The Department of Curiosities

A Steampunk Adventure

The Department of Curiosities is the second series set in Karen J Carlisle’s alternate steampunk world. DOC is a steampunk tale of adventure, a heroine, mad scientists, traitors and secrets.
All for the good of the Empire.

This duology is a lighter adventures series, set in the early 1880s.

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Book #1: The Department of Curiosities: For the Good of the Empire

Miss Matilda Meriwether has a secret. Actually, she has several. One of them has shaped her adult life. Another now controls it.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria has control of the Empire. She is the Empire, and creator of its secrets.
Sir Avery works for The Department of Curiosities – the keepers of secrets – especially if they are useful to the Empire.
When Tillie finds herself in the employment of The Department of Curiosities, she realises this is the perfect opportunity to uncover the truth she has been searching for.
But the Queen has other plans for her.

(first chapter also available as bonus excerpt in ‘The Illusioneer & Other Tales: The Adventures of Viola Stewart Journal #3.’) Edition 2: updated, new cover and internal art.

Available as: Paperback: 420 pages/ Edition 2 – published 1st July, 2023. ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-9944850-9-0
(Edition 1(2019) ISBN: 978-0-9944850-4-5)

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Upcoming Titles:

Book #2: Against the Empire – Scheduled for 2026 release (tbc)

Related Books:

Blood Ties (book 1, The Journals of James Findlay. Doctor Jack spin off series)
Cogs and Conspiracies (short stories set in the same steampunk/alternate history world)
The Department of Curiosities (book 1, The Department of Curiosities duology. Find out more about the Department mentioned in book 3, The Illusioneer & Other Tales.)

Reading Order:

As published/in order of timeline:

The Department of Curiosities (book 1)
Against the Empire – Coming 2026 (book 2)

In order of timeline (with related books in extended steampunk world):

1883: The Department of Curiosities (book 1, The Department of Curiosities duology)
1883: Against the Empire – Coming 2026 (book 2, The Department of Curiosities duology)
1884: All that Glitters (short story, Cogs & Conspiracies)
1860-70s: Incoming (short story, Cogs & Conspiracies)
1888: Doctor Jack & Other Tales (book 1)
1888: Blood Ties (book 1, The Journals of James Findlay)
1889: Eye of the Beholder & Other Tales (book 2)
1890: The Illusioneer & Other Tales (book 3)
1890: (Christmas) Tomorrow, When I Die (also published in book 3)
1890s: Right on Time (short story, Cogs & Conspiracies)
1909: Captured (short story, Cogs & Conspiracies)