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jordanian_reads_'s review against another edition
5.0
I meant to hold off on reading Sherry Thomas’ newest Lady Sherlock novel until this spring, but I just couldn’t help myself! A Ruse of Shadows is every bit as brilliant and delightful as the rest of the series (if not more so).
In contrast to the seventh installment, which was a contained murder mystery on a cruise ship, this eighth installment is possibly Thomas’ most broad and sweeping addition to the series. In A Ruse of Shadows, “Sherlock” is faced with a new mystery to solve and also must grapple with Lord Ingram’s brother, Lord Bancroft (who is stirring up new trouble for Charlotte), and, in the background, continue to match wits with Moriarty.
In my experience, reading A Ruse of Shadows required more focus than prior books because it juggled multiple mysteries, included alternating time lines, and heavily drew on pieces from prior novels in the series. However, this also felt like one of the most satisfying Lady Sherlock books because it incorporated the full cast of beloved characters and managed to advance everyone’s storyline, especially that of Charlotte and Lord Ingram.
If anything, the eminently satisfying nature of this book sparked a tiny bit of fear that we might be nearing the last book in the series (please, say it isn’t so!).
To future readers, I think you’ll enjoy this book more if you refamiliarize yourselves with the first seven books. I am currently rereading the series with friends on Bookstagram and know I will appreciate A Ruse of Shadows even more the second time. And if you haven’t read the first book in the series, A Study in Scarlet Women – what are you waiting for?!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
In contrast to the seventh installment, which was a contained murder mystery on a cruise ship, this eighth installment is possibly Thomas’ most broad and sweeping addition to the series. In A Ruse of Shadows, “Sherlock” is faced with a new mystery to solve and also must grapple with Lord Ingram’s brother, Lord Bancroft (who is stirring up new trouble for Charlotte), and, in the background, continue to match wits with Moriarty.
In my experience, reading A Ruse of Shadows required more focus than prior books because it juggled multiple mysteries, included alternating time lines, and heavily drew on pieces from prior novels in the series. However, this also felt like one of the most satisfying Lady Sherlock books because it incorporated the full cast of beloved characters and managed to advance everyone’s storyline, especially that of Charlotte and Lord Ingram.
If anything, the eminently satisfying nature of this book sparked a tiny bit of fear that we might be nearing the last book in the series (please, say it isn’t so!).
To future readers, I think you’ll enjoy this book more if you refamiliarize yourselves with the first seven books. I am currently rereading the series with friends on Bookstagram and know I will appreciate A Ruse of Shadows even more the second time. And if you haven’t read the first book in the series, A Study in Scarlet Women – what are you waiting for?!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the gifted copy!
brandylyons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I have loved every single moment in every book of this series, but this is the first one that has brought me to tears. Charlotte and Mrs. Watson and Lord Ingram are juggling plots and deceipts and sleight of hands better than any magician I have seen. With her sister having been kidnapped by mercenaries, Charlotte must now play Bancroft's dangerous game on his terms. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
Also? Johnny and Mumble and Jessie. Brilliant characters!!
Also? Johnny and Mumble and Jessie. Brilliant characters!!
megbodz's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This was an excellent installment in the Lady Sherlock series. Everything is coming to a head and the stakes are higher than ever. Loved the dueling timelines. Sherry Thomas does it again!
drops_everything_and_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I received an eARC of the book courtesy of Berkley publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the next installment in the Charlotte Holmes series. It is definitely necessary to have read earlier books in the series as, increasingly, each book relies on knowledge gleaned from previous stories. The book definitely gets into details that are more and more intricate. I do wonder how the author keeps them all straight!!
I like that each book has a contained mystery (or mysteries) and then there is the broader mystery concerning Moriarty. The contained mystery in this book is definitely connected to Moriarty, and it will be interesting to see how the series will evolve to solve the broader mystery.
In this book, there were smaller mysteries that came together into one overarcing challenge for Charlotte and her friends to solve. The details were well done, leading to a logical conclusion and there was a role for most people to play in solving the 'whodunnit'. I wish there had been more for Livia to do, but hopefully in the next book there will be a more active role for her.
I enjoy Charlotte's ongoing relationship with Lord Ingram and how it continues to grow on their terms. They each continue to be vulnerable with another and in this book, a fairly significant step is taken at the end in their relationship that stays true to both the characters and what we have gotten to know of them over the series.
A fun read and I think long time fans of the series will be pleased!
I really enjoyed the next installment in the Charlotte Holmes series. It is definitely necessary to have read earlier books in the series as, increasingly, each book relies on knowledge gleaned from previous stories. The book definitely gets into details that are more and more intricate. I do wonder how the author keeps them all straight!!
I like that each book has a contained mystery (or mysteries) and then there is the broader mystery concerning Moriarty. The contained mystery in this book is definitely connected to Moriarty, and it will be interesting to see how the series will evolve to solve the broader mystery.
In this book, there were smaller mysteries that came together into one overarcing challenge for Charlotte and her friends to solve. The details were well done, leading to a logical conclusion and there was a role for most people to play in solving the 'whodunnit'. I wish there had been more for Livia to do, but hopefully in the next book there will be a more active role for her.
I enjoy Charlotte's ongoing relationship with Lord Ingram and how it continues to grow on their terms. They each continue to be vulnerable with another and in this book, a fairly significant step is taken at the end in their relationship that stays true to both the characters and what we have gotten to know of them over the series.
A fun read and I think long time fans of the series will be pleased!
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