Something strange is going on in St Michaels, but those are not the foremost in Kat’s mind as her feelings for Pepper reach a whole new and unexpected level, when the two decide that they are in love. One quick indiscretion later and Kat finds herself being railroaded into marriage by her mother. Although affectionate in nature, Kat is not the sort of woman who normally finds herself swooning over a man, nor does the beauteous glow which emanates from Pepper's visage seem altogether natural...

What’s Dead Pussycat (2014. 159 pages) is another in the ongoing series of Victorian supernatural drama romps, written by Sam Stone, who has previously released, amongst others, Kat on a Hot Tin Airship, Zombies at Tiffany’s and Zombies in New York.

I have always enjoyed Stone's writing for its unpretentious entertainment value. There are no surface deeper meanings in her tales, they are romps, made to alternately chill and thrill you. While the stories follow on one to another, you do not have to have read the previous book, though I would recommend that you do, in order to enjoy this latest Kat tale.

One of the things which works particularly well is the portrayal of Kat, born into nineteenth century America, Kat is a strong and independent female protagonist and one that is written in a believable way. The world which Stone has created is cross genre, so we have a little steam punk in the laser guns and airships mixed in with more traditional vampire horror fare. There is also a high degree of intended mirth in the stories which keeps things jogging along nicely.

Given its length this is really a novella and will be polished off in a couple of enjoyable hours. The pace is relentlessly fast, making it difficult to put the story down as Kat and crew have to contest with vampires and gargoyles.

8

Charles Packer