily and yet there are fragile human moments interspersed throughout. The action is presented realistically, with a side helping of serious Victorian common sense maintaining its stiff upper lip.

    I chuckled at a few hidden gems of wit in unexpected places, delightfully reminding me of Sir Terry Pratchett's pithy style of prose. This is definitely a page-turner where the mundane world as we know it, has been turned quite solidly on its head and presented from a delicious new viewpoint.

    I look forward to reading the dashing exploits of our heroic couple in the next book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • D. W. Peach
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bio punk fantasy. Creative!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2021
    I believe this novel might share its steampunk subgenre with “biopunk.” The characters, dialog, and social norms seem Victorian in nature, but the story takes place in a world designed around one highly sophisticated technology—in this case, synthetic biotechnology, specifically biorobotics and prosthetics.

    The story follows Jackson and Jessamine, two teenage orphans who work as spies for a secret agency determined to stop an evil mastermind from bio-engineering the brains of ordinary citizens in order to turn them into mindless slaves. Along with bio-tech, there are other forms of technological upgrades including gadgets that help the duo survive, gas guns, rail vehicles, and flying machines. Some of the bio-science is a big stretch, but with some suspension of disbelief, it’s consistent and enjoyable.

    These two characters share the narration, though the story is told in an omnipresent pov. Dialog is formal and a bit stilted based on the era, but it felt natural in this altered world. I liked both characters, especially Jackson who is new to the spying game and learning the ropes. There’s some romance and tenderness, but the book is full of action, danger, and intrigue as the two heroes and their group try to discover what is going on and how to stop it.

    Recommended to readers who enjoy steampunk worlds, plots around mind control, evil master minds, and the teens who foil them.
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  • JessicaR
    3.0 out of 5 stars Difficult to rate. Liked the story had difficulty with the writing;
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2022
    I love the thought that went into the plot and worldmaking. It is a somewhat dystopian steampunk atmosphere that is far from gratuitous (I hate that some authors throw in genre references into a plot that could be carried just fine without the ornamentation) and blends seamlessly into the plot. There is a small problem of how the MC gets into a club that there seems not to have been any reason for the leaders to think he belongs in but past that point it is a fun, driving storyline.

    The author (like in other books) has done a lot of tedious over explaining particularly in the beginning making a reader believe that this is intended to be a book for a younger crowd but there are adult inclusions (sex and assault themes) that one would think are somewhat inappropriate for that to be the case.

    That seems to be a lot of criticism and I confess that I stopped the struggle at about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way through but I've read an Andorra Pet book and the same issues apply though there are a lot of people who are giving them good reviews so I expect that this will appeal to the same.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Antonia Patricia
    5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling story set in an immersive world.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I was totally hooked. Characters that won my affection and sympathy, a fascinating steam-punk setting and a fast-paced plot. I am a new reader of this genre and I'm addicted! Enjoy!
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  • Steven Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The story follows Jackson, a young man who has spent the last six years of his life behind the orphanage’s walls. He hasn’t seen the city beyond in all that time. His life is nothing special. He sits through lessons he has no interest in, carries out chores and does his best to dodge the bullies and make it through another day. That is until he finds himself recruited into a secret order of detectives working with the man in charge of the orphanage, and ultimately for the country’s protection.

    Then his life is turned upside down. Lessons in self-defence, how to scale walls, how to find his way around the city and how to maintain a cover story start, to name a few. Lessons that Jackson has no problem with. Along with his new friend Jessamine, he finds himself thrown headfirst into his new role in life, investigating a serious threat that could harm the nation and its people.

    The story is exciting, and the character development is fantastic. Some characters are engaging others cold and distant, a testament to Dee’s character building. The world is rich and vibrant and feels like exactly the sort of place I picture when thinking of steampunk. I’m a huge fan of Richard Dee’s books and would go out on a limb saying this is by far my favourite of his books so far! I look forward to seeing what comes next for the Orphan Detectives.
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  • Aaron
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced, engaging characters and twists to keep you guessing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Having read a few sci fi novels by the author, I was intrigued to read a new genre from him and it didn't disappoint. The depth to the characters has you wanting to know more, the twists and turns in the plot create intrigue and the dash of romance elevated the book to the next level.

    Richard's imagination will have your synapses firing as you feel yourself immersed in this new world, imagining walking, running and climbing with the characters. A thoroughly good mix of steampunk, coming of age and crime thriller, this will appeal to a lot of readers.
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  • marjorie mallon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Steampunk, Spies, Secrets and Fun!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I was curious to discover more about steampunk... and this has confirmed how interesting and different this genre is.

    The Sensaurum and The Lexis is a Steampunk Spying mission story set in Norlandia with lots of fascinating details, secrets and discoveries.

    You can expect... unscrupulous scientific experimentation, artificial limbs, flying machines, The Watchmen, (law of Norlandia,) a beast called the Drogan, spy accouterments, (007 for orphans!) the Rotaplane, walking exo-men, and other such imaginative wonders. Oaths to be made, secrets and lessons to be learnt, the ever-present fear of discovery, or dying on duty, as well as shameful moments to boot!

    The main character Jackson Thwaite's father and mother die in a terrible accident in a factory whilst making artificial limbs for the government. Intriguing, or what? Fellow spy Jessemine Batterlee is plucky and resourceful!

    Relationships are forged and questioned - Is it a good idea to fall in love if you are a spy?

    Richard Dee does a great job world building and creating wonderfully engaging characters.

    Really loved this. Great story and great fun! 5 stars.
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