The Catalyst (An Annabelle Sweeting Mystery) by LK Billips

Annabelle Sweeting has come to London. Set in a steampunk world, a country girl with a quirk for gears and fashion makes her way through the busy streets in the hopes of discovering herself. What she does discover, however, are two dashing men vying for her attention, an unexpected series of murders, and an underestimated talent for being in the middle of it all. Can she navigate her way through the haughty ton, help the handsome Constable Weston solve the murders, and not get killed herself?  (Summary via Goodreads)

The Catalyst by LK Billips is a delightful story, even though there is murders to be solved, with an electic group of characters.

In The Catalyst main character Annabelle Sweeting moves to London to live with her cousin Jaime to pursue her passion.  She makes all of her own outfits using bold colors and fabrics as well as nuts, bolts, and gears making her a very unique and one of a kind dresser.  She hopes to open up a shop or do something with her creations.

Little does Annabelle know that she would meet some amazing people and get herself in the middle of a murder investigation !!  Annabelle meets Nathan while just getting off train when he tries to pickpocket her.  After a brief conversaton, she decides he will be helpful while she is there and hires him immediately.  She also meets Constable Weston there as well.  Little does she know how important the two are going to be to her.

Before Annabelle has enough time to unpack and settle in at her cousins they are invited to a party at the Thetford Estate where she meets more interesting people ... some she will find out are jealous and manipulating individuals.

One thing that sets this book apart from other books is that it is set in 1817 and there is a gentleman Miro who builds "bots" (in this story they are flying robots that have multiple features and are different mythical creatures).  While at the above mentioned party she catches the eye of one of them which is a manticore and Miro insists that she take it home.  Annabelle names it Purgatorio and it will also play a big part throughout the story. 

Also during this party Annabelle is drawn to the band playing, especially the fiddler player.  The next morning Annabelle is out for a walk with Purgatorio when she comes across Constable Weston.  The two proceed to a nearby garden where they come across the fiddler from the party the night before dead and staged like she is dancing.

Annabelle and Constable Weston are about to be thrown into a very disturbing case .....

Oh there is so much I could tell you but I really hope that you grab your copy and go on this ride with them.  There is so much to love about the book, the characters, the outfits, the parties, the case, the relationships, the food and so much more !!!  One thing I really loved was that Billips gives the chapters names/headings that entice the reader even more !!!

I am very excited to dig into the next book, The Coggery, to see what trouble Annabelle gets herself into.