There are vampires in London, and werewolves. And then there is Alexia Tarabotti….

Title:  Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate)
Author: Gail Carriger

Publisher:  Orbit
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 357
Originally published: 2009

Genre: Fantasy
The dice landed on: 5
Did I finish?: Yes
Do I like the cover?: Yes

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she’s a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire — and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London’s high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

This was fun. Not very deep or profound, but fun.

Alexia is delightful, the mystery is interesting and the romance is gleefully enough written to make me like it.