The Obsidian Dagger: Being the Further Extraordinary Adventures of Horatio Lyle Paperback – October 1, 2008

The Obsidian Dagger is the sequel to The Extraordinary and Unusual Adventures of Horatio Lyle (which the Booklist description above mistakenly refers to). It stands on its own, but starting with the first book in what is now a series of four would fill out the characters' backgrounds. I've been a fan of Catherine Webb since picking up  Waywalkers , and I think the Horatio Lyle series is her best work yet.It's London, 1864. Horatio Lyle, a Special Constable who's very determinedly convinced that science is the key to everything, is summoned by Lord Lincoln, aide to Queen Victoria, to investigate two murders at the docks. Lyle reluctantly agrees and with his young assistants Tess (pickpocket and housebreaker) and Thomas (a lord's son with a dream of powered flight), plus his dog Tate, quickly finds himself deep in a terrifying adventure. His adversary has plans for London, and with both friends and enemies lurking in the shadows and the city itself coming to life, Lyle might just be forced to admit that science can't explain everything - though it might help save the day, along with a certain obsidian dagger ...This is a great read, with engaging characters, humour, exciting action sequences, great atmosphere and a satisfying conclusion. Even the science in this series is pretty well right (or so I'm told by someone who knows much more than I do). There is the occasional anachronism and there's no pretence that the language is purely period-accurate, but for the most part that doesn't bother me when when balanced against this book's good qualities.It's the writing that really sets the Horatio Lyle series apart, and that's not something you can say for most books aimed at younger readers. Webb has a distinctive style, heavy on imagery, run-on sentences, repetition and recurring motifs, and while it won't please everyone - and indeed, might prove too challenging for some children - it's what creates the atmosphere and drama in The Obsidian Dagger, and draws together the themes of the book.There are some faults. Webb's word choice is at times questionable, leading to a lack of clarity. She can wear her influences too heavily (think Terry Pratchett's Discworld inhabited by a Doctor Who, probably the Fifth), and a desire to choose the clever, as opposed to the right, word or image sometimes derails the momentum of her prose.But those factors do little to diminish Webb's achievement or dim my enjoyment of her books, and I always have fun visiting the teeming metropolis of London to spend time with rational and reluctantly heroic Lyle, cheeky and decisive Tess and Thomas, who's always so determined to do the right thing. I'm also very glad to have a series that is unashamedly positive about humans, science and their impact on the world. The Obsidian Dagger is so very visual, I'd love to see it turned into a film or TV series. It's also a beautifully produced book (at least for my edition), with high-quality paper, a sequence of charming little drawings across the beginning of each chapter, good fonts and an excellent cover with line drawings rather than photos or cheap CGI.I'd guess that The Obsidian Dagger, like the rest of the series, is suitable for ages 12 and up, based on the language level. There's no sex or swearing, the murders happen offscreen and while there is some violence on screen, it has consequences and there are no gory details.

The Obsidian Dagger is the second book in the Horatio Lyle series by British author, Catherine Webb. As Horatio, Thomas, Tess and Tate work on their pressure-differential-velocity aeronautic device, their research is interrupted by Lord Lincoln, who insists that Her Majesty once again requires Lyle’s input into an important case. A ship’s captain and one of Lincoln’s agents have been murdered on board ship. As always, Lyle is given little to go on, but he certainly garners more information from the scene and the witness than does Inspector Vellum. Lyle finds himself on the trail of a priest and the contents of a stone sarcophagus, but soon, similar murders occur. It seems the very stones of London are coming to life and nowhere is safe. Webb fills her tale with wonderful inventions and fantastic happenings: underwater breathing apparatus, underwater lights, earth tremors, jumps from buildings, flights over the city, a frozen Thames, a great battle, a stone dagger and even a cameo from a youthful Arthur Conan Doyle. Webb expands her main characters a little and brings back one of the characters from the first book for a major role. Nursery rhymes are a connecting theme throughout. This is another enjoyable read and young fans will eagerly await the third book in the series, The Doomsday Machine.

Catherine Webb's second book in the Horatio Lyle series continues in the vien of the first book. As the book opens our main characters Horatio Lyle, an inventer and reluctant detective, Tess, a pickpocket and Thomas, a young Victorian gentleman with dreams of flying are blowing up a small part of London. From there Lyle and the children and thrown into a mysterious murder investigation and where the murder may not be quite what he seems and all London could be out to get them.The book is fast paced and keeps you guessing until the very end. Lyle is refressing as the hero, a man committed to doing the right thing but also one which suffers from a lack of belief in the supernatural and is a self admitted coward. The book also shows how the relationship of the three characters have grown from the first novel and it is interesting to see how this continues to develop.A good light read, particularly if you have any interest in Victoria London or chemistry and physics.

Book came on time, in pristine condition. Actually, I wanted to buy this whole series after I read the first two books borrowed from my local library. It was mindblowingly awesome. As a fan of dry humor and science, I can safely say that this series probably rates as my third favourite ever. And Horatio. I'm in love with his character and his adventures.

Budding scientific discoveries, amateur experimentation and an unlikely team mingle with mystical and dangerous creatures. The result is a rather chaotic adventure against unlikely foes, with the mysterious Lord Lincoln and even more mysterious Mr Langdao pulling the strings.

Enjoyed it, empathised with the characters, and a good follow on from the first book - helps to read them in order - but, for me, got a bit OTT towards the end, as indeed did the first book, which stops me giving 5 stars.

Second of this series I have bought/read and was much enjoyed.

Not as good as the first.