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thepagelady's review
3.0
In the west end of London, an apparently crazed individual is on the loose, breaking into art galleries and private homes to slash valuable paintings of women. Despite Scotland Yard’s best efforts, the criminal remains at large and continues on his destructive path.
When Joanna and the Watsons are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches.
The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal—he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits
Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. When Joanna finds the body of one in a bricked off fireplace at the gallery, the other is left as the prime suspect
But then he's discovered dead as well.
Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings—and lives—will be lost.
Thank you Goodreads and Minotaur Books for a chance to read The Art of Deception #4 in The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries by Leonard Goldberg!
I honestly think this is the first book I have ever read about Sherlock Holmes. I can't remember reading one at least. I have a little bit of mixed feelings about this book. And for the most part I think it's because of Joanna. It's not her whole character, it’s the times she comes across as a know it all. But to be fair I haven’t read the other books in the series. So maybe because I don’t have the back story that is why she comes off like that to me. Other than that, I found the book interesting. It was an easy read. Its was easy staying interested in the story line. The way that the characters go about solving the crime is interesting in its self. Happy reading everyone!
When Joanna and the Watsons are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches.
The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal—he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits
Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. When Joanna finds the body of one in a bricked off fireplace at the gallery, the other is left as the prime suspect
But then he's discovered dead as well.
Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings—and lives—will be lost.
Thank you Goodreads and Minotaur Books for a chance to read The Art of Deception #4 in The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries by Leonard Goldberg!
I honestly think this is the first book I have ever read about Sherlock Holmes. I can't remember reading one at least. I have a little bit of mixed feelings about this book. And for the most part I think it's because of Joanna. It's not her whole character, it’s the times she comes across as a know it all. But to be fair I haven’t read the other books in the series. So maybe because I don’t have the back story that is why she comes off like that to me. Other than that, I found the book interesting. It was an easy read. Its was easy staying interested in the story line. The way that the characters go about solving the crime is interesting in its self. Happy reading everyone!
chelsealauren17's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nocturne_21's review
4.0
The writing style is excellent, and I'm very much enjoying the series, but only 4 stars because I feel she's earned being referred to as Joanna Blalock-Watson instead of always "the daughter of Sherlock Holmes" to other characters in the book. The woman deserves her own identity.
apulkrabek's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cj_mo_2222's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Loved the deductions that Joanna is able to make and the way she works together with the senior and junior Dr. John Watson to solve the case. The parts about Renaissance art are both informative and fun to read about. I enjoyed this well-written detective story.
Loved the deductions that Joanna is able to make and the way she works together with the senior and junior Dr. John Watson to solve the case. The parts about Renaissance art are both informative and fun to read about. I enjoyed this well-written detective story.
writer09's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dervela's review
5.0
Minotaur Books sent me an advanced copy of The Art of Deception prior to its June release. This one was a bit outside of my go-to reading material, but I was excited to dive into a historical mystery. This book reminded me somewhat of both The Davinci Code and The Goldfinch, as it’s based on a mystery of the dark underworld of art theft and forgeries. I also hadn’t read a Sherlock Holme mystery since I was a young reader, so this felt a bit nostalgic. I flew through this one and couldn’t put it down! It starts out fast-paced and cuts right into the mystery which I appreciated. I also enjoyed how the subplots, because it didn’t feel Iike I was reading the 4th book of a series without any previous context. It definitely is a stand-alone read, and I quite enjoyed the unraveling of the mystery. I also felt like I learned some interesting facts about the Renaissance artists and paintings. Despite my initial apprehensions, I was pleasantly surprised. I’d definitely give this author another shot, and read another mystery by in this series.