The Martian Ambassador by Alan K. Baker is a thrilling blend of steampunk and science fiction, set in an alternate Victorian London in 1899. In this world, intelligent Martian life has been discovered, and relations between Earth and Mars are flourishing. The streets are lined with Martian omnibuses, and the British monarchy has benefited from Martian rejuvenation drugs. Victorian computer technology has advanced thanks to faeries, and space exploration is on the horizon. However, the peaceful coexistence is shattered when Lunan R’ondd, the Martian Ambassador to Britain, dies under suspicious circumstances during a royal banquet at Buckingham Palace.
The discovery of strange larvae in the Ambassador’s breathing apparatus points to a possible assassination, prompting Queen Victoria to launch an investigation. With the Martian government threatening retribution, Thomas Blackwood, a Special Investigator for Her Majesty’s Bureau of Clandestine Affairs, is tasked with solving the mystery. Joined by Lady Sophia Harrington, a member of the Society for Psychical Research, Blackwood must uncover the truth behind the Ambassador’s death before tensions escalate into an interplanetary war.
A captivating blend of mystery, steampunk, and political intrigue, The Martian Ambassador is perfect for fans of alternate history and thrilling detective tales, offering a unique twist on the genre.
