Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident: Parasol Protectorate, #0

By Gail Carriger

From the comedic mind of New York Times bestseller Gail Carriger comes the much requested prequel short story to Soulless.

Alexia Tarabotti attends what appears to be a very dull London party, until the new werewolf Alpha turns up, is unconscionably rude to her, and sits on a hedgehog.

Don't miss this charming novelette featuring the very first encounter between the Parasolverse's most popular power couple, preternatural Alexia and supernatural Lord Conall Maccon.

Look out for cheeky appearances from other much beloved characters, not to mention the strategic application of a certain wicker chicken.

"This intoxicatingly witty parody will appeal to a wide cross-section of romance, fantasy and steampunk fans." ~ Publishers Weekly, starred review (Soulless)

Alexia has been described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Jane Austen!

A Note On Chronology

Set in the spring of 1872 this story occurs just prior to events chronicled in The Parasol Protectorate series (featuring Alexia and Conall) and after those in Defy or Defend. Alexia also appears briefly in Romancing the Inventor, and Conall and England's most scandalous wolf pack are referenced in The Finishing School series. Want more hot gruff werewolf gentlemen and practical tough ladies? Try How to Marry a Werewolf.

This is a quick read at 9000 words (about 15 printed pages) available in print only as part of Fan Service (collected Supernatural Society omnibus). It is best read if you are already familiar with Gail Carriger's gaslight universe and comedy of manners style, as it was written specifically with her fans in mind.

The Parasol Protectorate Series

Soulless
Changeless
Blameless
Heartless
Timeless

Also by Gail Carriger set in the Parasolverse

The Curious Case of the Werewolf that Wasn't

The Finishing School series (start with Etiquette & Espionage)

The Delightfully Deadly novellas

The Parasol Protectorate series

The Supernatural Society novellas

The Custard Protocol series (start with Prudence)

The Claw & Courtship novellas (try Defy or Defend)

As G L Carriger

The San Andreas Shifter series (start with The Sumage Solution)

The 5th Gender

• Language: English
• Publisher: GAIL CARRIGER LLC
• Release date: Feb 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781944751210

Book preview

Meat Cute

MEAT CUTE

THE HEDGEHOG INCIDENT

GAIL CARRIGER

GAIL CARRIGER LLC

CONTENTS

Meat Cute Chronology

Meat Cute

Sample How to Marry a Werewolf Sample

Author’s Note

More Gail Carriger

About the Writerbeast

Acknowledgments

MEAT CUTE CHRONOLOGY

Set in the spring of 1872 this story occurs just prior to events chronicled in The Parasol Protectorate series featuring this couple (Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, Timeless) and after those in Defy or Defend. Alexia also appears briefly in Romancing the Inventor, and Conall is referenced in the Finishing School series.

MEAT CUTE

THE HEDGEHOG INCIDENT

April 1872

The chaperone and the footman walked together down the dingy alleyway towards the house party. It was not an alley where staff should be seen walking. Frankly, it was not an alley where anyone should be seen walking, except perhaps drunkards and the occasional stray cat.

Add to that the fact that they were an incongruous pair, the chaperone and the footman, and no doubt eyebrows would have been raised had anyone seen them. No one did. Which was as they intended. All eyebrows were assured normal resting position.

The footman was a young man, barely eighteen, with a sweet, open countenance and mahogany-dark skin. He looked gentle and rather kind, but he moved like a predator. This gave the impression of the type of man who most likely would make you laugh right before he oh so efficiently killed you. With minimal blood loss, no stains to the carpet, and copious apologies. But still, death.

The chaperone was an older woman, with dull grey hair stuffed severely under a cap and a gown that did her no favors. The dress was a faded salmon silk with yellow lace trim some five years out of style. It had too many orange ruffles at the hem and neck, adding to its bulk and misery. Frumpy, dumpy, and like words instantly sprang to mind. She moved as though she were half her own age, her steps light and arrogant, until they were within sight of their target house. Then, suddenly, her posture shifted. She curled in upon herself until her gait matched her age and her expression became one of parsimony and judgment perfectly suited to the shabby state of her Sunday best. She was someone’s maiden aunt, easily dismissed and best forgotten.

Creatures of the shadows inhabit all levels of society and some of them work hard not to be observed.

The footman took note of his companion’s reduced pace and slumped posture.

You are a shifter, my heart, in your way. He slowed to match her pace.

The companion gave him a slow blink, her version of approval. Her voice, when it emerged, was not her true low, musical timbre. It was roughened, as if by drink and time. There is something else I’ll need to do, while we’re in there.

There is always something else. He looked concerned. He was not so good at hiding his feelings as she. Are you playing two hands tonight?

"No. I’m loyal to our employer. This time. There is another matter in which I have an interest. A match to

Reviews for Meat Cute

[Bookjunkie_57 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident
Parasol Protectorate, Book .75

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.

Media Type: Digital Book
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 2/16/21 - 2/22/21
Stars: 3

The Characters:

Alexia Tarrabotti:
Lord Maccon:
Professor Lyall, Sophronia Temminnick

The Story:

Despite Alexia and Maccon being one of my all time favorite book couples, I have not visited this world in quite some time. It bodes well for me that I remember the major players like the professor and Alexia’s mother but Sophronia eludes me and I feel like I’m missing her connection to the larger world and perhaps my rating would be higher if I could connect the dots. I did enjoy Alexia and Maccon's first meeting. The way she apparently tongue ties him is very cute.

The Random Thoughts:

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Challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge 2021 - M