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Lady Sherlock #8
A Ruse of Shadows
Charlotte Holmes is accustomed to solving crimes, not being accused of them, but she finds herself in a dreadfully precarious position as the bestselling Lady Sherlock series continues.
Charlotte’s success on the RMS Provence has afforded her a certain measure of time and assurance. Taking advantage of that, she has been busy, plotting to pry the man her sister loves from Moriarty’s iron grip.
Disruption, however, comes from an unexpected quarter. Lord Bancroft Ashburton, disgraced and imprisoned as a result of Charlotte’s prior investigations, nevertheless manages to press Charlotte into Underwood, his most loyal henchman, is missing and Lord Bancroft wants Charlotte to find Underwood, dead or alive.
But then Lord Bancroft himself turns up dead and Charlotte, more than anyone else, meets the trifecta criteria of motive, means, and opportunity. Never mind rescuing anyone else, with the law breathing down her neck, can Charlotte save herself from prosecution for murder?
Charlotte’s success on the RMS Provence has afforded her a certain measure of time and assurance. Taking advantage of that, she has been busy, plotting to pry the man her sister loves from Moriarty’s iron grip.
Disruption, however, comes from an unexpected quarter. Lord Bancroft Ashburton, disgraced and imprisoned as a result of Charlotte’s prior investigations, nevertheless manages to press Charlotte into Underwood, his most loyal henchman, is missing and Lord Bancroft wants Charlotte to find Underwood, dead or alive.
But then Lord Bancroft himself turns up dead and Charlotte, more than anyone else, meets the trifecta criteria of motive, means, and opportunity. Never mind rescuing anyone else, with the law breathing down her neck, can Charlotte save herself from prosecution for murder?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2024
511 people are currently reading
7601 people want to read
About the author
Sherry Thomas
36 books7,440 followersUSA Today-bestselling author Sherry Thomas decided years ago that her goal in life is to write every kind of book she enjoys reading. Thus far she has published romance, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and three books inspired by the martial arts epics she grew up devouring. Her books regularly receive starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications, including such outlets as the New York Times and National Public Radio.
A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, and The Hollow of Fear, the first three entries in her gender-bending Lady Sherlock historical mystery series, are all NPR best books of the year. The Magnolia Sword, her 2019 release, is the first young adult retelling of the original Ballad of Mulan in the English language.
Sherry emigrated from China at age 13 and English is her second language.
“Sherry Thomas has done the impossible and crafted a fresh, exciting new version of Sherlock Holmes. From the carefully plotted twists to the elegant turns of phrase, A Study in Scarlet Women is a splendid addition to Holmes’s world. This book is everything I hoped it would be, and the next adventure cannot come too soon!” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author
“Thomas weaves a lush, intricate fantasy world around a gorgeous romance that kept me riveted until the very last page. What a breathtaking journey!” (Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend series )
"Sherry Thomas is the most powerfully original historical romance author writing today."—Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author
Visit Sherry at her website
Follow Sherry on twitter
Find Sherry on Facebook
A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, and The Hollow of Fear, the first three entries in her gender-bending Lady Sherlock historical mystery series, are all NPR best books of the year. The Magnolia Sword, her 2019 release, is the first young adult retelling of the original Ballad of Mulan in the English language.
Sherry emigrated from China at age 13 and English is her second language.
“Sherry Thomas has done the impossible and crafted a fresh, exciting new version of Sherlock Holmes. From the carefully plotted twists to the elegant turns of phrase, A Study in Scarlet Women is a splendid addition to Holmes’s world. This book is everything I hoped it would be, and the next adventure cannot come too soon!” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author
“Thomas weaves a lush, intricate fantasy world around a gorgeous romance that kept me riveted until the very last page. What a breathtaking journey!” (Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend series )
"Sherry Thomas is the most powerfully original historical romance author writing today."—Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author
Visit Sherry at her website
Follow Sherry on twitter
Find Sherry on Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 591 reviews
July 7, 2024
A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas is hands down one of the most epic reads I've stumbled upon lately! I mean, seriously, from the moment I cracked open the cover, I was whisked away into this world of intrigue, deception, and pulse-pounding mystery!
Let's talk about Charlotte Holmes for a sec. She's back in action, and let me tell you, she's just as brilliant and captivating as ever. Eight books deep into the series, and she still manages to feel fresh and utterly fascinating. She's like Sherlock Holmes, but with this whole new level of depth and relatability that just draws you in.
And then there's her relationship with Lord Ingram – I love them together so much! I was practically cheering them on from the sidelines as they navigated through all the twists and turns of their romance. Plus, the chemistry between them is amazing!
But of course, it wouldn't be a Lady Sherlock mystery without, well, a mystery! And let me tell you, the one in this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Charlotte and her crew are faced with their most dangerous challenge yet, and watching them piece together the clues and outsmart the bad guys was seriously thrilling.
And can we just take a moment to appreciate Sherry Thomas's talent for historical mystery? The way she brings Victorian London to life is nothing short of magical. I could practically smell the fog and hear the clip-clop of horse hooves on the cobblestones. It's like stepping back in time!
So yeah, if you're a fan of historical mysteries or just love a good story with awesome characters and a plot that'll keep you guessing until the very end, you absolutely have to check out A Ruse of Shadows. Highly recommended!
Let's talk about Charlotte Holmes for a sec. She's back in action, and let me tell you, she's just as brilliant and captivating as ever. Eight books deep into the series, and she still manages to feel fresh and utterly fascinating. She's like Sherlock Holmes, but with this whole new level of depth and relatability that just draws you in.
And then there's her relationship with Lord Ingram – I love them together so much! I was practically cheering them on from the sidelines as they navigated through all the twists and turns of their romance. Plus, the chemistry between them is amazing!
But of course, it wouldn't be a Lady Sherlock mystery without, well, a mystery! And let me tell you, the one in this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Charlotte and her crew are faced with their most dangerous challenge yet, and watching them piece together the clues and outsmart the bad guys was seriously thrilling.
And can we just take a moment to appreciate Sherry Thomas's talent for historical mystery? The way she brings Victorian London to life is nothing short of magical. I could practically smell the fog and hear the clip-clop of horse hooves on the cobblestones. It's like stepping back in time!
So yeah, if you're a fan of historical mysteries or just love a good story with awesome characters and a plot that'll keep you guessing until the very end, you absolutely have to check out A Ruse of Shadows. Highly recommended!
July 5, 2024
I know it's just me, but we are now 8 books in and I have completely lost the plot. And the plot is absolutely necessary because it is going on... and on... and on. I love how Charlotte has grown through this series, but I've realized that except for that and the burning romance, I like almost nothing else, because it has grown increasing convoluted. And this book - my gosh - it was just so hard. So very hard. Every character has an alter-ego, every character has four names, new characters are introduced in every story (and stay forever), and Thomas does very little to bring us up to speed or remind us of the many many (many) backstories we are supposed to be juggling for each and all. As far as I can discern there are no fewer than three stories going on in this one book, and as it has been in other books, we are just plunked down mid-plot and left to feel our way in the dark. I hate to hate it. But I hated it and after about 100 pages I just gave it up. It is TOO. HARD. to be fun. But I'm sure it's just me.
May 6, 2024
This series is so well written. so thought out, and just so well done that I think Ms. Thomas would make Sir Conan Doyle proud with her take on Sherlock Holmes. This series truly is unlike any other I have read. From the lovable quirky characters to the completely captivating mysteries that truly are worthy of the classic Sherlock, it is just so entertaining and truly, hard to put down. And I can say with confidence, that after eight books, it is still getting better and better. I can't recommend this series enough.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
August 13, 2024
B- at AAR, 3.5 stars rounded up
So here we are at the eighth instalment of Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series of historical mysteries, and I confess, I found A Ruse of Shadows pretty hard going to start with. I’m a fan of the author’s, the writing is excellent and the plotting is superb, but I’m… just not feeling it any more. The story is intricate and clever, composed of several different plot-threads that are skilfully woven together, but I want more than mere cleverness when I read; I want to feel engaged by the characters and their situations, but that simply isn’t happening for me with this series now, and hasn’t for the last book or two.
A Ruse of Shadows opens with a chapter headed The Interrogation in which we learn that Lord Bancroft Ashburton (older brother of Charlotte's lover, Lord Ingram (Ash), and formerly the keeper of government secrets who was shown to be working for the bad guys and imprisoned at the end of book… I can’t remember which one) is dead, and that Charlotte is the prime suspect in Scotland Yard’s investigation into his murder. The first chapter is filled with references to past events and characters (although there is, at least, a list of dramatis personae at the beginning of this book to remind us who is who) and as I’ve said before, I just don’t have the time (or inclination) to go back and read the previous book(s) to refresh my memory. Despite this, I persevered and I ended up invested in the main plotline and I liked the way the story is structured.
After that revelation in the opening chapter, we skip back a few weeks in time to witness – in detail - the events that are discussed. This happens a few times throughout the book; in the Interrogation chapters, Charlotte answers the questions put to her by Chief Inspector John Talbot, and those that follow show these events unfolding – and the reader can see where Charlotte’s account differs from what actually happened. The princial plotline in the chapters set during the weeks prior concerns Bancroft’s plot to blackmail Charlotte into finding his former lieutenant by kidnapping Charlotte’s eldest sister and holding her in a house in Paris. As Charlotte, aided by Ash and Mrs. Watson, search for the man, the answers to a number of unsolved mysteries featured in earlier books begin to slot into place, building towards the reveal that everything has been part of a plot to put a major spoke in Moriarty’s wheel and rob him of some important bargaining chips. I admit that while I could recall some of those past mysteries and plot points, some had me scratching my head and unable to remember details. To be fair, the author does try to include the pertinent information, but sometimes there are so many names and past references that I was overwhelmed. I decided to just accept what the author told me and keep going - but the final chapters - in which Charlotte explains everything to her sister, Livia - pretty much lost me.
Anyone still reading these books in the hopes of progression in the slow-moving romance between Charlotte and Ash will be pleased with the way things are left between them, and there is movement in the romance between Livia and her beloved Stephen Marbleton (Moriarty’s natural son). But we’re eight books in and those are mere crumbs.
The biggest issue I’ve had with the past few books in the series remains a big issue for me with this one. I STILL, after EIGHT books, have NO IDEA what Moriarty actually wants and why he sees Charlotte as such a threat as to want to eliminate her. Well, of course he wants her out of his way so he can continue with his nefarious schemes – but not knowing what those schemes are is driving me batty; I don’t know what the stakes are so I just can’t buy in to Charlotte’s plans and schemes to thwart him.
I’ve been trying to work out exactly why this series isn’t working for me. I continue to enjoy CS Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr books (I read and reviewed book nineteen earlier this year); I’ve been through thick and thin with Gregory Ashe’s Hazard and Somerset (seventeen full-length novels and numerous novellas and short stories); Eden Winters’ Diversion series (nine books and a handful of novellas) is a firm favourite; Nicky James’ Valor and Doyle have seven full length books and a couple of novellas to their names – so it’s not that I can’t handle long-running series. The only answer I can come up with is that the Lady Sherlock characters just aren’t working for me any more. There’s very little character development or anything about them that makes me want to invest in what is actually happening to them. This series is now entirely plot focused and that isn’t usually what I’m looking for when I pick up a book.
Having said all that – how do I assign a final grade? Perhaps this isn’t the story I wanted to read at this particular point in time, but I recognise that it’s incredibly well written and superbly plotted – the way the author pulls together all her various threads, some of them seeded many years ago – is masterful. Technically, then, A Ruse of Shadows is hard to fault. But authorial skill apart, it’s… clinical. And perhaps that is Ms. Thomas’ intention – the original Holmes is a sociopath, after all. But that is probably why those stories don’t appeal to me all that much; as I said at the start, I want more than a technical tour de force.
So. I’m going with a B-. I know that there are plenty of readers out there who will enjoy this addition to the series (the four and five star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads bear that out) and it’s impossible for me to simply ignore the author’s mastery of her craft. But for me, A Ruse of Shadows was (and I hate to say this about a Sherry Thomas book) something of a chore to get through.
So here we are at the eighth instalment of Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series of historical mysteries, and I confess, I found A Ruse of Shadows pretty hard going to start with. I’m a fan of the author’s, the writing is excellent and the plotting is superb, but I’m… just not feeling it any more. The story is intricate and clever, composed of several different plot-threads that are skilfully woven together, but I want more than mere cleverness when I read; I want to feel engaged by the characters and their situations, but that simply isn’t happening for me with this series now, and hasn’t for the last book or two.
A Ruse of Shadows opens with a chapter headed The Interrogation in which we learn that Lord Bancroft Ashburton (older brother of Charlotte's lover, Lord Ingram (Ash), and formerly the keeper of government secrets who was shown to be working for the bad guys and imprisoned at the end of book… I can’t remember which one) is dead, and that Charlotte is the prime suspect in Scotland Yard’s investigation into his murder. The first chapter is filled with references to past events and characters (although there is, at least, a list of dramatis personae at the beginning of this book to remind us who is who) and as I’ve said before, I just don’t have the time (or inclination) to go back and read the previous book(s) to refresh my memory. Despite this, I persevered and I ended up invested in the main plotline and I liked the way the story is structured.
After that revelation in the opening chapter, we skip back a few weeks in time to witness – in detail - the events that are discussed. This happens a few times throughout the book; in the Interrogation chapters, Charlotte answers the questions put to her by Chief Inspector John Talbot, and those that follow show these events unfolding – and the reader can see where Charlotte’s account differs from what actually happened. The princial plotline in the chapters set during the weeks prior concerns Bancroft’s plot to blackmail Charlotte into finding his former lieutenant by kidnapping Charlotte’s eldest sister and holding her in a house in Paris. As Charlotte, aided by Ash and Mrs. Watson, search for the man, the answers to a number of unsolved mysteries featured in earlier books begin to slot into place, building towards the reveal that everything has been part of a plot to put a major spoke in Moriarty’s wheel and rob him of some important bargaining chips. I admit that while I could recall some of those past mysteries and plot points, some had me scratching my head and unable to remember details. To be fair, the author does try to include the pertinent information, but sometimes there are so many names and past references that I was overwhelmed. I decided to just accept what the author told me and keep going - but the final chapters - in which Charlotte explains everything to her sister, Livia - pretty much lost me.
Anyone still reading these books in the hopes of progression in the slow-moving romance between Charlotte and Ash will be pleased with the way things are left between them, and there is movement in the romance between Livia and her beloved Stephen Marbleton (Moriarty’s natural son). But we’re eight books in and those are mere crumbs.
The biggest issue I’ve had with the past few books in the series remains a big issue for me with this one. I STILL, after EIGHT books, have NO IDEA what Moriarty actually wants and why he sees Charlotte as such a threat as to want to eliminate her. Well, of course he wants her out of his way so he can continue with his nefarious schemes – but not knowing what those schemes are is driving me batty; I don’t know what the stakes are so I just can’t buy in to Charlotte’s plans and schemes to thwart him.
I’ve been trying to work out exactly why this series isn’t working for me. I continue to enjoy CS Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr books (I read and reviewed book nineteen earlier this year); I’ve been through thick and thin with Gregory Ashe’s Hazard and Somerset (seventeen full-length novels and numerous novellas and short stories); Eden Winters’ Diversion series (nine books and a handful of novellas) is a firm favourite; Nicky James’ Valor and Doyle have seven full length books and a couple of novellas to their names – so it’s not that I can’t handle long-running series. The only answer I can come up with is that the Lady Sherlock characters just aren’t working for me any more. There’s very little character development or anything about them that makes me want to invest in what is actually happening to them. This series is now entirely plot focused and that isn’t usually what I’m looking for when I pick up a book.
Having said all that – how do I assign a final grade? Perhaps this isn’t the story I wanted to read at this particular point in time, but I recognise that it’s incredibly well written and superbly plotted – the way the author pulls together all her various threads, some of them seeded many years ago – is masterful. Technically, then, A Ruse of Shadows is hard to fault. But authorial skill apart, it’s… clinical. And perhaps that is Ms. Thomas’ intention – the original Holmes is a sociopath, after all. But that is probably why those stories don’t appeal to me all that much; as I said at the start, I want more than a technical tour de force.
So. I’m going with a B-. I know that there are plenty of readers out there who will enjoy this addition to the series (the four and five star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads bear that out) and it’s impossible for me to simply ignore the author’s mastery of her craft. But for me, A Ruse of Shadows was (and I hate to say this about a Sherry Thomas book) something of a chore to get through.
July 31, 2024
Book 14 of the
2024 Read Your Hoard Challenge
Sherry Thomas writes a delightful historical mystery. I was concerned that the eighth book in this series would be tired, but instead it pulsed with intrigue. Charlotte Holmes embodies the canonical Sherlock Holmes very well. Her use of disguise is prominent in this installment and her plans within plans match or exceed those of the original Holmes.
Where she differs from her progenitor is in her ability to love, albeit in her own way. This whole book was devoted to the possibility of uniting her sister Olivia with her beloved Stephen. The plot of the book was intricate: it alternated between the interrogation of Charlotte in the present concerning the death of Lord Bancroft following his escape from prison and the elaborate back story of what actually happened. It was the gift of a loving sister, to give her sibling happiness and hope.
Also unlike Sherlock, Charlotte has her devoted Ash. We know from early volumes of the series that she has always sought his company and that he has come to feel deeply for her. I think it is safe to say that this is the book where their relationship levels up. Indeed, he is among the most important people of the circle of friends that Charlotte has built for herself. Although she appears emotionless at times, Charlotte obviously feels deeply and values friendship and loyalty.
I love books that feature found family as this series does. I find more of this in fantasy literature so it is a treat to find it in the mystery genre. As Moriarty is still on the loose, I assume that at least one more book will be forthcoming. Bring it on!
Sherry Thomas writes a delightful historical mystery. I was concerned that the eighth book in this series would be tired, but instead it pulsed with intrigue. Charlotte Holmes embodies the canonical Sherlock Holmes very well. Her use of disguise is prominent in this installment and her plans within plans match or exceed those of the original Holmes.
Where she differs from her progenitor is in her ability to love, albeit in her own way. This whole book was devoted to the possibility of uniting her sister Olivia with her beloved Stephen. The plot of the book was intricate: it alternated between the interrogation of Charlotte in the present concerning the death of Lord Bancroft following his escape from prison and the elaborate back story of what actually happened. It was the gift of a loving sister, to give her sibling happiness and hope.
Also unlike Sherlock, Charlotte has her devoted Ash. We know from early volumes of the series that she has always sought his company and that he has come to feel deeply for her. I think it is safe to say that this is the book where their relationship levels up. Indeed, he is among the most important people of the circle of friends that Charlotte has built for herself. Although she appears emotionless at times, Charlotte obviously feels deeply and values friendship and loyalty.
I love books that feature found family as this series does. I find more of this in fantasy literature so it is a treat to find it in the mystery genre. As Moriarty is still on the loose, I assume that at least one more book will be forthcoming. Bring it on!
February 2, 2024
I have loved every single moment in every book of this series, but this is the first one that has brought me to tears. Charlotte and Mrs. Watson and Lord Ingram are juggling plots and deceipts and sleight of hands better than any magician I have seen. With her sister having been kidnapped by mercenaries, Charlotte must now play Bancroft's dangerous game on his terms. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
Also? Johnny and Mumble and Jessie. Brilliant characters!!
Also? Johnny and Mumble and Jessie. Brilliant characters!!
December 31, 2024
And with this, my 2024 reading is concluded...
A solid mystery with one too many storyline and some extra characters we could be without.... You can't read this book as a standalone..
Thanks to my friend Andréa for reading this one with me. I couldn't imagine reading this one without you... Until next time...
A solid mystery with one too many storyline and some extra characters we could be without.... You can't read this book as a standalone..
Thanks to my friend Andréa for reading this one with me. I couldn't imagine reading this one without you... Until next time...
July 6, 2024
I'm pretty sure my head exploded reading "A Ruse of Shadows," by Sherry Thomas.
Perhaps I'm in the old lady stage of life in which my mental acuity has flown the coop. Perhaps I was never that sharp of a tack, in the first place. Regardless, I had trouble keeping track of the myriad characters and storylines (past and present) that made up the plot of "A Ruse of Shadows."
Charlotte Holmes is the key suspect in the murder of her lover's older brother. But there are boxers, a missing henchman, a 15-year-old murder to solve and all of the ongoing problems that accompany the Moriarty family.
Sooooo much to keep track of!
By the book's end, I convinced myself that most of it made sense. Still, I might be done with this series. I truly don't have the brain to handle the stories.
Perhaps I'm in the old lady stage of life in which my mental acuity has flown the coop. Perhaps I was never that sharp of a tack, in the first place. Regardless, I had trouble keeping track of the myriad characters and storylines (past and present) that made up the plot of "A Ruse of Shadows."
Charlotte Holmes is the key suspect in the murder of her lover's older brother. But there are boxers, a missing henchman, a 15-year-old murder to solve and all of the ongoing problems that accompany the Moriarty family.
Sooooo much to keep track of!
By the book's end, I convinced myself that most of it made sense. Still, I might be done with this series. I truly don't have the brain to handle the stories.
December 19, 2024
Lord Ingram is barely in this one and yet every scene he's in has me swooning. Love the way that the non linear timeline adds to the story. The romantic progression and overarching story progression were great. It's so satisfying that one of the secondary villains in this series was properly vanquished. I think I am starting to crave a more final "ending" to the series soon though after 8 books in. Especially since it's been a minute since I read the last book in the series, I was hoping the characters could earn some settling down after all their troubles.
July 5, 2024
I've loved most the other books in this series and was so excited for this one to come out. Maybe, it deserves another go though and I might enjoy it more, but I was just confused for the entirety of the story.
Alas, I still love the characters, but they felt a tad flat in this, the 8th book of the series.
Alas, I still love the characters, but they felt a tad flat in this, the 8th book of the series.
Read
December 22, 2023Look, anyone that knows me knows I don’t read a ton of mysteries. It’s not a genre I typically gravitate to but I will pick up one every now and then. Eight books in and this remains one of my favorite continuing series that keeps being fresh, wonderfully plotted, and includes the slowest of slow burns that makes me yearn whenever they’re on the page. The last chapter had me kicking and giggling my feet and I will gladly continue to read more Charlotte Holmes mysteries if they keep being this absorbing.
July 23, 2024
So confusing and ridiculously complicated. I lost interest multiple times and had to slog through to get to the end. I’ve had my fill of the Moriarty story line.
July 22, 2024
4.5 stars for the latest in the Lady Sherlock series.
The plot is complex, the story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, and I loved every page of it.
(I've given up on trying to write a coherent review for now. Maybe some day...)
The plot is complex, the story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, and I loved every page of it.
(I've given up on trying to write a coherent review for now. Maybe some day...)
June 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for this earc
Sigh. I knew it after reading previous book but it’s official. I’m very much done with this series. It just lost everything that kept me reading for all these years
One thing I’ll give it is the writing is still good. But the plot and the romance? Just not the same. I spaced out for most of this story because I couldn’t care less about the story.
Holmes and Ash? Feel more like detective partners than lovers. It would be okay in a different story but after all the build up, I kind of wanted more.
I’m sad to say, I just don’t care to read any upcoming books.
Sigh. I knew it after reading previous book but it’s official. I’m very much done with this series. It just lost everything that kept me reading for all these years
One thing I’ll give it is the writing is still good. But the plot and the romance? Just not the same. I spaced out for most of this story because I couldn’t care less about the story.
Holmes and Ash? Feel more like detective partners than lovers. It would be okay in a different story but after all the build up, I kind of wanted more.
I’m sad to say, I just don’t care to read any upcoming books.
July 26, 2024
Too many characters and too many disguises so that all the subtleties of the mystery plot are overshadowed.
August 11, 2024
Too many characters and plots. Very confusing. A lot of series lose their thread and enjoyment after a while because they're so convoluted. I think I'm done.
July 11, 2024
Charlotte Holmes, the brilliant investigative mind behind Sherlock Holmes, for the first time finds herself the suspect and focus of a police investigation. Ash’s brother, Lord Bancroft, escaped his prison and was murdered, with Bancroft himself pointing his finger at Charlotte from beyond the grave.
Jumping around in time over the span of a few weeks, A Ruse of Shadows weaves a complex tale that ties in a plethora characters, locales, and events, all leading up to Bancroft’s death. Beginning with “current day,” Charlotte is interrogated as the only suspect in Bancroft’s death. The story then jumps back in time a couple weeks as Charlotte recalls what really happened. Once in a while, the story would check in with Charlotte’s interrogation, where the reader would realize she’s keeping the bulk of the truth from the chief investigator.
Due to the need for multiple investigations by Charolette, many of her found family take part in the adventure. I absolutely loved seeing nearly every one of her companions play a part in the story. I especially loved getting Mrs. Watson’s POV as she comes up with some excellent theories on what is happening, and that Charlotte praises her. Charlotte does not express emotion, and at one time, felt she was incapable of feeling them. But as the series progresses and she surrounds herself with true friends, we witness Charlotte learning what it means to love and be loved. Her friends and close family accept her as she is, which allows her in turn to feel comfortable exploring some emotions.
Unfortunately, A Ruse of Shadows starts to fail under the weight of its own complexity. There are too many interconnecting webs, too many characters, too many aliases, all of which create a mystery that is overly and unnecessarily complicated. The convoluted stories within stories overwhelmed me, and I found myself confused even as Charlotte lays out the details of the case at the conclusion of the tale.
Narration: The story is shared from multiple third-person POVs, both male and female; primarily Charlotte and Ash. This is the eighth book in the series, and the character voices and overall narrator are very familiar to me. I enjoy Ms. Reading’s performance quite a lot. Her narrator has a feminine, British-accented voice. The dialogue is successfully altered based on gender, age, socio-economic background, and nationality - enough to identify each character out of a group. Ms. Reading’s male voices are fairly deep and genuine. She does a wonderful job infusing the dialogue with just a hint of emotion, or in Charlotte’s case, her attempts to express the appropriate emotion, making the entire story come to life.
In the end, I continue to enjoy the Lady Sherlock series, and despite my difficulties with A Ruse of Shadows, I’m pleased with the end results and look forward to the next exciting adventure.
My Ratings:
Story: B-
Narration: A
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by publisher
Jumping around in time over the span of a few weeks, A Ruse of Shadows weaves a complex tale that ties in a plethora characters, locales, and events, all leading up to Bancroft’s death. Beginning with “current day,” Charlotte is interrogated as the only suspect in Bancroft’s death. The story then jumps back in time a couple weeks as Charlotte recalls what really happened. Once in a while, the story would check in with Charlotte’s interrogation, where the reader would realize she’s keeping the bulk of the truth from the chief investigator.
Due to the need for multiple investigations by Charolette, many of her found family take part in the adventure. I absolutely loved seeing nearly every one of her companions play a part in the story. I especially loved getting Mrs. Watson’s POV as she comes up with some excellent theories on what is happening, and that Charlotte praises her. Charlotte does not express emotion, and at one time, felt she was incapable of feeling them. But as the series progresses and she surrounds herself with true friends, we witness Charlotte learning what it means to love and be loved. Her friends and close family accept her as she is, which allows her in turn to feel comfortable exploring some emotions.
Unfortunately, A Ruse of Shadows starts to fail under the weight of its own complexity. There are too many interconnecting webs, too many characters, too many aliases, all of which create a mystery that is overly and unnecessarily complicated. The convoluted stories within stories overwhelmed me, and I found myself confused even as Charlotte lays out the details of the case at the conclusion of the tale.
Narration: The story is shared from multiple third-person POVs, both male and female; primarily Charlotte and Ash. This is the eighth book in the series, and the character voices and overall narrator are very familiar to me. I enjoy Ms. Reading’s performance quite a lot. Her narrator has a feminine, British-accented voice. The dialogue is successfully altered based on gender, age, socio-economic background, and nationality - enough to identify each character out of a group. Ms. Reading’s male voices are fairly deep and genuine. She does a wonderful job infusing the dialogue with just a hint of emotion, or in Charlotte’s case, her attempts to express the appropriate emotion, making the entire story come to life.
In the end, I continue to enjoy the Lady Sherlock series, and despite my difficulties with A Ruse of Shadows, I’m pleased with the end results and look forward to the next exciting adventure.
My Ratings:
Story: B-
Narration: A
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by publisher
June 24, 2024
Squee! I love Thomas’s take on Sherlock and love Scarlett and her motley crew of friends. After the events on board RMS Provence, Charlotte’s back on dry land and growing out her locks. She has also been looking for ways to foil Moriarty plans.
Charlotte, alas, is pressed into service by none other than Lord Bancroft Ashburton. Bancroft remains behind prison walls, thanks to Scarlett. However, his man, Underwood, has gone missing, and she’s tasked with finding him. Lord Bancroft won’t take no for an answer. Unfortunately, he is very persuasive.
The tale that unfolds held me captive from interviewing Underwood’s girlfriend to murders from long ago. When Lord Bancroft ends up dead, the police detective believes Charlotte guilty of the crime. The mystery was well done with clever twists, danger and pulse-pounding action that kept me listening.
We had a little page time with Lord Ingram, Charlotte’s love interest. While not as much as I would have liked, each moment was delicious with sweet confessions.
I was delighted by the way Thomas brought the threads together and revealed the events as they actually happened. A clever tale that left me eager for the next book. Perfect for fans of clever protagonists, fans of Sherlock Holmes and murder mysteries. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Charlotte, alas, is pressed into service by none other than Lord Bancroft Ashburton. Bancroft remains behind prison walls, thanks to Scarlett. However, his man, Underwood, has gone missing, and she’s tasked with finding him. Lord Bancroft won’t take no for an answer. Unfortunately, he is very persuasive.
The tale that unfolds held me captive from interviewing Underwood’s girlfriend to murders from long ago. When Lord Bancroft ends up dead, the police detective believes Charlotte guilty of the crime. The mystery was well done with clever twists, danger and pulse-pounding action that kept me listening.
We had a little page time with Lord Ingram, Charlotte’s love interest. While not as much as I would have liked, each moment was delicious with sweet confessions.
I was delighted by the way Thomas brought the threads together and revealed the events as they actually happened. A clever tale that left me eager for the next book. Perfect for fans of clever protagonists, fans of Sherlock Holmes and murder mysteries. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
July 31, 2024
Plot development, romantic development, fun mystery, Charlotte making all these men look stupid. Chef's kiss.
March 18, 2024
Simply amazing! This series just keeps getting better and better with each one. Sherry Thomas has done a phenomenal job writing these books and bringing these characters to life. I loved everything about A Ruse of Shadows!
Charlotte, Mrs. Watson and Lord Ingram have so much going on. They're in the middle of several plots and deceipts, with Charlotte always one step ahead. She is being forced to help Lord Bancroft, searching for a missing person and solving an old murder case.
I loved the addition of some new characters in this book. I also loved the way peices of this story fit into past investigations, and as always, I adored Charlotte and Lord Ingam's ongoing relationship.
I was invested in this mystery all the way through and truly enjoyed seeing how everything fell into place. This is an absolutely brilliant series, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Thank you, Netgalley, and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Charlotte, Mrs. Watson and Lord Ingram have so much going on. They're in the middle of several plots and deceipts, with Charlotte always one step ahead. She is being forced to help Lord Bancroft, searching for a missing person and solving an old murder case.
I loved the addition of some new characters in this book. I also loved the way peices of this story fit into past investigations, and as always, I adored Charlotte and Lord Ingam's ongoing relationship.
I was invested in this mystery all the way through and truly enjoyed seeing how everything fell into place. This is an absolutely brilliant series, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Thank you, Netgalley, and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2024
In this latest of the Victorian era Lady Sherlock mysteries with a gender-bending Sherlock Holmes’ cast, Charlotte Holmes finds herself in the hot seat, but anyone who has followed this series knows that somehow the person sweating it out won’t be Miss Charlotte. Sherry Thomas has created an original cast of characters and set them in a series of mysteries with the most delectable tangle of plots that the Great Detective himself would be impressed.
A Ruse of Shadows is eighth in a series of strongly connected books that must be read in order. Regular series fans are, no doubt, hard-pressed to work out some of the connections that progress through the series and then there are those delightful relationship developments providing a side of romance and friendship for fans to cheer on.
This latest introduces matters in a frame-style story with the present scene being an interrogation situation for Charlotte who then takes her testimony of events back into the past. Right away, this set up has the reader wondering just how Charlotte of all people ended up being questioned by the police for a murder. From there, the story progresses forward with the occasional return to the present to remind the reader where things are headed before finally getting caught up to that shocking first scene.
The Sherlock Holmes motif is obvious though the new iteration of Holmes & Watson are a pair of very talented women who include a strong and supportive team behind them. The romance has been slow burn and fascinatingly drawn because Charlotte never was good at relationships and Ash has had his share of missteps in that department. Moriarty is a worthy adversary joined by other cunning opponents. Sherry Thomas does a fair hand at bringing the Victorian era including some of its grittier social issues to lend depth to the story.
A Ruse of Shadows was a satisfying and highly entertaining mystery romp full of cleverly executed twists and turns that looked like tangled knots until the very tension-wrought end brought things into crystal clarity. Historical mystery and particularly Holmesian fans should definitely clear some time for this series.
I rec'd an eARC via Netgalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink 7.26.24.
A Ruse of Shadows is eighth in a series of strongly connected books that must be read in order. Regular series fans are, no doubt, hard-pressed to work out some of the connections that progress through the series and then there are those delightful relationship developments providing a side of romance and friendship for fans to cheer on.
This latest introduces matters in a frame-style story with the present scene being an interrogation situation for Charlotte who then takes her testimony of events back into the past. Right away, this set up has the reader wondering just how Charlotte of all people ended up being questioned by the police for a murder. From there, the story progresses forward with the occasional return to the present to remind the reader where things are headed before finally getting caught up to that shocking first scene.
The Sherlock Holmes motif is obvious though the new iteration of Holmes & Watson are a pair of very talented women who include a strong and supportive team behind them. The romance has been slow burn and fascinatingly drawn because Charlotte never was good at relationships and Ash has had his share of missteps in that department. Moriarty is a worthy adversary joined by other cunning opponents. Sherry Thomas does a fair hand at bringing the Victorian era including some of its grittier social issues to lend depth to the story.
A Ruse of Shadows was a satisfying and highly entertaining mystery romp full of cleverly executed twists and turns that looked like tangled knots until the very tension-wrought end brought things into crystal clarity. Historical mystery and particularly Holmesian fans should definitely clear some time for this series.
I rec'd an eARC via Netgalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink 7.26.24.
September 16, 2024
As I finished reading the last pages, I really did believe that the series could end here. For romance lovers and readers who enjoy character development and interpersonal relationships, the novel closes on a high note with satisfying resolutions to Charlotte's and Ash's long, drawn-out relationship challenges, and even the promise of a happy future for Livia and Stephen. The problem though is that these wonderful developments constitute 1-2% of the entire book with very little character development from any of the burgeoning list of characters that populate this series.
The entire book, aside from a few short personal moments between Charlotte and Ash, is perhaps the most convoluted mystery yet in this series. Sadly too, the mystery was, dare I say, boring. I mentioned convoluted, but that word doesn't come close to how unnecessarily impenetrable the plotting is here. The primary mystery is intricately plotted, and hats off to Sherry Thomas for her puzzle-building skills. But unresolved threads from previous books infiltrate and interconnect with the main mystery, along with minor characters from previous books. The cast is so large now that I can no longer keep track of who's who and how they are related to others, not to mention that several characters have aliases, and several more have multiple identities and corresponding appearances and costumes to mask identities. There is a list of characters at the start of the novel, but I admit that I quickly grew tired of flipping back and forth. The mystery itself here did not hold my interest enough to try to solve it, which is near impossible to do anyway when Charlotte keeps key details to herself until the big reveal at the end.
Maybe most disappointing for me though is that Moriarty has never made sense to me. Why is he so invested in hunting Charlotte? Why is he so fearsome to so many? I can't foresee where this is going, and sadly, I've lost interest. I don't know if I will continue reading this series. I know that I will miss reading Sherry Thomas though, as she has long been a favorite author, but I no longer find the Holmes series engaging enough. I'm generously giving this 3 stars for the sheer brainpower involved in crafting such a twisted mystery that does make sense if you can push through to the end.
The entire book, aside from a few short personal moments between Charlotte and Ash, is perhaps the most convoluted mystery yet in this series. Sadly too, the mystery was, dare I say, boring. I mentioned convoluted, but that word doesn't come close to how unnecessarily impenetrable the plotting is here. The primary mystery is intricately plotted, and hats off to Sherry Thomas for her puzzle-building skills. But unresolved threads from previous books infiltrate and interconnect with the main mystery, along with minor characters from previous books. The cast is so large now that I can no longer keep track of who's who and how they are related to others, not to mention that several characters have aliases, and several more have multiple identities and corresponding appearances and costumes to mask identities. There is a list of characters at the start of the novel, but I admit that I quickly grew tired of flipping back and forth. The mystery itself here did not hold my interest enough to try to solve it, which is near impossible to do anyway when Charlotte keeps key details to herself until the big reveal at the end.
Maybe most disappointing for me though is that Moriarty has never made sense to me. Why is he so invested in hunting Charlotte? Why is he so fearsome to so many? I can't foresee where this is going, and sadly, I've lost interest. I don't know if I will continue reading this series. I know that I will miss reading Sherry Thomas though, as she has long been a favorite author, but I no longer find the Holmes series engaging enough. I'm generously giving this 3 stars for the sheer brainpower involved in crafting such a twisted mystery that does make sense if you can push through to the end.
August 12, 2024
3.5
Maybe 8 books is starting to lose its magic? I’m not sure what it was but this took me days to finally finish, when normally I gobble this series up.
I just there was too many plots going on making it unnecessarily complicated. I think that is why it didn’t hold my attention on how much work it was to keep up and I kept putting it down.
Does my review sound like word salad? Well I guess that’s how I opine about a book when it takes this many days to read it?
Alas, all good things must come to an end and I do hope she ends the series before it gets too stale.
Maybe 8 books is starting to lose its magic? I’m not sure what it was but this took me days to finally finish, when normally I gobble this series up.
I just there was too many plots going on making it unnecessarily complicated. I think that is why it didn’t hold my attention on how much work it was to keep up and I kept putting it down.
Does my review sound like word salad? Well I guess that’s how I opine about a book when it takes this many days to read it?
Alas, all good things must come to an end and I do hope she ends the series before it gets too stale.
July 9, 2024
Disappointed with this one. Way too much from Mrs Watson’s POV and not nearly enough Charlotte and Ash chapters. Way too many extra characters and moving parts that only get revealed at the end with not many breadcrumbs along the way to help the reader make sense of it all. In fact, I think the author got so caught up in all the extra that the heart of her series was lost entirely. I’m afraid the rest of the series is going to be quite the disappointment.
Read
June 11, 2025This is a DNF for me. I know many people have loved, and still love this series. I quite liked it initially, then dropped it for a while. Then picked it up again. But this is my breaking point with the series.
I listened to it in audio and quite like the narrator. However, the story is another matter. This morning I realized I was nearly at the halfway point, with over 6 hours left to listen. I've been struggling with this for weeks, and just don't have it in me to listen for another 6 hours. At one time I may have known what the mystery or mysteries were to be solved, but now, I have no idea. It seems we're introduced to an endless series of characters (many with more than one identity) and I can't keep them and all their problems straight. Nor am I invested in the story to care who they are. I briefly thought about just listening to the last chapter or two. But what would I be listening for?
So, goodbye -- at least for now -- Charlotte Holmes.
I listened to it in audio and quite like the narrator. However, the story is another matter. This morning I realized I was nearly at the halfway point, with over 6 hours left to listen. I've been struggling with this for weeks, and just don't have it in me to listen for another 6 hours. At one time I may have known what the mystery or mysteries were to be solved, but now, I have no idea. It seems we're introduced to an endless series of characters (many with more than one identity) and I can't keep them and all their problems straight. Nor am I invested in the story to care who they are. I briefly thought about just listening to the last chapter or two. But what would I be listening for?
So, goodbye -- at least for now -- Charlotte Holmes.
September 7, 2024
I need a bulletin board, push pins and string like a TV detective in order to keep the story straight. It all made sense for the first half of the book, even with Charlotte’s multiple disguises, but then became super confusing and required remembering things from two books ago. The best characters were the trio of boxers.
All 8 of the books have taken place in a year? That’s almost the craziest part.
All 8 of the books have taken place in a year? That’s almost the craziest part.
December 30, 2025
I wasn't too crazy about the last book but in this one I'm happy to report we're back to the Lady Sherlock shenanigans I love. The cast of characters has grown immensely so it was hard at times to keep everyone straight. As always the narration by Kate Reading is immaculate. I'm just sad I ran out of books and now have to wait for the next release 😭
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
May 8, 2025
This was an excellent instalment in the series. The plot was an extremely twisted web (compliment) and there was some excellent character development.
March 22, 2024
I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, I will watch or read pretty much any adaptation or retelling! I gobbled up the first books of the Lady Sherlock series and loved them but after that my high opinions of the books started to dwindle. It's been years since I read from this series and I missed the last two books but when I saw the newest installment on NetGalley, I decided to give it one more go. I couldn't remember what made me put them down in the first place, apart from the excessive descriptions of what Charlotte likes to eat and wear, so I went into it with an open mind. It didn't make me want to read the two books I've missed or continue with the series. It's not a bad book but I feel like the series has gone on too long and Thomas is now over complicating little things and adding more and more characters in an attempt to keep things fresh. She does do a good job of bringing the reader up to speed with the events of past stories, which I found very helpful, but I don't particularly like that in series if I have been keeping up to date on all the installments. I feel like it means the author doesn't trust the reader's intelligence to figure it out for themselves or even they can't keep it straight cause they have so much going on. All in all, I'm glad I read this book to catch up with the characters but I won't be reading any more from this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2024
Well, Thomas, it's been a good run. But I've been progressively less captivated by this series with each book I've read and this time, I've decided I'm done. Charlotte Holmes is truly a brilliant character and I've had a lot of fun envisioning Sherlock and Watson as women these few years. Thank you for your creativity and your humor and your brilliant plot twisting.
This book...it got bogged down in explanations. There was SO little action and I felt like every other page I was slogging through dialogue where Charlotte explains exactly "whodunnit" and how, and if not that, then Charlotte and Ash slogging through their feelings for each other. Again. And again.
So...I'm finished. I enjoyed the series but I'm calling it quits. Hats off to you, Thomas; mystery writing is no small feat, especially in Doyle style.
This book...it got bogged down in explanations. There was SO little action and I felt like every other page I was slogging through dialogue where Charlotte explains exactly "whodunnit" and how, and if not that, then Charlotte and Ash slogging through their feelings for each other. Again. And again.
So...I'm finished. I enjoyed the series but I'm calling it quits. Hats off to you, Thomas; mystery writing is no small feat, especially in Doyle style.
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