The Drifting Isle Chronicles Series by Joseph Robert Lewis, MeiLin Miranda, Charlotte E. English

When a master thief escapes from prison, detective Bettina Rothschild must put him back behind bars before the scandalous fiasco destroys the Ministry of Justice. Her investigation leads from decaying cemeteries where ravens conspire to warehouses where wondrous machines are built in secret, and even to the fabled Drifting Isle above the city of Eisenstadt where an ancient tomb hides a deadly secret... moreWhen a master thief escapes from prison, detective Bettina Rothschild must put him back behind bars before the scandalous fiasco destroys the Ministry of Justice. Her investigation leads from decaying cemeteries where ravens conspire to warehouses where wondrous machines are built in secret, and even to the fabled Drifting Isle above the city of Eisenstadt where an ancient tomb hides a deadly secret.The relentless chase proves taxing for a young woman who relies on her cane and her steamcarriage to get about, but that's where a good husband steps in. While Bettina picks locks and interrogates suspects, her beloved Arjuna defends her from the most brutal and bizarre assassins in Eisenstadt.But as the clock ticks down, Bettina finds too many questions still remain. How did the thief escape from prison? How can he afford to hire so many killers? And why would he go to the Drifting Isle only to steal a giant beetle?The Drifting Isle ChroniclesBlack Mercury by Charlotte E. EnglishThe Kaiser Affair by Joseph Robert LewisThe Machine God by MeiLin MirandaAuthor site: www.josephrobertlewis.comSeries site: www.driftingislechronicles.com less

Caspar Goldstein is the star of the steam car racing scene in the city of Eisenstadt. All he cares about is winning the coveted Autocarriage Cup, and he's in with a chance-until a crash at the track throws his plans into disarray. When a chance discovery brings a new superfuel into his life, he can't resist the opportunity to claim some for himself. But when black mercury powers the first ever flight to the mysterious Drifting Isle, its fame quickly spreads-and everyone wants what Caspar's got... moreCaspar Goldstein is the star of the steam car racing scene in the city of Eisenstadt. All he cares about is winning the coveted Autocarriage Cup, and he's in with a chance-until a crash at the track throws his plans into disarray. When a chance discovery brings a new superfuel into his life, he can't resist the opportunity to claim some for himself. But when black mercury powers the first ever flight to the mysterious Drifting Isle, its fame quickly spreads-and everyone wants what Caspar's got. He's made a grave mistake, but it's too late to back out now. Unsure who to trust, Cas must rely on his few true friends for help; but how can inventors, autocarriage drivers and pigeons hope to face down the deadliest of assassins and thieves? Black Mercury is a title in the Drifting Isle Chronicles series. less

One thing makes life in Eisenstadt bearable for exiled Professor Oladel Adewole: the island floating a mile above the city. He's an expert in world mythology about the island, but no one's ever been there or knows how it got there.When a brilliant engineer makes it to the island in her new invention, the government sends Adewole up with its first survey team. The expedition finds civilization, and Adewole finds a powerful, forbidden fusion of magic and metal: the Machine God... moreOne thing makes life in Eisenstadt bearable for exiled Professor Oladel Adewole: the island floating a mile above the city. He's an expert in world mythology about the island, but no one's ever been there or knows how it got there.When a brilliant engineer makes it to the island in her new invention, the government sends Adewole up with its first survey team. The expedition finds civilization, and Adewole finds a powerful, forbidden fusion of magic and metal: the Machine God.The government wants it. So does a sociopath bent on ruling Eisenstadt. But when Adewole discovers who the mechanical creature is--and what it can do--he risks his heart and his life to protect the Machine God from the world, and the world from the Machine God. less