Greetings Silly Flibberty Gibbets!

Welcome to our first discussion of The Medici Manuscript.

The discussion from the Librarian of Crooked Lane (Book #1) is here and the AMA with C.J. Archer is here. We will be discussing Chapters 1-6 here, so if you read ahead, please do not write any spoilers beyond this section.

We left Book #1 with many unanswered questions: Will Sylvia and Gabe become a romantic couple? What is Sylvia’s family history, and does she have silver magic? Why was Gabe being kidnapped? Does Gabe have magic powers himself? Will Sylvia ever make it out to the club? I hope we can learn some answers soon…

Summary of Chapters 1 to 6

We are reunited with Sylvia and Professor Nash at Sylvia’s cushy job at the Glass Library. Their trusty mascot, Daisy, is close at hand. Sylvia still wants to find out about her lineage and we are reminded that her brother thought they might be Silver Magicians. The only lead Sylvia has is a name, Marianne Folgate, who disappeared in 1891 and may be one of her ancestors. Sylvia has never met her father and knows nothing about him. There is no record of Marianne at the Registry Office so she likely was born and died outside of London. There is also no record of Sylvia’s mother, Alice Ashe.

Prof Nash remembers the name Folgate and takes them to the double secret book room where they find the Medici Manuscript with magic silver clasps. The clasps are presumed to be put there by Marianne Folgate’s ancestors. The Manuscript was originally found by Oscar, Prof Nash’s “Travel Companion” (wink wink) who was an Ink Magician. They know the book is from the Medici family because of pattern in the book of the fleurs de lis. We also learn that paper is made from rotting rags and parchment from rotting animals animal flesh.

Sylvia spends her evening trying to decode the Manuscript at her new digs in the lodging house. She has plenty of money because she sold the painting she was previously given by Horatio.

A reporter, Albert Scarrow, creeps around and asks Sylvia questions. There is yet another kidnapping attempt on Gabe. Sylvia is reminded that Gabe has performed some extraordinary feats like he held his breath a very long time and raced up the stairs extraordinarily fast.

Gabe, his trusty friends, Alex and Wild Willie, come to the library to see Sylvia. Sylvia pays no attention to what is being said because she is so hot and bothered watching Gabe. Sylvia points out some faint marks in the book “D” and “E” when they are interrupted by Carl Trevelyan, a former war photographer who works with Scarrow. Carl takes the book with him so he can use his camera equipment to magnify the faint marks. Willie tries to fix Sylvia up with Carl.

Later, Ivy and the Leather Magician Hobson family (mom, dad and bother Bertie) are at Gabe’s for dinner. Ivy glides over to Sylvia with her unnatural S-shaped body. Snooty Mrs. Hobson chimes in with demeaning comments to Sylvia.

Mr. H and Gabe argue over semantics. Lady Rycroft (Gabe’s mother) can make magic of others last longer – is it Watch Magic or is it Time Magic? Matt and India are not back from their travels yet and so the wedding of Ivy and Gabe can not move forward despite the Hobson’s desires.

Carl comes through for the group and provides an image that shows the letters spell Andrew Sidwell. Carl is suspicious of Gabe’s good luck in the war. He hits on Sylvia, hoping for a non-cash payment from her for the work he has done. Gabe is jealous…

Sylvia asks for help from Prof Nash in finding Sidwell. He discovers that Sir Andrew Sidwell is on file at the library for a book on mathematics, astrology and the occult because well… science and magic have serious overlap.

The group speculates that the Medici family owned the Manuscript first in the 1400s and Sir Andrew afterwards in the 1500’s. Though the paper and ink from the Medici era is much less faded than what appears to be added later by Sir Andrew. Prof Nash suggests they visit Oscar’s nephew who is an Ink Magician to learn more.

Huon confirms there is no Ink Magic in the book just the Silver Magic. He tries to stake a claim on books at the Glass Library and then on Sylvia. Gabe shoots him down on both counts. Huon and Sylvia politely agree to meet up at the library sometime so Huon can catch up with Prof Nash about memories of Oscar. Gabe has his mathematician friend work on breaking the book’s code.

FINALLY!! We have one answer. Sylvia does make it to the club. We learn that Willie likes girls, just not ones like Daisy. Alex and Daisy grind it out on the dance floor and flirt.

Sylvia finds excuses to visit Gabe in person and gossip with his staff. Gabe mentions he had dinner with the Hobson’s and Lady Stanhope. He doesn’t mention any sexual harassment. Has she changed her ways?

SylGa merrily head off on a Sunday picnic. Stopping for some business with Moldy, Inbred Lazarus Sidwell along the way. Lazarus has some older books of his ancestor Sir Andrew Sidwell which they hope they can assist in breaking the code of the Manuscript. Many of the books were purchased in the 1500’s from a doctor. Though the Manuscript is deemed much older than this, there may be a connection. Mildewy Lazarus agrees to keep researching the house for clues and report back.

Eager to resume their picnic, SylGa confide in each other about feeling lost and treading water. As they stare into each other’s eyes, Sylvia feels her blood pumping, her pulse quickening and her loins aching. She reaches for his hand and kisses his luscious mouth. Oh, if only it were enough for her.

See you in the Comments below!

Next week u/Meia_Ang will lead us in discussing Chapter 7 to 12 on Friday, November 10th. Reading Schedule Link