Garrett Investigates

Garrett Investigates (2012) Elizabeth Bear

Five short Abby Irene short stories, covering most of her career, from 1897 to 1941.

The first story, “The Tricks of London” has her investigating the return of Spring-Heeled Jack. Although the story set from the point-of-view of the Detective Sergeant Sean Cuan, we get to see Abby Irene early in her career as she struggles with being the only female DCI (Detective Crown Investigator) of the Enchancery.

“The Body of the Nation” is set in New Amsterdam, and has Abby Irene investigating a murder upon a riverboat. The fact she comes across a riverboat pilot named Clemens. (I very much like what she did with Clemens here.)

“Almost True” is also set in New Amsterdam, and it tells of a weekend party gone wrong. Elizabeth Bear says this is the first Abby Irene story she wrote, so she isn’t as well-developed as later stories, but it’s a nice look at a part of her life I hadn’t read.

The story “Underground” doesn’t actually feature Abby Irene, but instead is of Mary’s work in the Underground during the Great War. Because this is an alternate history, The Great War occurred later than in our time line, and stretched to 1941. It also looks at how supernaturals would function in a war.

The last story, “Twilight” picks up somewhat where “Underground” left off, and we see Abby Irene at the end of her life. She has returned to London, but has still not been forgiven all her actions in New Amsterdam.

A lovely set of stories, and I didn’t even mind that “Underground” didn’t have Abby Irene in it.
Rating: 8/10

Published by Subterranean Press

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