Readers met the irrepressible Karen Memory in Elizabeth Bear’s 2015 novel Karen Memory, and fell in love with her steampunk Victorian Pacific Northwest city, and her down-to-earth storytelling voice. 

 

iO9—28 New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Well Worth Checking Out in March

Unbound Worlds—20 Best New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books—March 2018

The Verge—15 new science fiction and fantasy books—March 2018

Kirkus—18 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in March 2018

NerdMuch—20 Best New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books—March 2018 

 

Now Karen is back with Stone Mad, a new story about spiritualists, magicians, conmen, and an angry lost tommy-knocker—a magical creature who generally lives in the deep gold mines of Alaska, but has been kidnapped and brought to Rapid City. 

 

Karen and Priya are out for a night on the town, celebrating the purchase of their own little ranch and Karen’s retirement from the Hotel Ma Cherie, when they meet the Arcadia Sisters, spiritualists who unexpectedly stir up the tommy-knocker in the basement. The ensuing show could bring down the house, if Karen didn’t rush in to rescue everyone she can.

 

“Bear's narrative skill and flair for both plot and character continue to impress.”—Booklist