Ghosts of Karnak (29 page)

Read Ghosts of Karnak Online

Authors: George Mann

“I say you’re a bloody fool yourself,” said Donovan, and he stepped forward and clasped the Ghost in a firm embrace. “But I’m grateful to call you a friend.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go
that
far,” said the Ghost, laughing. “Now get home and pack. The car’s coming for you at two.”

He turned and hopped up onto the ledge.

“What about you, don’t you need to pack?”

“I just need a little while.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled the cord, his boosters kicking to life with a sudden roar.

“Be seeing you.” He stepped off the ledge, momentarily dipping out of sight, before riding high on a plume of flame and sailing off into the night.

Donovan lit another cigarette as he watched him go. Then, when he was sure he could no longer see him amongst the hazy lights of the city, he stubbed the cigarette out on the ledge, and set out for home.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

So many people helped in so many ways, but specific thanks this time to: Cath Trechman, Cavan Scott, Paul Magrs, Stuart Douglas, Andy Smillie, Manuela Clausi, the timeless special effects of Ray Harryhausen, the music of David Bowie, and, of course, my remarkable family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George Mann
was born in Darlington and has written numerous books, short stories, novellas and original audio scripts.
The Affinity Bridge
, the first novel in his Newbury and Hobbes Victorian fantasy series, was published in 2008. Other titles in the series include
The Osiris Ritual, The Immorality Engine, The Casebook of Newbury & Hobbes, The Revenant Express
and the forthcoming
The Albion Initiative
.

His other novels include
Ghosts of Manhattan, Ghosts of War, Ghosts of Karnak
and the forthcoming
Ghosts of Empire
, mystery novels about a vigilante set against the backdrop of a post- steampunk 1920s New York, as well as an original Doctor Who novel,
Paradox Lost
, featuring the Eleventh Doctor alongside his companions, Amy and Rory.

He has edited a number of anthologies, including
Encounters of Sherlock Holmes, Further Encounters of Sherlock Holmes, Associates of Sherlock Holmes
and the forthcoming
Further Associates of Sherlock Holmes, The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction
and
The Solaris Book of New Fantasy
, and has written two Sherlock Holmes novels for Titan Books,
Sherlock Homes: The Will of the Dead
and
Sherlock Holmes: The Spirit Box.

COMING SOON FROM TITAN BOOKS

GHOSTS OF EMPIRE

GEORGE MANN

In the aftermath of the events surrounding the Circle of Thoth, Gabriel takes Ginny to London by airship to recuperate. But he isn’t counting on coming face-to-face with a man who claims to embody the spirit of Albion itself, sinister forces gathering in the London Underground and an old ally—the British spy, Peter Rutherford—who could desperately use his help.

AVAILABLE OCTOBER 2017

WWW.TITANBOOKS.COM

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM TITAN BOOKS

THE CASEBOOK OF NEWBURY & HOBBES

GEORGE MANN

A collection of short stories detailing the supernatural steampunk adventures of detective duo, Sir Maurice Newbury and Miss Veronica Hobbes in dark and dangerous Victorian London. Along with Chief Inspector Bainbridge, Newbury & Hobbes will face plague revenants, murderous peers, mechanical beasts, tentacled leviathans, reanimated pygmies, and an encounter with Sherlock Holmes.

WWW.TITANBOOKS.COM

SHERLOCK HOLMES
THE WILL OF THE DEAD

GEORGE MANN

A young man named Peter Maugram appears at the front door of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson’s Baker Street lodgings. Maugram’s uncle is dead and his will has disappeared, leaving the man afraid that he will be left penniless. Holmes agrees to take the case and he and Watson dig deep into the murky past of this complex family. Is it connected to the robberies being committed by the enigmatic iron men?

WWW.TITANBOOKS.COM

SHERLOCK HOLMES
THE SPIRIT BOX

GEORGE MANN

Summer, 1915. As Zeppelins rain death upon the rooftops of London, eminent members of society begin to behave erratically: a Member of Parliament throws himself naked into the Thames after giving a pro-German speech to the House; a senior military advisor suggests surrender before feeding himself to a tiger at London Zoo; and a famed suffragette suddenly renounces the women’s liberation movement and throws herself under a train. In desperation, an aged Mycroft Holmes sends to Sussex for the help of his brother, Sherlock.

WWW.TITANBOOKS.COM

ASSOCIATES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

EDITED BY GEORGE MANN

A brand-new collection of Sherlock Holmes stories from a variety of exciting voices in modern horror and steampunk, edited by respected anthologist George Mann. Stories are told from the point of view of famous associates of the great detective, including Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, Sherlock himself, Irene Adler, Langdale Pike, and of course, Professor Moriarty…

Contributors include: James Lovegrove, Lyndsay Faye, Andrew Lane, Nick Kyme, Ian Edginton, Cavan Scott and many more…

WWW.TITANBOOKS.COM

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