Book Review: A Study in Sable by Mercedes Lackey

A Study in Sable
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Series: Elemental Masters (Book 11)
Publication: DAW (June 7, 2016)

Description: The eleventh novel in Mercedes Lackey's magical Elemental Masters series reimagines Sherlock Holmes in a richly-detailed alternate 20th century England

Psychic Nan Killian and Medium Sarah Lyon-White—along with their clever birds, the raven Neville and the parrot Grey—have been agents of Lord Alderscroft, the Elemental Fire Master known as the Wizard of London, since leaving school.

Now, Lord Alderscroft assigns them another commission: to work with the famous man living at 221 Baker Street—but not the one in flat B. They are to assist the man living in flat C. Dr. John Watson and his wife Mary, themselves Elemental Masters of Water and Air, take the occult cases John’s more famous friend disdains, and they will need every skill the girls and their birds can muster!

Nan and Sarah’s first task: to confront and eliminate the mysterious and deadly entity that nearly killed them as children: the infamous Haunt of Number 10 Berkeley Square. But the next task divides the girls for the first time since they were children. A German opera star begs Sarah for help, seeking a Medium’s aid against not just a single spirit, but a multitude.

As Sarah becomes more deeply entwined with the Prima Donna, Nan continues to assist John and Mary Watson alone, only to discover that Sarah’s case is far more sinister than it seems. It threatens to destroy not only a lifelong friendship, but much, much more.

My Thoughts: The eleventh Elemental Masters book has Nan Killian and Sarah Lyon-White working with John Watson and his wife Mary. They are both elemental masters: one of air and one of water. Watson takes the paranormal cases that Sherlock Holmes doesn't believe in and he needs the girls help for a troubling case.

They need to confront and eliminate the mysterious entity that nearly killed Nan and Sarah as children. It requires consulting with other magical practitioners and the assistance of people Nan and Sarah met on an earlier adventure.

Meanwhile, Holmes has been asked to look into the disappearance of the sister of a new opera sensation. Magdalena von Dietersdorf has been taking London by storm and attracting all sorts of wealthy admirers. However, she is also attracting spirits and needs Sarah's talents as a Medium to disperse them. But Magdalena soon comes to wield a power of Sarah that threatens to ruin the years of friendship between her and Nan.

Nan needs to call on all her friends to find a way to free Sarah from this evil influence which is worrying their boss Lord Alderscroft and Mycroft Holmes because they fear she is just a short step from using her power to make mischief with the government.

The story was was well-written; the characters were interesting and well-rounded people. I am eager to read more in the Elemental Masters series even if other books don't include Sherlock Holmes.

Favorite Quote:

"Adductive reasoning," Sarah said, quietly. "You gather all the facts in a case. You add them together. You do not deduct anything. You use adductive reasoning to deduce the answer, not deductive reasoning."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.