I'm probably biased by the fact that I took several breaks from this to read other things and not purely because I wasn't interested, so my overall impression of this is a bit spotty, but I did generally really enjoy the book. It's a nice follow-up to book 1.

There's also a kind of... weird thing. I can't decide if giving the magic-using Jewish woman a magic nose is a cute play on antisemitic stereotypes or just a dumb idea at best. But maybe it's just a true accident with unfortunate parallels.

The follow-up short story is also a bit overly gorey for me, but overall it was a nice story that focused on Merrick.

Looking forward to book 3!
( )

The ending wasn't quite as exciting and satisfying as in the first book, but overall I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop, enough to make up for that. They're a cute couple well suited to each other. I had a little bit of trouble keeping all the people they interviewed straight, but that could have just been my own distraction. The narrator on the audiobook did a good job.

2nd read- Their relationship developing further is just very satisfying. And I like the new additions to the cast, the first time I read this I wasn't sure who might be a recurring character, so it was nice to meet them again with that insight. And as always, Crane is hilarious. ( )

Crane and Stephen's latest adventure had an Indiana Jones feel to it. The pace was fast and the trouble found them from an exotic locale. I enjoy the way these two men blend together even to the point that the magpie tattoos move. I thought Stephen's partner, Mrs. Gold, was perfect in her work and her calm acceptance of Stephen's relationship with Crane. Well written with a nice blend of magic and the mundane makes this easy read a must. ( )

It did take me awhile to wander through this story, though that last 20% was all in one shot. That's on me. I have some trouble with the settings of these stories and the way the characters speak. However, I am delighted to "know" Crane and Merrick and Stephen and their compatriots. I already bought the next book. :) ( )

Not quite as satisfying as the first book but still a great story about magic and mayhem.
There was a little bit of drama between Crane and Stephen that was a bit annoying but I suppose it was the author's attempt at making the characters more realistic and relatable so I can understand its purpose. I also found the mystery here to not be as interesting (perhaps because it was less magical until the very end), and was a little uncomfortable with the Chinese imagery being shoehorned into this very Victorian English POV.
While it was nice to see more of Stephen's work and colleagues, I would like to see more of what it is exactly Crane does. It seems that everyone white he worked with in China also finds themselves now back in London and it's a bit odd and convenient to the plot here.
Overall a solid read but is really only for those who find themselves invested in these characters after the first book, because that can be read as a standalone. ( )