The Great Big Demon of Flint Hall

Review:
Spencer and Bart’s first book, “The Great Big Demon Hunting Agency”, was my last read of 2022 and it was definitely enjoyable. Because of that, when I saw their second book listed on NetGalley this close to the end of 2023, I figured there was no better way to potentially end the reading year again (we’ll see if more happens in the next couple days!) than with these two bumbling cons gone good.

What I liked:
🔍 My two biggest gripes for book one were it wasn’t as humorous as I thought it would be and it wasn’t as action-packed as I thought it would be. Not sure if Peter Oxley directly read my review and said, “I’ll show her,” but these gripes of mine did not reoccur in this second book.

The book starts out with one hell of a fight that is definitely memorable, and similar fights (or almost encounters) with the demon of Flint Hall are similarly familiar. More depth was added to the fights, and having Tess involved in many of them also helped since it was another person to keep track of in the brawl.

As far as funny goes, this one was filled with more witty banter and well written sarcasm than book 1, especially given more “main characters”. I did find myself laughing aloud while reading this second installment in the series, instead of appreciative “hmmmms” like book 1.

🔍 I liked that I didn’t see the ending coming. I had my suspicions throughout the story of what was happening, and none of it was correct. Nor did I connect the big “breakthrough” at the end. It was genius.

🔍 I loved Tess’s character development in this one! She really leaned into her uniqueness and became a true leader. The way Oxley wrote her character especially, her interactions with and about Spencer and Bart, were fantastic, because it didn’t place her in a spot of becoming their leader because she thought she was better than them (which could have easily come across that way), but because she was turning a new leaf in her own life and wanted to surround herself with great people. Rather than having her come across as bossy, it definitely cemented the partnership between the three of them and what she brings to the table.

🔍Of course, I loved seeing my Thaddeus make another couple of appearances. I’m also not sure if it was wishful thinking on my part or if I was truly spying a little love connection between him and Tess, but I would 100% be down for that!

🔍Speaking of romance, there did seem to be inklings of crushes and whatnot far more apparently in this installment. Hopefully this is representative of what is to come. That would make this hopeless romantic scream with joy, as that’s really all these books are missing at this point!

Thank you to NetGalley, Burning Chair, and Peter Oxley for the opportunity to read this book. The opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

Peter Oxley has once again written a fun, action-packed book with The Great Big Demon of Flint Hall.
All of the characters we came to love in the first book are here again, embroiled in new shenanigans with a flair that only they can provide. The mystery they are charged with unravelling takes an unexpected twist, and Oxley's superb writing keeps you turning the pages.
The book is a perfect mix of adventure, steampunk, comedy, urban fantasy, and historical mystery.
I was happy to get an ARC of #TheGreatBigDemonofFlintHall from #NetGalley .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC. All opinions are my own.

I didn't know this was the second book until after I'd finished. That said, it works really well as a standalone as the reader is given enough explanation about the trio's background to have it make sense.

Spencer, Bart, and Tess have been asked to help hunt a demon before it harms someone. While Tess (aka Lady Marchant and the group's entre to helping aristocrats) is the ostensible leader of the group, Spencer and Bart have distinct personalities that don't change whether they're talking to servants, constables, or aristocrats. They know what they don't know and they don't let anyone make them embarrassed about their upbringing or their past.

The story takes place outside of London on a country estate and the action scenes and planning scenes are kept in good balance. Not having read the first book I wasn't aware, but demons do exist in this universe. They're like people with some troublemakers and some hard workers. I didn't hear nearly enough about Trevor to be satisfied. Can he please show up in the next book?

This is a a good mix of mystery and fun. I'll be looking for the first book to get up to speed, and for any further books after.