2013 books: early April: Scott and Graham

Yeah, early April, as if I'm going to finish another book this month. Actually it might happen because I've just started Martha Wells' new YA novel, Emilie and the Hollow World. A couple of days ago, I finished Steel Blues by Melissa Scott and Jo Graham. It's a sequel to Lost Things and part of the Order of the Air series. I read Lost Things last year. While I enjoyed it, and looked forward to Steel Blues, I found the set-up and character introductions to be a bit slow. With that of the way, I thought Steel Blues moved along a much quicker clip and was the better for it. Set in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, Gilchrist Aviation is struggling after losing a lucrative mail contract. Gilchrist Aviation is owned by Alma Gilchrist Segura and Mitch Sorley. Alma was married to the previous owner, who died, and is now married to Lewis Segura, another pilot. A friend, Dr. Jerry Ballard, also resides with them. He was an archaeologist, but now pieces together work translating and writing a few papers after losing a lower leg in WWI.

They decide that they could save the business if they win a cross-country passenger air race. They don't have the entrance fee, but Henry Kershaw, who owns an aviation company (they have one of his planes) and whom they saved in the previous book, owes them a favor. Duly entered, Alma has a trick up her sleeve that should give them an edge, and an almost sure-fire win. Of course, things get complicated and don't go as planned.

The aviation details are good. I find them quite interesting. I'm definitely looking forward to book 3, Silver Bullet.