Bonnie MacBird

Unquiet Spirits was a joy to read start to finish. I am not generally a fan of remakes or extensions of classics (as in another author retelling the original book or creating a sequel). For example, I love each and every Jane Austen book but do not love other authors revisiting or adding to her stories. However, Sherlock Holmes is the exception to this rule; recently while reading Unquiet Spirits and A Conspiracy in Belgravia, I was pondering why the character of Sherlock Holmes’ stories show more can be told effectively by other writers. His story also translates well to television – I am huge fan of both Elementary and Sherlock. My conclusion is that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote so many stories involving Sherlock Holmes (56 in all) that adding more to his canon of stories succeeds because there were a lot of story lines already where writing a sequel to Pride and Prejudice does not work so well (and believe me I should know - I have read a bunch).

Unquiet Spirits is simply phenomenal. Everything about the book is outstanding - the clever Preface, MacBird’s portrayal of Holmes and Watson, the mystery and ghost story they must unravel, and the supporting characters, including Holmes’ brother Mycroft. The author captures the tone of Conan Doyle’s tales, and Holmes and Watson are crafted authentically. I missed her first book, Art in the Blood, and plan to track it down soon. Unquiet Spirits is well worth the read, and I highly recommend it to any mystery lover. Thanks to HarperCollins for my copy. All opinions are my own. show less

I've enjoyed Bonnie MacBird's Holmes novels from the beginning, but The Three Locks takes what was already a satisfying series up a notch. The plot is woven from multiple mysteries that entwine with and echo one another. Watson comes more fully into his own. Readers meet an engaging ensemble cast, most based in the community of Victorian-era magicians. What I particularly love about MacBird's take on Holmes and Watson is the humor she can inject into the novels without undercutting the show more tension of the mysteries. If you appreciate new takes on the Holmes canon, I'm confident you'll find this title rewarding reading. I received a free electronic copy of this title for review purposes; the opinions are my own. show less

When it comes to Sherlock Holmes pastiches, my thoughts often run contrary to others. I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Kurland’s books featuring Moriarty, Quinn Fawcett’s series featuring Mycroft Holmes, Anthony Horowitz’s “Moriarty”, and Sherry Thomas’ “Lady Sherlock “ series. Laurie R. King’s writing is good, and I read several, but just couldn’t go there. There are some lines you can't cross with Holmes for me. See a trend? My preferred stories don’t feature Holmes and show more Watson other than perhaps peripherally.

However, UNQUIET SPIRITS’ blurb was so intriguing I couldn’t help myself. I simply had to give it a go, and am extremely grateful my past disappointments didn’t deter me from this second book in Bonnie MacBird's Sherlock Holmes Adventure series.

Darkly atmospheric and moody, with a healthy dose of the supernatural; UNQUIET SPIRITS was a pleasure from start to finish. Ms. MacBird has succeeded in capturing the spirit and feel of the originals.
Not once was I pulled out of the story by a jarring incongruity and there was nary a flicker of disappointment. On the contrary, my mental movie had no difficulty envisioning Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke in their appropriate roles from page 1.
Tickled no end to have finally found a pastiche, featuring Holmes and Watson in their correct era, that I can actually read (without my inner voice yelling at me) and enjoy.

Seriously y'all, I can't recommend UNQUIET SPIRITS highly enough.

I’ll be seeking out the first and on pins and needles for the third.

5 stars
Reviewed for Miss Ivy's Book Nook Take II & Novels Alive TV show less

London is the grips of an intense heatwave in the late summer of 1887. Watson receives a strange silver box in the mail that appears to have no key. An Italian escape artists experiences problems with his performance and his wife demands the Holmes prove her former lover be cleared of suspicion. A young lady runs away from home, leaving her father strangely unconcerned. As these cases intertwine, locks play on an important part as Holmes and Watson race to find the answer.

I am always show more delighted when I find a Sherlock Holmes novel that closely mimics the original characters and the spirit of the original stories. I found it in this book. The author does a marvelous job of writing a plot, dialogue, and characterization much like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first wrote so long ago.

Though I will admit I had my suspicions about a character soon after he was introduced, most of the mysteries are laid out in a way that kept me guessing. Clues are scattered through the story and come together in a satisfying way. I was kept glued to the narrative from page to page to find out just how everything connected.

The story is filled with colorful, memorable characters. The atmosphere of the year, with the oppressive heat, is excellent as well. The writing is reminiscent of Doyle's work, as I mentioned before. My only concern would be that I didn't realize that this is the fourth in a series. There are details that obviously come from earlier books that influence choices, such as Watson's mother drowning, and that Watson had a twin sister, Rose, who...also drowned. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was unexpected.

I'm going to have to find the first three books but I would recommend this one to readers looking for a new Sherlock Holmes adventure. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. show less