Another Scandal in Bohemia

by Carole Nelson Douglas

Irene Adler (4)

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A novel of suspense featuring Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Originally titled Irene’s Last Waltz The ever-irresistible Irene Adler, her dashing barrister husband, Godfrey Norton, and the indomitable Miss Nell Huxleigh have arrived at last as their French cottage-having survived dastardly plots, Russian spies, pistol-wielding criminals, and the occasional cobra. The happy trio seeks nothing but rest and peace-but Irene has always chafed under idle conditions, and Paris, she says, "is show more pretty and urbane, but hardly a center of excitement." So when Charles Frederick Worth, the Parisian king of couture, invites Irene to become his "mannequin de ville," to wear the fabulous worth creations to stimulate his trade, Irene leaps at the chance. But what was a joyous lark soon turns into a journey that can lead to disgrace, dishonor, and death when Irene, Nell, and Godfrey are drawn into a series of events that will compel Irene to the one place that she daren't go and the one man she must not confront-Prague and the King of Bohemia. show less

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7 reviews
Carole Nelson Douglas writes a series of books with Irene Adler as the main character. Irene, you will remember, was the woman who bested Holmes in "A Scandal in Bohemia". Afterwards, Holmes always refers to her as "the woman". In Douglas's fourth Irene Adler book, "Another Scandal in Bohemia", Irene and her trusty sidekick Nell are going back to Bohemia, to Prague, to help the King's new wife Clotilde, with a rather personal problem, as well as seeing if they can shed some light on the Golem that has been terrorizing the city. I love Nell, she is full of completely deadpan, dry humor that had me laughing out loud. Irene is charming, Douglas does an excellent job portraying these characters. The plot was a bit thick for me, but I did show more enjoy it, especially when Sherlock himself made a guest appearance. show less
Well, not really. Holmes is there in a connected way, of course, but they don’t compete with each other this time. The King of Bohemia hasn’t consummated his marriage to the Queen because he has been replaced with a dupe. Russia has sent one of its princes (related to the real King) to take his place so they can take over the country. Of course, Irene suspects this because he neither recognizes her through her disguise or Nell without one. The real King has been held prisoner in a series of tunnels beneath an old part of the city. He has escaped 3 times and each time he was mistaken for the Golem of Prague. Irene frees him and sets him back on his throne.

In the end, she and Godfrey go to Venice for a vacation and send Nell back to show more the house in Paris. Nell is horrified that she will be unchaperoned but, I had a feeling one would present himself. Quentin. They spend a 4-day train journey together but that’s the last we hear of him. Hopefully he comes back in the next two books. show less
I know I've read this one before, but I honestly didn't remember anything about it. It's been a long time, and there've been a lot of books in the interim.

This is the 4th book in the Irene Adler series, based on the character from the Sherlock Holmes story "A Scandal in Bohemia." Irene, her husband Godfrey, and friend Nell are bored in Paris after their last case. Exiled from England and Irene from the stage because of their "deaths," they're unable to pursue their normal occupations, and Irene turns to shopping, getting a much-coveted appointment with the House of Worth, where she and Nell have three startling experiences: 1) Charles Worth himself asks Irene to be a living advertisement for his gowns; 2) the Queen of Bohemia, Irene's show more erstwhile rival, confides that her husband of several months has yet to visit her bed, and asks for help; 3) a bead-girl is found murdered in the Worth dress factory.

Godfrey, meanwhile, has had a request of his own, for the three of them to visit Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, the international financier, who offers each one of them the perfect price to return to Bohemia and spy for him.

Of course, when Irene and Nell left Bohemia, it was in fear for their lives, so the expedition is not without risk.

There's international intrigue, fashion, romantic entanglement, the supernatural in the form of the Golem (which made me think of Pratchett) that's reportedly menacing Prague, the position of Jews and working women in late 19th-century Europe, and an overlap with a Holmes case, which for the life of me I can't identify, and which may not actually exist.

It's complex and filled with realism, and the characters just grab me. Nell's relative innocence, honesty, and narrow-mindedness contrast well with Irene's worldliness and other-worldliness, and Godfrey's sincerity and pragmatism.
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Neel and Godfrey are off to Bohemia as agents sic spies for the Rothschilds. Nell is glad to leave Paris and its saucy foods but gripping, even in first class, all the way. Irene, again in disguise, to follow so they can assist the Queen in getting her marriage consummated. Forays, in mufti and grand regalia ensue as they seek information under and above ground. A chance meeting with the Golem, a not so mythical creature and a confrontation with the King lead to a duel at dawn. Much toing and froing, with another cameo appearance by Holmes, is necessary for a final solution. Nell, again, sets off on a train griping all the way until a most satisfactory reunion occurs.
½
In Douglas' universe Irene Adler Norton is a wealthy but bored and spends her time investigating mysteries with her devoted husband and a Watson like assistant. For fans of Sherlock Holmes, the Irene Adler mysteries are a fun continuation of that universe which also features appearances but other notable historical figures like Oscar Wilde and Buffalo Bill. While all of the books are enjoyable this outing is my favorite. It's the perfect mix of mystery and romance, with appearances by Holmes and Watson along the way.
I was impressed with Holmes when I read.
I know this story because I have read in Japanese.
Holmes is very very inteligent.
I want to read other story of Holmes.
First edition. Signed. Fine

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Bestselling author Carole Nelson Douglas was born on November 5, 1944. She majored in theater and English literature in college and was an award-winning journalist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press until she moved to Texas in 1984, where she began writing fiction full time. She is the author of over fifty novels in genres including mystery, fantasy, show more science fiction, and romance fiction. Douglas seeks to create strong female protagonists in her works and is best known for two popular series, the Irene Adler mysteries and the Midnight Louie mystery series. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Carole Nelson Douglas is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.

Some Editions

Boulongne, Sabine (Translator)
Bush, George (Cover artist)
Tull, Patrick (Narrator)

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Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Another Scandal in Bohemia
Original title
Irene's Last Waltz
Alternate titles
Another Scandal in Bohemia: Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes
Original publication date
1994
People/Characters
Irene Adler; Godfrey Norton; Nell Huxleigh; Casanova (pet bird); Lucifer the cat; Sherlock Holmes
Important places
Neuilly-sur-Seine, Île-de-France, France
Dedication
For Sam, the wind beneath my wings
First words
Irene lifted the cream parchment envelope on her joined palms like an offering to a pagan god.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"We shall have to see about our dear Miss Huxleigh in due time."
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Not many years later another dancer/spy would become notorious enough to remain a historical byword of both her professions, although under a pseudonym: Mata Hari.
- Fiona Witherspoon, Ph.D., A.I.A.*
November 5, 1993

*Advocates of Irene Adler
Disambiguation notice
Irene's Last Waltz reissued as Another Scandal in Bohemia

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, Mystery, Historical Fiction
DDC/MDS
813.54Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English1900-19991945-1999
LCC
PS3554 .O8237 .I74Language and LiteratureAmerican literatureAmerican literatureIndividual authors1961-
BISAC

Statistics

Members
282
Popularity
113,887
Reviews
7
Rating
(3.97)
Languages
English, French
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
6
ASINs
3