Lost Property Office

Who would think a Lost Property Office in 19th century London could be at the center of a dizzying fantasy adventure?

I bring you a series that seems to take all the wonderful books you’ve read, chews them up, spits them out, applies heat and stirs—coming up with something unique and satisfying in its own right: The Lost Property Office, by James. R. Hannibal.

Actually, I’m not sure if the 19^th Century part is right. But there is definitely an element of time travel in this series, along with Steampunk gadgets and inventions. We get ever-so-cool boy and girl heroes, Sherlock and Holmes style—no, more like Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia style. Both smart, brave, with complimentary gifts.

Here’s the summary:

“An American boy, Jack Buckles, travels to London with his mother to find his father, but it turns out his father was involved with something nefarious… and now so is he.”

The summary doesn’t do the book justice. The thing I liked best about this book was the way history (in this case the history of the Great London Fire) is blended with fiction. It makes for a very engaging plot. The action is continual, no time to stop, reflect, or get bored. The writer has a stunning sense of place, bringing details to his settings that amazed me.

I loved the author blurb—it says a lot about what you can expect from the story:

“James R. Hannibal is no stranger to deep, dark secrets or hunting bad guys, having served in the US Air Force as a stealth bomber pilot and a Predator mission commander. Like Jack Buckles, James suffers from synesthesia, an intersection of the senses that was once considered mental illness and often causes hyperobservance. If you bake him a cake, he might tell you that is smells blue and sticky—and you should take it as a compliment.”

I loved that last part. Synesthesia gives James R. Hannibal enormous wealth in the metaphor and simile department!

If you want a fast-paced, adventurous, imaginative read, The Lost Property Office is your book.

Happy Reading!