In this gripping uchronia set in the early 1920s, Corporal Arlo Wells is sent to the utopian city of Graven to deliver tragic news to Irina Sokolova, whose father has died in battle. Thrust into a world of luxury and deceit, Arlo is kidnapped by Irina, who is desperate to find her missing brother Anton and finish his groundbreaking research on refined energy. Arlo agrees to impersonate Anton, facing perilous encounters with a ruthless Prussian prince and Irina’s cannibalistic ex-lover. As they unravel a web of secrets, Arlo and Irina’s bond deepens. Together, they must outwit a host of enemies and protect their love from the schemes threatening to ruin them.

Combining the enigmatic allure of ‘The Night Circus’, the intricate political nuances of ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’, and the vivid, immersive imagery of V.E. Schwab, ‘The Bellman’ is a captivating tale that delves into the ethical dilemmas of scientific progress. This thought-provoking narrative weaves together a riveting exploration of how these advancements intertwine with the darkest recesses of the human psyche, challenging the boundaries of morality and ambition.