THE CONSTANTINE AFFLICTION. A PIMM AND SKYE ADVENTURE. by Payton, T. Aaron - 2012

San Francisco: Night Shade Books, 2012. 279 pp, large 8vo (9 1/4" H). "1864. London is a city in transition. The Constantine Affliction - a strange malady that kills some of its victims and physically transforms others into the opposite sex - has spread scandal and upheaval through society. Scientific marvels and disasters, such as clockwork courtesans, the alchemical fires of Whitechapel, electric carriages, and acidic monsters lurking in the Thames, have forever altered the face of the city. Pembroke 'Pimm' Halliday is an aristocrat with an interest in criminology, who uses his keen powers of observation to assist the police or private individuals - at least when he's sober enough to do so. Ellie Skyler, who hides her gender behind the byline 'E. Skye', is an intrepid journalist driven by both passion and necessity to uncover the truth, no matter where it lies. When Pimm and Skye stumble onto a dark plot that links the city's most notorious criminal overlord with the Queen's new consort, famed scientist Sir Bertram Oswald, they soon find the forces of both high and low society arrayed against them. Can they save the city from the arcane machinations of one of history's most infamous monsters - and uncover the shocking origins of 'The Constantine Affliction'?" Very minor wrinkling at top/bottom of spine. Dust jacket has minor edge wear/wrinkling, soft wrinkle at top of rear panel, minor rubbing.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good+. Illus. by Jacket art by Mark Nelson..