Author: Sherry Thomas
Series: Lady Sherlock (Book 8)
Publication: Berkley (June 25, 2024)
Description: Charlotte Holmes is accustomed to solving crimes, not being accused of them, but she finds herself in a dreadfully precarious position as the bestselling Lady Sherlock series continues.
Charlotte’s success on the RMS Provence has afforded her a certain measure of time and assurance. Taking advantage of that, she has been busy, plotting to prise the man her sister loves from Moriarty’s iron grip.
Disruption, however, comes from an unexpected quarter. Lord Bancroft Ashburton, disgraced and imprisoned as a result of Charlotte’s prior investigations, nevertheless manages to press Charlotte into service: Underwood, his most loyal henchman, is missing and Lord Bancroft wants Charlotte to find Underwood, dead or alive.
But then Lord Bancroft himself turns up dead and Charlotte, more than anyone else, meets the trifecta criteria of motive, means, and opportunity. Never mind rescuing anyone else, with the law breathing down her neck, can Charlotte save herself from prosecution for murder?
My Thoughts: This is an episode filled with plots and schemes. Charlotte has managed to gain some protection from Lord Remington which has kept Moriarty temporarily at bay. However, Lord Bancroft is still a threat. And when he winds up dead, Charlotte is the prime suspect for his murder.
The story is told in a series of flashbacks since it begins with her under investigation for Lord Bancroft's murder. We see Charlotte and Mrs. Watson investigating a 25-year-old murder for Treadles. We see Livia staking out a house in Aix-en-Provence which might be the house where her Mr. Marbleton is being held by Moriarty. We see Paris where Charlotte and Livia's sister Bernadine is being held prisoner to guarantee that Charlotte does what Lord Bancroft demands.
We also see Charlotte and many other characters investigating the disappearance of Mr. Underwood who is Lord Bancroft's long-time assistant. This investigation sees the return of Mrs. Farr who lost her younger sister in one of Charlotte's earlier cases and who has been looking for revenge ever since.
I enjoyed this twisty tale very much. It was filled with intriguing characters.
Favorite Quote:
"It is preferable, of course, not to be a damsel in distress in need of saving," said Charlotte to Lord Ingram. "But once in a while, a stylish rescue is quite refreshing."I received this one from NetGalley in exchange for on honest review. You can buy your copy here.
Been trying to get books by this author for a long time.
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