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Glass and Steele #11
The Toymaker's Curse
Are curses real?
After a toymaker magician gives a lecture at a collector’s club soiree, an important spell is stolen and a man is found strangled. The investigation into his murder leads India and Matt to the colorful and dangerous world of the Romany gypsy where curses are used as weapons against their enemies.
But nobody seems to know if curses are real or not.
As Matt and India close in on the killer, old foes bring trouble into their lives. With the threat of exposure hanging over London’s magicians, disaster is never far away. Then one fateful day, catastrophe strikes the Park Street household.
After a toymaker magician gives a lecture at a collector’s club soiree, an important spell is stolen and a man is found strangled. The investigation into his murder leads India and Matt to the colorful and dangerous world of the Romany gypsy where curses are used as weapons against their enemies.
But nobody seems to know if curses are real or not.
As Matt and India close in on the killer, old foes bring trouble into their lives. With the threat of exposure hanging over London’s magicians, disaster is never far away. Then one fateful day, catastrophe strikes the Park Street household.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2021
844 people are currently reading
2226 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Archer
103 books5,474 followersC.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.
She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
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She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.
Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com
You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcjarc...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
March 14, 2021
Whilst the characters are engaging and the overarching arc moved slightly the Glass and Steele books are becoming formulaic. Not surprising when you think that they’re quite short, I read this in about half a day, and this is number 11. Hopefully this series will wrap up soon whilst it’s still going relatively strong and not fizzle out to a point where I don’t want to read the books anymore.
October 8, 2022
I think this is the worst one of the series so far. A few things just don’t work for me.
1. It’s ridiculous that they can’t remember the spell they made. India had just recently been repeating it over and over when flying the carpet and now she can’t remember. Not to mention they have all those individual words worked out and written down. If she knows the watch flying spell she would know the one stolen.
2. Prior to this book it was a flying spell. The watch, iron and carpet all flew. None of them rolled, slid, or crawled, but now they call it a moving spell. Why doesn’t it make the toys fly?
3. How did the toy maker know how to use the spell, they would have to replace the object with the word for toy, and need to know which word to replace and that would be making a new spell which supposedly only India can do.
4. Why were they so insistent on not selling the magic carpet to Coil, it’s not like he can do anything with it.
Many of the other books in this series were less than great, but this one is terrible with too many plot holes for me.
1. It’s ridiculous that they can’t remember the spell they made. India had just recently been repeating it over and over when flying the carpet and now she can’t remember. Not to mention they have all those individual words worked out and written down. If she knows the watch flying spell she would know the one stolen.
2. Prior to this book it was a flying spell. The watch, iron and carpet all flew. None of them rolled, slid, or crawled, but now they call it a moving spell. Why doesn’t it make the toys fly?
3. How did the toy maker know how to use the spell, they would have to replace the object with the word for toy, and need to know which word to replace and that would be making a new spell which supposedly only India can do.
4. Why were they so insistent on not selling the magic carpet to Coil, it’s not like he can do anything with it.
Many of the other books in this series were less than great, but this one is terrible with too many plot holes for me.
July 3, 2023
My expectations for this series were really high. I absolutely loved "The Ministry of Curiosities." Unfortunately, when I stop reading and plug in the headphones, it's a done deal. I'll finish the series only because I've come this far. I'm not at all invested in the characters or the story at this point. I'm just disappointed.
June 30, 2021
I get so tired of reading “India bristled” and “Matt growled”. It’s the 11th book and this is just one example of how redundant the series is. I keep up with Glass and Steele because I’m looking for an ending, quite frankly. If you’re looking for an easy fantasy read with some quirky characters this series is for you.
March 10, 2021
Series is in danger of becoming formulaic. One of the few things that kept my interest was the interplay between ancillary characters in this book, not the main ones (India and Matt).
May 1, 2022
More of the same for this series.
February 5, 2024
I can see why #13 was the last of the series. It feels like the momentum and story ideas were slowing down. Shame. Nothing terribly wrong with the book - just falls short of the prior ones.
February 23, 2022
(Audiobook) (3.5)
September 6, 2021
India's character has been degrading since she married. Perfect quote from the detective Inspector. "You confronted him without me? India, this is police business. You could have jeopardized the investigation." Yes, oh yes she always does. Confront the suspect without any real proof and only conjecture because you are emotional and not thinking clearly. Not to mention that you paint this suspect as a villain from book 2 only to be proven wrong and wrong again. Feels like Fred from Scooby Doo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2021
As usual, I loved this latest installment in the adventures of India and Matt and their delightful host of friends and relatives. And just when I thought our heroes were in charge of their magical world, desperate danger intervenes. I'm really concerned about the future for India as her magic brings her to the attention of the authorities. Can't wait to read book 12 for more intrigue, adventure and magic.
August 6, 2025
This may be my favorite so far! All sorts of twists and turns and everything is a lie. 🤣 We learn further aspects of magic. For example, additional characters add another layer to magic. Just felt like so many layers upon layers were unfolded all the way to the end. Who’s bad? Who’s good? Who’s on whose side? Moral dilemmas. Magical lineages. Etc etc.
I’m excited to keep going!
I’m excited to keep going!
March 17, 2021
Anothet great read in the glass and steele series. Loved the book so much ive lost hours of sleep!
Cant wait for the next book
Cant wait for the next book
March 28, 2023
2.5 stars
January 1, 2024
And this is why we can’t have nice things…like new spells. Jerks steal them and use them in a nefarious way. This one was a good one but it did set up the next two boos more than break new ground.
February 6, 2025
Absolutely in love with this series
September 1, 2022
I liked this book better than the last one. The motive of the killer made a bit more sense.
March 26, 2023
This series still has me enthralled. Only two more to go after this one though :(
August 27, 2022
Review to come
March 7, 2021
C J Archer is a highly talented author. I have read all her books and really enjoyed each one.
The characters in the Glass and Steele series are extremely easy to warm to or to dislike depending upon their actions. My only criticism of this book and the reason that I gave it 🌟🌟🌟🌟 instead of 5 was because I have waited months for this book and finally you sit down to read it hardly participating in any other activity until you have finished and then within the day it’s read and not a real lot happened. A very short space of time passed in the book. You feel so comfortable going through the pages. The novel is warm and inviting but over too quickly.
The characters in the Glass and Steele series are extremely easy to warm to or to dislike depending upon their actions. My only criticism of this book and the reason that I gave it 🌟🌟🌟🌟 instead of 5 was because I have waited months for this book and finally you sit down to read it hardly participating in any other activity until you have finished and then within the day it’s read and not a real lot happened. A very short space of time passed in the book. You feel so comfortable going through the pages. The novel is warm and inviting but over too quickly.
June 11, 2021
3.5 ***
Hoopla audio.
Entertaining yet predictable. It didn't hold my interest well. I kept having to stop and back up the audio.
The series does have a diverse and interesting set of characters and that makes up for the story arc repetition. Even so a few of the sub plots have been drawn out too long. All roads lead to Lord Coyle is bogging the series down. Abercrombie is one character who seems to pop up in every book for his sinister cameo. Thankfully, it's over quickly but it leaves me wondering why his character is till around at all. He doesn't add to any storyline, IMO.
Narration was excellent.
Hoopla audio.
Entertaining yet predictable. It didn't hold my interest well. I kept having to stop and back up the audio.
The series does have a diverse and interesting set of characters and that makes up for the story arc repetition. Even so a few of the sub plots have been drawn out too long. All roads lead to Lord Coyle is bogging the series down. Abercrombie is one character who seems to pop up in every book for his sinister cameo. Thankfully, it's over quickly but it leaves me wondering why his character is till around at all. He doesn't add to any storyline, IMO.
Narration was excellent.
June 18, 2021
Yawn. I like the character progressions, but the stories are just too repetitive. In this one a toymaker is murders and the standard things happen. It's made dumb by the fact that, . Even to me that was obvious way earlier. I don't know that I'll continue with the series.
August 5, 2021
I thought the creation of spells was going to be a really interesting. But it fell flat. The book was good enough but there were a few opportunities for the story to progress and I feel like they just kept pulling back and puttering along.
May 15, 2021
Ok so maybe by book 11 I’d have learned the plot will be fairly similar to previous books. I enjoyed the first 7 but now I’m kind of reading simply to finish the series...if that happens
November 25, 2021
This series is getting more and more absurd. One of their most used crime solving tactics is to rush to the suspect's house and ask them point blank if they did it...
May 13, 2024
Dissappintment came quickly in the form of two things being discussed like they were new information. I know, after so many books, you can forget what you wrote. I'd totally be that way. But someone should have caught this. I've edited series and things like this stick out. Was there an editor?
We already know the paper magician is getting married to a magician as a way to not be hung. It was mentioned it was the plan, in whichever book that was. I was perplexed the second time it had been mentioned in that book, when she was told he was getting married, to a magician, and that it was payment, she seemed shocked, but I waved it off as a, it was confirmed, and she was shocked to find out the thing she was told would happen happened because she's naive and thick headed. But in this book, it's presented as brand new news, and she asks, is she magical? Yes. You know this. Then she says she suspects it's payment. But you already know! And since the series takes place in a year, I don't get how it's forgotten. I actually thought he'd already gotten married, but I'm too lazy to go back and check.
The other thing was the book. Matt came up with the plan to pretend the book is no longer being worked on but still presses for him to actually give up cause Matt would rather supress his wife's magic than let her be free with it. Despite knowing a magician needs to use their magic for their well-being. Calls it being protective but comes off as controlling. Anyway, India hopes he really will give up on the book but knows it's a lie. Yet in this book, she says he did give it up. She thinks. What?
India is so all over the place. Her ego has exploded. She's terrible at hiding and keeps forgetting.
There's inconsistencies, knowledge they have is forgotten, we knew that Coil wants magic lines to continue from a previous book, they were told as much, yet in this one Inda is sure he doesn't want magic lines to continue and he plays it off like he doesn't care about magic lines.
This is prevelent through all the books, but info is often given, then repeated, but as an assumption despite the truth being spoken.
I think India is prejudiced against her own people. She's always so against them since getting and thinks they should be on a tight leash. Before the marriage, she thought magic getting out was a good idea. It makes it feel like her husband has changed her way of thinking. What really baffles me is that I thought the whole spellcaster thing would lead to her making new spells for the good and for Matt. But she seems to want magic to die out. She's a hypocrite.
We already know the paper magician is getting married to a magician as a way to not be hung. It was mentioned it was the plan, in whichever book that was. I was perplexed the second time it had been mentioned in that book, when she was told he was getting married, to a magician, and that it was payment, she seemed shocked, but I waved it off as a, it was confirmed, and she was shocked to find out the thing she was told would happen happened because she's naive and thick headed. But in this book, it's presented as brand new news, and she asks, is she magical? Yes. You know this. Then she says she suspects it's payment. But you already know! And since the series takes place in a year, I don't get how it's forgotten. I actually thought he'd already gotten married, but I'm too lazy to go back and check.
The other thing was the book. Matt came up with the plan to pretend the book is no longer being worked on but still presses for him to actually give up cause Matt would rather supress his wife's magic than let her be free with it. Despite knowing a magician needs to use their magic for their well-being. Calls it being protective but comes off as controlling. Anyway, India hopes he really will give up on the book but knows it's a lie. Yet in this book, she says he did give it up. She thinks. What?
India is so all over the place. Her ego has exploded. She's terrible at hiding and keeps forgetting.
There's inconsistencies, knowledge they have is forgotten, we knew that Coil wants magic lines to continue from a previous book, they were told as much, yet in this one Inda is sure he doesn't want magic lines to continue and he plays it off like he doesn't care about magic lines.
This is prevelent through all the books, but info is often given, then repeated, but as an assumption despite the truth being spoken.
I think India is prejudiced against her own people. She's always so against them since getting and thinks they should be on a tight leash. Before the marriage, she thought magic getting out was a good idea. It makes it feel like her husband has changed her way of thinking. What really baffles me is that I thought the whole spellcaster thing would lead to her making new spells for the good and for Matt. But she seems to want magic to die out. She's a hypocrite.
September 21, 2021
Read before?: No
Initial Thoughts: I was excited to delve back into Matt and India's world in an easy, but fun read.
Voice Acting: 4/5 luckily this is the same voice actress we've had most, but not all, of the series. She does a proficient job, but some of her voices sometimes tend to bleed together.
Book Review: 4/5 These books have definitely begun to be formulaic. However, that is the nature of these sort of mystery/romance books and, to me, this doesn't make them less entertaining.
Again, the strongest part of this book is the characters and the way they work with each other. It's interesting to see their arcs and the subtle ways they are growing and changing as they continue on these adventures. My favorite is definitely still Willie, but there isn't really a character that I dislike.
I think what especially works well is now that India and Matt's romance is a for-sure thing, we are moving on to Cyclop's and Willie's respective romances. I don't normally seek out romance novels or novels that have that strong undercurrent, but I do tend to get sucked in when the author does it in a slowburn kind of way. I think what also works about this is that it's not only gratuitous lovey-dovey material all the time, it's sprinkled in naturally with the mysteries and adventures.
Overall, this series is a fun, entertaining one and I'll continue to read it. I think the 12th is out already, but I haven't seen it on audiobook so I'll wait for it.
Initial Thoughts: I was excited to delve back into Matt and India's world in an easy, but fun read.
Voice Acting: 4/5 luckily this is the same voice actress we've had most, but not all, of the series. She does a proficient job, but some of her voices sometimes tend to bleed together.
Book Review: 4/5 These books have definitely begun to be formulaic. However, that is the nature of these sort of mystery/romance books and, to me, this doesn't make them less entertaining.
Again, the strongest part of this book is the characters and the way they work with each other. It's interesting to see their arcs and the subtle ways they are growing and changing as they continue on these adventures. My favorite is definitely still Willie, but there isn't really a character that I dislike.
I think what especially works well is now that India and Matt's romance is a for-sure thing, we are moving on to Cyclop's and Willie's respective romances. I don't normally seek out romance novels or novels that have that strong undercurrent, but I do tend to get sucked in when the author does it in a slowburn kind of way. I think what also works about this is that it's not only gratuitous lovey-dovey material all the time, it's sprinkled in naturally with the mysteries and adventures.
Overall, this series is a fun, entertaining one and I'll continue to read it. I think the 12th is out already, but I haven't seen it on audiobook so I'll wait for it.
March 28, 2022
Just a quick note on this novel, look at the first one for a more generalized take on the series. I wasn't wild about the travellers depicted. I also felt a little slighted by the toymaker tradecraft, like this wasn't as well fleshed out. It did answer one question I had hanging since Matt bought India a toy train and some other things in one of the earliest novels. I thought India, an accomplished watchmaker, might go forth and build some clockwork marvels to keep her magical hungers sated. They only have so many watches and clocks she can play with, and she is not allowed to practice her craft by the guild, at least not in London. Briefly I envisioned her being like a travelling mechanic, someone who visits your country estate and fixes all the time pieces and clockwork mechanisms in the place. And realized that this would be a difficult position for a woman because of the need for chaperonage. She isn't going to become a toymaker because that guild won't allow her in either, now with the additional disqualifier of being known as a magician, as well as female. A further plot refinement on magic is that it is apparently keyed to certain materials. A toymaker deals in many materials, whereas I presume watches are made from a few different metals. A fuzzy part of the paradigm is the basic magics related to gold, wool, iron, and the anthropomorphic ones like ink (a formula), vinegar, fireworks and clockwork.
March 6, 2025
A Thrilling Blend of Mystery and Magic – 4.25 Stars
The Toymaker’s Curse by C.J. Archer is another captivating installment in the Glass and Steele series, filled with intrigue, danger, and a touch of the supernatural. When a valuable spell is stolen and a man is found murdered, India and Matt find themselves drawn into the enigmatic world of Romany gypsies, where curses are whispered threats—but are they real or just superstition?
As the duo unravels the mystery, old adversaries resurface, and the tension escalates. The novel masterfully balances its murder investigation with the ever-present risk of exposure for London’s magicians. Just when it seems they are gaining control, an unexpected disaster shakes their world, raising the stakes even higher.
Archer’s storytelling is as engaging as ever, with well-drawn characters, clever twists, and immersive historical detail. While the mystery keeps the pages turning, the book leans heavily on previous installments, which might leave new readers feeling a bit lost. Some plot points resolve a bit too neatly, but the blend of suspense and magic more than makes up for it.
For fans of historical fantasy and cozy mysteries, The Toymaker’s Curse is a delight—an atmospheric and fast-paced read that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The Toymaker’s Curse by C.J. Archer is another captivating installment in the Glass and Steele series, filled with intrigue, danger, and a touch of the supernatural. When a valuable spell is stolen and a man is found murdered, India and Matt find themselves drawn into the enigmatic world of Romany gypsies, where curses are whispered threats—but are they real or just superstition?
As the duo unravels the mystery, old adversaries resurface, and the tension escalates. The novel masterfully balances its murder investigation with the ever-present risk of exposure for London’s magicians. Just when it seems they are gaining control, an unexpected disaster shakes their world, raising the stakes even higher.
Archer’s storytelling is as engaging as ever, with well-drawn characters, clever twists, and immersive historical detail. While the mystery keeps the pages turning, the book leans heavily on previous installments, which might leave new readers feeling a bit lost. Some plot points resolve a bit too neatly, but the blend of suspense and magic more than makes up for it.
For fans of historical fantasy and cozy mysteries, The Toymaker’s Curse is a delight—an atmospheric and fast-paced read that keeps you guessing until the very end.
April 2, 2021
What's not to love about this unputdownable series!? It's captivating and entertaining with mysteries that will have your mind turning over each scene. C.J. Archer is brilliantly breathtaking!
This well penned whodunit is loaded with twists and Aunt Letitia seems right at home in the depths of it all. She may shy away from the grittier topics, but when it comes to matters of the social classes she seems to be a step ahead and that's why she just may be my favorite of the bunch!
Matt and India are facing danger yet again and it's up to them to help solve this mudery plot where danger awaits from hidden directions. With India putting her foot down and Matt being frustrated we see a side to both that is both heartwarming and hilarious. I couldn't stop giggling when Matt fell from their bed.
I'm filled with theories for the next books and don't know quite what to do with myself. This was an addictive read that shined a light on characters like never before. We were gifted with some very gratifying and saddening scenes. If you haven't yet met Glass & Steele you're absolutely missing out!
This well penned whodunit is loaded with twists and Aunt Letitia seems right at home in the depths of it all. She may shy away from the grittier topics, but when it comes to matters of the social classes she seems to be a step ahead and that's why she just may be my favorite of the bunch!
Matt and India are facing danger yet again and it's up to them to help solve this mudery plot where danger awaits from hidden directions. With India putting her foot down and Matt being frustrated we see a side to both that is both heartwarming and hilarious. I couldn't stop giggling when Matt fell from their bed.
I'm filled with theories for the next books and don't know quite what to do with myself. This was an addictive read that shined a light on characters like never before. We were gifted with some very gratifying and saddening scenes. If you haven't yet met Glass & Steele you're absolutely missing out!
April 29, 2021
3.5 stars. Another charming, intriguing installment of the deceive duo. This one focuses on magicians wanting to marry other magicians so they can have magician children. First, India’s new spell is stolen, then there is a murder, and it looks like her spell is involved. The duo and their crew do most of the investigations, with Brockwell coming in from time to time. They solve the murder, along with two other related murders, and have an instinct that Lord Coil is involved somehow, but can’t prove it. The toy maker magician is the victim, and his wife the perpetrator. She ends up being killed, possibly by the government, possibly by Coil? Sir Charles basically admits he is a spy for the government on magicians. Barrett’s book comes out, and the talk is no longer if magic is real, but what to do with magicians. India is scared there is trouble coming between magicians and the artless. India and Matt decide to start a catalog of the magicians they know and what their specialty is to better track down those who would do harm, and those who would do them harm. Her new spell is still out there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews