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gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
I can't say that this was my favourite book in the series....because I have adored them all equally :) I'm pretty sure I laughed more during this one though, despite a rather surprising twist at the beginning that forces Adler to reconsider his current life in London and ends up heading for the Wild, Wild West with Bess and Tim as they deal with a pressing family matter on Bess's side in California. This being Ira, though, there is never a dull moment as he finds himself embroiled in one misadventure after another on his travels. I think this book was the funniest of the three as I found myself laughing out loud on several ocassions. Also, it was nice to see Ira growing up, letting the past go and focusing on future with someone special. I've not checked to see if any other books have been planned but I do hope the author revisits Adler in the future. I would love to see where all his (mis)adventures lead him next. 4 stars
trashconnoisseur's review against another edition
4.0
Go back to sherlockian London and meet Ira Adler, trouble magnet extraordinaire.
3,5 intriguing stars
The story is initially set in London, in times of tailored suits and corsets. Ira Adler is on the way to meet his former lover and mastermind criminal Cain Goddard when an explosion turns his life upside down. Someone had planted a bomb in Goddard's house and Ira finds himself suddenly rich and grieving more than he would've imagined.
Soon, he finds out via a broken nose that the case is more dangerous than expected, but he can't help but dig deeper in order to find out the who and why. He asks his friend Andrews St. Andrew, a detective, for help. His oldest friend, Doctor Lazarus thinks a change of scenery would do Ira good and urges him to go together with his family to America where his wife's family lives.
Unnecessary to say that, when Ira decides his best friend is right and agrees to accompany them to America, trouble is a constant for the party and Ira always seems to be right in the middle of it. And, as coincidence will, the solution of the case Ira is distancing himself from seems to be thousands of miles away from London and every mile added brings him closer to finding out what happened.
I got this book as a free read from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The review can be found on my blog as well
In the beginning I didn't even realise that there were two volumes previous to Fool's Gold (which is kind of stupid considering that it is written on the cover) and the author does a great job at making you not notice that fact. Honestly, I'm a bit glad that I didn't read the previous books because even though in Fool's Gold Ira and Goddard aren't together I shipped them with all my heart and if I had read a book where they actually were together I probably couldn't bear to read about Ira with someone else.
Goddard reminded me of Moriarty and the whole book I kind of just waited for him to return from the dead.
Ira Adler is a likable character and Faraday's writing lets you understand every decision he makes. There is neither a 'omg what is he doing?!' moment nor a scene where her characters are so perfect that you doubt there existence (haha, pun intended). They are quite human and sometimes they make shitty human decisions or do foolish things, but that's what makes them real.
Even if you haven't read the first two books you can read this one without getting confused during some events because you lack background knowledge. So I can recommend this to anyone who wants the faint smell of an interesting whodunit, the taste of adventuring through a new country (at least from Ira's POV) and the overall theme of finding a new path in ones life.
3,5 intriguing stars
The story is initially set in London, in times of tailored suits and corsets. Ira Adler is on the way to meet his former lover and mastermind criminal Cain Goddard when an explosion turns his life upside down. Someone had planted a bomb in Goddard's house and Ira finds himself suddenly rich and grieving more than he would've imagined.
Soon, he finds out via a broken nose that the case is more dangerous than expected, but he can't help but dig deeper in order to find out the who and why. He asks his friend Andrews St. Andrew, a detective, for help. His oldest friend, Doctor Lazarus thinks a change of scenery would do Ira good and urges him to go together with his family to America where his wife's family lives.
Unnecessary to say that, when Ira decides his best friend is right and agrees to accompany them to America, trouble is a constant for the party and Ira always seems to be right in the middle of it. And, as coincidence will, the solution of the case Ira is distancing himself from seems to be thousands of miles away from London and every mile added brings him closer to finding out what happened.
I got this book as a free read from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The review can be found on my blog as well
In the beginning I didn't even realise that there were two volumes previous to Fool's Gold (which is kind of stupid considering that it is written on the cover) and the author does a great job at making you not notice that fact. Honestly, I'm a bit glad that I didn't read the previous books because even though in Fool's Gold Ira and Goddard aren't together I shipped them with all my heart and if I had read a book where they actually were together I probably couldn't bear to read about Ira with someone else.
Goddard reminded me of Moriarty and the whole book I kind of just waited for him to return from the dead.
Spoiler
Which he did.Ira Adler is a likable character and Faraday's writing lets you understand every decision he makes. There is neither a 'omg what is he doing?!' moment nor a scene where her characters are so perfect that you doubt there existence (haha, pun intended). They are quite human and sometimes they make shitty human decisions or do foolish things, but that's what makes them real.
Even if you haven't read the first two books you can read this one without getting confused during some events because you lack background knowledge. So I can recommend this to anyone who wants the faint smell of an interesting whodunit, the taste of adventuring through a new country (at least from Ira's POV) and the overall theme of finding a new path in ones life.
claudia_marcela's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alisonalisonalison's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful. I absolutely love this series and this is the third book. The very endearing and very entertaining Ira Adler heads to the wild west of 1895 America and has suitably wild adventures. This book is a lot of fun and I enjoyed it immensely. Ira's sparkling commentary is vivid and often very amusing and his adventures are very entertaining. This is a thoroughly wonderful book.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars, rounded up. I got into this series here on book 3, and although that can be done and enjoyed, (as you see), I'm going to go back to book one when I can and start from the beginning. The characters carry forward and the hints of past adventures are intriguing. I think it would enrich this book to read in order.
In 1895 London, Ira Adler is a one-time rent boy, one-time crime lord's kept man, now out on his own and making good. He's had a couple of easier years without violence, and has a lightweight relationship with a like-minded young man. But when his powerful ex-lover, the man he truly gave his heart once, wants to meet with him, he can't help going to the man's house. Only to see the place come down in an explosion. Ira is shaken and grieving, more than he ever expected.
So a friend's invitation to come along on a trip to California holds a lot of appeal. A new start, new adventures, good friends to cheer him up. There's no sign that from the first day onboard ship this too will get complicated.
This is a lighthearted adventure, with more adventure than angst. I wasn't deeply touched by Ira's emotions, but I enjoyed his character, the plot, the secondary personages and the historical touches. I've always wanted to see the historical black Marshall who is thought to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger in a work of fiction, and there he was as a foil to Ira as the mystery builds across America to California. This series is clearly more mystery than romance, although Ira does form relationships for both sex and potentially more. But at the end of the book there is at best a tenuous HFN. I look forward to going and exploring the adventures that brought Ira to this point, and I hope there will be a book 4.
In 1895 London, Ira Adler is a one-time rent boy, one-time crime lord's kept man, now out on his own and making good. He's had a couple of easier years without violence, and has a lightweight relationship with a like-minded young man. But when his powerful ex-lover, the man he truly gave his heart once, wants to meet with him, he can't help going to the man's house. Only to see the place come down in an explosion. Ira is shaken and grieving, more than he ever expected.
So a friend's invitation to come along on a trip to California holds a lot of appeal. A new start, new adventures, good friends to cheer him up. There's no sign that from the first day onboard ship this too will get complicated.
This is a lighthearted adventure, with more adventure than angst. I wasn't deeply touched by Ira's emotions, but I enjoyed his character, the plot, the secondary personages and the historical touches. I've always wanted to see the historical black Marshall who is thought to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger in a work of fiction, and there he was as a foil to Ira as the mystery builds across America to California. This series is clearly more mystery than romance, although Ira does form relationships for both sex and potentially more. But at the end of the book there is at best a tenuous HFN. I look forward to going and exploring the adventures that brought Ira to this point, and I hope there will be a book 4.
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