Review - Miss Moriarity, I Presume

I have been a fan of this series that re-imagines the Sherlock mythos since the debut: 

1) A Study in Scarlet Women (click here)  

2) A Conspiracy in Belgravia (click here) 

3) The Hollow of Fear (click here)

4) The Art of Theft (click here) 

5) Murder on Cold Street (click here) 

Author: Sherry Thomas

Copyright: Nov 2021 (Berkley) 365 pgs

Series: 6th in Lady Sherlock Mystery series

Sensuality: Innuendo and adult period references

Mystery Sub-genre: historical Suspense, historical detective

Main Character: Charlotte Holmes, Charlotte Holmes, disgraced upper class woman who creates the Sherlock Holmes identity 

Setting: 1886 London and Cornwall

Obtained Through: Publisher (NetGalley) for honest review

Book blurb: "A most unexpected client shows up at Charlotte Holmes's doorstep: Moriarty himself. Moriarty fears that tragedy has befallen his daughter and wants Charlotte to find out the truth. 

Charlotte and Mrs. Watson travel to a remote community of occult practitioners where Moriarty's daughter was last seen, a place full of lies and liars. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s sister Livia tries to make sense of a mysterious message from her beau Mr. Marbleton. And Charlotte’s longtime friend and ally Lord Ingram at last turns his seductive prowess on Charlotte—or is it the other way around?

But the more secrets Charlotte unravels about Miss Moriarty’s disappearance, the more she wonders why Moriarty has entrusted this delicate matter to her of all people. Is it merely to test Charlotte's skills as an investigator, or has the man of shadows trapped her in a nest of vipers?"

Charlotte Holmes is blond, pretty, very feminine and frilly, and goes up against the diabolical Moriarity in this book.   Lord Ingram Ashburton is in the process of divorcing his (literally) traitor wife and is embarking on a more intimate relationship with Charlotte.  Mrs. John Watson, is a retired stage actress who has become Charlotte's unique and talented sidekick.  She is required to use her acting prowess in this book.  Charlotte's adult younger sister, Olivia, is key to discovering a message from her estranged love intended for their half brother, Myron.    

A good portion of the story takes place in the walled and secluded compound for the Garden of Hermopolis commune.  This is creepy and atmospheric. 

From the beginning Charlotte and cast know that Moriarity is setting Charlotte up for tragedy.  So the plot is two part, look in on the daughter (going as Miss Baxter) and also beware of the danger at every turn.  A third aspect is Olivia's love, who is Moriarity's estranged son (recently in his father's control again), is attempting to pass very subtle clues to her and she is stretching her own reasoning skills to figure it out.   

 I can't really discuss the climax without spoilers, suffice to say that Charlotte must figure out the reality of the pieces and strategies in this chess game with Moriarity besides that he intends for her to die. I will leave it at that.

My Thoughts: This is not the book to jump into the series.  It is a culmination of much from book two forward. I appreciated Olivia getting to flex her own reasoning skills in this book.  As usual, this was intricately plotted and well executed. I enjoyed this tremendously and if you have been a fan of the series, this is a must read.  There are some big twists.  I have to wonder where the series will go after this.

Rating:  Excellent - a must read for fans

Here is a talk with the author about the book.