The Raven and the Pig
About this ebook
It is 1876. Three close friends—Jonas Celwyn, the automat Professor Xiau Kang, and Bartholomew, a scientist and widower from Sudan—set out on another adventure. Celwyn has been wounded and all that keeps the immortal peyote-eating magician alive are the skills of an old enemy, his half-brother Pelaez.
After Celwyn is taken aboard the submarine Nautilus by his companions, they must journey to Thales, the healer of the immortals. Even for the intrepid Captain Nemo and his fearless crew, the adventure will prove deadly. Vampires, witches, and warlocks are gathering nearby. Friends or foes? Who is the target: Jonas or Professor Kang and his plans for a world-changing flying machine?
The Raven and the Pig is a steampunk fantasy filled with murder, magic, and adventure.
About the author
Early work was horror and suspense, later work morphed into a combination of magical realism, mystery and adventure painted with a horrific element as needed.
I’m one of those writers who doesn’t plan ahead, no outlines, no clue, and I sometimes write myself into a corner. Atmospheric music in the background helps. Black by Pearl Jam especially.
More information is available at LouKemp.com. I’d love to hear from you and what you think of Celwyn, Bartholomew, and Professor Xiau Kang.
Milestones:
2009 The anthology story Sherlock’s Opera appeared in Seattle Noir, edited by Curt Colbert, Akashic Books. Available through Amazon or Barnes and Noble online. Booklist published a favorable review of my contribution to the anthology.
2010 My story, In Memory of the Sibylline, was accepted into the best-selling MWA anthology Crimes by Moonlight, edited by Charlaine Harris. The immortal magician Celwyn makes his first appearance in print.
2018 The story, The Violins Played before Junstan is published in the MWA anthology Odd Partners, edited by Anne Perry. The Celwyn series begins.
As of 2022, 4 Horsemen has reissued books 1 through 3 of the Celwyn series. Book 4, The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died and The Sea of the Vanities have been published. Book 5, The Wyvern, the Pirate, and the Madman will be reissued in January 2024 where readers will see more of Pelaez, another immortal magician and Celwyn’s brother.
