Ghosts of Karnak
Page 23
“So what’s next?” said Donovan after a while. “I mean, I know there’s the Reaper and all.”
“I’m going away for a while,” said the Ghost. “Ginny needs time, and so do I. I’m taking her to London tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow!” said Donovan. “You can’t just go running off, Gabriel. This city needs you, now more than ever. Christ, I need you.”
“It’s only for a few weeks,” said the Ghost. “While she heals. No boats—we’re going by airship. Thought we might look up an old friend while we’re there.”
“So you’ve finally taken your own advice,” said Donovan. “A bloody vacation. I can’t say I blame you.”
“You’d better not,” said the Ghost, “or it’ll be a miserable journey.”
Donovan frowned. “Now what are you on about?”
“Here.” The Ghost reached inside his coat and withdrew a small paper wallet. He handed it to Donovan.
“What’s this?”
“Tickets, you fool. You and Flora are coming with us.”
Donovan stared at him, wide-eyed. “I can’t accept these! There’s work to be done here. Just look at this place, for a start.” He made a gesture that seemed to take in the entire city.
“And Mullins can take care of it. Just for a little while. It’s time to slow down, take a break. We’ve earned it. When we come back, we’ll start work again. What do you say?”
“I say you’re a bloody fool yourself,” said Donovan, and he stepped forward and clasped the Ghost in a firm embrace. “But I’m grateful to call you a friend.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far,” said the Ghost, laughing. “Now get home and pack. The car’s coming for you at two.”
He turned and hopped up onto the ledge.
“What about you, don’t you need to pack?”
“I just need a little while.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled the cord, his boosters kicking to life with a sudden roar.
“Be seeing you.” He stepped off the ledge, momentarily dipping out of sight, before riding high on a plume of flame and sailing off into the night.
Donovan lit another cigarette as he watched him go. Then, when he was sure he could no longer see him amongst the hazy lights of the city, he stubbed the cigarette out on the ledge, and set out for home.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
So many people helped in so many ways, but specific thanks this time to: Cath Trechman, Cavan Scott, Paul Magrs, Stuart Douglas, Andy Smillie, Manuela Clausi, the timeless special effects of Ray Harryhausen, the music of David Bowie, and, of course, my remarkable family.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
George Mann was born in Darlington and has written numerous books, short stories, novellas and original audio scripts. The Affinity Bridge, the first novel in his Newbury and Hobbes Victorian fantasy series, was published in 2008. Other titles in the series include The Osiris Ritual, The Immorality Engine, The Casebook of Newbury & Hobbes, The Revenant Express and the forthcoming The Albion Initiative.
His other novels include Ghosts of Manhattan, Ghosts of War, Ghosts of Karnak and the forthcoming Ghosts of Empire, mystery novels about a vigilante set against the backdrop of a post- steampunk 1920s New York, as well as an original Doctor Who novel, Paradox Lost, featuring the Eleventh Doctor alongside his companions, Amy and Rory.
He has edited a number of anthologies, including Encounters of Sherlock Holmes, Further Encounters of Sherlock Holmes, Associates of Sherlock Holmes and the forthcoming Further Associates of Sherlock Holmes, The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction and The Solaris Book of New Fantasy, and has written two Sherlock Holmes novels for Titan Books, Sherlock Homes: The Will of the Dead and Sherlock Holmes: The Spirit Box.
COMING SOON FROM TITAN BOOKS
GHOSTS OF EMPIRE
GEORGE MANN
In the aftermath of the events surrounding the Circle of Thoth, Gabriel takes Ginny to London by airship to recuperate. But he isn’t counting on coming face-to-face with a man who claims to embody the spirit of Albion itself, sinister forces gathering in the London Underground and an old ally—the British spy, Peter Rutherford—who could desperately use his help.
AVAILABLE OCTOBER 2017
WWW.TITANBOOKS.COM
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM TITAN BOOKS
THE CASEBOOK OF NEWBURY & HOBBES
GEORGE MANN
A collection of short stories detailing the supernatural steampunk adventures of detective duo, Sir Maurice Newbury and Miss Veronica Hobbes in dark and dangerous Victorian London. Along with Chief Inspector Bainbridge, Newbury & Hobbes will face plague revenants, murderous peers, mechanical beasts, tentacled leviathans, reanimated pygmies, and an encounter with Sherlock Holmes.
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SHERLOCK HOLMES
THE WILL OF THE DEAD
GEORGE MANN
A young man named Peter Maugram appears at the front door of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson’s Baker Street lodgings. Maugram’s uncle is dead and his will has disappeared, leaving the man afraid that he will be left penniless. Holmes agrees to take the case and he and Watson dig deep into the murky past of this complex family. Is it connected to the robberies being committed by the enigmatic iron men?
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SHERLOCK HOLMES
THE SPIRIT BOX
GEORGE MANN
Summer, 1915. As Zeppelins rain death upon the rooftops of London, eminent members of society begin to behave erratically: a Member of Parliament throws himself naked into the Thames after giving a pro-German speech to the House; a senior military advisor suggests surrender before feeding himself to a tiger at London Zoo; and a famed suffragette suddenly renounces the women’s liberation movement and throws herself under a train. In desperation, an aged Mycroft Holmes sends to Sussex for the help of his brother, Sherlock.
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ASSOCIATES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
EDITED BY GEORGE MANN
A brand-new collection of Sherlock Holmes stories from a variety of exciting voices in modern horror and steampunk, edited by respected anthologist George Mann. Stories are told from the point of view of famous associates of the great detective, including Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, Sherlock himself, Irene Adler, Langdale Pike, and of course, Professor Moriarty…
Contributors include: James Lovegrove, Lyndsay Faye, Andrew Lane, Nick Kyme, Ian Edginton, Cavan Scott and many more…
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