Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
A who-dunnit kind of mystery with lots of "aha!" types of mystery explanations. An inventive retelling of a classic Sherlock Holmes mystery
This was a great start to a series.
I've never been a literary Sherlock Holmes fan, so I can't speak to how true to the original it is, but it fit with a lot of what I've gleaned from Sherlock and the Robert Downey Jr. films.
What I most liked was that Charlotte Holmes did not immediately leave home and find success. She made mistakes and she paid the natural consequences for them. Even when she finally met her Watson, by the end of the book we find out that this was through the kindness of a friend.
I'm not sure how I feel about the adultery sub-plot - it takes a very strong writer to make me okay with cheating - I'll have to see where that goes in future books. I think it's being set up well, but will likely cause problems during a future crime.
The regular Sherlock archetypes are there, albeit in different forms. All in all, I look forward to the next book!
I've never been a literary Sherlock Holmes fan, so I can't speak to how true to the original it is, but it fit with a lot of what I've gleaned from Sherlock and the Robert Downey Jr. films.
What I most liked was that Charlotte Holmes did not immediately leave home and find success. She made mistakes and she paid the natural consequences for them. Even when she finally met her Watson, by the end of the book we find out that this was through the kindness of a friend.
I'm not sure how I feel about the adultery sub-plot - it takes a very strong writer to make me okay with cheating - I'll have to see where that goes in future books. I think it's being set up well, but will likely cause problems during a future crime.
The regular Sherlock archetypes are there, albeit in different forms. All in all, I look forward to the next book!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Suicide
Before you look at my 1 star and move on, please do not take my word as bond. I admittedly did not get very far in this book. This review is more for my own edification, and based on the other reviews I read, I decided life is too short to read books you don't enjoy. That being said, I also do not think this should be held against Sherry Thomas - she does not deserve a 1-star review, as I have read some of her other work and enjoyed it (to the best of my recollection).
My own notes include the overall strangeness of this book. I thought that maybe Charlotte, the main character, would solve crimes and be compared to the fictional Sherlock, but no, Sherlock is real in this book and too busy with other cases. Charlotte just happens to have the same last name, no relation. The book also opens with Charlotte losing her virginity impassively to an older, married man? The whole set up was so bizarre and difficult to follow. From there, based on either the characters or the writing or both, I found I was rather bored and incredulous and indifferent, so I set the book down.
Like I said, feel free to scoff at a review from a reader who did not get very far at all, but this review is more for me to remember why I didn't finish it and why I may need to defend my argument.
My own notes include the overall strangeness of this book. I thought that maybe Charlotte, the main character, would solve crimes and be compared to the fictional Sherlock, but no, Sherlock is real in this book and too busy with other cases. Charlotte just happens to have the same last name, no relation. The book also opens with Charlotte losing her virginity impassively to an older, married man? The whole set up was so bizarre and difficult to follow. From there, based on either the characters or the writing or both, I found I was rather bored and incredulous and indifferent, so I set the book down.
Like I said, feel free to scoff at a review from a reader who did not get very far at all, but this review is more for me to remember why I didn't finish it and why I may need to defend my argument.
Why couldn't it be a standalone? Not that I would mind coming back to these characters, but still. I miss the simplicity of reading a standalone and knowing peace by not having to wait around for a sequel. Alas, my hopes lay shattered under the myth I shroud myself in.
Anyhoo, I'd round up my rating of 3.5 to 4 if not for the slow pacing this book had me trundle through. It wasn't boring, mind you-but it wasn't urging me any faster to turn the pages, if you know what I mean. The writing style is engrossing nonetheless and the characters, though a little hard to be likable at first, are quite charming and intriguing.
Initially I was disappointed thinking that we would never get an account of Charlotte's POV but that changes somewhere in the story and my, is it a delight to read! She is far from a perfect character but her emotions and observations are fascinating, albeit a little unrelatable for presumably many of the readers. You would think her boring, yet her mind is anything but. Her interactions with people around are such a treat to read and the impression she leaves on them, all the more amusing.
The other characters in the story get their share of spotlight too. Livia, Charlotte's only support from her family, is a cynic. And no, that's not a bad thing! I did enjoy her pessimism quite a lot and loved seeing her vehemence and outrage on Charlotte's behalf on several occasions. Inspector Tredler is quite a determined chap himself, if quite ordinary. I think following the story from his POV was a nice touch because our Sherlock was not in any position to do the groundwork as a detective. However, we weren't acquainted with Lord Ingram's thoughts and that was a bit bothersome but not detrimental to the story at all. His motives and feelings towards Charlotte were quite transparent but the reveal in the end made him out to be more of an enigma than I imagined him to be.
As for the mystery and the real case solving, it is..a long chase but the end reveal felt a little flat? Imagine starting your dinner with delicious starters, followed with a scrumptious main course but ending with a rather dull dessert. Not too unsatisfactory but still making you crave for that perfect ending to an otherwise amazing meal. That's pretty much how I would wrap up my thoughts for the book.
That said, I would definitely come around for more. It's Sherry Thomas after all.
Anyhoo, I'd round up my rating of 3.5 to 4 if not for the slow pacing this book had me trundle through. It wasn't boring, mind you-but it wasn't urging me any faster to turn the pages, if you know what I mean. The writing style is engrossing nonetheless and the characters, though a little hard to be likable at first, are quite charming and intriguing.
Initially I was disappointed thinking that we would never get an account of Charlotte's POV but that changes somewhere in the story and my, is it a delight to read! She is far from a perfect character but her emotions and observations are fascinating, albeit a little unrelatable for presumably many of the readers. You would think her boring, yet her mind is anything but. Her interactions with people around are such a treat to read and the impression she leaves on them, all the more amusing.
The other characters in the story get their share of spotlight too. Livia, Charlotte's only support from her family, is a cynic. And no, that's not a bad thing! I did enjoy her pessimism quite a lot and loved seeing her vehemence and outrage on Charlotte's behalf on several occasions. Inspector Tredler is quite a determined chap himself, if quite ordinary. I think following the story from his POV was a nice touch because our Sherlock was not in any position to do the groundwork as a detective. However, we weren't acquainted with Lord Ingram's thoughts and that was a bit bothersome but not detrimental to the story at all. His motives and feelings towards Charlotte were quite transparent but the reveal in the end made him out to be more of an enigma than I imagined him to be.
As for the mystery and the real case solving, it is..a long chase but the end reveal felt a little flat? Imagine starting your dinner with delicious starters, followed with a scrumptious main course but ending with a rather dull dessert. Not too unsatisfactory but still making you crave for that perfect ending to an otherwise amazing meal. That's pretty much how I would wrap up my thoughts for the book.
That said, I would definitely come around for more. It's Sherry Thomas after all.
This is certainly a new take on the legend of Sherlock Holmes. Charlotte Holmes has always been a peculiar daughter of Sir Henry Holmes, however when her father fails to deliver on a promise to her Charlotte takes her revenge. Unfortunately, her plan goes to far and Charlotte finds herself a social pariah and in dire straits. Luck falls upon her in the form of Mrs. Watson, a former actress and now widow. Becoming Mrs. Watson's lady companion actually brings excitement and adventure to both of their lives. But when members of the Upper Society are dying and both her father and her sister are suspects, Charlotte must venture secretly back into that world to assist in clearing their good names.
I loved how naïve but intelligent Sherry Thomas made Charlotte out to be. There were many times I saw "Sherlock" in Charlotte as she navigated the water per se. However, some things like showing affection, and thinking she could survive all on her own despite being a woman, were so naively ingrained in Charlotte that it gave her a separate personality. There were no obvious breaks in personality, but if the reader is a child of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle then the separation was obvious. It was very smoothly done, however.
I also loved how Charlotte wasn't completely without emotion regarding her family. Though her parents did her a great disservice, she does not completely abandon them in their time of need. The only one who knows however is her sister Livia, and it seems that is enough for Charlotte. I can't help but wonder what Sir Henry would do, should he find out about his youngest clearing his name despite his grievous actions.
I will be reading the next installment, A Conspiracy in Belgravia. One, because I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars for making the legend blend perfectly with her own story. Second, because I am a child of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I wish to see how far Sherry Thomas can take this new layer to Sherlock Holmes.
http://caitlinmariegonya.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-study-in-scarlet-women-by-sherry.html
I loved how naïve but intelligent Sherry Thomas made Charlotte out to be. There were many times I saw "Sherlock" in Charlotte as she navigated the water per se. However, some things like showing affection, and thinking she could survive all on her own despite being a woman, were so naively ingrained in Charlotte that it gave her a separate personality. There were no obvious breaks in personality, but if the reader is a child of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle then the separation was obvious. It was very smoothly done, however.
I also loved how Charlotte wasn't completely without emotion regarding her family. Though her parents did her a great disservice, she does not completely abandon them in their time of need. The only one who knows however is her sister Livia, and it seems that is enough for Charlotte. I can't help but wonder what Sir Henry would do, should he find out about his youngest clearing his name despite his grievous actions.
I will be reading the next installment, A Conspiracy in Belgravia. One, because I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars for making the legend blend perfectly with her own story. Second, because I am a child of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I wish to see how far Sherry Thomas can take this new layer to Sherlock Holmes.
http://caitlinmariegonya.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-study-in-scarlet-women-by-sherry.html
This was a joy to read - I loved the turning of the Holmes stories to a female perspective. I do think the mystery itself was a little off overall, the underlying background crime unnecessarily disturbing, and I do wish Charlotte had been more in the forefront of the actual investigation. But, maybe that will increase as they establish her character.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was hoping for something as funny and witty as the Veronica Speedwell series or even like the lady Julia Gray ones but this book was not it. A good enough story and mystery but it had a slow start and not enough character development to love them as much as I love Veronica and Stoker. Will try the next instalment to see if it gets better.