The Abduction of Pretty Penny

The Abduction of Pretty Penny had me (metaphorically) on the edge of my seat. Whom do we associate with murders in Whitecastle? Yes, you are no doubt thinking of Jack the Ripper. But this is 1917. Has Jack returned? Is this a copycat?

Pretty Penny, an attractive, aspiring actress, has been abducted. But can Joanna Blalock and John Watson solve the kidnapping and recent deaths before Bad Things Happen? The author plays fair with the reader, so the question is, can it be discovered along with Joanna, or do we stumble along with her faithful chronicler?

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend the series to fans of historical mysteries or Sherlock Holmes.

This turned out to be everything promised in the blurb on the back cover, which frankly gave away too much of the plot. So I won’t repeat any of it here except for the part that called it “one of the best Sherlock Holmes series since Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell books." Personally, I liked this better - the writing style was closer to the ACD originals and it felt truer to the time period since the case centered around one of the most notorious criminals of the era.

I jumped from the first entry in the series to this one, the 5th, and found a huge improvement in character development and pacing. The first, The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes, is worth reading to get an introduction to the characters but I don't think it's nearly as show more well written or suspenseful. This one lacked any hint of the first book's light mystery flavor and was even a bit grisly, although it wasn't to the point that I'd call it disturbing - just intense, the way I think a good mystery should be.
My thanks to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for the advance copy to review. show less

The fifth Daughter of Sherlock Holmes mystery has Joanna, her husband Dr. John Watson Jr., and father-in-law Sherlock Holmes's Watson and the trail of a missing young actress. Pretty Penny is a rising star at a theater in Whitechapel when she goes missing.

The case takes them into the depths of Whitechapel with it Unfortunates and Gentleman Drifters. It has ties to John's career as a pathologist at St. Bart's because three of the main suspects are also physicians at St. Bart's and amateur actors who were starring with Pretty Penny in a new version of Romeo and Juliet.

The case also marks the return of Jack the Ripper as a new series of brutal murders of Unfortunates has begun and it is feared the Pretty Penny has also become or will show more become one of his victims. As Joanna and the Watsons track clues including Pretty Penny's favorite candy, her hair pomade, and strange purchases of copper earrings, they learn that the killer is leaving clues and taunting them to find him.

When a letter and some copper cufflinks but Joanna's fifteen-year-old son Johnny in danger, Joanna goes undercover to catch the killer.

There was a lot of historical detail in this one but I felt it fell a little flat when it came to the characters. I didn't like Joanna very much. First, she seemed to me to be arrogant and patronizing and essentially emotionless. Then when Johnny is kidnapped, she breaks down but quickly gets over it and reverts to her calculating and emotionless self.

Fans hungry for more Sherlock Holmes and historical mysteries will find a taste here. Some of the elements are the same. Comparisons to Laurie R. King's Mary Russell books find this series paling and coming in a distant second though. show less

This was a wonderful take on continuing Sherlock Holmes' legacy - by giving him a daughter that was taught his style and thinking and is continuing his investigation services. To add Watson's son, her husband, was just a small addition to the story that I absolutely loved!

The mystery was also great. Extending a larger mystery, I loved all the details about a case and serial killer I felt like I knew pretty well. I loved the information about letters and signatures and other little details. Again, it's the small things that really gave this story so much character and reason to love it!

I thought the characters were so much fun, the mystery well written and I loved the twists. The only oddity I found was that a few of the reasons for show more obvious investigation (the candies and the man buying them) seemed really obvious, but the two boys trailing along just seemed baffled. I thought it was odd and I kept checking this wasn't a YA title. But then the details of the murders were so gruesome and detailed, I knew it wasn't YA. Otherwise, this was a perfect story and I loved it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. show less

I have such mixed emotions about this series. On one hand, they are well crafted mysteries, the story takes twists and turns I don’t expect. The writer holds my interest. But my gawd the stilted dialogue makes me want to spork my eyes out sometimes it’s so bad. And the smugness of Sherlock Holmes’ daughter creates in me a need to throat punch her.

The Whitechapel Playhouse called Joanna and the Watsons in to find Pretty Penny, a lovely, young actress who has gone missing without reason or notice. While on their search, Scotland Yard asked the trio to join in the hunt for a vicious murderer whose method resembles that of Jack The Ripper. It soon becomes clear that The Ripper has reemerged after a 28-year absence and is once again murdering young prostitutes in Whitechapel.
Following a line of subtle clues, Joanna quickly reasons the killer has captured Pretty Penny. But as Joanna moves closer to learning his true identity, the killer sends her a letter showing her young son Johnny will be the next victim to die. Time is running out, and Joanna has no choice but to devise a most show more dangerous plan which will bring her face-to-face with the killer. It is the only chance to protect her son and rescue Pretty Penny, and save both from an agonizing death.

Thank you Minotaur books for sponsoring this giveaway giving me the chance to read The Abduction of Pretty Penny (The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #5) by Leonard Goldberg!
This is the second book I have read in this series. The first one was The Art of Deception. When I read that book I had trouble liking Joanna’s character but I figured it was because I had read none of the other books to see the characters develop and grow together. I can say that I enjoyed this book! Even Joanna this time around! Especially now that I realize why she appears as a know it all. Well, simply put she is a know it all lol! But it fits her character. The world building and the details that are given are very nice. The only thing I would have changed, and it's not even about this book, it's the series I wish I would have started at book 1. It's one of those series that you miss out on how each character is linked. So that being said I will have to add the other books to my TBR list for a new adventure! The Abduction of Pretty Penny is a lovely historical mystery! Happy reading everyone! show less

The Abduction of Pretty Penny is an interesting mystery filled with passionate investigations and mysterious turns. It starts when the owner of the Whitechapel Playhouse approaches investigators about the disappearance of the young and talented Pretty Penny, the Juliet from the Romeo and Juliet play. During the investigation, Joanna’s team gets engaged in another case that involves the brutal murders of young prostitutes. This brings the question if never caught Jack The Ripper is back or if it is his follower murdering these innocent women? They come to the conclusion that in both cases they are dealing with the same person.

I liked the family cooperation in solving the mysteries in order to find the murderer and kidnapper. Joanna is show more a Sherlock Holmes daughter who inherited his very detailed analytical skills and is very observant. Her husband, John Watson and his father Mr. Watson, the friend of late Sherlock Holmes are all in this together.

Nicely written and enjoyable mystery especially for fans of Sherlock Holmes. I prefer more action and thrilling stories so this was a little bit of a slower-paced story for me.

Big thanks to the Goodreads Giveaway and Minotaur Books for sending me the ARC copy of this book. show less