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"As "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes has solved murders and found missing individuals. But she has never stolen a priceless artwork--or rather, made away with the secrets hidden behind a much-coveted canvas. But Mrs. Watson is desperate to help her old friend recover those secrets and Charlotte finds herself involved in a fever-paced scheme to infiltrate a glamorous Yuletide ball where the painting is one handshake away from being sold and the secrets a bare breath show more from exposure. Her dear friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, Livia's admirer Stephen Marbleton--everyone pitches in to help and everyone has a grand time. But nothing about this adventure is what it seems and disaster is biding time on the grounds of a glittering French chateau, waiting only for Charlotte to make a single mistake."-- show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Loved it. Nicely realized action plot, m/f romance, f/f romance, delightfully anachronistic sociopolitics, great community-building, people managing feelings in relatable ways, adult characters who communicate like grown-ass adults, and a very readable mystery.
Series: Lady Sherlock #4
Publication Date: 10/15/19
Number of Pages: 304
Sherry Thomas has done the impossible as far as I am concerned. I am never a fan of re-worked, re-vamped, reimagined lives of fictional characters – except – this author has created a clever, absorbing, fast-paced, interesting newly imagined Sherlock Holmes and I am in awe. The series maintains the shadowy, misty, shivery mood of the original Sherlock series while imbuing it with a bit of humor and showing how women chafe under the societal strictures of the times. The series is filled with mysteries that are filled with unexpected twists and turns, vile villains and yes, of course, romance.
As with all of the earlier books, there are a lot of people populating show more this book as well as a lot going on. Several romances at different stages, several mysteries and many people at different stages of life and choices. As always, Moriarty is the overarching villain of the book and the series. For me personally, I hope Moriarty is wrapped up fairly quickly and doesn’t haunt all of the books, characters and romances. Yes, I know he was the original Sherlock Holmes nemesis, but since this is a reimagined Sherlock, why can’t he be resolved within the first five or six books?
Sherlock Holmes received a request for a consultation from “A Traveler From Distant Lands”. However, once the person appears for the consultation and realizes that Sherlock is bedridden, she declines to employ him. Later, we discover that the person was a very close friend from Mrs. Watson’s past and she’s really desperate. The client, the Maharani of Ajmer, is being blackmailed by someone who is holding letters that could cause her and her small kingdom a lot of trouble and embarrassment. The letters are hidden behind a Van Dyck painting in the French chateau, Vaudrieu. It seems that the Maharani needs a cat burglar rather than a mystery solver. However, no matter the risk, Mrs. Watson cannot refuse her old friend.
As Charlotte and company investigate, they learn there is much more to the Chateau Vaudrieu than they originally thought. There are plots within plots and very real danger to Charlotte and her friends. When Lady Ingram shows up, we add yet another layer of intrigue to the mystery – not to mention the nasty Moriarty making an appearance. There are so many twists and turns that your head will spin, but our intrepid Charlotte is, as always, up to the challenge.
When we closed the last book, I thought things with Charlotte and Ash would be moving forward quickly, but in this book, they seem to have regressed and are sort of each in their own little worlds again. We also see the romance between Livia and Stephen grow, but it is going to be a very rocky road for the two of them I’m sure.
The set-up for the next book was well done and leaves you breathlessly waiting for the next episode. Excellently done!
BTW -- I would recommend reading the series in its entirety rather than reading this book as a stand-alone. If not the entire series, then at least read the first book in the series prior to this one. Otherwise, you just won't understand - and probably won't like -- Charlotte.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less
Publication Date: 10/15/19
Number of Pages: 304
Sherry Thomas has done the impossible as far as I am concerned. I am never a fan of re-worked, re-vamped, reimagined lives of fictional characters – except – this author has created a clever, absorbing, fast-paced, interesting newly imagined Sherlock Holmes and I am in awe. The series maintains the shadowy, misty, shivery mood of the original Sherlock series while imbuing it with a bit of humor and showing how women chafe under the societal strictures of the times. The series is filled with mysteries that are filled with unexpected twists and turns, vile villains and yes, of course, romance.
As with all of the earlier books, there are a lot of people populating show more this book as well as a lot going on. Several romances at different stages, several mysteries and many people at different stages of life and choices. As always, Moriarty is the overarching villain of the book and the series. For me personally, I hope Moriarty is wrapped up fairly quickly and doesn’t haunt all of the books, characters and romances. Yes, I know he was the original Sherlock Holmes nemesis, but since this is a reimagined Sherlock, why can’t he be resolved within the first five or six books?
Sherlock Holmes received a request for a consultation from “A Traveler From Distant Lands”. However, once the person appears for the consultation and realizes that Sherlock is bedridden, she declines to employ him. Later, we discover that the person was a very close friend from Mrs. Watson’s past and she’s really desperate. The client, the Maharani of Ajmer, is being blackmailed by someone who is holding letters that could cause her and her small kingdom a lot of trouble and embarrassment. The letters are hidden behind a Van Dyck painting in the French chateau, Vaudrieu. It seems that the Maharani needs a cat burglar rather than a mystery solver. However, no matter the risk, Mrs. Watson cannot refuse her old friend.
As Charlotte and company investigate, they learn there is much more to the Chateau Vaudrieu than they originally thought. There are plots within plots and very real danger to Charlotte and her friends. When Lady Ingram shows up, we add yet another layer of intrigue to the mystery – not to mention the nasty Moriarty making an appearance. There are so many twists and turns that your head will spin, but our intrepid Charlotte is, as always, up to the challenge.
When we closed the last book, I thought things with Charlotte and Ash would be moving forward quickly, but in this book, they seem to have regressed and are sort of each in their own little worlds again. We also see the romance between Livia and Stephen grow, but it is going to be a very rocky road for the two of them I’m sure.
The set-up for the next book was well done and leaves you breathlessly waiting for the next episode. Excellently done!
BTW -- I would recommend reading the series in its entirety rather than reading this book as a stand-alone. If not the entire series, then at least read the first book in the series prior to this one. Otherwise, you just won't understand - and probably won't like -- Charlotte.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less
This is one of my favorites in the wonderful Lady Sherlock series. An old and secretive friend of Mrs. Watson’s arrives, hoping to hire the famous Sherlock Holmes to help her deal with a blackmailer. Soon Charlotte Holmes (who represents the fictional Sherlock) and her friends find themselves part of a caper to steal a valuable painting from a luxurious party at a mysterious French mansion, complete with hidden passages and secret rooms. Charlotte’s friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, and Livia's friend Stephen Marbleton all join in the plot. Charlotte and Lord Ingram continue their flirtation. But the gang uncovers sinister secrets lurking just under the surface of the glittering society event.
This one was more about plotting a heist, rather than solving a mystery, and I didn't enjoy it as much. I still quite like this cast of characters, and getting to know them better with each book, and watching the relationships between them develop. And it kept my attention. I look forward to the next in the series.
The fourth Lady Sherlock mystery is starts out as a heist story. An old friend of Mrs. Watson's comes to "Sherlock Holmes" to get him to recover some indiscreet letters that are hidden behind a painting. Unfortunately, the painting is at a chateau in France that is exceptionally well guarded.
The chateau is open once a year for an exclusive art auction which would seem to give Charlotte and her crew -- including Mrs. Watson, Charlotte's sister Livia, her friend Lord Ingram, Livia's romantic interest Mr. Stephen Marbleton, and Ingram's secret service friend - their opening to retrieve the letters. However, there are many more than one secret at the chateau and other factions are also planning to use the annual ball to further their own show more agendas.
Neither Charlotte nor the rest of her associates were expecting an encounter with Moriarty again or with meeting the soon-to-be-ex Lady Ingram. Those encounters have to be factored in as they execute their heist.
This story was also filled with relationships. Livia and Stephen's seems to be star-crossed since he and his family have been on the run from Moriarty for a couple of decades and he isn't willing for Livia to join him in danger. Mrs. Watson and her old friend once had a relationship too, but Mrs. Watson left her when her lover couldn't guarantee the financial security that Mrs. Watson needed. And Charlotte and Lord Ingram have a very complicated relationship that almost defies description. Her goals and his are very far apart.
This was an engaging episode in the Lady Sherlock series. I enjoy Charlotte's character and her intelligence. She has clear goals and the determination to see them through. show less
The chateau is open once a year for an exclusive art auction which would seem to give Charlotte and her crew -- including Mrs. Watson, Charlotte's sister Livia, her friend Lord Ingram, Livia's romantic interest Mr. Stephen Marbleton, and Ingram's secret service friend - their opening to retrieve the letters. However, there are many more than one secret at the chateau and other factions are also planning to use the annual ball to further their own show more agendas.
Neither Charlotte nor the rest of her associates were expecting an encounter with Moriarty again or with meeting the soon-to-be-ex Lady Ingram. Those encounters have to be factored in as they execute their heist.
This story was also filled with relationships. Livia and Stephen's seems to be star-crossed since he and his family have been on the run from Moriarty for a couple of decades and he isn't willing for Livia to join him in danger. Mrs. Watson and her old friend once had a relationship too, but Mrs. Watson left her when her lover couldn't guarantee the financial security that Mrs. Watson needed. And Charlotte and Lord Ingram have a very complicated relationship that almost defies description. Her goals and his are very far apart.
This was an engaging episode in the Lady Sherlock series. I enjoy Charlotte's character and her intelligence. She has clear goals and the determination to see them through. show less
Fascinating Holmesian mystery!
Such a complex and rewarding story that explores the Holmsian genre and all it's accoutrements in a brilliant fashion.
Charlotte Holmes is an usual person, focused, brilliant, capable of ingenious guile, a freethinker with a much vaunted love of sweet things. The descriptions of her measures in the face of the dreaded approach of Maximum Tolerable Chins, the sensuality with which she regards deserts just serve to enhance her quirkiness.
Charlotte, Lady Sherlock is asked by fabulous Mrs. Watson to help solve a problem for an old friend. That request opens memory doors for Mrs. Watson, and danger and intrigue for all.
Their quest takes Charlotte, Mrs. Watson, and Lord Ingham, along with her sister Livia and show more Stephen Marbleton to Paris and beyond. A famous private annual Art auction and a glittering ball held at a heavily guarded chateau is where their attention is centered.
What they find goes way beyond what any of them expect, except perhaps Charlotte. Devastating discoveries are made, some impacting the now and some stretching into the future. Every minute reading was tantalizing.
This grand Victorian mystery not only beckons but delivers!
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley show less
Such a complex and rewarding story that explores the Holmsian genre and all it's accoutrements in a brilliant fashion.
Charlotte Holmes is an usual person, focused, brilliant, capable of ingenious guile, a freethinker with a much vaunted love of sweet things. The descriptions of her measures in the face of the dreaded approach of Maximum Tolerable Chins, the sensuality with which she regards deserts just serve to enhance her quirkiness.
Charlotte, Lady Sherlock is asked by fabulous Mrs. Watson to help solve a problem for an old friend. That request opens memory doors for Mrs. Watson, and danger and intrigue for all.
Their quest takes Charlotte, Mrs. Watson, and Lord Ingham, along with her sister Livia and show more Stephen Marbleton to Paris and beyond. A famous private annual Art auction and a glittering ball held at a heavily guarded chateau is where their attention is centered.
What they find goes way beyond what any of them expect, except perhaps Charlotte. Devastating discoveries are made, some impacting the now and some stretching into the future. Every minute reading was tantalizing.
This grand Victorian mystery not only beckons but delivers!
A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley show less
Another wonderful outing for Charlotte Holmes. I had a hard time getting into the heist aspect of it but once again, the last third of the book had many unseen twists and turns that are utterly thrilling. I also loved the time we spent with Liv and Stephen. Plus all the fallout with Charlotte and Ash. And what an ending! When is the next book again???
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Kirkus Starred Fiction Reviews of Books Published in 2019
411 works; 12 members
Author Information
33+ Works 10,068 Members
Sherry Thomas is an American author, born in China in 1975. She writes contemporary and historical romance novels. Her work includes the series The Fitzhughs, Heart of Blade Duology, The London Trilogy, The Marsdens, and The Lady Sherlock Series. Two of her titles have won the RITA award, Not Quite a Husband in 2010, and His at Night in 2011. She show more also wrote a young adult fantasy series, The Elemental Trilogy. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Sherry Thomas is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Art of Theft
- Original publication date
- 2019
- People/Characters
- John Watson; Charlotte Holmes; Olivia Holmes; Mrs. John Watson
- Important places
- London, England, UK
- Dedication
- To Janine Ballard, who makes all my books better
- First words
- Miss Olivia Holmes often found other women intimidating…
- Quotations
- “If I didn’t do everything for everyone, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”
“History, the ultimate gossip,” said the duchess authoritatively…
But his wiser future self obviously dwelled too far in the future to save him tonight.
“Certainly it’s admirable for any given woman to learn to appreciate her own worth, despite all the countervailing forces. But it cannot be enough for those who are treated as lesser to feel better about themselves. That ... (show all)they are treated as lesser is an injustice. And that injustice itself must be rooted out and eradicated.” - Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PS3620.H6426
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 436
- Popularity
- 70,526
- Reviews
- 26
- Rating
- (3.96)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 8
- ASINs
- 5
