Nell Gwynne's Scarlet Spy [Paperback]

Kage Baker (Author), J.K. Potter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2010

Lady Beatrice was the proper British daughter of a proper British soldier, until tragedy struck and sent her home to walk the streets of early-Victorian London. But Lady Beatrice is no ordinary whore, and is soon recruited to join an underground establishment known as Nell Gwynne's. Nell Gwynne's is far more than simply the finest and most exclusive brothel in Whitehall; it is in fact the sister organization to the Gentlemen's Speculative Society, that 19th-century predecessor to a certain Company...and when a member of the Society goes missing on a peculiar assignment, it's up to Lady Beatrice and her sister harlots to investigate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: Subterranean Press; First Edition edition (December 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596063254
• ISBN-13: 978-1596063259
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great good fun, January 1, 2011

By 

L. G. Lewis "catatomes" (VA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Nell Gwynne's Scarlet Spy (Paperback)

I was so sorry to learn of Kage Baker's passing. Her work has always been a favorite of mine (as with all authors, some works are better than others) and this little bit of fluff felt like the whipped cream on top of her oeuvre. While certainly not destined for the ranks of immortal literature, this little book was just plain fun to read. It was also fun to learn something of the precursors to the Company. I gobbled it up in one swallow, laughed, and was greatly saddened to know that this was probably the last new thing from Ms. Baker. [PS - it's just a bit blue, although I think only the most sensitive would find it objectionable. Just fair warning.]

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Another nod to the Company, December 24, 2010

By 

Gregor L. Hoffman "psp freakazoid" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nell Gwynne's Scarlet Spy (Paperback)

First off Baker fans who already have "The Women of Nell Gwynne's" (Subterranean Press) may be disappointed since the is the exact same tale under a different title. Why this occurred, I do not know, but there is a short story bonus "The Bohemian Astrobleme" included. Other than that it's pure Victorian steampunk vividly realized. Baker touches upon the early Company antics via the Gentleman's Speculative Society using wit, clever characterizations, and a wee bit of ribald behavior! I'd rate the book higher if it were not a rehash.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Eating a Petit Four, January 4, 2012

By 

Anastasia McPherson "Bibliophile" (The Wilds of Rural Utah) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nell Gwynne's Scarlet Spy (Paperback)

This novella and short story by the late, lamented Kage Baker is a tiny, detailed pleasure with old-fashioned overtones, like eating a petit four or a sugared violet in a painted tin. Baker created a universe of time-traveling immortal cyborgs, evil corporations and health conscious calvanism in her Company series. In Nell Gwynne, Baker returns to that universe but to the lttle explored Victorian Era. This is also Baker's attempt to explore the popular steampunk genre and she is faithful to both. The cyborgs are in evidence but take a back-seat and the evil corporation is still creating itself in the form of The Gentlemen's Speculative Society and the Ladies of Nell Gwynne's.

Lady Beatrice is an aristocratic young lady who has fallen on hard times. Indeed, she has been forced to take to whoring. Her brains and spirit bring her to the attention of the Gentlemen's Speculative Society and Nell Gwynne where she is employed as a spy in her role as prostitute. The novella and the story contained in this volume detail two of her adventures in this capacity. Baker includes the Victorian machines and automata so beloved by fans of steampunk as well as a Victorian setting that is simultaneously anachronistic and realistic. Readers of the Company novels will get clues regarding the development of the Company but new readers can easily read this as a stand alone steampunk adventure. Wonderful illlustrations round out the enchantment. Recommended to fans of Baker, the company, steampunk and victoriana.