I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Magic Lantern
by
Alex Archer
It is part of the Rogue Angel #36 series and is a magical realism in Paperback edition that was published by Gold Eagle Books on May 1, 2012 and has 324 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include The Soul Stealer, Gabriel's Horn, The Golden Elephant, Swordsman's Legacy, Polar Quest, Eternal Journey, Sacrifice, Seeker's Curse, Footprints, Paradox, The Spirit Banner, Sacred Ground, The Bone Conjurer, Phantom Prospect, Restless Soul, False Horizon, The Other Crowd, Tear of the Gods, The Oracle's Message, Cradle of Solitude, Labyrinth, Fury's Goddess, Library of Gold, Matador's Crown, City of Swords, The Third Caliph, The Babel Codex, Sunken Pyramid, Staff of Judea
Thirty-six in the Rogue Angel urban fantasy series that revolves around Annja Creed, an archeologist/TV show host who falls into one adventure after another.
My Take
Another fun and exciting adventure with the intrepid Annja. Kidnappings, torture, car and sewer chases… I’m kinda surprised the professor didn’t die… I’ve gotten rather accustomed to her boyfriends dying. On a more solemn note, the revelations about Roux and Fiona are rather sad and make me very curious as to what might transpire in the future!
You must read the prologue as it provides the background on the magic lantern. For those of you fascinated by magic or film, there’s a nice bit about the history of phantasmagoria as well as an interesting example of journalism in late 18th century France.
I really don’t understand why Westcox is so belligerent with Annja. Sure, as far as he’s concerned she’s a journalist, so why isn’t he harassing the others as well?
Too funny…you definitely want Annja and Fiona on your side in a bar fight! It seems you shouldn’t play against Annja in Trivial Pursuit, either! I do hope Archer brings Fiona in on more adventures — I like her!
What I particularly enjoy about reading this B series — think Saturday afternoon at the movies! — is how Annja metes out justice. The bad guys get theirs, I love the inevitable tidbits of odd history, and I just love that it’s a woman who is tweaking the noses of both bad and good.
It’s lively and entertaining fun.
The Story
There’s a serial killer in contemporary London and Doug has sent Annja to investigate, er, well, honestly, grab sensational footage that Doug will turn into a conspiracy for the show. However, life gets much more sensational when a Chinese gang kidnaps Annja and the professor, demanding the whereabouts of the lantern.
With Westcox unwilling to help, Annja turns to Roux who, in turn, provides her with Fiona’s direction. A very unhappy and jealous Fiona whose life appears to be as exciting if not more so than Annja’s.
It’s a chase through Paris and its sewers, to Shanghai and back, to see who can snag the lantern next, and following the clues that unfold without getting killed. Clues that lead to a history and a treasure.
The Characters
Annja Creed is an independent archeologist — in every sense of the word — and finances her travels and digs by working as a television show host for Chasing History’s Monsters. She provides the voice of scholarship and reason as opposed to her co-star whom we have never met. Doug Morrell is the show’s producer and, as far as he is concerned, the more sensational, the better!
Professor Edmund Beswick at Oxford University is an expert on film, literature, and myth with a passion for magical props. Gaetano Carlini operates Carlini’s Magic Bullet Club, a restaurant for which you need an invitation. Mrs. Rollison purchased Dutilleaux’s diary at the same auction. An expert in Chinese written languages.
Detective Chief Inspector Alfred Westcox is in charge of the case of today’s “Mr. Hyde” and very unhappy about Annja’s interest. VERY unhappy.
Jean-Baptiste Laframboise is a black marketer who specializes in drugs and human trafficking and has been hired to find the magic lantern; Gilbert Campra is his second. Magdelaine de Brosses is a fortune-teller whom Jean-Baptiste has consulted for years, the one who taught his mother. Puyi-Jin leads a Chinese gang in London which is also interested in the lantern. Zhang is his right-hand man. Neither man will shy away from torture or murder to get what they want.
Anton Dutilleaux is the pivot in this story as it’s his ownership of the magic lantern in 1793 Paris around which all the action results. Tsai Chien-Fu was Dutilleaux’s partner at the bank in Shanghai. Xiaoming is his descendant.
Bart McGilley is an old friend of Annja’s and a detective with the NYPD. Roux and Garin Braden are the two men who have been involved with Joan of Arc and her sword from the start. Garin was squire to Roux back then in the 1400s. Now, they’re mostly deadly enemies.
It’s Roux who is making an appearance in this installment and we learn more about his back history. Including a brief stint as Raymond the Red, a magician who once frequented the Magic Bullet.
Fiona Pioche is a very upscale private detective. Back in the day, she and Roux had been lovers — yes, she knows how old he is. For eighteen years before he just dumped her and disappeared. Now Roux is asking her a favor. To help Annja. Oliver Wemyss is Fiona’s extremely efficient assistant. Paddy McGurk runs a snooker hall in the East End and has an ear to the criminal ground. Georges is her very useful contact in France with an assortment of unexpected weapons.
The Cover and Title
The cover is more shades of blue than the usual yellows and browns as Annja prowls the nightscape of a city street clad in form-fitting black and knee-high boots carrying her sword and a lit lantern.
The title is what all the fuss is about, a Magic Lantern which holds the key to a treasure.
