Ghosts of Manhattan

Ghosts of Manhattan takes place in an alternate 1926 New York City filled with steam-powered technology and dark supernatural forces. The Ghost, a vigilante in a bronze mask and leather coat, stalks the city's rooftops while battling criminals and investigating a series of ritualistic murders. Police Detective Donovan grapples with both the mysterious Ghost and the brutal killings that have left strange symbols carved into victims' flesh. The investigation leads both men through speakeasies, mansions, and the criminal underworld as they pursue a shadowy organization known as the Roman. The novel combines elements of steampunk, noir detective fiction, and supernatural horror into a fast-paced adventure narrative. Through vivid world-building, Mann creates a version of Manhattan where coal-powered robots walk the streets and airships dock at the Empire State Building. This genre-blending story explores themes of justice, redemption, and the price of seeking vengeance in a corrupt world. The alternate history setting serves as a lens through which to examine the darkness that can lurk beneath society's gilded surface.

Readers describe this steampunk noir tale as having style but lacking substance. The concept of a 1920s vigilante hero in an alternate New York intrigued many, but the execution left them wanting more. Liked: - Creative world-building elements like brass automata and coal-powered cars - Fast-paced action sequences - Noir atmosphere and art deco aesthetics Disliked: - Underdeveloped characters and relationships - Predictable plot with minimal surprises - Writing style called "wooden" and "repetitive" by multiple reviewers - Many felt it read like a comic book without the visual appeal Ratings: Goodreads: 3.2/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.3/5 (40+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.1/5 (50+ ratings) "The potential was there but it never quite delivered," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user commented: "Great premise and setting, but the characters feel like cardboard cutouts going through the motions."

The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder A steampunk detective story set in Victorian London follows Sir Richard Burton investigating supernatural crimes in an alternate timeline where technology and mysticism intersect.

The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith Vampires rule the northern regions of an alternate Earth where steam-powered technology and resistance fighters battle in a Victorian-influenced future.

Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine, Tee Morris Two agents of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences investigate supernatural threats in a steampunk Victorian London filled with secret societies and dangerous artifacts.

The Affinity Bridge by George Mann A crown investigator and his assistant pursue a glowing policeman through a Victorian London plagued by revenants and brass automatons.

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest In an alternate 1880s Seattle, a mother ventures into a walled city filled with toxic gas and the undead to find her son among the ruins of steampunk machinery.

🌟 This dieselpunk novel is set in an alternate 1926 New York City where the British Empire never fell and a cold war exists between Britain and the United States. 🦇 The main character, the Ghost, is a vigilante who uses sophisticated gadgets and wears a brass mask with glowing eyes, combining elements of both supernatural horror and steampunk aesthetics. 🎭 Author George Mann previously worked as head of publishing at Games Workshop and has written extensively about the Doctor Who universe. ⚡ The book blends multiple genres including noir detective fiction, supernatural horror, and alternate history, creating what Mann calls "supernatural steampunk noir." 🏙️ The novel's version of Manhattan features both Art Deco architecture and Victorian-era steam-powered technology, creating a unique visual atmosphere that reflects its alternate timeline.