The author does a good job of capturing the period atmosphere, but the story is excessively grim, and the abuse visited upon the detective, especially at the end, borders on the ridiculous. ( )

Sherlock Holmes is contacted by Mlle La Victorie, a French cabaret singer whose son has disappeared. But it seems that the missing child has links to the theft of a valuable statue. Now Holmes and Dr. Watson must find both the child and the statue.

I think I must stop reading Sherlock Holmes books, at least those not written by Arthur Conan Doyle or Laurie R. King. It feels like every single Sherlock Holmes book I have read lately just doesn't work for me. Often Sherlock Holmes just doesn't feel like Sherlock Holmes, some small changes to him, adjust him to fit the story that is written.

Sherlock Holmes in this book was not that bad portrayed and I'm thankful for that. But I struggled with the story, I just couldn't get interested in it. I endured it because I wanted to know the ending and because it wasn't a thick book. But I can't say I enjoyed the book that much. It just lacked something vital for me and frankly, it dragged on way too much for being that interesting to read. I did find Dr. Watson a bit less annoying than usual. Sometimes they make him out to be a bit thickheaded, but in this book, I actually found him quite OK.

But on the plus side, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson worked for me, well at least more than I'm used to lately when it comes to Sherlock Holmes pastiches. The downside; the story was not that good. But I loved the cover!

Thanks to Collins Crime Club and  Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! ( )

Sherlock Holmes is contacted by Mlle La Victorie, a French cabaret singer whose son has disappeared. But it seems that the missing child has links to the theft of a valuable statue. Now Holmes and Dr. Watson must find both the child and the statue.

I think I must stop reading Sherlock Holmes books, at least those not written by Arthur Conan Doyle or Laurie R. King. It feels like every single Sherlock Holmes book I have read lately just doesn't work for me. Often Sherlock Holmes just doesn't feel like Sherlock Holmes, some small changes to him, adjust him to fit the story that is written.

Sherlock Holmes in this book was not that bad portrayed and I'm thankful for that. But I struggled with the story, I just couldn't get interested in it. I endured it because I wanted to know the ending and because it wasn't a thick book. But I can't say I enjoyed the book that much. It just lacked something vital for me and frankly, it dragged on way too much for being that interesting to read. I did find Dr. Watson a bit less annoying than usual. Sometimes they make him out to be a bit thickheaded, but in this book, I actually found him quite OK.

But on the plus side, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson worked for me, well at least more than I'm used to lately when it comes to Sherlock Holmes pastiches. The downside; the story was not that good. But I loved the cover!

Thanks to Collins Crime Club and  Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! ( )

Arthur Conan Doyle hengessä kirjoitettu Sherlock Holmes tarina vetää mukaansa, tai veti ainakin minut.

Väkivalta on hieman graafisemmin kuvattu kuin Sir Arthurin, mutta ei häiritsevästi. ( )

1888 Mlle La Victoire asks for Holmes help as her son, Emil, that was fathered by the married Earl of Pellingham has disappeared. But is there a connection between that and the theft of a valuable statue, or even the murder of children from a silk mill in Lancashire.
An enjoyable historical mystery, a good start to the series. ( )