Relentless Melt

This novel begins in 1909 with Artie Quick attending the first class of a Criminal Investigation course at the Evening Institute at the Boston YMCA. The instructor, Professor Winchell, quickly deduces that Artie is a perceptive student but also that she's a woman in disguise. Before Artie can immerse herself in the course, she finds herself involved in a mystery involving the abduction of young women and girls, including Winchell's daughter. With her eccentric friend Theodore, a young man from a prosperous family who is an amateur magician, Artie uncovers a conspiracy involving the highest members of Boston's government. Worse, it all is in service to a Lovecraftian horror within the tunnel excavated for Boston's new subway!

The show more paranormal aspect caught me off guard since I was expecting a more straightforward mystery, so I'll mention it hear in case anyone else enters this book unaware. I think the book starts strong establishing the setting and characters but over time if becomes more rushed and overly complicated. Artie is a great character and I enjoy her process of learning criminal investigation while also her growing awareness of gender identity. The chemistry of Artie and Theodore's friendship is well done. I feel this book had the potential to be great but ended up merely good, but it also sets up a promising sequel. show less

In RELENTLESS MELT, by Jeremy P. Bushnell, we find Artie Quick, an eager young Bostonian who wants to learn everything they can about criminal investigation. In 1909, however, the only classes available in criminal studies are for men, so Artie dresses in a suit and begins a course where the teacher, who immediately can identify Artie's truth, is also impressed with Artie's attention to detail and keen observation skills. Artie, along with her close friend Theodore, discover rumors of disappearances and Artie is quick to start using her newly acquired knowledge. She and Theodore uncover a much larger conspiracy than they thought and the supernatural reality they find is shockingly scary. Artie and Theodore enlist some unlikely allies show more and try to end this otherworldly terror for good, but will they succeed?
Bushnell does a good job of taking the reader to 1909/1910 Boston by how clear the physical descriptions are and atmospheric tone is of the time. Artie is a fascinating character, she is trying to find out who she wants to be with not only the wardrobe changes, but in finding what inspires her. The things she is exposed to in the novel really change her and help her to grow as person and what she becomes in the end is so much more than what she was when the book began. The book slows down in the middle and the reader could begin to lose interest, but the end of the book, with a surprising supernatural twist, really takes the reader on a ride and leaves the door open for future books involving Artie.
RELENTLESS MELT is a really fun story the poses some interesting questions about loyalty, family and gender acceptance, I suggest that fans of period detectives novels, science fictions fans, and anyone wanting to read a well plotted, entertaining, and unpredictable book should pick this on up.
Thank you to Melville House Publishing, Jeremy P Bushnell, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! show less