Propriety and Partings

Daisy and Frederica Linden, reunited with their father Professor Linden, prepare to leave Port Townsend for Victoria. Their father's old-fashioned insistence on propriety clashes with the sisters' hard-won independence. The group splits: Daisy, Freddie, and their father in one airship, William (Daisy's fiancé), Davey (their ward), and Corporal Oscar Kent (Freddie's suitor) in another, escorted by the Royal Canadian Airborne Police. Tension simmers as Freddie contemplates Oscar's possible proposal, and Daisy reflects on the journey's dangers and joys. The mood is hopeful but anxious, as the family's reunion is shadowed by the threat of air pirates and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

Pirates in the Clouds

As the two airships cross the archipelago, a pirate vessel emerges from the clouds and attacks. The RCAP ship carrying William, Davey, and Oscar is shot down, plummeting toward the sea. Daisy and Freddie, helpless in their own vessel, are forced by their father to continue to Victoria for help, despite their desperate pleas to turn back. The sisters' anguish is palpable as they watch their loved ones fall from the sky, their journey transformed from a homecoming into a rescue mission. The threat of pirates becomes terrifyingly real, and the family's unity is tested by crisis.

Crash and Capture

William, Davey, and Oscar survive the crash, stranded on a remote island's cliffs. Using ingenuity and teamwork, they escape the wreckage and begin a treacherous trek through forest and rain, evading pirates and foraging for food. Oscar's leadership and William's resourcefulness keep hope alive, but the group is constantly hunted. Meanwhile, Daisy, Freddie, and Professor Linden reach Victoria and urgently seek help from the RCAP, only to find resources stretched thin by a royal visit. The sisters' determination to save their friends is matched by the men's struggle to survive.

Desperate Appeals

In Victoria, the Lindens encounter Inspector Kent—Oscar's estranged father—who is both grateful and emotionally distant. The RCAP can spare only two ships for a rescue, as most are away escorting royalty. Daisy and Freddie are frustrated by their exclusion from the rescue effort and Inspector Kent's coldness, especially as he blames Oscar for past family tragedy. The sisters' resolve hardens, and they vow to find another way if official channels fail. The emotional stakes rise as love, duty, and grief collide, and the family's fate hangs in the balance.

Stranded and Pursued

On Whitby Island, William, Davey, and Oscar endure hunger, cold, and the constant threat of pirate discovery. They scavenge for food and shelter, using every scrap of knowledge and courage. When RCAP rescue ships finally arrive, a fierce aerial battle erupts with the pirates. The survivors witness the chaos from the treetops, unable to signal for help as ships are shot down and the pirates' power is revealed. The group's hope is battered but not broken, and their bond deepens through shared adversity.

Hope and Hospitality

Daisy, Freddie, and Professor Linden find refuge with Mrs. Birch, a kind boarding-house keeper and RCAP family member. They are joined by Jake Fletcher, a resourceful navigator and old friend, who offers support and camaraderie. The group strategizes, drawing on their network of "absent friends" and the kindness of strangers. As they await news, the warmth of hospitality and the strength of chosen family provide solace. The sisters' resilience is buoyed by community, even as uncertainty lingers.

The Inspector's Grief

Inspector Kent's bitterness toward Oscar is revealed to stem from the loss of his wife in a tragic airship accident for which he blames his son. Mrs. Birch, his sister-in-law, shares the story, deepening Freddie's empathy and understanding. Freddie's own secret—her ability to see and communicate with the dead—emerges as she comforts the grieving inspector, channeling the spirit of his late wife. This moment of vulnerability and forgiveness begins to heal old wounds, and the inspector finally gives his blessing for the Lindens to attempt a rescue.

Prisoners and Pretenders

William, Davey, and Oscar are captured by pirates and thrown into a grim cell, where they meet Annie, a woman who claims to be another victim. The group faces psychological torment and the threat of violence, clinging to hope and each other. Davey, in a moment of misplaced trust, reveals the existence of a gold ingot meant for their future, unwittingly giving the pirates leverage for ransom. The lines between friend and foe blur, and the prisoners' resolve is tested by betrayal and fear.

Ransom and Revelations

The pirates demand the gold ingot as ransom, sending a message to Inspector Kent. Daisy and Freddie are devastated, fearing their friends have been tortured into revealing the secret. Inspector Kent's refusal to negotiate is challenged by Freddie, who, with the help of Oscar's mother's spirit, persuades him to act from love rather than duty. The Lindens, with Jake's help, devise a plan to create a fake gold ingot, using ingenuity and the support of their community. The boundaries between the living and the dead, and between hope and despair, are crossed in the name of love.

The False Ingot

The Lindens and Jake, with the help of a blacksmith and a lightning pistol, craft a convincing fake gold ingot. They fly to the pirate stronghold for the exchange, under strict instructions to keep the engine ready for a quick escape. The tense standoff is fraught with danger, but the exchange succeeds—until they realize Davey is missing, having stayed behind to recover the ingot and redeem his mistake. Jake leaps from the airship to find him, risking his life in a daring act of loyalty.

Davey's Daring Gamble

Davey, wracked with guilt, sneaks into the pirate village to retrieve the ingot, only to discover the pirates plan to melt it down. His plan is upended when the fake is revealed, and chaos erupts. Jake, having survived his leap, finds Davey, and together they hide in the coal cellar, plotting sabotage. Their bond deepens as they discover they are half-brothers, united by loss and courage. The two boys become unlikely heroes, determined to wreak havoc on the pirates from within.

Pigeons and Plans

Jake and Davey steal the pirates' communication pigeons, sending messages to Victoria to cut off the pirates' coordination. They plan further sabotage, including disabling cannons and setting airships adrift. Their resourcefulness and bravery turn the tide, as they outwit their captors and prepare for a daring escape. The power of friendship and family, both found and chosen, is at the heart of their actions, as they risk everything for each other and for those they love.

Sabotage and Siblings

While hiding on San Juan Island, Jake and Davey share their family histories and realize they are brothers. They recruit Jenny, a captive girl, and her pet hen Sootie, into their escape plan. The trio, using their wits and courage, prepare to steal the pirates' airships and deliver them to the RCAP. The theme of found family is underscored as the children, once victims, become agents of their own rescue, forging bonds that will last beyond the adventure.

The Great Airship Heist

Under cover of darkness, Jake, Davey, and Jenny tie together five pirate airships and prepare to tow them to Victoria. As the wind threatens to expose them, Davey drops bombs down the pirates' headquarters chimney, creating a massive explosion that distracts the pirates and allows the stolen ships to escape. The children's audacity and quick thinking turn the tide, and their actions are witnessed across the city, signaling the end of the pirates' reign.

Explosions and Escapes

As the stolen airships approach Victoria, the city's defenders mistake them for an attack and open fire. Davey's ship is cut loose and begins to drift, but Daisy and her friends, flying the conveyance, manage a daring mid-air rescue, towing Davey's ship to safety. The reunion is emotional and triumphant, as the children's bravery is recognized and the threat of the pirates is finally broken. The power of teamwork and love overcomes even the most daunting obstacles.

Reunion and Rescue

The heroes are celebrated in Victoria, and long-lost family members are reunited. Jenny is discovered to be the granddaughter of the university dean, and Davey and Jake's brotherhood is embraced. Oscar and Freddie become engaged, with the blessing of both families and the spirit of Oscar's mother. The community comes together to honor the children's courage, and the wounds of the past begin to heal. The promise of new beginnings and lasting happiness is in the air.

New Beginnings

The city honors Jake and Davey with medals for their heroism, and the pirates' defeat brings peace to the archipelago. Professor Linden is offered the deanship of a new engineering school, securing the family's future in Victoria. Jenny is welcomed into her family, and Davey is given the choice to stay with his found family or join his brother on new adventures. The bonds of love, friendship, and community are celebrated, and the characters look forward to a brighter future.

Royal Arrival

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall arrive in Victoria, greeted by the city and its heroes. Jenny is reunited with her grandparents in a public, emotional scene, and the royal couple honors the children's bravery. The city's sense of community and resilience is on full display, as the characters' personal triumphs are woven into the fabric of public celebration. The theme of homecoming is fulfilled, and the stage is set for lasting happiness.

A Wedding in the Skies

Daisy and William are married aboard the Swan, surrounded by friends and family, both living and departed. The ceremony is intimate and joyful, symbolizing the end of their long journey and the beginning of a new life. Freddie and Oscar's engagement is celebrated, and the family's wounds are healed through love and forgiveness. The story closes with a sense of peace, belonging, and the promise of future adventures, as the characters embrace the home and family they have fought so hard to find.

Characters

Daisy Linden

Daisy is the elder Linden sister, fiercely intelligent, creative, and determined. Her journey from sheltered Englishwoman to courageous adventurer is marked by her unwavering loyalty to family and friends. Daisy's relationship with William is built on mutual respect and shared hardship, and her leadership often guides the group through peril. She is both nurturing and pragmatic, balancing emotional vulnerability with steely resolve. Daisy's growth is evident in her willingness to challenge authority, embrace unconventional solutions, and redefine propriety on her own terms. Her artistry and empathy make her the emotional heart of the story.

Frederica "Freddie" Linden

Freddie, the younger sister, is gentle, introspective, and gifted with the ability to see and communicate with the dead. Her psychic sensitivity is both a burden and a source of strength, allowing her to comfort others and bridge the gap between past and present. Freddie's relationship with Oscar Kent is a slow-burning romance, complicated by her fears of rejection and her need for acceptance. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, as she learns to embrace her gifts and assert her own desires. Freddie's compassion and courage shine in moments of crisis, and her growth is marked by increasing confidence and agency.

Professor Rudolph Linden

Professor Linden is a brilliant but absent-minded academic, whose disappearance set the sisters' journey in motion. His reunion with his daughters is fraught with guilt, pride, and a struggle to adapt to their newfound independence. He is principled and stubborn, often clashing with his daughters over propriety and safety. Over the course of the story, he learns to trust their judgment and embrace a more modern, egalitarian view of family. His expertise and resourcefulness are crucial in the rescue mission, and his emotional growth is reflected in his willingness to accept love and community.

William Barnicott

William is Daisy's fiancé, a compassionate and resourceful doctor. His calm under pressure and practical skills make him indispensable in crises. William's relationship with Daisy is a partnership of equals, marked by mutual support and deep affection. He is protective but not controlling, respecting Daisy's autonomy and strength. William's psychological depth is revealed in his moments of vulnerability, as he grapples with fear, responsibility, and the trauma of captivity. His loyalty to Davey and the Lindens cements his place in the found family.

Davey Fletcher

Davey is the Lindens' young ward, streetwise, inventive, and fiercely loyal. His journey from stowaway to hero is marked by moments of both recklessness and courage. Davey's guilt over revealing the gold ingot's secret drives him to risk everything for redemption. His bond with Jake, discovered to be his half-brother, provides him with a sense of belonging he has long craved. Davey's resilience and quick thinking are vital to the group's survival, and his emotional arc is one of self-forgiveness and acceptance into a loving family.

Corporal Oscar Kent

Oscar is a disciplined, honorable RCAP officer, burdened by guilt over his mother's death and estrangement from his father. His romance with Freddie is tender and fraught with obstacles, as he struggles to reconcile duty with desire. Oscar's leadership and bravery are tested in captivity, where he protects his companions at great personal cost. His psychological journey is one of healing, as he confronts his father's blame and ultimately finds forgiveness and love. Oscar's vulnerability and integrity make him a compelling and sympathetic figure.

Inspector Marcus Kent

Inspector Kent is Oscar's father, a man hardened by loss and responsibility. His emotional distance and harshness toward Oscar stem from unresolved grief over his wife's death. Through interactions with Freddie and the intervention of his wife's spirit, he gradually confronts his pain and reconciles with his son. As a leader, he is pragmatic and principled, but his rigidity is softened by the events of the story. Inspector Kent's arc is one of redemption, as he learns to balance duty with compassion and to accept the love of family.

Jake Fletcher

Jake is a skilled airship navigator, quick-witted, brave, and a bit of a rogue. His chance reunion with the Lindens leads him to join the rescue mission, where his resourcefulness and daring are invaluable. Jake's discovery that Davey is his half-brother adds emotional depth, as he embraces the responsibilities and joys of family. His partnership with Davey in sabotaging the pirates is both thrilling and heartwarming. Jake's psychological complexity lies in his blend of independence and longing for connection.

Mrs. Birch

Mrs. Birch is the boarding-house keeper in Victoria, a member of the "absent friends" network and Oscar's aunt by marriage. Her home becomes a sanctuary for the Lindens, and her practical kindness is a source of comfort. She is insightful, supportive, and unflappable, providing both emotional and logistical support. Mrs. Birch's own grief and resilience mirror those of the main characters, and her subtle matchmaking hints at new beginnings for Professor Linden.

Jenny Bodey

Jenny is a young girl rescued from pirate captivity, revealed to be the granddaughter of the university dean. Her journey from victim to survivor is marked by courage, resourcefulness, and a fierce attachment to her pet hen, Sootie. Jenny's reunion with her family is a poignant moment of healing and restoration. She represents the story's themes of lost and found family, and her presence underscores the importance of compassion and community.

Plot Devices

Dual Narratives and Shifting Perspectives

The novel employs a shifting third-person perspective, alternating between Daisy, Freddie, William, Davey, and others. This structure allows readers to experience the story's events from various emotional and psychological angles, heightening suspense and empathy. The dual narrative of those stranded and those seeking rescue creates parallel arcs of survival and hope, converging in moments of reunion and revelation.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The story uses foreshadowing—such as the early mention of pirates and the gold ingot—to build tension and anticipation. Symbolic elements, like the Prussian blue coat, the gold ingot, and the pigeons, represent themes of identity, value, and communication. The recurring motif of found family is embodied in the characters' relationships and the network of "absent friends."

Supernatural Elements and Mediumship

Freddie's ability to see and communicate with the dead introduces a supernatural dimension, allowing for emotional closure and guidance from lost loved ones. The presence of Oscar's mother's spirit serves as both a plot catalyst and a source of psychological healing, bridging the gap between past trauma and present reconciliation.

Ingenious Problem-Solving and Sabotage

The characters' use of science, engineering, and quick thinking—crafting a fake gold ingot, sabotaging cannons, stealing airships—propels the plot and showcases their ingenuity. These devices create moments of high tension and dramatic reversals, emphasizing the importance of intellect and adaptability in overcoming adversity.

Found Family and Chosen Community

The theme of found family is woven throughout, as characters form bonds of loyalty, love, and mutual support that transcend blood ties. The "absent friends" network, the adoption of Jenny and Davey, and the reconciliation of estranged relatives all reinforce the idea that family is created through choice, courage, and compassion.

Analysis

Shelley Adina's The Professor Wore Prussian Blue is a masterful blend of steampunk adventure, cozy mystery, and heartfelt family drama. At its core, the novel explores the meaning of home, the resilience of love, and the power of chosen family. Through its richly drawn characters and intricate plot, the story examines how trauma, loss, and societal expectations can both fracture and forge relationships. The use of supernatural elements—Freddie's mediumship and the presence of benevolent spirits—adds emotional depth, allowing for healing and closure that transcend the boundaries of life and death. The narrative's structure, with its dual perspectives and interwoven arcs, creates a tapestry of suspense, empathy, and triumph. The novel's lessons are clear: true family is found in those who stand by us in adversity; courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to act in spite of it; and hope, ingenuity, and kindness can overcome even the darkest of circumstances. In a world of airships and pirates, it is the quiet heroism of love, forgiveness, and community that ultimately saves the day.

Last updated: January 20, 2026