What do you think?
Rate this book
Holmes & Watson: The Case Of The Diabolical Daughter
Holmes & Watson
Consulting Detectives
Holmes, Watson, and their new associate, Cassidy Macgregor,
thought the missing woman case they accepted would be easy;
find the girl, tickety-boo, and collect their fee. What they didn’t
realize was that this case was going to open a Pandora’s box of
corruption and expose the trio to those who are willing to do
anything for power. From the cartels of Colombia to the slums
of London, will Holmes be able to follow the clues and solve
the mystery before the case claims one of their own?
A new series by the acclaimed author of
The Giblet & Belle Mysteries
Consulting Detectives
Holmes, Watson, and their new associate, Cassidy Macgregor,
thought the missing woman case they accepted would be easy;
find the girl, tickety-boo, and collect their fee. What they didn’t
realize was that this case was going to open a Pandora’s box of
corruption and expose the trio to those who are willing to do
anything for power. From the cartels of Colombia to the slums
of London, will Holmes be able to follow the clues and solve
the mystery before the case claims one of their own?
A new series by the acclaimed author of
The Giblet & Belle Mysteries
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2025
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 10, 2025
As is obvious by the title, this is a pastiche of the Sherlock Holmes series created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The difference here is that Holmes is an orange tabby cat.
This book is a spinoff from the Giblet & Belle series. For readers who haven’t read that series, the author provides enough background so that a new reader should easily understand what has gone before while readers of the first series will be reminded of past events without feeling as if there is too much repetition. Though it isn’t necessary to have read the Giblet and Belle books, I highly recommend them!
The Holmes and Watson series is a bit darker in tone, though it still has its lighter moments. Since it’s the first in a planned trilogy, this volume has a sense of closure for some of the events with the knowledge and sense of foreboding that there is much more story yet to come.
It is written in the modern style of multiple viewpoints and locations as well as differing time lines. The book has an omniscient narrator, but changes focus and viewpoint among the different characters. The author handles the switches deftly so the reader can keep track of where, when and who. There’s also a list and description of the cast of characters at the beginning of the book in case the reader needs a quick reminder. (I’m old and I forget stuff, so I always appreciate authors who do that.)
This is the kind of book that once you start reading it, you don’t want to put it down. You keep telling yourself, “Just one more chapter,” until the next thing you know it’s daylight.
I look forward to the next two volumes of the series.
This book is a spinoff from the Giblet & Belle series. For readers who haven’t read that series, the author provides enough background so that a new reader should easily understand what has gone before while readers of the first series will be reminded of past events without feeling as if there is too much repetition. Though it isn’t necessary to have read the Giblet and Belle books, I highly recommend them!
The Holmes and Watson series is a bit darker in tone, though it still has its lighter moments. Since it’s the first in a planned trilogy, this volume has a sense of closure for some of the events with the knowledge and sense of foreboding that there is much more story yet to come.
It is written in the modern style of multiple viewpoints and locations as well as differing time lines. The book has an omniscient narrator, but changes focus and viewpoint among the different characters. The author handles the switches deftly so the reader can keep track of where, when and who. There’s also a list and description of the cast of characters at the beginning of the book in case the reader needs a quick reminder. (I’m old and I forget stuff, so I always appreciate authors who do that.)
This is the kind of book that once you start reading it, you don’t want to put it down. You keep telling yourself, “Just one more chapter,” until the next thing you know it’s daylight.
I look forward to the next two volumes of the series.
February 22, 2025
This thrilling page turner will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see where the mastermind detective Holmes, an orange tabby with real cattitude, and his partner Watson, an obedient servant with budding crime-solving skills are going to do next! We see the child prodigy, Cassidy, from the Giblet & Belle series, who is telepathic and can speak to cats, all grown up with two masters degrees at the age of 21 (one in forensic science) join the Holmes & Watson Private Detective Agency.
This story is like a mystery within a mystery within a mystery. There is the initial mystery to solve--finding a lost daughter who has gone off the grid with no explanation, for Mr. Carl De León. His family is much like that of a drug cartel, operating in the U.S. and other countries with a main home base in Columbia. Isabella, the missing daughter, is discovered by the Holmes & Watson agency to be entangled in something dark and devious, taking the team all the way to St. Louis where they wind up getting into some serious trouble. I won't give anything away. You'll just have to read it for yourself to find out what happens to the brilliant orange tabby and his team. This leads to another mystery, even more dangerous with possibly deadly consequences. Then, there is the bigger picture.
There are so many twists and turns in this book, you won't see some of them coming. Towards the end, I made the mistake of reading my kindle while jogging on my treadmill. I nearly fell off with the curve ball that Robert Lay throws at me! Even to the very last page, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, terrified or elated by what is transpiring in the story. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
I love the way there are so many flashbacks to an estate in England where Holmes was a kitten, causing mischief and mayhem, catching thieves, and maturing by default by a terrible unforeseen consequence of his sleuth work. We finally learn where his catnip addiction started. Warning: You'll cry your eyes out. Have a handkerchief handy. Here is one of my most favourite quotes in the book:
"Despite all your proclamations about wanting to work alone because you don't need others, the reality is you're afraid of losing someone you have grown close to. Having friends and making connections opens one to the possibility that those relationships could end. For you, that is a pain you cannot bear." - MyCroft, Holmes' brother, "Convergence," ch. 28
If you like mystery, intrigue, problem-solving, wit & sarcasm, and scenes that will melt your heart, you're going to love this book. I guarantee it.
This story is like a mystery within a mystery within a mystery. There is the initial mystery to solve--finding a lost daughter who has gone off the grid with no explanation, for Mr. Carl De León. His family is much like that of a drug cartel, operating in the U.S. and other countries with a main home base in Columbia. Isabella, the missing daughter, is discovered by the Holmes & Watson agency to be entangled in something dark and devious, taking the team all the way to St. Louis where they wind up getting into some serious trouble. I won't give anything away. You'll just have to read it for yourself to find out what happens to the brilliant orange tabby and his team. This leads to another mystery, even more dangerous with possibly deadly consequences. Then, there is the bigger picture.
There are so many twists and turns in this book, you won't see some of them coming. Towards the end, I made the mistake of reading my kindle while jogging on my treadmill. I nearly fell off with the curve ball that Robert Lay throws at me! Even to the very last page, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, terrified or elated by what is transpiring in the story. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
I love the way there are so many flashbacks to an estate in England where Holmes was a kitten, causing mischief and mayhem, catching thieves, and maturing by default by a terrible unforeseen consequence of his sleuth work. We finally learn where his catnip addiction started. Warning: You'll cry your eyes out. Have a handkerchief handy. Here is one of my most favourite quotes in the book:
"Despite all your proclamations about wanting to work alone because you don't need others, the reality is you're afraid of losing someone you have grown close to. Having friends and making connections opens one to the possibility that those relationships could end. For you, that is a pain you cannot bear." - MyCroft, Holmes' brother, "Convergence," ch. 28
If you like mystery, intrigue, problem-solving, wit & sarcasm, and scenes that will melt your heart, you're going to love this book. I guarantee it.
February 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down. I am looking forward to the next book to see what happens next with Holmes & Watson.
February 7, 2025
Greetings, fellow readers,
This is my latest book and the beginning of a 3-book series called Holmes & Watson. This installment is The Case Of The Diabolical Daughter.
The character of Holmes, the orange tabby, who is a genius cat detective, was first introduced in the Giblet & Belle book, The Case Of The Vendetta. Giblet & Belle The Case Of The Vendetta was picked to be presented at the Tucson Festival Of Books, a Juried book fair, on March 17 @ 1:30 p.m.
In Holmes & Watson The Case Of The Diabolical Daughter, Holmes has opened a consulting detective agency with his human friend Tyler Watson. They are joined by Cassidy Macgregor, a genius young woman with a unique set of skills.
When Holmes & Watson take a missing persons case, they believe it will be short work to find the missing girl and collect their fee. However, the case proves to be much more of a challenge when the team unwittingly opens Pandora's box of corruption and intrigue. From the slums of London to the Cartels of Columbia, Holmes, Watson, and Cassidy rush to solve the mystery before the case claims one of their own.
This is my latest book and the beginning of a 3-book series called Holmes & Watson. This installment is The Case Of The Diabolical Daughter.
The character of Holmes, the orange tabby, who is a genius cat detective, was first introduced in the Giblet & Belle book, The Case Of The Vendetta. Giblet & Belle The Case Of The Vendetta was picked to be presented at the Tucson Festival Of Books, a Juried book fair, on March 17 @ 1:30 p.m.
In Holmes & Watson The Case Of The Diabolical Daughter, Holmes has opened a consulting detective agency with his human friend Tyler Watson. They are joined by Cassidy Macgregor, a genius young woman with a unique set of skills.
When Holmes & Watson take a missing persons case, they believe it will be short work to find the missing girl and collect their fee. However, the case proves to be much more of a challenge when the team unwittingly opens Pandora's box of corruption and intrigue. From the slums of London to the Cartels of Columbia, Holmes, Watson, and Cassidy rush to solve the mystery before the case claims one of their own.
April 16, 2025
Review of The Case of the Diabolical Daughter by Robert Lay
In a change from his previous novels starring a remarkable group of cats and their humans having adventures and solving mysteries along the way, Robert Lay has written a romance wrapped in an exciting tale of modern espionage, murder, skulduggery and police procedure which will test our protagonists’ grit, detective skills, intelligence, character, and devotion to the utmost. The first of a planned trilogy reintroduces the Holmes and Watson, Consulting Detectives several years after their last appearance and just after the agency has been joined by the multi talented Cassidy MacGregor. Readers of the Giblet and Belle novels and stories will recognize all three and, I am sure, they will be as delighted as I was to cheer them on to a new case which will task all of their investigative talents to the utmost. I am looking forward to the next two volumes as I enjoyed this first one enormously.
In a change from his previous novels starring a remarkable group of cats and their humans having adventures and solving mysteries along the way, Robert Lay has written a romance wrapped in an exciting tale of modern espionage, murder, skulduggery and police procedure which will test our protagonists’ grit, detective skills, intelligence, character, and devotion to the utmost. The first of a planned trilogy reintroduces the Holmes and Watson, Consulting Detectives several years after their last appearance and just after the agency has been joined by the multi talented Cassidy MacGregor. Readers of the Giblet and Belle novels and stories will recognize all three and, I am sure, they will be as delighted as I was to cheer them on to a new case which will task all of their investigative talents to the utmost. I am looking forward to the next two volumes as I enjoyed this first one enormously.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews