Two missing persons. One deadly treasure.“Entertaining . . . Comparable Title: Laurie R. King’s The Beekeeper’s Apprentice.”
–Publisher’s WeeklyJanuary, 1898. In London, a young woman begs Sherlock Holmes to find the man she loves. A chilly noblewoman wants Lucy James to find a missing girl. Are the two cases linked? The answer soon emerges, along with clues to a missing treasure. Then the … answer soon emerges, along with clues to a missing treasure. Then the murders begin.
Lucy must leave town. Holmes and Watson are attacked.
Then the unthinkable happens . . .
The newest gripping adventure in this popular mystery series takes us from the Old Bailey courthouse and the seacoast lairs of smugglers to a grand British country estate and the iconic financial headquarters of Lloyd’s of London. Travel back to the late Victorian era, where life may be simpler, but just as dangerous.
If you love a strong heroine, and a classic Holmes, you’re going to love this fast-paced adventure. Lucy James, the daughter of Sherlock Holmes, and Dr. Watson are the co-narrators of the story.
The Sherlock and Lucy Series combines gripping intrigue with clean family values, and has been recommended by the Library of Clean Reads.
For fans of cozy mysteries, historical mysteries, and historical fiction. Get it now!
more
When reviewing a series, particularly a mystery series, it is difficult to keep dissembling about everything and anything about the plot. I don’t do spoilers. I am totally enjoying the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James mysteries and have started to dissect the reasons why. I think the number one reason for me is language and the way it is used. I was thinking about why I am drawn to stories, mysteries in particular, set in Victorian times, and I realized that it is the language that provides a rather peaceful interlude after reading something in a modern setting. I think that over time we have all become somewhat inured to the graphic language used in the modern mystery or thriller. Why use a great phrase when a four-letter word will accomplish the same thing? I have often gone back to mysteries written at an earlier time for just this reason. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against well-placed curse words, but sometimes I just need a break from that kind of tension.
As an avid reader in multiple genres, I am struck by the tone of books published after 2016. It would seem that nearly everything has a nod at the political climate of not only the United States but the world in general. For example, Lucy James is a thoroughly modern young woman who refuses to be denied on the basis of her sex. Can you say feminist? After their first meeting, her now husband, Jack Kelly, started calling her Trouble as a sign of both his affection and understanding of how Lucy looks at the world. Jack may worry, but he won’t stand in her way and will always back her up.
Yes I am dissembling.
On May 4, 1891, Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty fell to their deaths; in 1901 Sherlock Holmes reappeared in THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. The Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James mysteries cover that time period with adventures that could not be shared with the public because they are of a sensitive national nature. Although more and more people become aware of the fact the Holmes lives, it is still generally unknown to the vast public. When I picked up DIE AGAIN, MR. HOLMES, I assumed the title was making reference to the incident at Reichenbach Falls, but, you will find, there is more to it than that.
It may come as a surprise to many readers that opium and the infamous opium dens were legal during the Victorian era. They were taxed and made money for the crown. Laudanum was a highly sought drug consisting of a tincture of opium and alcohol and could be purchased at any number of different shops. At a class I took years ago where one of the required readings was “The Consumer’s Union Report on Licit & Illicit Drugs”, by Edward M. Brecher, originally published in 1973. One of the things I learned from the report (actually a pretty hefty tome) was that it was common practice to prescribe alcohol to drug addicts, and drugs, such as laudanum to alcoholics. I mention this because a similar premise exists in DIE AGAIN, MR. HOLMES.
Although the original Holmes canon and the subsequent additions by authors such as Anna Elliott and Charles Veley are considered mysteries, I cannot separate them from good historical fiction. There is so much more to these stories than just a whodunit.
If you enjoy a good mystery, and it just happens to be set in Victorian London, I highly recommend that you start with the first book in the series, THE LAST MORIARTY, and work your way through all of the tales by the father and daughter team of Charles Veley and Anna Elliott.
I would be remiss if I didn’t note the homage paid to Stephen King’s most famous hotelier, Jack Torrance. Although referred to only as Mr. Torrance, the mental connection was, for me, immediate.
This was a very intricate and intriguing story. The characters and sub stories within really made the characters stand out. Sherlock Holmes, his daughter Lucy, somewhat an investigator herself, her detective husband, his brilliant 11 year old niece and of course Watson all work different parts of the puzzle and it comes together nicely. I received a complimentary audio and this review is voluntary.
1898 and at a trial Sherlock Holmes is approached by Miss Florence Janine to find her missing fiancé, Inspector John Swafford. Unfortunately he doesn’t consider the case with any urgency. Meanwhile Lucy James investigates the case of the missing personal maid of Lady Lynley. Also the British government wants Holmes to locate if it exists missing opium from three ships, supposedly lost in a typhoon but one of the crates has turned up in London.
Another interesting well-written mystery in this series. I also like the main characters of this series plus Dr. Watson and the family of Lucy.
It is easily read as a standalone story but I would recommend reading the earlier books to chart the progression of the interplay between the characters.