The Finding Machine

Alex Martin Cozy Mystery #1

by Lucy Lyons

HER FATHER’S MYSTERIOUS INVENTION… A 1920s COLD CASE… CAN ALEX FOLLOW THE DOTS TO SOLVE IT?

It’s 1998, and Alex Martin’s life is falling apart. She’s fast approaching the big 3-0, with her dreams of making it as an artist in shreds. Her handsome housemate Antony’s moving on to better things while she’s stuck in a dead-end job, touch-typing for a living like a 1950s pool secretary.

Then, one grey winter morning, Alex inherits a mysterious invention from her late father that changes everything. The Finding Machine solves mysteries. But the biggest mystery of all lies deep within its wiring — the unsolved disappearance of a little girl, dating back seventy years.

What happened to the girl, all those years ago? Who was she?

Alex is going to need Antony’s help if she’s to join the dots and solve the case. But as dark family secrets are revealed, will the Finding Machine bring them together…or push them further apart?

Full of twists and turns, the Finding Machine is an unputdownable mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Buy now, and join Alex on the adventure of a lifetime!

Lost your loved one? Lost all hope? You need… THE FINDING MACHINE!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Amazon, Mystery

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2023

About the author

Lucy Lyons worked in London as an editorial illustrator before realising she loved writing novels so much, she wanted to do that full-time.

She now lives in leafy Surrey with her illustrator husband, two grown-up boys and a bearded dragon called Pancake. When she’s not at her desk writing, she loves to escape into the garden and other worlds.

Lucy writes page-turning mystery novels with a sprinkling of magic.

Reviews

[Eryn McConnell]

An enjoyable read

I'm not quite sure where I picked this up but I am glad I did. It's got enough scifi in to keep me going and I enjoyed the 90s flashbacks!
A lovely story with a satisfying end.

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Finding Machine” takes place in 1998 and introduces Alex Martin, a young woman working as a temp after graduating and trying to find work as an artist. She’s living with her roommate Antony on the outskirts of London with a broken down car, seemingly going nowhere when she receives a package from her mother.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The story is told through one POV- that of Alex- as she discovers the finding machine and then settles into the one risky adventure after another. Underlying everything is a personal/family mystery that pushes her out of her comfort zone and ultimately into danger. I couldn’t imagine the responsibility she feels as people desperate to find their beloved pets reach out for help. Not being able to help everyone and the possible consequences of her actions would be both intimidating and depressing. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com

I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Daniel Garwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is told in the present tense by protagonist, Alex, a promising white artist in her late twenties paying her way by completing typing jobs from a home she shares with Antony. Similarly aged housemate Antony is a black web designer – ‘a sophisticated nerd with a Hackney edge’. In 1998, the pair can be seen driving around their town of residence in the county of Hertfordshire – Alex in her time-worn Mini and Antony in his new, black Audi TT Coupé.

Alex receives an unexpected package from her Irish Catholic mother containing one of her late father’s inventions which can locate any animal or person, alive or dead, from a photograph. Alex trials the machine, finding a missing cat, dog and a young man, before using it to unravel a dark family secret.

Lucy Lyons presents an original tale that comfortably sits in the ‘cosy mystery’ genre; albeit the ‘finding machine’ does add a significant splash of Sci-Fi. It is a big ask to expect the reader to suspend belief and accept the plausibility of the ‘finding machine’, but I went along with it and enjoyed the ride.

The writing maintains tension throughout the adventures of Alex and Antony, without superfluous paragraphs or missing detail. The story is plot rather than character driven, but Lucy offers sufficient texture to most of the players for them to develop a connection with the audience. An accessible, pleasurable read!

[Kate Sibson]

Disclaimer: I read this as a judge for SPSFC#4, as part of Team Ground Control to Major Tom. However, the following is my own personal review and does not reflect on the team's score.

I had pretty well-defined ideas about what the Finding Machine was about. I thought I was going to get a 1920's murder mystery with some timey-whimey, wibbly wobbly stuff thrown in to make it happen. I was quite looking forward to it as, although I am not a massive fan of time travel, I loooooove a good murder mystery, especially a 1920's time jaunt murder mystery. Well, that will teach me and my assumptions! While there is a murder mystery that begins in the 1920s and there is a mysterious cold box, the time whimey, wibbly wobbly bit is not there. Having read the blurb again, it doesn't specify that you get 1920's action; that was me reading something that wasn't there. Still a murder mystery is still a murder mystery!

The plot is actually fairly solid. Alex is left a mysterious box by her inventor father and takes a while to figure out what it does. When she does, she uses it to solve various local mysteries until she finally uses it on her own family's mysterious past. I know that sounds incredibly vague but, with mysteries, the slightest thing can ruin the surprise. And though the plot is good, the show at the end is not exactly rocket science. I was able to work it out and I am terrible at these things. However, I don't think it was really about the surprise whodunnit but more about closure for Alex and her connection to her father. It is a cozy mystery with few high stakes (except maybe one explosive chapter). I also liked that it wasn't set in a big city. Nearly all of the action takes part in the home counties, so lending a bit more of a rural feeling to it but not so rural that the population density would be so low that it could rule out murder on it's own. This was quite a nice backdrop to the story and lent itself to it well. Another thing that I liked was the "consequences of your actions"' theme running throughout the plot. Alex had some preconceived ideas of how things would go (a bit like me) and we found out that in most cases, she was sadly mistaken and the consequences could be much different (ahem). I think this added honesty and realism to the proceedings. It could have been too easy to make Alex succeed at everything but this would have given it a much different atmosphere that would not have suited this type of book.

The characters were OK. Alex was the POV and was mostly fine, although she did drive me mad with some of her decision making. However, she does redeem herself with quite a lot of heart on show (get to the barn scene and tell me it didn't affect you). Anthony felt a bit more two dimensional to me and maybe could do with a bit more progression. However, this is the first in a series, so I am thinking that there will be much more character progression in subsequent books. The family dynamics explored with Alex and her parents have that emotional tug to them, especially concerning her father. Her mother is maybe a bit too stereotypical to be wholly convincing but I bet we all have known mothers like her. I have. I didn't really feel the romance in the story line and felt that it was a bit forced into the plot towards the end (this isn't a spoiler. Anyone could see this was coming, even after just a few chapters!).

There is one slight thing that is bothering me with The Finding Machine and that is how to categorise it. The blurb states that it a British cozy mystery with a Sci-fi twist. I agree with three of those things - it is indeed a British cozy mystery and it does it quite well. It's the Sci-fi twist that is nagging at me. I read this as part of the SPSFC#4 which is, at the end of the day, a science fiction contest. In my opinion, it could be argued successfully either way if the Finding Machine is science fiction or not. Yes, there is a mysterious gadget that does something unexplicable but that doesn't make it sci-fi. There are some unexplained questions here like where did the machine come from? How did Alex's father make it from scratch in the 1940's? Why din;t her use it? How does it do what it does? Science fiction questions but, in this book at least, we don't get any of those science fiction answers and that is why I waver about this being science fiction or not. If you were to be generous, and SPSFC is very generous with it's definitions, it would be that this is very very soft sci-fi and I am OK with that. But it's not a core topic and I wouldn't want anyone to go in expecting more than they are going to get (like me. It's safer to expect less here). While I am OK with The Finding Machine being in SPSFC#4, I'm not completely convinced that this is sci-fi. I expect there might be some arguments over this.

In general, The Finding Machine is a well written book, with a great plot and pacings. I would say it is worth a read just for those things. However, if you are after a heavy dose of science fiction, you might be left feeling a bit hard done by. While there are some sciencey elements to it, I don't think there are enough to make it a talking point. If anything, you could argue that it is more of a spy action thriller than a Sci-fi mystery. If you don't mind the quibbles about the categorisation, you should find a decent mystery with a lot of heart. Enjoy it for what it is.

[Linda Raedisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I entered the Self Published Science Fiction Competition for the first time this year, and I've been busy checking out the competition.  Hard sci fi isn't my bag, so I was pleasantly surprised to see an entry that looked more like a contemporary romance than a space opera.  Finding Machine takes place in the 90's. so it's not exactly contemporary, and the romance takes a bit of a back seat to the mystery, all of which was fine by me.  There'a a box to check on the SPSFC entry form to indicate that, while your book is indeed sci fi, those elements won't be apparent in the first several pages.  This is the case with Finding Machine, which opens with the main character Alex getting an only-somewhat-mysterious package from her mother in Ireland.  It takes some time for Alex, her hot roommate Antony, and the reader, to realize just how mysterious the package is. Knowing that there was a speculative element coming, I enjoyed the mounting suspicion of What Was in the Box, and What Did It Do?  I also enjoyed Alex's frustrated phone conversations with her Irish Catholic mother.  Alex is trying to pay her bills and solve a family mystery; her mother is trying to fix her up with a nice Catholic boy.  I like a good family mystery, and Finding Machine delivers. (There are shades of the Doctor Who episode "The Idiot's Lantern" later in the book.  I would have liked more of that, but that isn't what the book promises, so I can't fault the author for that.)  Alex is looking for a lost relative, a lost little girl whose existence she's only just learned of.  Coincidentally, the last book I read and reviewed was Salvage by Mark Bailiie, which takes place in the 80's and details a college student's search for her lost great aunt, taken as a little girl from her Scottish Traveller family in the 1920's.  Which brings me to a major problem I had with the Finding Machine.  About halfway through the book, Antony casually drops a vicious ethnic slur.  Antony is a lovable character, and his use of the term really jarred me.  I expected Alex to call him out on it.  She doesn't.  I can only hope the author didn't realize how vile the term is.  I would like to be able to read the next book in the Alex Martin series, but Antony's going to have to clean up his language.

[Rachel Anne Tearall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the intriguing and unique storyline. I also liked the 90s nostalgia. The characters were interesting and likeable. This twists and turns kept me gripped until the very end. I look forward to reading more by this Author.

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to relate to the MC very easily. I feel we would be good friends especially since we both love 80’s music. There was so much intrigue surrounding the invention from her father. I love that Alex wants to help people. The part with the animals was my favorite. It was like multiple mysteries intertwined and it kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I enjoyed the friendship with her roommate, Antony, and the undertones there.

[Rose Auburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Martin’s life seems to have stagnated as she approaches thirty with little prospect of things changing anytime soon. However, change they do when her Mum sends her a baffling machine that her late father invented.

With the help of housemate, Antony, Alex begins to discover the true purpose of the strange gadget; it finds things. Anything. As the gravity of the machine’s potential becomes startlingly obvious, Alex knows she must use it to reveal the mystery behind a little girl’s disappearance but, should some truths stay hidden?...

The Finding Machine is an interesting novel whose seemingly light-hearted, pacey narrative disguises a complex, thought-provoking, and cleverly constructed premise. Further, the novel moves effectively between several genres including family drama, romance, science fiction, and thriller, with a whisper of the occult.

The story is narrated in first-person by Alex who displays the right amount of late-twenties growing self-awareness, curiosity, and confusion. She is also amusing with a nice line in whip-smart retorts, often to herself, addressing perceived failings.

Occasionally, she can be a little prickly and frustrating, especially in relation to her Mum, Brigid. However, as the plot unfolds, Brigid’s controlling single-mindedness becomes faintly sinister and Alex’s exasperation is more than justified.

Antony is neatly depicted and the dynamic between him and Alex evolves with sweet satisfaction. The novel is set in 1998 and this era is, to a certain extent, integral to the narrative. The plot would not work as credibly in a present-day setting with the advances in technology.

There are enough resources available in the late 90s that Alex is able to get to grips with the machine but not so many that it blows the concept out of the water. She nicely nuances the era and it’s refreshing to read of a fairly contemporary time without constant reference to smartphones.

Part of the appeal of the machine are the hiccups, delays, and difficulties that Alex faces while trying to ascertain exactly what it can do and how it does it, which I will not spoil by revealing. Suffice to say, like all good ideas, it’s relatively simple but one that is deceptively well thought-out.

Lyons gives three tangents involving Sebastian the cat, an illegal puppy farm, and a missing teenager, Jason Bevin, as Alex begins to successfully work the finding machine before the main plot and purpose kick in.

Personally, not all three were required, but it does ensure the book and the mechanics of the finding machine itself become involving and, consequently quite objective. A reader cannot help but think of the possibilities of the machine in their own life.

It’s genuinely a plausible idea, and that is one of the strengths of The Finding Machine; it’s not far-fetched. Whilst the 90s setting complements the story, conversely reading it in 2023 adds a layer of complete believability.

As the narrative funnels into the Martin family mystery, the novel is really quite gripping. Lyons’ writing is confident, breezy, and infectious to read with Alex making for a good amateur sleuth. The plotline is considered, gently puzzling, twisting, and turning with Lyons nicely evoking the late 1920s when the action flashes back to that age.

The Finding Machine is an intriguing, entertaining, and unusual novel that is difficult to put down. Well worth a look.

[Holly Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The finding machine
By Lucy Lyon’s

I really enjoyed this book.
The author eases the reader in nicely with some interaction and banter between the initial characters, along with a few anecdotes so we understand the history as well as the personality of the main protagonist. But the intrigue begins not long after. The pace is nice as it’s doesn’t jump ahead. The author allows us the time to invest in the characters and the story, while at the same time developing the direction and depth of the story. There are plenty of twists and turns which encourages the reader to “read just one more chapter” and prevent our heads from hitting the pillow.
I would love to read about more adventures involving the finding machine!

[Kris Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original and captivating story

I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters engaging and the story panned out in a way that made me want to turn the page to see what happened next. It also made me think, quite a lot, about whether or not a 'finding machine', if there ever was such a thing, would be a good or very bad thing...... People will probably have different options on that but I think maybe you can know too much! Bottom line with this book is READ IT, it's fab !

[Happy Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Finding Machine” by Lucy Lyons is an intriguing blend of mystery and drama, set against the backdrop of a 1998 narrative. The protagonist, Alex Martin, finds herself at a crossroads in life, grappling with unfulfilled dreams and a mundane job. However, her world takes a dramatic turn with the inheritance of her late father’s enigmatic invention – The Finding Machine, capable of solving mysteries.Lucy Lyons skillfully weaves a tale that transcends time, connecting a modern-day struggle with a cold case from the 1920s. The story’s pace is well-balanced, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Alex’s journey as she learns to operate the machine, initially finding lost pets before stumbling upon a family mystery – the disappearance of her great-aunt Lilian in 1928.

The narrative delves deep into the emotional and psychological impacts of the mystery on Alex and her family. The strained relationship between Alex and her mother, intensified by the revelation of the photo and the history it holds, adds a poignant layer to the story. Lyons’ portrayal of family dynamics and the burden of unresolved past events is both relatable and moving.

The character development is one of the novel’s strengths, particularly in the case of Alex, whose growth from a disillusioned artist to a determined investigator is compelling and realistic. The supporting characters, including Antony, her housemate, and Stanley, Lilian’s uncle, contribute significantly to the plot’s depth and complexity.

Lyons masterfully maintains suspense throughout the story, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. The blend of historical elements with a contemporary setting enriches the narrative, providing a unique perspective on how the past can influence the present.

The climax of the novel, revealing the truth behind Lilian’s disappearance and Stanley’s eventual confession, is handled with tact and sensitivity. Lyons does not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of human nature, yet the story concludes on a note of closure and justice.

“The Finding Machine” is not just a mystery novel; it’s a story about healing, moving forward, and the power of truth. The novel’s ending, with Alex considering a new path in life, suggests a hopeful future while acknowledging the scars of the past.

Overall, “The Finding Machine” is a well-crafted and engaging read that will appeal to fans of mystery and drama. Lucy Lyons’ ability to create a vivid and emotionally resonant world makes this book a memorable and satisfying experience.

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Finding Machine’ is an unusual story from the pen of British-based author, Lucy Lyons. It combines sci-fi and fantasy with the paranormal, all wrapped up in a cosy mystery. It is written in the first person and present tense. We’re transported back to 1998 where we meet Alex, who is a budding artist and home-based typist. Alex shares a house with web-designer, Antony, in Ware. Work is beginning to dry up for Alex as more people invest in personal computers. There’s no doubt Alex is in a career and life rut with little idea of how to improve her situation.

Everything changes once her mother sends her a mysterious machine invented by her late father. Through trial and error, she and Antony discover its purpose although they have no idea how it works. Rather sensibly the author doesn’t try to give an explanation of its strange powers, other than a few vague possibilities discussed by Alex and Antony. After putting it to the test with positive results, Alex is determined to unravel a family secret and embarks on a voyage of discovery.

This book has been cleverly constructed and anchors the story in time and place to keep the reader engaged. A lot of us will remember the technology of the age and, of course, the all-important Filofax! There are some delightfully descriptive passages with a smattering of dry humour and a little pathos. A degree of foreshadowing helps build the suspense as we wait to see if Alex can solve a seventy-year-old mystery.

Alex is a multi-layered character; an independent woman yet not confident enough to be honest with her mother about all aspects of her life. Many of us will relate to their thorny relationship. We also get an insight into the historical family dynamics as Alex discovers exactly why her father built the machine.

I congratulate the author on the attention to detail in her research. If anything, maybe the plot is a bit thin and I confess to being slightly disappointed with the resolution. Nonetheless, after a fairly pedestrian start, the story held my attention until the end. I think many people will find it a refreshingly wholesome inoffensive read and I award four-and-a-half stars.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 5 out of 5]

At my first book club meeting, I had the surprise and pleasure of meeting a real life author (hi Lucy!) and she invited me to read her new book! I was a little nervous in case I had to be brutal but never fear, it was a fab read!
Alex is sent a mysterious machine which was created by her late father. She figures out that if she inserts a photograph the machine can locate the person. Her father created the machine to search for his little sister who went missing in the 1920s but he never managed to find her. Alex begins a mission to find a photo of Lillian to put in the machine...
The Finding Machine is a mystery novel with a really strong emotional thread running through it. The book is set just before the millennium and I felt that I was transported back in time!
Alex is bored with her dull admin work so is intrigued and inspired to break the monotony by using the machine. She has a wonderful flatmate and a terrible mother. I was almost pleading with Alex and Antony to get together as their affection and good natured banter makes their compatibility clear from the start.
Alex's dad lost his sister when he was young and never gave up hope that she would be found. He invented the machine (there are some details about the construction but I didn't really understand them) to locate his sister but he never had a photo of her. I have heard of the concept of a photo capturing a person's soul so completely bought into the viability of the machine.
There are some dramatic moments as Alex tries out the machine to find missing pets before moving onto humans. The tension also grows as Alex gets closer to using the machine for its real purpose and finding her vanished aunt. The pace of the writing is pretty good and I was eager to keep reading to find out what would happen next to Alex, keeping my fingers crossed that she would succeed and resolve the family mystery.
The Finding Machine is a wonderful book: full of mystery, emotion and drama.

[Surjit Parekh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts about Lucy Lyons’s The Finding Machine is a stunning book filled with an ambiguous plot and complex mystery story. With every new door opening, we are led to yet another mystery, secret and clue. Writer Lucy Lyons has created a new book.With bundles of crime, investigation, si fi and sparks of paranormal incidents, we are taken on a unforgettable journey. Lucy Lyons’s The Finding Machine begins with an establishing story, It’s 1998, and Alex Martin’s life is falling apart. She’s fast approaching the big 3-0, with her dreams of making it as an artist in shreds. Her handsome housemate Antony’s moving on to better things while she’s stuck in a dead-end job, touch-typing for a living like a 1950s pool secretary. Then, one grey winter morning, Alex inherits a mysterious invention from her late father that changes everything. The Finding Machine solves mysteries. But the biggest mystery of all lies deep within its wiring the unsolved disappearance of a little girl, dating back seventy years. What happened to the girl, all those years ago? Who was she. Alex is going to need Antony’s help if she’s to join the dots and solve the case. But as dark family secrets are revealed, will the Finding Machine bring them together…or push them further apart. Overall, Lucy Lyons’s debut definitely should be on your reading -list. The story provides a satisfying mystery tale, leaving you mesmerized. Lucy Lyons’s The Finding Machine is about something entirely different. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💥💥💥💥💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going back to the late 90s when life was simpler and very few people had mobile phones is so relaxing and as this intriguing mystery adventure features two delightful main characters, The Finding Machine is a feel-good novel to escape into. Alex may be working in a dead end job and her mother may worry about her lack of an appropriate partner but actually there are good factors in her life. She enjoys living in Hertfordshire with her handsome, easy-going house-sharer, Anthony and occasionally she finds time to devote to painting.

But she is soon shaken out of her apathy by the delivery of a small machine invented by her deceased father. Apart from a few old family photos the machine has nothing but a green light. Eventually her investigations are aided by Anthony’s technical knowledge. It appears to be a Finding Machine which locates animals or people who have mysteriously disappeared. Alex is a brave investigator whose attempts to find missing cats and dogs have positive results but she tends to find herself in dangerous situations. Once she tries to find out about the little girl who disappeared 70 years earlier the story becomes more serious.

I really enjoyed following the trail with Alex, grateful that she sometimes allowed Anthony to help. It was heart-warming to see the prospect of a happy future and I wonder if she will use her father’s invention for more adventures.

[Dani (piggindani_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fabulous and unique story. I would describe it as a mystery with a dash of sci-fi. 🤖🎞️

I adored the relationship between Alex and Antony. Both are fantastic with great personalities, amazing banter and they bounce off each other perfectly. I also love how caring and protective Antony is over Alex.
So cute 🥰

From the outset I was drawn in and fascinated by this crazy little device Alex’s dad invented. And, to start with, I only saw the positives of this brilliant machine. However, after the first finding, I realised quite quickly the emotional toll it can take and so completely sympathised and understood her reluctance to use it even though she has her own personal family mystery yet to be solved. Is this machine the key to unlock this decades old heartache?

There are plenty of beautiful moments and lots of laughter and fun, but under the joy theres a sinister undertone that had me fearing the worst for the resolution. Luckily my fears were unfounded but it was still very bittersweet.
It broke my heart and made me shed a tear for the second time.
And it’s these darker elements (darker than I expected), that make the book 4 stars for me.

And finally, I loved the concept of the actual Finding Machine. Yes, it’s not possible but it’s the adorable notion that a part of our soul gets captured in every photo had me smiling. So beautiful. 📸♥️

I really enjoyed The Finding Machine and cannot wait to read more from Lucy Lyons.

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really is such a fun book. I wasn't sure about the concept at first, but I feel like the author did a really good job of balancing the science fiction part of the book with reality in such a way that I could believe that the device would work as described.

This book takes place in 1998, so a lot of the technology that we take for granted today is pretty new at the time. I loved the little mentions of things like cell phones, GPS, and the Internet. I felt like these characters could really be from this time period.

This book did not end quite the way that I expected it to, but I felt like the ending was still great, maybe even better than the ending that I envisioned. The characters felt real, although I could have done with a little more physical description when it came to the two main characters, Alex and Antony.

Overall, this is a clean novel. Sex is implied, but we don't actually get to hear about it. The language is clean. Some potentially sensitive topics may include petnapping, drug use, and child pornography.

I did get a free copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.

[Lucy GW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the cosy mysteries I read are set in the 1920s (which I love) so it’s a nice change to read one set in the 1990s. Having grown up in the 90s I understood all the references, which really delighted me!

It’s a really enjoyable read. The story itself is great with a mix of mystery and sci fi and is brilliantly paced - a definite page turner with a slow build on some of the relationships which adds to the mystery. The characters are developed well and are as likeable and unlikeable as they should be. I found the family dynamics explored by the writer fascinating, both present and historic, and found the relationship between Alex and her mother specifically, witty but also quite sad. Thankfully her handsome housemate Antony is on hand to provide joy to Alex and the reader.

Although I didn’t understand some of the technical jargon, I appreciate the amount of research and creativity undertaken by the writer to make The Finding Machine seem somehow plausible, and sets the book apart from other cosy mysteries. It definitely makes you wonder what’s out there!

This book is for you if you enjoy an easy, addictive, cosy mystery!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the right amount of suspense kept me wondering, all throughout the book, what happened to Lillian?

While we do eventually unravel the mystery of the missing girl, where this book shines is its characterizations: from a doting roommate to a religiously stubborn mother, it's easy to find yourself understanding these characters and aligning them to people in your own life, including the drift from listless to adventurous that Alex seems to go through.

Just the right amount of description, world-building, and a bit of research from what was available and up-and-coming between the 1970s and 1998, this setting is wholly believable and the characters much of the same.

If you're an appreciator of short chapters, this book will be for you. You'll keep telling yourself "one more chapter, it's short!" over and over again until the very end.

[Marion Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just read The Finding Machine a debut book by Lucy Lyons and can thoroughly recommend it.
The story is set in the 1990s which is a decade I can relate to and it had me engrossed right from the start. The main character, Alex, is really believable and you want to know if she can not only solve a family mystery with her inherited finding machine but also how the relationship develops with her lodger. There are twists and turns along the way to keep the reader hooked and I could not put the book down – I had to keep reading until the end. Hopefully there will be a second book to follow- I for one can’t wait.

[I · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book, after the first few chapters when you get into a book it was really quite gripping, a classic couldn't be put down and a page-turner. Also, I enjoyed how there was one overall mystery - Lillian, but lots of other mini ones- the missing pets and Jason that stopped it from getting slow or boring but allowed a lot more detail about the personalities of the characters to be added. It is different from many others being set in the 90s which adds to the story and also means it isn't all historical but recognisable. The descriptions were excellent throughout, and I had moving pictures forming in my mind as I read.

[Coleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from voracious readers only in exchange for an honest review. Although our protagonist has a very small life, the book itself was a fun, well-paced read with lots of components. Sci-fi, mysticism, technology, a cold case and unexpected predicaments for our sleuth. There were several predictable aspects and that was ok too. Through the adventures undertaken to solve the cold case our protagonist does grow emotionally. However, I did think she was pretty hard judging her mother when she really didn’t have all the information for a balanced perspective. Our sleuth and her roommate did solve the case and bring the story to an acceptable conclusion.

[L.N. Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story revolves around an intriguing device, with the protagonist, Alex, discovering how it works and then using it in gradually escalating situations. The beginning is perhaps a little slow, but the story soon picks up momentum and charges towards a tense and satisfying finale. I liked the 90s references and would have loved more description of the era’s details. The developing relationship between Alex and Anthony is fun, too. I do hope there's a sequel - the ending nicely puts Alex in a position where the 'finding machine' can be put to thrilling use again.

[Pam C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a slow start, but it is well worth it for the rich character backgrounds that emerge. Alex, the protagonist, is a particularly endearing character. The plot truly takes flight when Alex receives a mysterious package from her mother containing something that her late father had built. Accompanied by her roommate Antony, Alex embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets of this mysterious item, leading to a shocking revelation about her family. Overall, I highly recommend this book!

[Alison Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and set at a good pace with the characters being believable. The style of writing and language used was just like having a conversation with someone. There was plenty of attention to detail which took me back in time to how technology was in the late 1990’s. Loved that the ladies and gents from Any1CanRun supported Lucy and the shout out to Ash Vale!
I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to find out more about Alex Martin’s adventures with the Finding Machine.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from #Voracious Readers. I really enjoyed it all the way through. This was a different genre for me that I am excited for. Not too sci-fi but very interesting. The main character receives a machine that her deceased father made and discovers what it can do. She finds herself looking into a mystery of decades past only to find its not what she thought it would be. Very entertaining!

[John J. Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of The Finding Machine by Lucy Lyons.
A charming cosy mystery which tells the story of Alex and the mysterious machine she inherits from her late father.
The invention turns out to be very useful and helps solve a number of mysteries.
Alex is a likeable main character who gets into a number of scrapes and adventures with her flatmate Anthony.
A great mix of science and magic. A throughly recommended read.

[Jennifer Wright-Berryman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Finding Machine has it all…a great mystery buried deep in a family’s history, a friendship that is tested, and a series of challenges the MC faces to build her confidence and courage. I adore the blend of mystery and science fiction, the witty banter between friends, and the English countryside. As a child of the 90s, the music references are right up my alley, too. There’s so much to love about this book and I can’t wait for the next installment!

[Emma Wakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Finding Machine follows Alex's journey after she gets sent a mysterious machine built by her father. I really enjoyed this book. Each chapter left me wanting to find out what happened next. I finished half the book in one sitting. The conclusion was satisfying and felt right for the characters and the journey they had been on. It had a little bit of all the elements I enjoy in a story and was really well written. I would definitely recommend this book

[Lin Copson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished it and what a page turner. An absolute gripping novel right up to and including the last page, I certainly never saw the end coming. Had me reading to the wee small hours of the morning. Couldn’t put the book down – just so enthralling that I could almost feel as if I was one of the characters.
Can’t wait for the next book.