A review by noranne
The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas

3.0

I've really enjoyed this series (and the narration), and book 3 was my favorite. Unfortunately, this installment couldn't quite live up to it. I felt like the balance of the romantic plots vs the mystery was off, and there was more reliance on coincidences than Sherlockian deduction. I enjoyed the reveal of Mrs. Watson as a bisexual woman, but found it a bit at odds with her previous characterization as someone so completely devastated by the passing of her husband.

Spoiler

Not because bisexual people can't be deeply in love with different people, it just seemed like this book wanted to present the Maharani as her One True Lost Love but previously Dr. Watson was her One True Only Love. I dunno, maybe I'm nitpicking.

One thing I really like about this book is more Olivia. She is one of the most relatable characters I've ever read about. I don't know who managed to learn so much about me and put her down in a novel but it really shouldn't be allowed!! Okay, maybe not, but if you're a writer and cynical romantic with an anxiety disorder you probably will relate to her too.

Speaking of romance,

Spoiler

I care way more about Olivia and Mr. Marbleton than about Charlotte and Ash. Can we please be spared the ridiculous overwrought descriptions of them staring at each other? I dunno, I liked their romance at first but it's become too much and I'm not really liking it anymore. Also pretty bummed that Mrs. Watson didn't get to have a nostalgic fling with the Maharani.

Definitely my least favorite of the series, but the narrator is excellent as always and I still highly recommend the entire series. Looking forward to the next one, especially because I

Spoiler

was already missing the presence of Treadles in this one, and he should be very present in the next per the epilogue!