In 1889 London, Doctor Charlotte Sloan and her closest companion, Professor Matthew Sterling, find themselves embroiled in an adventure of international intrigue as a result of Charlotte’s dark past—one which she can scarcely recall.

While on the run from assassins, it becomes immediately clear that Matthew knows precisely what’s happening, yet refuses to reveal all of the facts to Charlotte despite their blossoming romance. However, Charlotte begins to learn her true identity and royal Russian heritage.

While alone aboard a train, Charlotte finds a letter, apparently written by her and addressed to a Lord Snodgrass, wherein her prowess as an assassin and vigilante are made clear.

If only she could remember…

After she and Matthew become separated during their escape, Charlotte is found by Captain Aya Hauke who recognizes her instantly and rushes her aboard his ship. Based on what little information she gleaned from Matthew about her origins, she orders the captain to take her to Siam (an archaic exonym for Thailand).

However, before reaching Siam, they stop in Turkey where Hauke hands Charlotte over to the corpulent and haughty Lord Wendell Snodgrass himself. It becomes quickly apparent that Charlotte and Wendell have a shared history… one that has left the two of them bitter enemies.

If only she could remember…

Now that she is a prisoner of the vindictive Lord, Charlotte realizes her days are numbered. It is only the presence of the visiting Queen Victoria that has prevented Snodgrass from murdering Charlotte outright, but this provides only a temporary stay of execution. Will Charlotte  escape before Snodgrass finally kills her and, more importantly, will she ever see Matthew again?

Empress Irukandji-The Case of Charlotte Sloane offers an engaging romp through steampunk Europe with a fascinating cast of characters and circumstances. Some readers might feel that the burgeoning romance between Charlotte and Matthew slows the pacing in the first 80 pages while they flee from unseen killers. Repeated attempts at tender moments are disrupted by a word or event that causes Charlotte to question her trust in Matthew and it’s clear that while he adores her, he maintains an emotional distance much to Charlotte’s dismay and confusion. Of course, the truth is slowly unraveled during the twists and turns of the story.

It should be noted that crafting a “romance on the run” narrative is challenging, and as someone who does not read romance novels, I don’t know if that is a staple of the genre. Nevertheless, Hutsell did a fine job with it while also dropping clues about Charlotte’s past. I’m accustomed to books and films where romance takes second seat to the adventure (think Indiana Jones or Han and Leia in Star Wars).

I was equally as impressed with Hutsell’s skillful use of milieu and setting. From Charlotte’s modest home in London to the voyage aboard Hauke’s ship to Snodgrass’s ostentatious palace in Istanbul and the journey by dirigible to Siam, all were completely immersive environments.