Reviews

I always had issue with Charlotte's love for different types of cakes and pastries and the phrase 'maximum tolerable chins'. Mention it once, twice, okay, but again and again? I read first three novels in the series, liked how they progressed and hated the end, but here, I lost my patience. Sherlock usually got his jobs done alone or with Dr. Watson but here is a whole bunch of people with their personal issues. A group phenomenon with more emphasis on people's personal affairs than on the actual story. I read a few pages in the beginning but can't proceed any further.

Victorian background and all but there was no need to put in Mrs. Watson's torrid past or Charlotte's miscalculation about effects of her decision. Wasn't really worth caring for.

itmustbemiriam's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It really says something about this series that every time I finish a book, all I want to do is move on immediately to the next one. Sherry Thomas has really cracked the code of a fresh retelling of Sherlock Holmes with characters that are nuanced and complex. I cannot get enough of the intrigue and the drama, even when the mystery is not necessarily a fave (art heist, meh). Also Kate Reading's narration is *chef's kiss*

freadomlibrary's review

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5.0

Trigger warning: violence, kidnapping, theft, blackmail

When I first started this book, it felt like the overall story of the series was taking a weird turn. I was wrong! It's actually getting more intense and more complicated with the underlying plot that's been building in the first three books. I was genuinely surprised with the plot of the book and the introduction of some new characters. I loved the return of tension between Charlotte and Ingram, and learning more about Mrs. Watson's past! I got surprisingly invested in Olivia and Stephen, but their future seems completely impossible. Overall, it wasn't one of my favorites of the series so far, but it was still a top tier book.

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