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maemaelu23's review against another edition
3.0
This mystery story fills many of the boxes one would look for in a great story to rival Sherlock Holmes. Part of a series chronicling the investigations of Sherlock Holmes adult daughter, Joanna, the main character epitomizes the great detective to a Tee. Told from the perspective of her husband, son of Dr. John Watson, this book details the search for a missing actress as it dovetails with the recent killings that resemble those of the famous Jack the Ripper!
On the downside some of the pieces were repetitive (Joanna constantly being referred to as “Daughter of Sherlock Holmes” or the repetition of the terms “Unfortunates” when describing contemporary sex workers to name two) and the resolution was rather anticlimactic. If you are expecting a twist you are going to be disappointed.
However the actual mystery itself, the ins and outs of Joanna’s thinking, and spying the clues as they are laid out is great fun!
On the downside some of the pieces were repetitive (Joanna constantly being referred to as “Daughter of Sherlock Holmes” or the repetition of the terms “Unfortunates” when describing contemporary sex workers to name two) and the resolution was rather anticlimactic. If you are expecting a twist you are going to be disappointed.
However the actual mystery itself, the ins and outs of Joanna’s thinking, and spying the clues as they are laid out is great fun!
rebeccasreadingcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
3.0
The Abduction of Pretty Penny is the first book by Leonard Goldberg that I have read, and that may be why I struggled with this book since it is the fifth book in the series. While it was readable, I felt that I lacked background information that I should already know from how some characters and situations were introduced.
writer09's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookishgurl's review against another edition
4.0
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Abduction of Pretty Penny, A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Leonard Goldberg from NetGalley and Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.
” … face-paced, intriguing, intelligent and captivating read that will keep you turning pages! …”
A fan of this series author Leonard Goldberg certainly didn’t disappoint. In this instalment of the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, Joanna Watson the infamous daughter of the late Sherlock Holmes, her husband, and father-in-law Dr John Watson are pulled into yet another investigation one with echoes of an infamous serial killer who stalked Whitechapel years before. Mrs. Emma Adams, pub owner, and playwright at the Whitechapel playhouse turns to Joanna for help when her lead actress and friend Penny Martin disappears. When people are convinced, she just ran away the clues lead to something much more sinister which Joanna is determined to get to the bottom of. The urgency increases when a string of grotesque murders of young women in the Whitechapel area occur it appears the infamous Jack the Ripper is making his encore. “Jack” is thrilled by Joanna’s challenge and is determined to claim fame for “besting” the daughter of Sherlock Holmes. The closer Joanna gets to revealing his identity the more dangerous life becomes for her and her loved ones.
I have always been a fan of authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, in my opinion, Mr. Goldberg has found his way into that elite circle The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series is fantastic series and although this book would be great as a stand-alone, I do recommend reading the previous books in the series as they are all great reads and help the reader get inside the brilliant mind of Joanna Watson. Although the books have some violence, I feel they are suitable for most ages, this one however I would not recommend for younger or sensitive audiences. I enjoyed the book as it was a face-paced, intriguing, intelligent and captivating read that will keep you turning pages!
” … face-paced, intriguing, intelligent and captivating read that will keep you turning pages! …”
A fan of this series author Leonard Goldberg certainly didn’t disappoint. In this instalment of the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, Joanna Watson the infamous daughter of the late Sherlock Holmes, her husband, and father-in-law Dr John Watson are pulled into yet another investigation one with echoes of an infamous serial killer who stalked Whitechapel years before. Mrs. Emma Adams, pub owner, and playwright at the Whitechapel playhouse turns to Joanna for help when her lead actress and friend Penny Martin disappears. When people are convinced, she just ran away the clues lead to something much more sinister which Joanna is determined to get to the bottom of. The urgency increases when a string of grotesque murders of young women in the Whitechapel area occur it appears the infamous Jack the Ripper is making his encore. “Jack” is thrilled by Joanna’s challenge and is determined to claim fame for “besting” the daughter of Sherlock Holmes. The closer Joanna gets to revealing his identity the more dangerous life becomes for her and her loved ones.
I have always been a fan of authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, in my opinion, Mr. Goldberg has found his way into that elite circle The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series is fantastic series and although this book would be great as a stand-alone, I do recommend reading the previous books in the series as they are all great reads and help the reader get inside the brilliant mind of Joanna Watson. Although the books have some violence, I feel they are suitable for most ages, this one however I would not recommend for younger or sensitive audiences. I enjoyed the book as it was a face-paced, intriguing, intelligent and captivating read that will keep you turning pages!
jamice's review against another edition
5.0
This was an absolutely amazing book. It’s the 5th in the series but it can totally be read as a standalone, which is what I did. However after reading this books I’ve already added the first 4 to my collection. Growing up I was never really into mystery but I did love the original Sherlock Holmes stories, and this book reminds me so much of the original.
This series is all about Joanna, who is Holmes’s daughter and is like his mini me. Now Sherlock is this story has already passed, which I would have loved to seen their relationship. However, Joanna is married to Watson’s son, and along with Watson himself help solve a gruesome mystery. I don’t want to ruin the story but the story flows very logically as you would expect, although I missed a lot of the clues anyways.
This series is all about Joanna, who is Holmes’s daughter and is like his mini me. Now Sherlock is this story has already passed, which I would have loved to seen their relationship. However, Joanna is married to Watson’s son, and along with Watson himself help solve a gruesome mystery. I don’t want to ruin the story but the story flows very logically as you would expect, although I missed a lot of the clues anyways.
cgonya1's review against another edition
3.0
I was given a free e-copy by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have read all of the novels in Leonard Goldberg's Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, and I am a bit disappointed in this installment.
Joanna, her husband John Watson Jr, and her father in law John Watson Sr are requested to look into the kidnapping of Whitechapel actress Pretty Penny. It would appear that many in Whitechapel deeply admired the young woman, and are devastated by her disappearance. Which also brings about it's own list of suspects. Joanna and Watsons follow a trail involving candy and jewelry to the sinister return of Jack the Ripper. As Jack's usual motive involves prostitutes named Unfortunates, our heroes must venture further into darkness than they ever have before. But how far down the rabbit hole must they go before they realize that the danger could be closer at home?
I enjoy the historical context that Leonard Goldberg flows through his chapters. The use of Jack the Ripper in a Sherlock pastiche is not new. However, this is the first time I have read one with a daughter being the main detective and not Sherlock. Since Jack was never caught, I also liked the idea that he had taken a "sabbatical" before continuing the deeds. I have read a few historical papers that say Jack and H.H. Holmes could be one and the same person. It is interesting to see the theories that historians and authors come up with.
I even like the addition of Joanna having a son/family because I believe it makes her more human and relatable. What I do not like is Joanna's warm and cold personality in this installment. In this particular case, Joanna's son is threatened with kidnapping and implied horrors. When such an event occurred, it seemed like Joanna could not decide on an emotion. I also felt that John Watson Sr was decided clumsy or slow at times, which seems contrary to a man who was beside Sherlock for many of his successes and teachings.
Joanna's son Johnny becoming involved felt unnecessary. It seemed like an addition to make the reader see the difference between father and daughter but it just left a bad taste in my mouth. For example, it is implied that Johnny will be kidnapped and harmed. While the family is supposedly on their guard, the kidnapping happens anyway, and I find that realistically impossible. Not just because Joanna is supposed to be specially observant, and Watson Sr has stated many times to remain at Johnny's side, but also because Johnny is aware of the danger and purposefully puts himself in a position to be out of sight. I cannot imagine that the grandson and son of a famous detective would purposefully cause such drama.
Overall I have to rate this 3 out of 5 stars. But I will continue to read Leonard Goldberg's series in the hopes that this was just the exception in his otherwise well admired series.
I have read all of the novels in Leonard Goldberg's Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, and I am a bit disappointed in this installment.
Joanna, her husband John Watson Jr, and her father in law John Watson Sr are requested to look into the kidnapping of Whitechapel actress Pretty Penny. It would appear that many in Whitechapel deeply admired the young woman, and are devastated by her disappearance. Which also brings about it's own list of suspects. Joanna and Watsons follow a trail involving candy and jewelry to the sinister return of Jack the Ripper. As Jack's usual motive involves prostitutes named Unfortunates, our heroes must venture further into darkness than they ever have before. But how far down the rabbit hole must they go before they realize that the danger could be closer at home?
I enjoy the historical context that Leonard Goldberg flows through his chapters. The use of Jack the Ripper in a Sherlock pastiche is not new. However, this is the first time I have read one with a daughter being the main detective and not Sherlock. Since Jack was never caught, I also liked the idea that he had taken a "sabbatical" before continuing the deeds. I have read a few historical papers that say Jack and H.H. Holmes could be one and the same person. It is interesting to see the theories that historians and authors come up with.
I even like the addition of Joanna having a son/family because I believe it makes her more human and relatable. What I do not like is Joanna's warm and cold personality in this installment. In this particular case, Joanna's son is threatened with kidnapping and implied horrors. When such an event occurred, it seemed like Joanna could not decide on an emotion. I also felt that John Watson Sr was decided clumsy or slow at times, which seems contrary to a man who was beside Sherlock for many of his successes and teachings.
Joanna's son Johnny becoming involved felt unnecessary. It seemed like an addition to make the reader see the difference between father and daughter but it just left a bad taste in my mouth. For example, it is implied that Johnny will be kidnapped and harmed. While the family is supposedly on their guard, the kidnapping happens anyway, and I find that realistically impossible. Not just because Joanna is supposed to be specially observant, and Watson Sr has stated many times to remain at Johnny's side, but also because Johnny is aware of the danger and purposefully puts himself in a position to be out of sight. I cannot imagine that the grandson and son of a famous detective would purposefully cause such drama.
Overall I have to rate this 3 out of 5 stars. But I will continue to read Leonard Goldberg's series in the hopes that this was just the exception in his otherwise well admired series.
smorrison4's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did the story was really good. I would give this series another go now that I am familiar with the characters and style of writing.
I love that the Baker Street Irregulars make an appearance in this books series, always important to have a CI or two in your back pocket.
I love that the Baker Street Irregulars make an appearance in this books series, always important to have a CI or two in your back pocket.
xsalmon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rachelnicole's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The story itself was great, but I don't feel like the main character had much of an individual voice. It was like someone was telling a story, not experiencing the events happening.
I also am unsure why this is called The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes, when the story is told from the perspective of Watsons son. However I have not read the other books, so maybe I'm just missing something.
Well written and enjoyable story overall.
*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.
I also am unsure why this is called The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes, when the story is told from the perspective of Watsons son. However I have not read the other books, so maybe I'm just missing something.
Well written and enjoyable story overall.
*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.
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