A likable but not exciting look across several genres. Emma's introduction is a strong point. ( )

The Baskerville Tales contains three short stories in the Baskerville world. Each short story includes characters we have become familiar with as protagonists. They are an accompaniment to The Baskerville Affair series and don't really add much to what we already know.

The Adventure of the Wollaston Ritual

This short story takes place while Emma and Imogen are still at Wollaston Academy. It is a prequel to A Study in Silks. With her time at the academy coming to an end Emma is concerned about her future because unlike her fellow classmates, coming out in London and searching for a husband just isn't in her cards. Though the Academy has done much to turn her into a proper lady and smooth down the rough edges she acquired living in a circus with her father's family, traces of all she learned are still with Emma.

When a deliver girl brings a rotting arm to the Academy campus, as proof of the supposed ramblings of Dr. Larch, Emma and Imogen are the only ones convinced that this isn't just a sign that Dr. Larch has taken leave of reality but a sign that something unnatural has occurred. When Imogen catches a chill due to her weak constitution, it's up to Emma to develop a plan of execution.

By the time we meet Emma in A Study in Silks her affinity with devas and mechanicals is well established. This story explains how it is that Emma combines magic with mechanical objects. To solve the mystery of the shambling zombie, Emma must trust in her abilities and accept that the blood (read: magic) will always be with her. Emma learns that there is place to employ the skills of proper feminine behaviour and place to cut to the chase and deal with what's at hand. I do however wish that there had been less time spent on the mystery of the zombie and more time spent delving into how Emma felt about her powers and the conflict she faces regarding them.

The Strange and Alarming Courtship of Miss Imogen Roth

As the title infers, this short story is about the romance between Bucky and Imogen. It occurs just after the end of A Study in Silk. Emma has been sent away in disgrace, and Imogen's father is facing great financial difficulties. Imogen is being pressured to make a good match to help improve the family's fortunes and standing. Imogen however has her heart stuck on Bucky who while set to inherit a fortune does not have the class background that her family approves of.

As with all romance stories, this one includes a misunderstanding between the couple before leading to a dramatic HEA. Unfortunately, I found the drama to be trite an uninteresting. What drew me to this series is most certainly not the relationship between Imogen and Bucky and I found my eyes skipping over sentences in a rush to finish this story. Imogen didn't appear strong in this story and in fact acted like an infatuated school girl, leaving me to wonder where the quiet confidence she had displayed in other books went?

In keeping with the steampunk theme of this series, Holloway does include small elements through the use of Bucky's inventions; however, it's not enough to give this story a real steampunk feel. More than anything this is a short story about romance with small steampunk elements thrown in. For me, it was a disappointing read.

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Three varied short stories only one of which I enjoyed, hence the 2.5 star rating.

The first story was slow to start with language that is stilted and self-conscious. It gave the reader a glimpse into the final schooldays of Eveline and Imogen. I'm not big on zombie tales so this one was a bit lost on me.

I enjoyed the second story which takes place after the first book in the Baskerville series, Study in Silks. It features Imogen and Bucky Penner. It was a charming tale very much more the style I like but it still goes on a bit too long.

The third was an action adventure tale featuring the villain Striker, which really wasn't to my taste. Shame, since I found Study in Silks so very enjoyable. ( )