It’s launch day for Rivalry and Steam Monsters (Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives # 4)! This next short story installment pits Heyward and Andersen against dark alchemists and has a few Lovecraftian Easter Eggs.
Rivalry and Steam Monsters
Dark alchemy is afoot in London!
Amidst declining business and a tarnished reputation, Heyward and Andersen eagerly welcome their new client, even if he is spinning tales of strange creatures in the Thames. Initial inquiries uncover suspicious behaviour at Markham Laboratory, a forbidding location that discourages visitors.
Additional investigation leads them into the world of alchemists, Eldritch gods, and a thrilling finale full of mayhem and magic. It’s Heyward and Andersen vs. monsters, human and otherwise, with the fate of London and the world at stake!
Set in a world of airships, mysteries, and the supernatural, Rivalry and Steam Monsters, is the fourth story in the Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives series.
Excerpt From Rivalry and Steam Monsters
“You have a potential client, Miss Heyward, a—”
But before Willoughby finished with the introductions, the man pushed past the mechanical and blurted, “My apologies for the morning intrusion, but I’m in dire need of a detective.”
Elspeth cast a look of surprise. “And you are?”
“Oh, yes, excuse my rudeness. My name is Horace Osborne. I’ve come to you on a matter of grave importance. You must listen to me.”
Mr. Osborne’s voice dripped with a quality of desperation and the brim of his hat was bending. Willoughby reached out, as if to snatch it.
“That will be all, Willoughby.” Elspeth barked and the butler reluctantly retreated, still eyeing the bowler hat. Elspeth then smiled at her guest. “Please have a seat, sir.”
He flopped into the nearest chair, his eyes wide, his behaviour restless. “I know this is unexpected, but he said you could help, and—oh.” Mr. Osborne abruptly stopped talking.
Elspeth glanced at a perplexed Lars before staring at her prospective client with suspicion. “He? Did someone refer you here?”
Her guest nodded.
The sudden silence raised Elspeth’s hackles. “Might I ask exactly how you heard of our consulting venture?”
“Um, well, I was referred.”
“You said that already. By whom?”
“Oh dear, how awkward. He advised me to stay silent, but it is too late now.” His tongue loosened again, and the words rushed out. “Mr. Sherlock Holmes sent me here. I tried to hire him yesterday, but he, um, refused to take my case. Called me a crackpot, then referred me here, adding you needed the business.”
“You went to Sherlock Holmes? Before coming here?” The hated name sent Elspeth into a spasm of anger. Her fingernails dug into the upholstery of the chair.
Lars sputtered, “Now Elspeth, stay calm—”
But her wrath boiled over. “You sought help from that horrid bit of overrated twaddle? And he said I needed the business? Referred me a crackpot case…why that cheeky little ninny!” A fury of words spat like a shower of London rain. “The gall of the man! The utter gall!” Her eyes narrowed and the corner of her mouth twitched. “How dare he? But I’ll show him!” She leaned forward, glaring. “Tell me about your situation this instant!”
Mr. Osborne shrank into his chair, alarmed by this fireball of a woman, and blurted, “There’s something monstrous living in the Thames!”
Elspeth snorted. “That anything lived in that river would be surprising, considering the filth of the water—wait, you said monstrous?”
“Yes, I—I…” For a moment he stared at the floor, nudging the edge of the rug with his toe. Then he straightened his shoulders and raised his head to look Elspeth square in the eye. “It’s best to say it outright. There’s a mechanical sea monster living in the Thames. Created to host a supernatural being.”
Elspeth’s mouth dropped open like a floundering fish and Lars gasped.
“An incredulous notion, I realize, but it doesn’t make it any less true.” Mr. Osborne took a deep breath. “What’s more, it is the creation of nefarious forces. Part of a sinister plot.”
“Sinister plot? By nefarious forces?” Elspeth’s brain could do little more than repeat Osborne’s words, her mind whirring with the exciting possibilities and the disgust of possibly owing Sherlock Holmes gratitude for referring her the case.
Lars chimed in. “Are you certain? Monsters in the Thames?”
And if you like to listen to my podcast interview talking about the Heyward and Andersen series and more, listen below or check out the link.
Coffee Fueled Stories: A. F. Stewart: Mysteries, Mayhem, and Monsters
Book Fair
And keep on hopping on this last day, to check out all the participants.
Blog Hop Participants
Be Afraid of the Dark
Frighten Me
Reading Fiction Blog – Paula Cappa
GirlZombieAuthors
M’Habla’s!
Carmilla Voiez British Horror Author
Minnesota (Horror) Nice
Hawk’s Happenings
Rob Read – Author
Be Afraid of the Dark 
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