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  • What Ho, Automaton!
    What Ho, Automaton!
    What Ho, Automaton!
    Ebook237 pages3 hoursReeves and Worcester Steampunk Mysteries

    What Ho, Automaton!

    By Chris Dolley

    4/5

    ()

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    What Ho, Automaton!

    ** Finalist for the 2012 WSFA Award for best short fiction **

    "A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun!" - SF Revu

    The adventures of Reggie Worcester, gentleman consulting detective, and his automaton valet, Reeves.

    "Dolley got me to laugh out loud near the end. Which, frankly, is VERY hard to do. Dolley's tone is spot on Wodehouse and the steampunk elements tie into both plot and silliness admirably." - Gail Carriger, author of Soulless

    Reggie, an avid reader of detective fiction, knows two things about solving crime: One, the guilty party is always the person - and, occasionally, the orang-utan - one least suspects. And, two, a consulting detective’s little grey cells require plenty of fish and frequent lubrication when confronted with a ‘three cocktail problem.’ Reeves needs all his steam-powered cunning and intellect to curb the young master's excessive flights of fancy. And prevent him from getting engaged.

    The book contains two stories set in an alternative 1903 where an augmented Queen Victoria is still on the throne and automata are a common sight below stairs.

    What Ho, Automaton! - a 32 page novelette about how the two met.

    Something Rummy This Way Comes - a 164 page novel chronicling their first case. When Reggie discovers that four debutantes have gone missing in the first month of The London Season and, for fear of scandal, none of the families have called the police, he feels compelled to investigate. With the help of Reeves's giant brain and extra helpings of fish, he conducts an investigation that only a detective of rare talent could possibly envisage.

    Mystery, Zeppelins, Aunts and Humour. A steam-powered Wodehouse pastiche.

    REVIEWS

    "A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun! But where Dolley really excels is in capturing the atmosphere and humor of the Bertie and Jeeves stories. Any Wodehouse fan will want to grab a copy of this work, but even if you have never explored that world, What Ho, Automaton! is a fun and fascinating read. Highly recommended, take a spin in this steampunk hybrid and enjoy the ride!" - SF Revu

    "Dolley's collection of Wodehousian steampunk is entertaining and often spot-on parody... Fans of Wodehouse will certainly appreciate Dolley's witty pastiche," - Publishers Weekly

    "I found myself snickering and snorting as I read, thinking the entire time 'this is pure awesome'" - Tiffany A. Harkleroad

    "I enjoyed every page of this book. A steampunk novel that combines classic British Humor, tongue-in-cheek references to Sherlock Holmes and a cast of great characters. I don't think I've actually laughed out loud this much while reading a book in a very long time." - ErisAerie

    "I found myself laughing out loud at Reggie and the fabulous Reeves as they romped their way through various adventures. A homage to Wodehouse without being sycophantic, this is fantastic. One thing to say to Chris Dolley: More please!" - Sueo23

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    About this ebook

    ** Finalist for the 2012 WSFA Award for best short fiction **

    "A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun!" - SF Revu

    The adventures of Reggie Worcester, gentleman consulting detective, and his automaton valet, Reeves.

    "Dolley got me to laugh out loud near the end. Which, frankly, is VERY hard to do. Dolley's tone is spot on Wodehouse and the steampunk elements tie into both plot and silliness admirably." - Gail Carriger, author of Soulless

    Reggie, an avid reader of detective fiction, knows two things about solving crime: One, the guilty party is always the person - and, occasionally, the orang-utan - one least suspects. And, two, a consulting detective’s little grey cells require plenty of fish and frequent lubrication when confronted with a ‘three cocktail problem.’ Reeves needs all his steam-powered cunning and intellect to curb the young master's excessive flights of fancy. And prevent him from getting engaged.

    The book contains two stories set in an alternative 1903 where an augmented Queen Victoria is still on the throne and automata are a common sight below stairs.

    What Ho, Automaton! - a 32 page novelette about how the two met.

    Something Rummy This Way Comes - a 164 page novel chronicling their first case. When Reggie discovers that four debutantes have gone missing in the first month of The London Season and, for fear of scandal, none of the families have called the police, he feels compelled to investigate. With the help of Reeves's giant brain and extra helpings of fish, he conducts an investigation that only a detective of rare talent could possibly envisage.

    Mystery, Zeppelins, Aunts and Humour. A steam-powered Wodehouse pastiche.

    REVIEWS

    "A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun! But where Dolley really excels is in capturing the atmosphere and humor of the Bertie and Jeeves stories. Any Wodehouse fan will want to grab a copy of this work, but even if you have never explored that world, What Ho, Automaton! is a fun and fascinating read. Highly recommended, take a spin in this steampunk hybrid and enjoy the ride!" - SF Revu

    "Dolley's collection of Wodehousian steampunk is entertaining and often spot-on parody... Fans of Wodehouse will certainly appreciate Dolley's witty pastiche," - Publishers Weekly

    "I found myself snickering and snorting as I read, thinking the entire time 'this is pure awesome'" - Tiffany A. Harkleroad

    "I enjoyed every page of this book. A steampunk novel that combines classic British Humor, tongue-in-cheek references to Sherlock Holmes and a cast of great characters. I don't think I've actually laughed out loud this much while reading a book in a very long time." - ErisAerie

    "I found myself laughing out loud at Reggie and the fabulous Reeves as they romped their way through various adventures. A homage to Wodehouse without being sycophantic, this is fantastic. One thing to say to Chris Dolley: More please!" - Sueo23

    Author

    Chris Dolley

    Chris Dolley is a New York Times bestselling author, a pioneer computer game designer and a teenage freedom fighter. That was in 1974 when Chris was tasked with publicising Plymouth Rag Week. Some people might have arranged an interview with the local newspaper. Chris created the Free Cornish Army, invaded the country next door, and persuaded the UK media that Cornwall had risen up and declared independence. As he told journalists at the time, 'It was only a small country, and I did give it back.' In 1981, he created Randomberry Games and wrote Necromancer, one of the first 3D first person perspective D&D computer games. In 2004, his acclaimed novel, Resonance, was the first book plucked out of Baen's electronic slushpile. Now he lives in rural France with his wife and a frightening number of animals. They grow their own food and solve their own crimes. The latter out of necessity when Chris's identity was stolen along with their life savings. Abandoned by the police forces of four countries who all insisted the crime originated in someone else's jurisdiction, he had to solve the crime himself. Which he did, and got a book out of it - the International bestseller, French Fried: One Man's Move to France With Too Many Animals And An Identity Thief. He writes SF, Fantasy, Mystery, Humour and Memoir. His memoir, French Fried, is an NY Times bestseller. What Ho, Automaton! - the first of his Reeves and Worcester Steampunk Mysteries series - was a finalist for the 2012 WSFA Small Press Award.

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    Reviews

    4/5

    147 ratings60 reviews

    • 4/5

      Feb 5, 2013

      I really enjoyed this book and the classic style it was written in. I really enjoyed the language, timing, flow, and humor. Will definitely keep on the lookout for more by this author!!
    • 4/5

      Jul 4, 2012

      This may have been a short read, but it was a fun ride all the way. A delightful combination of humour, comedy, mystery and steampunk. I definitely recommend taking the time to adventure along with Bertie and Reeves, his robotic sidekick, while they attempt to figure out what's happening with all the disappearing debutantes.
    • 5/5

      Jan 19, 2012

      An amusing romp through the mysteries of steam-powered England, as related by our charmingly eccentric narrator and his Personal Automaton Reeves. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you will take the express train to the resorts and spas of Boggledom, but you won't be disappointed.
    • 5/5

      Dec 30, 2011

      It's very, very, very hard to write Wodehouse pastiche. Really hard. Chris Dolley does it well. I laughed til I cried over the (literally) robotic Reeves. Dolley gets the language right, he gets the timing right (really hard!) and oh yeah--it's steampunk! Supposedly there are more of these stories coming. Yay!
    • 3/5

      Nov 11, 2011

      What ho, Automaton! is a crazy combination of steampunk and Wodehouse. After a bit of a slow start, the action begins with Bertie and Reeves, the automated gentleman's gentleman, solving the mystery of the lost debutantes. A mishmash of romance, mystery, and comedy with a bit of steampunk thrown in for good measure. A fun romp.
    • 3/5

      Aug 31, 2011

      Entertaining, funny stuff for the Wodehouse fan. I wasn't really sure what I was getting when I won this book, and even after reading the stories I'm a bit unsure. What Ho, Automaton is basically a steampunk tribute to P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster books, complete with aunts, the Drones, and a robot butler. While I can't imagine this would have a very wide audience, I found it enjoyable and diverting.
    • 2/5

      Jul 12, 2011

      This is a book for Woodehouse-fans. Same sort of puns and funs. I used to be a Woodehousefan myself, several years back, but now I discovered that I have grown up a bit to much. A pity, 'cause I really like the steam-punk-type of world the story is placed in. But the story is well written, and I will watch out for this author.
    • 4/5

      Jun 10, 2011

      Hilarious yarn in the vein of Wodehouse's Jeeves & Wooster. Definitely has been yearning for more! The combination of Victorian humor mixed with Steampunk was refreshing.
    • 5/5

      Jun 6, 2011

      This is surely one of the funniest books I've read recently! It does ask you to come inside and make yourself comfortable as Dolley spells his yarns. Just pay attention to details and road signs and you'll appreciate Dolley's story best. Whatever he writes next, I'm gonna read it.
    • 4/5

      Jun 4, 2011

      This was a really fun read. I really enjoyed the mix of the Wodehouse world with steampunk. The fish and the orangutans did get a bit tiresome but I would definitely be up for reading more stories in this setting.
    • 3/5

      Jun 1, 2011

      I got this in ebook form through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. I'm kind of torn on this one; while I love the concept of steampunk Jeeves and Wooster (the main characters being one "Reginald Wooster" and his gentleman's gentle-automaton, "Reeves") and the plot of the main story was pretty entertaining, some of the writing rubbed me the wrong way. In particular, the introductory short story is a little too... off-colour in its humour to seem convincingly Wodehouse to me. I did enjoy the overbearing aunts and accidental troth-plightings, though.
    • 4/5

      May 31, 2011

      If you area fan of Wodehouse, this book is really funny. I'm enjoying it quite a bit. Reggie has an automaton, Reeves, to help him out of tricky situations, just as Bertie Wooster had his Valet, Jeeves.
    • 5/5

      May 30, 2011

      I really enjoyed reading this book. I'd read the short 'What Ho, Automaton!' in the Shadow Conspiracy II anthology, and rather enjoyed the author's comedic writing style. In this book, in addition to the short, there is also a novella length story titled 'Something Rummy This Way Comes,' where the narrator Reggie and his trusty butler automaton Reeves set out to solve the disappearances of some debutantes. To put it simply, Reggie's mind works in mysterious ways and the author captures that voice perfectly. I quite literally read the story in two sittings, only leaving to acquire food. It's just such a fun read, blending the world of steam and automatons from the Shadow Conspiracy series of stories with an entertaining mystery and the comedic steps our hero takes to solve it. The low price rounds out the whole thing to a book I'd definitely recommend picking up for your e-reader for some light reading.
    • 2/5

      May 23, 2011

      Perhaps I love Wodehouse too much, but I found this steampunk homage to be a bit trying. When I want Wodehouse I will pick up Wodehouse.
    • 4/5

      May 21, 2011

      Never having read anything by P.G. Wodehouse, I was interested in this book mainly because of the mention of Steampunk in the description. I found it very enjoyable - I actually laughed aloud while reading it. I will certainly keep an eye open for more of the author's stories in the future.
    • 4/5

      May 20, 2011

      Chris Dolley's What Ho, Automaton! retains the flavor and feel of Wodehouse's work, while adding elements of Steampunk and a dash of Sherlock Holmes. Readers will find familiar elements, Jeeves has become the automan Reeves, Bertie Wooster has become Reggie Worcester etc. Dolley successfully maintains Wodehouse sense of the absurd in his story. Fans of Wodehouse should appreciate this work.
    • 4/5

      May 20, 2011

      What Ho, Automation! is a delightful read. The combination of British humour, mystery, and steampunk makes it wonderful. The characters may not have a lot of depth but they are fun and fit the bill for the story. I am new to Steampunk and will be looking for more.
    • 4/5

      May 19, 2011

      This book held promise for me the moment I saw the dedication to PG Wodehouse. It may be a steampunk novel, but it has the wry, dry and witty humour of the aforemenioned author in spades. I found myself laughing out loud at Reggie and the fabulous Reeves as they romped their way through various adventures. A homage to Wodehouse without being sycophantic, this is fantastic. One thing to say to Chris Dolley: "More please!"
    • 5/5

      May 18, 2011

      I enjoyed every page of this book. A steampunk novel that combines classic British Humor, tongue-in-cheek references to Sherlock Holmes and a cast of great characters. I don't think I've actually laughed out loud this much while reading a book in a very long time. I just wish people talked like Reggie Worcester in real life all the time!
    • 4/5

      May 17, 2011

      What Ho, Automaton! is a delightful steampunk frolic. Chris Dolley manages to improve on Wodehouse by giving Reggie somewhat more brains than Bertie ever seemed to have, and by introducing us to the smart, capable Emmeline Dreadnought. Thank goodness for a female character in this genre who isn't either a terror or a drip!
    • 4/5

      May 12, 2011

      While many reviewers equate this book to those of P.G. Wodehouse, I have not read any of those books. (After reading "What Ho, Automaton!", I find myself inspired to do so!). Instead, I find it reminiscent of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest", which I adore. One shouldn't expect this pair of steampunk-flavored short stories to be anything but fun, as the length of the tales somewhat prevents much character exploration. I think, however, that upon further investigation, one might find that poor Reginald Worchester is a man of very little character, indeed. Accompanied by his faithful automaton-manservant, Reeves, Wochester dodges the wrath of aunts, avoids troths that might inadvertently be plighted without one's notice, and casts aspersions upon eunuchs and orangutans alike. I can't wait to see more from this author.
    • 5/5

      May 10, 2011

      Absolutely enjoyable book to read. The author creates this fantastical old England with a nut of a main character and a mechanic sidekick that leave you grinning after each page. It's the next best thing to Sherlock Holmes, and I hope there are sequels.
    • 3/5

      May 9, 2011

      I received this book from the Early Reviewers program without really knowing the genre and background and it was a good experience. I enjoyed the adventures of a young gentleman and his mechanic butler, written with a lot of wit. Entertaining and witty are, however, the only remarkable features of this book. There is no depth to the characters, but if you don't expect too much, WHat Ho, Automaton! is a very nice read.
    • 4/5

      May 9, 2011

      Tribute to Wodehouse in the form of a novel. The author transports the reader back to early 20th century England and upper-class society with comedic effect. The main character Worcester and his automation Reeves investigate the disappearance of young ladies making their "debut" at society balls while he tries to avoid getting entangled in marriage. An enjoyable read which made me laugh at different stages.
    • 4/5

      May 8, 2011

      Chris Dolley's recent book, What Ho, Automaton, is a fantastic romp in the style of P. G. Wodehouse. While "Reggie Worcester" is as single-minded, well-bred, and naive as his Wodehousian namesake, Reeves the valet is a steam-powered automaton, capable of anything sir requires--so long as it is not dancing (the gyroscopes aren't built for it, you see). Dolley captures the tone of a Wodehouse novel perfectly, and blends it seamlessly (or perhaps steamlessly?) with elements of H. G. Wells and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. What Ho Automaton is definitely worth a read, and one wonders if the concept couldn't bear at least one more story.
    • 4/5

      May 6, 2011

      This is a short little story, novella they are called I think, but it is absolutely fantastic. Don't get me wrong, it is a light read, not high literature, but as that it is utterly beautiful. In the style of P.G. Woodhouse's Jeeves and Wooster the two main characters, Reeves (an automaton of exceptional intelligence) and Worcester (a bumbling bachelor of the upper class with that wellknown aunt watching over him) stumble on a mystery during one of the many debutante balls Worcester's aunt sends him to find a wife: debutantes are going missing. So the two start playing detectives to solve the mystery and the story starts. It is well written, lighthearted and wonderfully funny. I love steampunk, so the automatons powered by steam and the airship are just what I want. I finished it in under an hour but it was just the right thing for a relaxing time with a cup of coffee. Fantastic. Well worth reading.
    • 5/5

      May 2, 2011

      A rollicking good read! Not having read the original Wodehouse (although feeling a sudden desire to) but being a huge fan of the TV series I adored these stories - I could hear Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry in my head. True to character and quick of wit, I couldn't stop laughing. Bally good show wot!
    • 5/5

      Jan 19, 2016

      Very funny! This made me laugh out loud on several occasions. Can't wait for more!
    • 4/5

      Nov 23, 2020

      very cute and, from what other reviewers are saying, a cute Wodehouse parody-tribute. I haven't read any Wodehouse myself yet, but I intend to!
    • 5/5

      Jan 1, 2017

      Very British humor. I enjoyed the style and the language very much. Funny book!

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    From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.