The search for a cure for mysterious illnesses is performed with style by Natalie Gold. Starting out slowly and carefully, Gold soon relaxes and joins the fun as Sarah Weston, a musicologist, searches Vienna and Prague for a cure to the wasting illness that has felled her friend, Pollina. Using alchemy, magic, and science, the immortal dwarf Nicolas Pertusato helps Sarah in her quest. With a dozen major characters, a little time travel, ghosts, and automatons, Sarah and friend travel around Eastern Europe, searching out artifacts in museums that hold clues to a cure. Gold’s staid narration is interspersed with breathless chase and sex scenes. Suspend your disbelief and listen to Gold tell Flyte’s convoluted tale. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
City of Lost Dreams: A Novel
Narrated by Natalie Gold
Magnus FlyteUnabridged — 11 hours, 6 minutes
City of Lost Dreams: A Novel
Narrated by Natalie Gold
Magnus FlyteUnabridged — 11 hours, 6 minutes
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Overview
In this action-packed sequel to City of Dark Magic, we find musicologist Sarah Weston in Vienna in search of a cure for her friend Pollina, who is now gravely ill and who may not have much time left. Meanwhile, Nicolas Pertusato, in London in search of an ancient alchemical cure for the girl, discovers an old enemy is one step ahead of him. In Prague, Prince Max tries to unravel the strange reappearance of a long dead saint while being pursued by a seductive red-headed historian with dark motives of her own.
In the city of Beethoven, Mozart, and Freud, Sarah becomes the target in a deadly web of intrigue that involves a scientist on the run, stolen art, seductive pastries, a few surprises from long-dead alchemists, a distractingly attractive horseman who's more than a little bloodthirsty, and a trail of secrets and lies. But nothing will be more dangerous than the brilliant and vindictive villain who seeks to bend time itself. Sarah must travel deep into an ancient mystery to save the people she loves.
Editorial Reviews
Praise for City of Lost Dreams by Magnus Flyte:
“Set in a world where alchemy, magic, and science all work, [City of Lost Dreams is] another lively, amusing romantic mystery from the pseudonymous Flyte. . . . Sensual, witty, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, set forth in sparkling prose, and inhabited by characters well-worth getting to know. Wunderbar!"
—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
"Enchanting, strange, and fantastical! City of Lost Dreams is a magical mystery tour that picks you up and takes you where you’ve never been before but is exactly where you want to be. Sexy, suspenseful, historical—a mélange of originality and an absolute page-turner."
—M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of Seduction
“A blend of urban fantasy, romantic comedy, and time-travel adventure, with an extra twist of weirdness . . . Lots of fun.”
—Booklist
“If you’re looking for a time-travel mystery with laughs, danger, and a romantic interest clad in lederhosen (and who isn’t?), look no further.”
—People (4 Stars)
Praise for City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte:
"This deliciously madcap novel has it all: murder in Prague, time travel, a misanthropic Beethoven, tantric sex, and a dwarf with attitude. I salute you, Magnus Flyte!”
—Conan O’Brian
“A comical, rollicking and sexy thriller.”
—Huffington Post
“An entertaining mix of magic, mystery and romance, it’s one of the most original novels released this year.”
—CNN.com
“Never fails to shimmer exotically, erotically, on the page.”
—Slate
The search for a cure for mysterious illnesses is performed with style by Natalie Gold. Starting out slowly and carefully, Gold soon relaxes and joins the fun as Sarah Weston, a musicologist, searches Vienna and Prague for a cure to the wasting illness that has felled her friend, Pollina. Using alchemy, magic, and science, the immortal dwarf Nicolas Pertusato helps Sarah in her quest. With a dozen major characters, a little time travel, ghosts, and automatons, Sarah and friend travel around Eastern Europe, searching out artifacts in museums that hold clues to a cure. Gold’s staid narration is interspersed with breathless chase and sex scenes. Suspend your disbelief and listen to Gold tell Flyte’s convoluted tale. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
★ 2013-10-01
Sequel to City of Dark Magic (2012), set in a world where alchemy, magic and science all work; another lively, amusing romantic mystery from the pseudonymous Flyte (Meg Howrey and Christina Lynch). Musicologist Sarah Weston arrives in Vienna hoping to find a cure for her friend, the blind young composer Pollina, who's dying of an intractable ailment. Meanwhile, Sarah's friend and ally, the drunkenly world-weary, 400-year-old dwarf Nico Pertusato, wanders around London seeking an ancient alchemical remedy only to discover that a mysterious adversary has anticipated his every move. In Prague, Prince Max, Sarah's ex-lover, ponders the baffling reappearance of a saint who drowned 800 years ago, then a World War II Czech resistance hero shot by the Gestapo; meanwhile, his seductive new girlfriend, redheaded British historian Harriet Hunter, pursues a hidden agenda of her own. Rumor has it that the brilliant biochemist Bettina Müller may have formulated a treatment for Pollina, but when Sarah tries to contact her, Müller proves peculiarly elusive and demands that Sarah return the priceless antique model ship purloined from the British Museum that Müller, for some reason, has concealed in her refrigerator. Growing desperate, Sarah makes use of a drug that frees her mind to float back through the centuries and peruse the work of Philippine Welser, the brilliant alchemist wife of Emperor Rudolf II, besides, that is, enjoying all the food and culture Prague and Vienna have to offer, not to mention mind-blowing sex with a hot Austrian noble in a stable that's in the process of burning down (she still remembers to use a condom). Sensual, witty and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, set forth in sparkling prose and inhabited by characters well-worth getting to know. Wunderbar!
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940171846718 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Penguin Random House |
| Publication date: | 11/26/2013 |
| Series: | City of Dark Magic Series , #2 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
Read an Excerpt
At least, Sarah thought, she wasn’t the only one at the police station in a Dirndl, though hers was the only one with a side seam busted open. She counted a half dozen people in ball costumes, two of them in handcuffs, singing a spirited version of “Das Schönste auf der Welt” at the top of their lungs. The officer who was transcribing Sarah’s statement looked up at the serenaders, frowned, then informed Sarah that the song was a fine one if sung properly, in tune.
Well, she had definitely arrived in Vienna.
There had been quite a scene with the police. After Sarah had explained to the officers what she was doing in the lab and they had holstered their guns, one officer had been dispatched to collect Alessandro from the Platz. By then, Nina Fischer had arrived.
It was Nina who had sent the police to the lab. Bettina Müller, it seemed, had phoned Nina in a panic, saying she had gotten a text from a blocked number telling her that her laboratory had been broken into.
“But she couldn’t come herself,” Nina explained. “Because she was already on a train.”
Sarah, Nina, and Alessandro were all taken to the station to make statements. They filled out form after form, repeating all their information, and signing reports. Neither the Polizei nor Nina was able to reach Bettina Müller, who, by the end of the evening, was under suspicion of having stolen her own laptop from herself..
“Perhaps she is not getting phone reception on the train,” Nina offered, outside the police station.
“Do you know where she lives?” Sarah asked. “I’m sorry. I’m really not a crazy stalker. It’s just that I urgently need to speak with her. She did invite me to the lab tonight. . . .” If she had even sent that message.
“I don’t.” Nina raked her fingers through her pink hair. “Somewhere near the Naschmarkt, I think. She always breakfasts there. Shit. But, look, she should be back by Friday at the latest. That’s when our team always meets. And there is a concert that night, at the Konzerthaus. She never misses when Kapellmeister Schmitt is conducting.”
“I’ll stay till then,” Sarah said, frustrated. “Maybe she’ll be back in touch.”
Sarah headed to the Naschmarkt, feeling melancholy, which wasn’t helped by a drizzle of cold rain. She ordered a Melange, the Austrian equivalent of a latte, and a Topfengolatsche, which was Austrian for “You have gone to pastry heaven. You’re welcome.” Sugar inspired, Sarah wondered if maybe Nina Fischer knew of any similar work to Bettina’s being done somewhere else. Sarah thought she had run down every other avenue when she was in Boston, but maybe . . .
Her phone beeped.
I had to leave. My life is in danger.
What the hell?
Dr. Müller? Sarah texted back. Where are you? And how do I know this is you?
After a moment, her phone beeped again. There was a photo of her own cover letter on Pols’s medical records. Then another message.
I can help your friend. Will you help me?
Sarah strode through the Naschmarkt, searching the stalls for a glimpse of Bettina. Had she not left town after all? Was she following Sarah? What game was this woman playing? Another message arrived.
There is something in the refrigerator of my apartment that must be returned. Use maximum discretion. No police.
Whatever was in the refrigerator, Sarah was guessing it wasn’t leftovers.
What is it? And who do I return it to?
But the return message read only: Paniglgasse 18. The concierge will let you in. Tell no one or I will not help you.
How do I know YOU WILL HELP ME? Sarah texted furiously. This wasn’t what she had imagined would happen in Vienna. This wasn’t how scientists operated. . . . This was as bad as fucking Prague!
I can save your friend. Do this for me. I will contact you tomorrow.
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