The Pennington Perplexity by Natalie Brianne: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Mystery/suspense, Historical fiction, Fantasy (some steampunk elements)
• Series: Constantine Capers (Book #1)
• Length: 354 pages (Kindle edition)
• Publication Date: July 30, 2024

Tropes

• Forced proximity (employer/employee)
• Friends to lovers
• Slow burn
• Love at first sight/instalove

My Rating

Book Description

“In a city haunted by fear, some secrets refuse to stay buried—and it may be safer to forget them.

London, 1888

Mira Blayse is determined to uncover the truth behind her parents’ deaths in 1870. With an artist’s eye, she notices what others miss — but her investigations thus far have led nowhere. One morning at a café, she sketches a mysterious stranger, unaware that she is capturing the features of the man who will help her solve the case once and for all.

Byron Constantine is a brilliant detective, but his mind is fractured. He lives day-to-day, desperately fighting to hold onto his memories, only for them to slip away as he sleeps.

Assuming the role of his secretary, Mira’s sharp eye for detail is the perfect complement to Byron’s deductive genius. More than an assistant, she bridges the gaps in his memory. Together, they tackle a case from Scotland the suspicious death of airship operator Clement Pennington.

With the Whitechapel murders dominating London, they uncover hidden schemes and shadows of a secret society that may hold answers about Mira’s own mystery. As the danger closes in, their partnership deepens — and Byron realizes there may be one memory he cannot afford to lose.”

— from Goodreads

My Review

Sherlock Holmes meets Memento 

This series has such a unique premise! A brilliant detective whose memory resets every time he sleeps. 

And Natalie Brianne doesn’t shy away from showing how much Byron’s condition affects his day-to-day life. And how difficult it can be for his friends, particularly Mira. 

For her, saying goodbye at the end of the day, was almost like seeing him for the last time. She would remember the moments they shared the previous day, but he wouldn’t.

Byron’s reactions to “meeting” Mira every morning were sometimes sweet, sometimes funny, and sometimes heartbreaking.

This story made me realize that I should value my memories more. 

The mystery was an engaging one. And while Pennington’s murder was solved, it also opened up a whole new can of worms.

I’m eager to see what happens with the Order of Circe, as well as how Byron and Mira’s partnership develops.

Favorite Moments

🫖 Mira’s first flight
📖 Startling Byron
🫖 piano and singing 
📖 Remembering Mira
🫖 tending each other’s wounds
📖 love confession

Favorite Quotes

“‘I can’t be falling in love with him! It’s been less than two weeks.’

‘And who is to say that love has a timeline? Two weeks, two year, two days? What does that matter to the heart?“

Natalie Brianne

“‘I jumped from a moving train. Aren’t you proud of me?’ She found herself grinning and trying not to laugh.“

Natalie Brianne

“‘Tomorrow you won’t remember any of this.’ She paused and looked up at him.

‘It doesn’t take a brain to love someone, Mira. The Order of Circe may have taken my memory from me, but they can’t take my heart. That belongs to you.“

Natalie Brianne

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