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thepagelady's review
4.0
The Whitechapel Playhouse called Joanna and the Watsons in to find Pretty Penny, a lovely, young actress who has gone missing without reason or notice. While on their search, Scotland Yard asked the trio to join in the hunt for a vicious murderer whose method resembles that of Jack The Ripper. It soon becomes clear that The Ripper has reemerged after a 28-year absence and is once again murdering young prostitutes in Whitechapel.
Following a line of subtle clues, Joanna quickly reasons the killer has captured Pretty Penny. But as Joanna moves closer to learning his true identity, the killer sends her a letter showing her young son Johnny will be the next victim to die. Time is running out, and Joanna has no choice but to devise a most dangerous plan which will bring her face-to-face with the killer. It is the only chance to protect her son and rescue Pretty Penny, and save both from an agonizing death.
Thank you Minotaur books for sponsoring this giveaway giving me the chance to read The Abduction of Pretty Penny (The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #5) by Leonard Goldberg!
This is the second book I have read in this series. The first one was The Art of Deception. When I read that book I had trouble liking Joanna’s character but I figured it was because I had read none of the other books to see the characters develop and grow together. I can say that I enjoyed this book! Even Joanna this time around! Especially now that I realize why she appears as a know it all. Well, simply put she is a know it all lol! But it fits her character. The world building and the details that are given are very nice. The only thing I would have changed, and it's not even about this book, it's the series I wish I would have started at book 1. It's one of those series that you miss out on how each character is linked. So that being said I will have to add the other books to my TBR list for a new adventure! The Abduction of Pretty Penny is a lovely historical mystery! Happy reading everyone!
Following a line of subtle clues, Joanna quickly reasons the killer has captured Pretty Penny. But as Joanna moves closer to learning his true identity, the killer sends her a letter showing her young son Johnny will be the next victim to die. Time is running out, and Joanna has no choice but to devise a most dangerous plan which will bring her face-to-face with the killer. It is the only chance to protect her son and rescue Pretty Penny, and save both from an agonizing death.
Thank you Minotaur books for sponsoring this giveaway giving me the chance to read The Abduction of Pretty Penny (The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #5) by Leonard Goldberg!
This is the second book I have read in this series. The first one was The Art of Deception. When I read that book I had trouble liking Joanna’s character but I figured it was because I had read none of the other books to see the characters develop and grow together. I can say that I enjoyed this book! Even Joanna this time around! Especially now that I realize why she appears as a know it all. Well, simply put she is a know it all lol! But it fits her character. The world building and the details that are given are very nice. The only thing I would have changed, and it's not even about this book, it's the series I wish I would have started at book 1. It's one of those series that you miss out on how each character is linked. So that being said I will have to add the other books to my TBR list for a new adventure! The Abduction of Pretty Penny is a lovely historical mystery! Happy reading everyone!
chelsealauren17's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Gore, Torture, Medical content, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
Moderate: Car accident, Chronic illness, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Vomit, and Kidnapping
Minor: Terminal illness
okiegirl4's review
4.0
This is the 5th book in the series with Joanna, the daughter of Sherlock Holmes. This series has fast become one of my favorite and I highly recommend reading all the books.
Joanna is married to Dr. John Watson, Jr. (John Watson's son) and they still reside at 221B Baker Street. Joanna's husband is the one writing the story of each of their adventures just like Watson did for Sherlock.
In this book, Joanna and the Watsons are asked to find an actress by the name of Pretty Penny who had gone missing. As they start investigating her disappearance, Joanna realizes they are dealing with Jack the Ripper who seems to have made an appearance after a 28 year absence.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It was a quick paced book with Joanna coming face to face with the killer.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an e-book to read. This opinion of the book was mine.
Joanna is married to Dr. John Watson, Jr. (John Watson's son) and they still reside at 221B Baker Street. Joanna's husband is the one writing the story of each of their adventures just like Watson did for Sherlock.
In this book, Joanna and the Watsons are asked to find an actress by the name of Pretty Penny who had gone missing. As they start investigating her disappearance, Joanna realizes they are dealing with Jack the Ripper who seems to have made an appearance after a 28 year absence.
This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It was a quick paced book with Joanna coming face to face with the killer.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an e-book to read. This opinion of the book was mine.
yungokssss's review
3.0
This was my first time reading one of Leonard Goldberg's books, and I have to say I quite enjoyed it. This book follows Joanna (the daughter of Sherlock Holmes), Dr. Watson, and Dr. Watson's son (who also happens to be married to Joanna) as they try to solve the mystery of a missing local actress who seems to be caught in the clutches of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Although this seems to be part of an ongoing series, this book is majorly centered at the individual mystery at hand rather than character exploration, so definitely take that in mind.
The pacing was great, and it was easy and entertaining to follow along with the story. I enjoyed the language - both of the time period, as well as the terminology. Goldberg's life experience as a professor of medicine definitely shines through during descriptions of crime and all things medical.
I will note that at times the tone of the book seemed patronizing towards prostitutes (or, Unfortunates, as they were referred to in the books) and those with mental illness. A prostitute victim was characterized as "a decent sort underneath it all." Unfortunates were described as "depend[ing] on lies and deceit to survive." When visiting an asylum, the patients were depicted to have "dazed, faraway looks... characteristic of the mentally ill." This was a tiny thing I noticed, but I also understand this thinking was probably accurate to the time period this book took place in, and hence why I do not want to rag on it too much.
My biggest bone to pick with this book, however, and the reason it didn't receive a 5 star rating is that the plot slightly fell through for me at the end.
ANYWAY, now that I am through with ranting with that aspect of the plot, I'd like to end this review by saying I really did enjoy this book. I like mysteries in general, and I have quite the soft spot for Sherlock content. It was an easy, engaging read.
The pacing was great, and it was easy and entertaining to follow along with the story. I enjoyed the language - both of the time period, as well as the terminology. Goldberg's life experience as a professor of medicine definitely shines through during descriptions of crime and all things medical.
I will note that at times the tone of the book seemed patronizing towards prostitutes (or, Unfortunates, as they were referred to in the books) and those with mental illness. A prostitute victim was characterized as "a decent sort underneath it all." Unfortunates were described as "depend[ing] on lies and deceit to survive." When visiting an asylum, the patients were depicted to have "dazed, faraway looks... characteristic of the mentally ill." This was a tiny thing I noticed, but I also understand this thinking was probably accurate to the time period this book took place in, and hence why I do not want to rag on it too much.
My biggest bone to pick with this book, however, and the reason it didn't receive a 5 star rating is that the plot slightly fell through for me at the end.
Spoiler
Johnny's appearance and significance to the plot seemed to come out for nowhere for me, and perhaps it was meant to make us invest more in Joanna, even though she wasn't really much more than a one-dimensional character. Which was fine, since as I stated, the book clearly focuses more on the mystery at hand rather than emotionally connecting us to its characters. That being said, I did not understand how Joanna and company did not freak out more about the possibility of Johnny's potential death. They all seemed very blasé and unbothered - that is, until Johnny was finally kidnapped. SPEAKING of the kidnapping, that whole thing made ZERO sense to me. They literally did not treat the concept of Johnny's disappearance seriously, even though they knew the Ripper would try to kidnap him. Joanna herself thought him to be intelligent and a "worthy opponent." Yet, on the day Johnny is kidnapped, they let him get out of their sight, knowing he is being pursued by a smart and vicious killer. Johnny, who is considered to possess characteristics of the great Sherlock himself, wanders off into the bushes alone by himself, where he is consequently kidnapped. This whole plotline frustrated me - it does not match the characteristics of Joanna and Johnny to behave in such a foolish and careless manner. Also how on earth did Johnny manage to escape from a supposedly seasoned, super-smart criminal. Lol.ANYWAY, now that I am through with ranting with that aspect of the plot, I'd like to end this review by saying I really did enjoy this book. I like mysteries in general, and I have quite the soft spot for Sherlock content. It was an easy, engaging read.
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
This was a wonderful take on continuing Sherlock Holmes' legacy - by giving him a daughter that was taught his style and thinking and is continuing his investigation services. To add Watson's son, her husband, was just a small addition to the story that I absolutely loved!
The mystery was also great. Extending a larger mystery, I loved all the details about a case and serial killer I felt like I knew pretty well. I loved the information about letters and signatures and other little details. Again, it's the small things that really gave this story so much character and reason to love it!
I thought the characters were so much fun, the mystery well written and I loved the twists. The only oddity I found was that a few of the reasons for obvious investigation (the candies and the man buying them) seemed really obvious, but the two boys trailing along just seemed baffled. I thought it was odd and I kept checking this wasn't a YA title. But then the details of the murders were so gruesome and detailed, I knew it wasn't YA. Otherwise, this was a perfect story and I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
The mystery was also great. Extending a larger mystery, I loved all the details about a case and serial killer I felt like I knew pretty well. I loved the information about letters and signatures and other little details. Again, it's the small things that really gave this story so much character and reason to love it!
I thought the characters were so much fun, the mystery well written and I loved the twists. The only oddity I found was that a few of the reasons for obvious investigation (the candies and the man buying them) seemed really obvious, but the two boys trailing along just seemed baffled. I thought it was odd and I kept checking this wasn't a YA title. But then the details of the murders were so gruesome and detailed, I knew it wasn't YA. Otherwise, this was a perfect story and I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
skconaghan's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Finally. This one hits the mark with the mystery, character development, and of course, the continued detailed descriptions of all things pathology and medical.
Another mystery solved by the combined declared genius of Sherlock’s daughter, with the now predictable help of the dog’s nose and without any help from her predictably unhelpful documenting husband.
Again.
But anyways, more entertaining this time because of the intriguing subject matter (a revisit attempt to solve the ole Jack the Ripper case, which of course, Joanna does without much difficulty because she is a chain-smoking genius).
Some things are becoming familiar in a cosy sort of delightful way you’d expect a WWI context Sherlock-type mystery might be. A better than good read. I’ve accidentally skipped book #4, so I’ll have to go back and pick that one up, but to be honest, I never noticed.
cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
The Abduction of Pretty Penny is the fifth book in the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, but only the second I've read. Pretty Penny, the nickname of a beautiful young actress is missing. Joanna, the daughter of Sherlock Holmes, her husband John Watson, and John Watson, Sr. look into Penny's disappearance. This distinguished team of sleuths learn that Penny isn't the first woman to disappear from the Whitechapel area. Joanna and the Watsons determine that Jack the Ripper or a copycat is back in the area viciously murdering women and Penny could be his next victim.
Stories involving Jack the Ripper aren't usually my favorites, but this one is well-done. It was gory in places as the murder's crimes are described. I like the logical way Joanna and John were able to gather evidence and slowly begin ruling out some of the suspects and closing in on the real killer. The story is a bit drawn out, but a dramatic plan to try to catch the killer towards the end kept me engrossed in the book.
I think the subplot involving Joanna's son Johnny was unnecessary to an already complex investigation, but it did show a softer side of Joanna. I like Joanna for her intelligence and bravery. However, she can come across as condescending in her conversations with others, including her husband and father-in-law, because she is so smart and observes things most people don't. I admire her intelligence and bravery, though, and think she is a strong, appealing main character. I would definitely read more books in this series.
I received this book from the Goodreads First Reads program. The book was provided to me, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Stories involving Jack the Ripper aren't usually my favorites, but this one is well-done. It was gory in places as the murder's crimes are described. I like the logical way Joanna and John were able to gather evidence and slowly begin ruling out some of the suspects and closing in on the real killer. The story is a bit drawn out, but a dramatic plan to try to catch the killer towards the end kept me engrossed in the book.
I think the subplot involving Joanna's son Johnny was unnecessary to an already complex investigation, but it did show a softer side of Joanna. I like Joanna for her intelligence and bravery. However, she can come across as condescending in her conversations with others, including her husband and father-in-law, because she is so smart and observes things most people don't. I admire her intelligence and bravery, though, and think she is a strong, appealing main character. I would definitely read more books in this series.
I received this book from the Goodreads First Reads program. The book was provided to me, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
nasselin's review
5.0
This might be my favorite entry in the daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. It ties in Jack the Ripper and Holmes' sense of deduction. One wonders if the case could've been solved if they had a competent woman on the case! The relationship between all the characters is believable, and this Holmes is a bit more emotionally together than her famous father.