Shadow in Scarlet: A Heyward and Andersen Mystery: Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives, #2

By A. F. Stewart

Did you think Holmes and Watson were the only pair of consulting detectives in London? Meet Heyward and Andersen, consulting detectives in a paranormal London you never imagined… a world of airships, mysteries, and monsters. 

 

Elspeth Heyward has never met a mystery she didn't want to solve or a risk she wasn't willing to take. Always up for adventure, she is determined to be the best detective and monster hunter in London and outshine her avowed rival, Sherlock Holmes.

New to the detective world, Lars Andersen just wants to stay alive and out of trouble, even if he secretly enjoys their cases. But when your partner likes guns and danger, work can be hazardous. Thank heavens for a good glass of brandy and excellent pickled herring. 

The Case: Hunt down a vampire stalking their client, the infamous thrall, Scarlett LeJeune. The investigation leads them across the city as they hunt their suspect, but can they find this obsessive swain before his love becomes lethal?

 

Set in an alternate, supernatural version of Victorian Britain, Shadow in Scarlet is the second intriguing story in the Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. F. Stewart
• Release date: May 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223197706

A. F. Stewart

A steadfast and proud sci-fi and fantasy geek, A. F. Stewart was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada and still calls it home. The youngest in a family of seven children, she always had an overly creative mind and an active imagination. She favours the dark and deadly when writing—her genres of choice being dark fantasy and horror—but she has been known to venture into the light on occasion. As an indie author she’s published novellas and story collections, with a few side trips into poetry and non-fiction.

Book preview

Shadow in Scarlet

LARS ANDERSEN LAY IN his bed ruminating on his new circumstances as a consulting paranormal investigator. Several months into the odd arrangement, Elspeth Heyward surprised him. Despite her volatile moods, she often provided good company and conversation when not engaged in their detective work. Even that aspect Lars found tolerable, as it tickled his private fascination for the supernatural. Granted, he also had a healthy dose of fear for such things, but one must be prudent with safety. Still, the position offered him excellent accommodations coupled with a growing fondness for English sausages.

And Elspeth’s wonderful brandy smooths over the rough patches, not to mention Willoughby’s excellent pickled herring and gravlax.

Lars’ mouth watered at the thought. Allowing himself a few more luxuriating minutes in bed before rising, he continued pondering his good fortune while dressing.

Life in London is far better than Norway. I can handle this detective business, and managing Elspeth’s finances is decidedly more interesting than working at my father’s dreary accounting firm.

After reviewing her situation, it became obvious why she entrusted him with her accounts despite his previous embezzlement woes. She had practically no capital, with most of the bills paid from her monthly parental stipend and their sporadic consulting fees. Creative accounting was often necessary, especially since his own ill-gotten gains were now tied up in investments.

When suitably attired, Lars wandered into the sitting room for breakfast. Elspeth’s screech greeted him, assaulting his ears like the call of a sick seagull.

Curse that damnable Sherlock Holmes! Elspeth Heyward tossed the latest copy of The Strand across the room before turning to glare at her partner. Why does he always get the glory, Andersen, why? We’ve been doing an equally admirable job in our business and are the newshounds lining up at our door? No!

Lars sighed, pointedly ignoring the question and remaining silent on the matter. He knew from recent experience that engaging his volatile business partner on the topic of Holmes only aggravated the situation. His unfortunate snub of her soured any esteem of the man and spawned a minor obsession.

It’s because he keeps mum on the truth, you know, pretends none of his cases have paranormal causes. Abetted by his partner in lies, Watson. But we know better, don’t we? Elspeth stared directly at