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Lady Sherlock #9
The Vanished Sister
“I cannot recommend this series enough.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood
Charlotte Holmes—aka Sherlock Holmes—becomes entangled in a puzzling missing person case that hits close to home for her beloved Mrs. Watson in this Victorian-set mystery from the USA Today bestselling author.
It’s been three years since Charlotte Holmes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain, three years of relative calm and benign developments. In a buoyant mood, everyone gathers at Lord Ingram's seaside cottage in North Devon for what promises to be a perfect summer holiday. Until Mrs. Watson receives an invitation from Mrs. Carstairs, her long-estranged sister, to attend a house party nearby.
Mrs. Carstairs has married spectacularly well. She is the mistress of a great manor, a doyen of all domestic arts, and still an unforgettable beauty. Now she clamors for a reconciliation with her sister. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs's motives. Yet she cannot help but feel tremors of the old admiration for this once-beloved sister.
Then Mrs. Carstairs disappears without a trace. The next day a woman is discovered floating on the waves, her build and coloring matching those of Mrs. Carstairs. But her husband insists that the corpse fished out of the Bristol Channel cannot be his wife. So where is the real Mrs. Carstairs? Would she have purposely dragged Mrs. Watson into a murder investigation? Or was it Sherlock Holmes's involvement that she needed from the very beginning?
Charlotte Holmes—aka Sherlock Holmes—becomes entangled in a puzzling missing person case that hits close to home for her beloved Mrs. Watson in this Victorian-set mystery from the USA Today bestselling author.
It’s been three years since Charlotte Holmes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain, three years of relative calm and benign developments. In a buoyant mood, everyone gathers at Lord Ingram's seaside cottage in North Devon for what promises to be a perfect summer holiday. Until Mrs. Watson receives an invitation from Mrs. Carstairs, her long-estranged sister, to attend a house party nearby.
Mrs. Carstairs has married spectacularly well. She is the mistress of a great manor, a doyen of all domestic arts, and still an unforgettable beauty. Now she clamors for a reconciliation with her sister. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs's motives. Yet she cannot help but feel tremors of the old admiration for this once-beloved sister.
Then Mrs. Carstairs disappears without a trace. The next day a woman is discovered floating on the waves, her build and coloring matching those of Mrs. Carstairs. But her husband insists that the corpse fished out of the Bristol Channel cannot be his wife. So where is the real Mrs. Carstairs? Would she have purposely dragged Mrs. Watson into a murder investigation? Or was it Sherlock Holmes's involvement that she needed from the very beginning?
Audible Audio
First published September 29, 2026
About the author
Sherry Thomas
40 books7,665 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 54 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lady Sherlock #9
The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas
Having read all the previous Lady Sherlock books in the series, I'm always happy when a new book becomes available. Characters move along with the series, whether we hear of them in the background or they make an appearance in the most recent story. Things have been going well for Charlotte Holmes and her lover, Ash, and they are always my favorite characters of these stories, but in this latest installation, Mrs. Watson and her family are the featured players.
Mrs. Watson has had a wild and varied past, although her sister, the current Mrs. Carstairs, expected that Mrs. Watson to pave a much different path for their lives back when they were younger. Mrs. Carstairs envisioned the women working very hard to earn enough money to buy an old inn, renovate it, and then the two of them would spend the rest of their lives running that inn. Appalled at such a future, Mrs. Watson wanted adventure and fun in her life and even if her life was actually filled with deeds and misdeeds often looked down upon, Mrs. Watson is happy where she has landed in her later years.
Thank goodness the book opens with a long list of characters and descriptions because even as a big fan of this series, never missing a book, I need the reminder of all the people who are a part of the world of Charlotte Holmes. In this book, Mrs. Watson gets in invitation from her long estranged sister, Mrs. Carstairs, and as much as Mrs. Watson has hated their estrangement, she does not trust the reason for the invitation from this sister she has adored so much in the past.
Mrs. Carstairs has done well with her various marriages that each ended in widowhood. When Mrs. Carstairs goes missing, Mrs. Watson has the best connections a person could have to find out what is going on. And let me tell you, a heap of shady things have gone on, are still going on, and might be going on in the future. Good thing we have Sherlock and company to make heads and tails of everything and they are so very kind to fill us in on the details because, as with all these Sherlock stories, I'd still be sitting in the pub at the end of each book, scratching my head, and having made no headway with each mystery. Now I look forward to the next adventures of these characters.
Pub September 29, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC
The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas
Having read all the previous Lady Sherlock books in the series, I'm always happy when a new book becomes available. Characters move along with the series, whether we hear of them in the background or they make an appearance in the most recent story. Things have been going well for Charlotte Holmes and her lover, Ash, and they are always my favorite characters of these stories, but in this latest installation, Mrs. Watson and her family are the featured players.
Mrs. Watson has had a wild and varied past, although her sister, the current Mrs. Carstairs, expected that Mrs. Watson to pave a much different path for their lives back when they were younger. Mrs. Carstairs envisioned the women working very hard to earn enough money to buy an old inn, renovate it, and then the two of them would spend the rest of their lives running that inn. Appalled at such a future, Mrs. Watson wanted adventure and fun in her life and even if her life was actually filled with deeds and misdeeds often looked down upon, Mrs. Watson is happy where she has landed in her later years.
Thank goodness the book opens with a long list of characters and descriptions because even as a big fan of this series, never missing a book, I need the reminder of all the people who are a part of the world of Charlotte Holmes. In this book, Mrs. Watson gets in invitation from her long estranged sister, Mrs. Carstairs, and as much as Mrs. Watson has hated their estrangement, she does not trust the reason for the invitation from this sister she has adored so much in the past.
Mrs. Carstairs has done well with her various marriages that each ended in widowhood. When Mrs. Carstairs goes missing, Mrs. Watson has the best connections a person could have to find out what is going on. And let me tell you, a heap of shady things have gone on, are still going on, and might be going on in the future. Good thing we have Sherlock and company to make heads and tails of everything and they are so very kind to fill us in on the details because, as with all these Sherlock stories, I'd still be sitting in the pub at the end of each book, scratching my head, and having made no headway with each mystery. Now I look forward to the next adventures of these characters.
Pub September 29, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
How I adore this series, these characters, the mysteries, the setting, the writing, just really, everything.
It has grown so much. The characters have grown so much, but so has the writing. It didn't take long for this series to become a favorite, and with each new story, each new installation, I am reminded all over again why I love it so much.
I can't even tell you how much I loved this. How eager I was to start it. I wanted to both devour it and make it last forever. It has been way too long since I have been in this world, and I just couldn't get enough of it.
This one was just so much more. So many more feelings, so many more secrets and revelations. So much sadness, but so much happiness as well.
Truly a stand out novel, a stand out series, and one I will praise and recommend over and over again,.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
It has grown so much. The characters have grown so much, but so has the writing. It didn't take long for this series to become a favorite, and with each new story, each new installation, I am reminded all over again why I love it so much.
I can't even tell you how much I loved this. How eager I was to start it. I wanted to both devour it and make it last forever. It has been way too long since I have been in this world, and I just couldn't get enough of it.
This one was just so much more. So many more feelings, so many more secrets and revelations. So much sadness, but so much happiness as well.
Truly a stand out novel, a stand out series, and one I will praise and recommend over and over again,.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Want to Read
December 6, 2025New Lady Sherlock out next September -- finally!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Love this series.
While each audiobook contains a mystery, I recommend starting the Lady Sherlock series from the beginning. Particularly if character relationships and spoilers are important to you. In The Vanished Sister, we get to know more about Mrs. Watson, her family, and niece.
Three years have passed since events of the previous book, and Charlotte is at Lord Ingram’s seaside cottage in North Devon along with Mrs. Watson and her niece, enjoying a summer holiday. While on a boat, Mrs. Watson is taken aback when she notices her estranged sister, Justina, on the shoreline. Later that day she arrived at Ash’s summer home and invited Mrs. Watson and her niece to attend a dinner at her summer home.
We learn the backstory surrounding the sister’s relationships and the daughter Mrs. Watson has been forced to not claim. Hoping to mend fences, they attend along with Ash and Charlotte. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs’s motives, but at one time she adored her sister. That changes when Justina disappears without a trace. All hope seemed lost when a body washed up on the shore, but Mr. Carstairs is certain the body is not that of his wife.
Naturally, Charlotte investigates, and the tale hooked me and never let go. Thomas is a masterful storyteller and her mysteries superb and unique. Mix in the slow-burning romance between Ash and Charlotte and the tight-knit group, and you cannot help but be drawn in.
An absolutely addictive tale; I cannot recommend The Vanished Sister enough. Kate Reading narrates the series and gives voice to each of these characters. She captures the tone of the tale and the characteristics of each character perfectly. I cannot imagine not listening to this series. It has become one I look forward to each year.
This review originally published at Caffeinated Reviewer
While each audiobook contains a mystery, I recommend starting the Lady Sherlock series from the beginning. Particularly if character relationships and spoilers are important to you. In The Vanished Sister, we get to know more about Mrs. Watson, her family, and niece.
Three years have passed since events of the previous book, and Charlotte is at Lord Ingram’s seaside cottage in North Devon along with Mrs. Watson and her niece, enjoying a summer holiday. While on a boat, Mrs. Watson is taken aback when she notices her estranged sister, Justina, on the shoreline. Later that day she arrived at Ash’s summer home and invited Mrs. Watson and her niece to attend a dinner at her summer home.
We learn the backstory surrounding the sister’s relationships and the daughter Mrs. Watson has been forced to not claim. Hoping to mend fences, they attend along with Ash and Charlotte. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs’s motives, but at one time she adored her sister. That changes when Justina disappears without a trace. All hope seemed lost when a body washed up on the shore, but Mr. Carstairs is certain the body is not that of his wife.
Naturally, Charlotte investigates, and the tale hooked me and never let go. Thomas is a masterful storyteller and her mysteries superb and unique. Mix in the slow-burning romance between Ash and Charlotte and the tight-knit group, and you cannot help but be drawn in.
An absolutely addictive tale; I cannot recommend The Vanished Sister enough. Kate Reading narrates the series and gives voice to each of these characters. She captures the tone of the tale and the characteristics of each character perfectly. I cannot imagine not listening to this series. It has become one I look forward to each year.
This review originally published at Caffeinated Reviewer
Want to Read
May 7, 2026Sept 29, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The mystery in the ninth Lady Sherlock series strikes close to home. Mrs. Watson has long been estranged from her older sister. They chose different life paths with Mrs. Watson choosing the demi-monde and her sister a seemingly more reputable path. Mrs. Justina Carstairs married very well and is the mistress of a great manor. Years earlier, when Mrs. Watson's daughter was born, that sister came to her and demanded that she say the child was not her own but the daughter of cousins who had passed away. Thus, for years, Mrs. Watson couldn't claim her own child.
Now, with the children grown, Mrs. Carstairs invites Mrs. Watson and her "niece" to attend a house party at her seaside home. Mrs. Watson reluctantly attends and finds a house full of tension and secrets. When her sister disappears, Mrs. Watson calls on her friend Charlotte Holmes to help find her and untangle the lies.
Actually, Charlotte has already been called on in her Sherlock Holmes persona to look into some things. Things get complicated when a body is discovered which at first seems to be Justina but is soon discovered to be another woman altogether. Looking into her life leads Charlotte and Mrs. Watson to uncover long buried secrets and plots filled with twists and turns.
This was another engaging episode in the Lady Sherlock series.
Now, with the children grown, Mrs. Carstairs invites Mrs. Watson and her "niece" to attend a house party at her seaside home. Mrs. Watson reluctantly attends and finds a house full of tension and secrets. When her sister disappears, Mrs. Watson calls on her friend Charlotte Holmes to help find her and untangle the lies.
Actually, Charlotte has already been called on in her Sherlock Holmes persona to look into some things. Things get complicated when a body is discovered which at first seems to be Justina but is soon discovered to be another woman altogether. Looking into her life leads Charlotte and Mrs. Watson to uncover long buried secrets and plots filled with twists and turns.
This was another engaging episode in the Lady Sherlock series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This cover is FIRE! 🔥 Honestly, one of my favorite things about this series is the slow-burn romance between Charlotte and Ash—but a VERY close second? THESE COVERS. 😍
As for the mysteries…Don’t even waste your time trying to solve them before Thomas decides to reveal all. Nine books in, and I’m STILL rereading passages multiple times trying to untangle the twisty plots and remember which of the WAY-too-many characters is related to whom. At this point, I’ve accepted defeat.
This time, I basically gave up trying to keep track of the characters and just plowed through to the Charlotte & Ash scenes—which, RUDELY, are few and far between.
When Mrs. Watson’s estranged sister disappears, the gang cuts their vacay short to investigate and winds up uncovering an absurdly complicated web of infidelity, lies, and murder. Thankfully, there’s still no Moriarty nonsense to deal with! It’s been three years since their last run-in with him, and the gang is finally starting to settle into their lives and move forward with their personal relationships. YAY!
Unfortunately, Charlotte’s increasingly elaborate leaps of logic in solving the crimes pushed my suspension of disbelief straight off a cliff (like a certain corpse-IYKYK). Some of her deductions are SO far-fetched that I eventually decided the only reasonable explanation is that Charlotte is actually a magical fae queen with supernatural powers. And honestly? That made everything much easier to swallow.
If you’re reading this series primarily for the mysteries, you may have a much better time than I did. But if, like me, you’re nine books deep because you need to see Charlotte and Ash FINALLY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER… this one is going to feel like a very long, very complicated detour with painfully few romantic pit stops.
3 stars for me. I’m still invested in the series, but Sherry Thomas, I am BEGGING: more Ash & Charlotte, less fae-queen-level detective gymnastics. 🙏
As for the mysteries…Don’t even waste your time trying to solve them before Thomas decides to reveal all. Nine books in, and I’m STILL rereading passages multiple times trying to untangle the twisty plots and remember which of the WAY-too-many characters is related to whom. At this point, I’ve accepted defeat.
This time, I basically gave up trying to keep track of the characters and just plowed through to the Charlotte & Ash scenes—which, RUDELY, are few and far between.
When Mrs. Watson’s estranged sister disappears, the gang cuts their vacay short to investigate and winds up uncovering an absurdly complicated web of infidelity, lies, and murder. Thankfully, there’s still no Moriarty nonsense to deal with! It’s been three years since their last run-in with him, and the gang is finally starting to settle into their lives and move forward with their personal relationships. YAY!
Unfortunately, Charlotte’s increasingly elaborate leaps of logic in solving the crimes pushed my suspension of disbelief straight off a cliff (like a certain corpse-IYKYK). Some of her deductions are SO far-fetched that I eventually decided the only reasonable explanation is that Charlotte is actually a magical fae queen with supernatural powers. And honestly? That made everything much easier to swallow.
If you’re reading this series primarily for the mysteries, you may have a much better time than I did. But if, like me, you’re nine books deep because you need to see Charlotte and Ash FINALLY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER… this one is going to feel like a very long, very complicated detour with painfully few romantic pit stops.
3 stars for me. I’m still invested in the series, but Sherry Thomas, I am BEGGING: more Ash & Charlotte, less fae-queen-level detective gymnastics. 🙏
October 5, 2026
Three years have passed since the last clash with Moriarty, and Charlotte and Mrs. Watson have gone about the business of Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective, in relative peace. Charlotte and Ash frequently spend time together in his seaside cottage in North Devon, which is where the party encounters Justina Carstairs, Mrs. Watson's sister. Justina and Joan went about their lives very differently, with Justina choosing the path of utter respectability, marrying well rather than taking to the stage, causing their estrangement. The encounter stirs up old feelings, but when a body turns up that may be Justina's, Mrs. Watson finds she isn't yet ready to say goodbye to her older sister.
The Vanished Sister takes an interesting time jump, giving us three years' space from the previous books. I love that Sherry Thomas did this, giving us space and a breather from the intensity of the Moriarty plot. For those who know the series, you know that Thomas alternates between books where Charlotte is really the central driver of the story and those where she works more behind the scenes for her companions to work through the mysteries that affect them directly. This is a story for Mrs. Watson, and we get the interiority of her childhood in a way we couldn't if Charlotte took center stage. While this makes it not one of my favorites in the series, it does provide a balance in the overall story arc.
There are a lot of new characters in this book, since we meet many Newells and Carstairs. Longtime readers of the series will recognize those family names, but most of the pivotal characters are ones we encounter in The Vanished Sister. If you are new to the series and starting here....good luck. There are probably more characters than you'll be able to keep track of. While this feels like a new chapter in the series, I think readers might be frustrated trying to learn too much background.
As a small aside, we had a conversation in our book club the other night about the style of these mysteries. They are, of course, Sherlockian, meaning we are never given all of the clues and you are not able to solve the mystery. Charlotte herself remarks on how fun it is to dispose of elegant theories, and this whole novel is a dispense of the elegant, and a reminder that our instincts can lead us awry. I love the way that theme is woven throughout. This may feel the most Sherlockian since the earliest books.
Thank you to Berkley for an eARC. The Vanished Sister is out 9/29/2026.
The Vanished Sister takes an interesting time jump, giving us three years' space from the previous books. I love that Sherry Thomas did this, giving us space and a breather from the intensity of the Moriarty plot. For those who know the series, you know that Thomas alternates between books where Charlotte is really the central driver of the story and those where she works more behind the scenes for her companions to work through the mysteries that affect them directly. This is a story for Mrs. Watson, and we get the interiority of her childhood in a way we couldn't if Charlotte took center stage. While this makes it not one of my favorites in the series, it does provide a balance in the overall story arc.
There are a lot of new characters in this book, since we meet many Newells and Carstairs. Longtime readers of the series will recognize those family names, but most of the pivotal characters are ones we encounter in The Vanished Sister. If you are new to the series and starting here....good luck. There are probably more characters than you'll be able to keep track of. While this feels like a new chapter in the series, I think readers might be frustrated trying to learn too much background.
As a small aside, we had a conversation in our book club the other night about the style of these mysteries. They are, of course, Sherlockian, meaning we are never given all of the clues and you are not able to solve the mystery. Charlotte herself remarks on how fun it is to dispose of elegant theories, and this whole novel is a dispense of the elegant, and a reminder that our instincts can lead us awry. I love the way that theme is woven throughout. This may feel the most Sherlockian since the earliest books.
Thank you to Berkley for an eARC. The Vanished Sister is out 9/29/2026.
September 30, 2026
2026: 4.0
This felt a bit like filler compared to where we left off, but still super happy to be back with Lady Sherlock 😍
This felt a bit like filler compared to where we left off, but still super happy to be back with Lady Sherlock 😍
September 22, 2026
Mostly removing Moriarty from the Charlotte Holmes series does not make them any less exciting, twisting, or shocking. Set three years after the previous book, I adored visiting all of these wonderful characters, seeing how they’ve grown and changed. But this is Mrs. Watson’s story, and it’s a doozy. And other than saying it’s fantastic, I’ll leave the rest for you to discover for yourself. Thanks to Berkley for the arc.
October 1, 2026
The Vanished Sister is the 9th book in the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas. I've only read books 6 and this one. Do you need to read the other books before you dive into this one? I've got to say yes. I was a bit thrown by past events I missed in book 6, and I was even more lost now. It's definitely worth reading, however. This will pique your interest to start the series from the beginning.
It’s been three years since Charlotte Holmes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain, three years of relative calm and benign developments. In a buoyant mood, everyone gathers at Lord Ingram's seaside cottage in North Devon for what promises to be a perfect summer holiday. Until Mrs. Watson receives an invitation from Mrs. Carstairs, her long-estranged sister, to attend a house party nearby. Mrs. Carstairs has married spectacularly well. She is the mistress of a great manor, a doyen of all domestic arts, and still an unforgettable beauty. Now she clamors for a reconciliation with her sister. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs's motives. Yet she cannot help but feel tremors of the old admiration for this once-beloved sister. Then Mrs. Carstairs disappears without a trace. The next day a woman is discovered floating on the waves, her build and coloring matching those of Mrs. Carstairs. But her husband insists that the corpse fished out of the Bristol Channel cannot be his wife. So where is the real Mrs. Carstairs? Would she have purposely dragged Mrs. Watson into a murder investigation? Or was it Sherlock Holmes's involvement that she needed from the very beginning?
This was an entertaining book, with a mystery that will totally surprise you. There are some fantastic characters here, especially Charlotte, Mrs. Watson and Ash. (I ADORE Ash!) As I stated earlier, however, past cases are discussed here, and I have no idea what happened there. Charlotte Homes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain? What happened?! I knew nothing about it. Ash was once accused of killing his wife? HUH?! See, this is why this series needs to be read in order. I like Sherry Thomas' take on the Sherlock family. There is no Sherlock, just Charlotte dressing up as her "brother Sherlock", and also another brother who doesn't exist, either, investigating crimes. In Victorian times most people wouldn't hire a woman detective, no matter how brilliant she was. Charlotte's sister Olivia writes books about "Sherlock's" adventures. And Mrs. Watson is the widow of Dr. Watson; she is Charlotte's business partner and assists in investigations. Ash is Lord Ingram Ashburton, Charlotte's long-time friend and her lover for the past few years; their relationship is very endearing. This particular book mainly concerns Mrs. Watson and her estranged sister, Justina Carstairs. I don't know if any of Mrs. Watson's past was touched on in prior books, but I was shocked at her younger self! Justina wants to reconnect, and the gang visits Noble House, the Carstairs estate. Justine suddenly disappears, then a body is found in the water. Was it her? No, a different woman had been killed. Why, and by whom? And where is Justine? I had no idea how the author could possibly connect the cases, and I was stunned at the result! Besides being confused since I missed most of the prior books, I was also lost because there were just so many characters connected to the Carstairs that I couldn't keep up. Thank goodness a looooong character list included at the beginning of the book. Yes, this is definitely a series to follow; but I highly recommend reading in order from the beginning to get the most out of it.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
It’s been three years since Charlotte Holmes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain, three years of relative calm and benign developments. In a buoyant mood, everyone gathers at Lord Ingram's seaside cottage in North Devon for what promises to be a perfect summer holiday. Until Mrs. Watson receives an invitation from Mrs. Carstairs, her long-estranged sister, to attend a house party nearby. Mrs. Carstairs has married spectacularly well. She is the mistress of a great manor, a doyen of all domestic arts, and still an unforgettable beauty. Now she clamors for a reconciliation with her sister. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs's motives. Yet she cannot help but feel tremors of the old admiration for this once-beloved sister. Then Mrs. Carstairs disappears without a trace. The next day a woman is discovered floating on the waves, her build and coloring matching those of Mrs. Carstairs. But her husband insists that the corpse fished out of the Bristol Channel cannot be his wife. So where is the real Mrs. Carstairs? Would she have purposely dragged Mrs. Watson into a murder investigation? Or was it Sherlock Holmes's involvement that she needed from the very beginning?
This was an entertaining book, with a mystery that will totally surprise you. There are some fantastic characters here, especially Charlotte, Mrs. Watson and Ash. (I ADORE Ash!) As I stated earlier, however, past cases are discussed here, and I have no idea what happened there. Charlotte Homes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain? What happened?! I knew nothing about it. Ash was once accused of killing his wife? HUH?! See, this is why this series needs to be read in order. I like Sherry Thomas' take on the Sherlock family. There is no Sherlock, just Charlotte dressing up as her "brother Sherlock", and also another brother who doesn't exist, either, investigating crimes. In Victorian times most people wouldn't hire a woman detective, no matter how brilliant she was. Charlotte's sister Olivia writes books about "Sherlock's" adventures. And Mrs. Watson is the widow of Dr. Watson; she is Charlotte's business partner and assists in investigations. Ash is Lord Ingram Ashburton, Charlotte's long-time friend and her lover for the past few years; their relationship is very endearing. This particular book mainly concerns Mrs. Watson and her estranged sister, Justina Carstairs. I don't know if any of Mrs. Watson's past was touched on in prior books, but I was shocked at her younger self! Justina wants to reconnect, and the gang visits Noble House, the Carstairs estate. Justine suddenly disappears, then a body is found in the water. Was it her? No, a different woman had been killed. Why, and by whom? And where is Justine? I had no idea how the author could possibly connect the cases, and I was stunned at the result! Besides being confused since I missed most of the prior books, I was also lost because there were just so many characters connected to the Carstairs that I couldn't keep up. Thank goodness a looooong character list included at the beginning of the book. Yes, this is definitely a series to follow; but I highly recommend reading in order from the beginning to get the most out of it.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
October 1, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I continue to be obsessively supportive of the Lady Sherlock series. The characters are so well developed and the settings so intriguing, and the plots with enough detail and complexity with such clever methods by the characters to discern the facts. You will want to read these in order for the characters development.
The Vanished Sister builds out the history of Mrs. Watson and her family. We learn about her sister and how she ended up in a higher class situation. But as we learn more, it wasn't all it appeared. Mrs. Watson may have suffered some challenges but has lived her life as to her own choices.
The sister, Justina, insists Mrs. Watson, Jo, come to a house party. They fear it is an effort to hurt her but while the whole event is strange, nothing happens to cause her trouble. They suspect a connection to Moriarty which is sad because they have been enjoying a reprieve after his takedown.
We get some information before and after the house party from Livia. She is Charlotte's sister who acts as a companion to Mrs. Newell, whose daughter is engaged to Justina's son. Jo and Livia both notice that some of the couples seem unhappy and others seem attached. Justina's husband seems to be overly focused on Mrs. Albright. There are layers of relationships here with some seemingly wishing for different pairings.
When her sister, Justina, disappears at least Jo has Lord Ingram and Charlotte along with their allies, to search for what happened. Despite Justina's efforts, they manage to trace her and the search causes them to uncover all the things she wanted to keep hidden.
It's another excellent story where the truth is brought forth. It hurts some but overall makes it easier for most. They also have a chance to view past, present and future through alternative lens contemplating different choices than the ones made. I love how Charlotte and Ash are spending more time together. While Mrs. Watson has had the long fearsome threats relieved, and can go forward with her family and fiends.
Narration:
I love Kate Reading as the narrator for this series. The voices of different characters are distinct to me. I enjoy her voices for Ash and Charlotte. Both male and female voices seem appropriate, including their accents. I'm not an expert on regional accents so they may not be accurate. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Review copy was received from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I continue to be obsessively supportive of the Lady Sherlock series. The characters are so well developed and the settings so intriguing, and the plots with enough detail and complexity with such clever methods by the characters to discern the facts. You will want to read these in order for the characters development.
The Vanished Sister builds out the history of Mrs. Watson and her family. We learn about her sister and how she ended up in a higher class situation. But as we learn more, it wasn't all it appeared. Mrs. Watson may have suffered some challenges but has lived her life as to her own choices.
The sister, Justina, insists Mrs. Watson, Jo, come to a house party. They fear it is an effort to hurt her but while the whole event is strange, nothing happens to cause her trouble. They suspect a connection to Moriarty which is sad because they have been enjoying a reprieve after his takedown.
We get some information before and after the house party from Livia. She is Charlotte's sister who acts as a companion to Mrs. Newell, whose daughter is engaged to Justina's son. Jo and Livia both notice that some of the couples seem unhappy and others seem attached. Justina's husband seems to be overly focused on Mrs. Albright. There are layers of relationships here with some seemingly wishing for different pairings.
When her sister, Justina, disappears at least Jo has Lord Ingram and Charlotte along with their allies, to search for what happened. Despite Justina's efforts, they manage to trace her and the search causes them to uncover all the things she wanted to keep hidden.
It's another excellent story where the truth is brought forth. It hurts some but overall makes it easier for most. They also have a chance to view past, present and future through alternative lens contemplating different choices than the ones made. I love how Charlotte and Ash are spending more time together. While Mrs. Watson has had the long fearsome threats relieved, and can go forward with her family and fiends.
Narration:
I love Kate Reading as the narrator for this series. The voices of different characters are distinct to me. I enjoy her voices for Ash and Charlotte. Both male and female voices seem appropriate, including their accents. I'm not an expert on regional accents so they may not be accurate. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
October 1, 2026
Sherry Thomas, an American novelist has added another story to her Lady Sherlock series. The ninth novel is, The Vanished Sister, publishing on September 29, by Berkley Publishing Group.
Charlotte Holmes joins yet another mystery case when her friend Mrs. Watson is invited to her sister's (Mrs. Carstairs) party. The sisters have been estranged for a very long period of time so when Mrs. Watson is personally invited to the guest holiday at the Carstair estate, Mrs. Watson is unsure of attending. When she does decide to go and reconnects with her older sister, she is devastated when her sister vanishes overnight. No one notices Mrs. Carstairs is gone as she told the staff not to disturb her in the morning. When she is found missing, a woman is also found dead. Is it Mrs. Carstairs? Is it another woman entirely? The body is difficult to identify which causes much trauma to all involved. How will Charlotte solve the mystery?
This was my first experience with the lady Sherlock set of mysteries by Thomas. I was intrigued by the premise as I love a good murder mystery and cut my teeth on Sherlock Holmes original stories. Having not read Thomas's series before, I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters involved, even though Thomas included a list of characters and their connections to each other in the introduction of the novel. I think what made it the most difficult to me was the fact that since this is a Victorian mystery, the characters were identified throughout the book by their surnames. Mrs...Mr....Lord...etc. It is simply a personal preference for me in particular, but I found my brain lost track of the people in the story as I was halted by the Mr. and Mrs. instead of primarily referring to the characters by their first names and getting to know them personally this way.
I have no doubt that avid readers of the series, having already learned all the characters and having fallen in love with them will have no trouble in the fluency of the reading. It was just my issue.
I rated the book three stars, I felt the story didn't flow from scene to scene as well as I hoped. I still enjoyed the book and the premise of the story. I need to read additional stories in the Lady Sherlock series to become more familiar with the setting and characters. I am certain with more time the reading will be easier to follow.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Sherry Thomas and NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy of The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas in exchange for this honest review.
Charlotte Holmes joins yet another mystery case when her friend Mrs. Watson is invited to her sister's (Mrs. Carstairs) party. The sisters have been estranged for a very long period of time so when Mrs. Watson is personally invited to the guest holiday at the Carstair estate, Mrs. Watson is unsure of attending. When she does decide to go and reconnects with her older sister, she is devastated when her sister vanishes overnight. No one notices Mrs. Carstairs is gone as she told the staff not to disturb her in the morning. When she is found missing, a woman is also found dead. Is it Mrs. Carstairs? Is it another woman entirely? The body is difficult to identify which causes much trauma to all involved. How will Charlotte solve the mystery?
This was my first experience with the lady Sherlock set of mysteries by Thomas. I was intrigued by the premise as I love a good murder mystery and cut my teeth on Sherlock Holmes original stories. Having not read Thomas's series before, I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters involved, even though Thomas included a list of characters and their connections to each other in the introduction of the novel. I think what made it the most difficult to me was the fact that since this is a Victorian mystery, the characters were identified throughout the book by their surnames. Mrs...Mr....Lord...etc. It is simply a personal preference for me in particular, but I found my brain lost track of the people in the story as I was halted by the Mr. and Mrs. instead of primarily referring to the characters by their first names and getting to know them personally this way.
I have no doubt that avid readers of the series, having already learned all the characters and having fallen in love with them will have no trouble in the fluency of the reading. It was just my issue.
I rated the book three stars, I felt the story didn't flow from scene to scene as well as I hoped. I still enjoyed the book and the premise of the story. I need to read additional stories in the Lady Sherlock series to become more familiar with the setting and characters. I am certain with more time the reading will be easier to follow.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Sherry Thomas and NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy of The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas in exchange for this honest review.
October 1, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I continue to be obsessively supportive of the Lady Sherlock series. The characters are so well developed and the settings so intriguing, and the plots with enough detail and complexity with such clever methods by the characters to discern the facts. You will want to read these in order for the characters development.
The Vanished Sister builds out the history of Mrs. Watson and her family. We learn about her sister and how she ended up in a higher class situation. But as we learn more, it wasn't all it appeared. Mrs. Watson may have suffered some challenges but has lived her life as to her own choices.
The sister, Justina, insists Mrs. Watson, Jo, come to a house party. They fear it is an effort to hurt her but while the whole event is strange, nothing happens to cause her trouble. They suspect a connection to Moriarty which is sad because they have been enjoying a reprieve after his takedown.
We get some information before and after the house party from Livia. She is Charlotte's sister who acts as a companion to Mrs. Newell, whose daughter is engaged to Justina's son. Jo and Livia both notice that some of the couples seem unhappy and others seem attached. Justina's husband seems to be overly focused on Mrs. Albright. There are layers of relationships here with some seemingly wishing for different pairings.
When her sister, Justina, disappears at least Jo has Lord Ingram and Charlotte along with their allies, to search for what happened. Despite Justina's efforts, they manage to trace her and the search causes them to uncover all the things she wanted to keep hidden.
It's another excellent story where the truth is brought forth. It hurts some but overall makes it easier for most. They also have a chance to view past, present and future through alternative lens contemplating different choices than the ones made. I love how Charlotte and Ash are spending more time together. While Mrs. Watson has had the long fearsome threats relieved, and can go forward with her family and fiends.
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I continue to be obsessively supportive of the Lady Sherlock series. The characters are so well developed and the settings so intriguing, and the plots with enough detail and complexity with such clever methods by the characters to discern the facts. You will want to read these in order for the characters development.
The Vanished Sister builds out the history of Mrs. Watson and her family. We learn about her sister and how she ended up in a higher class situation. But as we learn more, it wasn't all it appeared. Mrs. Watson may have suffered some challenges but has lived her life as to her own choices.
The sister, Justina, insists Mrs. Watson, Jo, come to a house party. They fear it is an effort to hurt her but while the whole event is strange, nothing happens to cause her trouble. They suspect a connection to Moriarty which is sad because they have been enjoying a reprieve after his takedown.
We get some information before and after the house party from Livia. She is Charlotte's sister who acts as a companion to Mrs. Newell, whose daughter is engaged to Justina's son. Jo and Livia both notice that some of the couples seem unhappy and others seem attached. Justina's husband seems to be overly focused on Mrs. Albright. There are layers of relationships here with some seemingly wishing for different pairings.
When her sister, Justina, disappears at least Jo has Lord Ingram and Charlotte along with their allies, to search for what happened. Despite Justina's efforts, they manage to trace her and the search causes them to uncover all the things she wanted to keep hidden.
It's another excellent story where the truth is brought forth. It hurts some but overall makes it easier for most. They also have a chance to view past, present and future through alternative lens contemplating different choices than the ones made. I love how Charlotte and Ash are spending more time together. While Mrs. Watson has had the long fearsome threats relieved, and can go forward with her family and fiends.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced reader copy of The Vanished Sister through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I have absolutely loved this series from the beginning. Sherry Thomas is an incredibly talented and creative writer whose mysteries are consistently clever, layered, and filled with satisfying twists that keep me guessing until the very end. While her writing style can occasionally become a bit intricate and I sometimes find myself rereading a passage to be sure I've followed every thread, the payoff is almost always worth it.
The Vanished Sister was an enjoyable read, though it isn't my favorite installment in the series.
One of the biggest differences is the absence of the familiar Sherlock vs. Moriarty dynamic that has become such a compelling part of these books. Instead, the story centers around Mrs. Watson's long-lost sister and her mysterious disappearance. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil the mystery, but longtime readers should know this book takes the series in a different direction.
The mystery itself is engaging, and the pacing is solid, but for me it lacked some of the tension and intrigue that made previous books impossible to put down. I found myself missing the intellectual chess match between Sherlock and Moriarty that has always elevated the series.
That said, I did appreciate learning more about Mrs. Watson's past. Seeing her history explored added depth to her character, even if she felt more subdued than the confident, steadfast woman we've come to know. Then again, if your sister suddenly reappeared after more than twenty years, it would understandably shake anyone's composure.
Overall, while this wasn't my favorite entry in the series, it was still a worthwhile read. Fans of Lady Sherlock will likely enjoy the deeper look into Mrs. Watson's life, even if the story takes a step away from the elements that have traditionally defined the series for me. I'm already looking forward to seeing where Sherry Thomas takes these characters next.
Recommended coffee drink: London fog with a shot of espresso
Song: Lost without you - Freya Ridings
I have absolutely loved this series from the beginning. Sherry Thomas is an incredibly talented and creative writer whose mysteries are consistently clever, layered, and filled with satisfying twists that keep me guessing until the very end. While her writing style can occasionally become a bit intricate and I sometimes find myself rereading a passage to be sure I've followed every thread, the payoff is almost always worth it.
The Vanished Sister was an enjoyable read, though it isn't my favorite installment in the series.
One of the biggest differences is the absence of the familiar Sherlock vs. Moriarty dynamic that has become such a compelling part of these books. Instead, the story centers around Mrs. Watson's long-lost sister and her mysterious disappearance. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil the mystery, but longtime readers should know this book takes the series in a different direction.
The mystery itself is engaging, and the pacing is solid, but for me it lacked some of the tension and intrigue that made previous books impossible to put down. I found myself missing the intellectual chess match between Sherlock and Moriarty that has always elevated the series.
That said, I did appreciate learning more about Mrs. Watson's past. Seeing her history explored added depth to her character, even if she felt more subdued than the confident, steadfast woman we've come to know. Then again, if your sister suddenly reappeared after more than twenty years, it would understandably shake anyone's composure.
Overall, while this wasn't my favorite entry in the series, it was still a worthwhile read. Fans of Lady Sherlock will likely enjoy the deeper look into Mrs. Watson's life, even if the story takes a step away from the elements that have traditionally defined the series for me. I'm already looking forward to seeing where Sherry Thomas takes these characters next.
Recommended coffee drink: London fog with a shot of espresso
Song: Lost without you - Freya Ridings
September 30, 2026
4.5/5 Picking up three years after the previous book, Charlotte and Ash are hosting friends for the first time on the Devon Coast. An assortment of friends with Mrs Watson and her niece along with Charlotte’s sister, Olivia, and her beau, Stephen Marbleton.
When Mrs Watson’s long estranged sister comes to invite her to a house party, Mrs Watson warily agrees. Before too long though Mrs Watson’s sister is missing and a body appears off the coast. As Sherlock Holmes has found their newest case, Charlotte and Ash’s holiday ends as it takes all of them to sort through an ever tangling web of secrets.
The last book ended on a really high note for me, so I was excited for this newest installment yet also wanted to keep my expectations to be realistic. One of the series long plot lines had played out in the previous book and another had wrapped…for now. So I was curious where this would go.
It felt like Sherry Thomas went back to basics with a very Sherlock Holmes-esque case and it worked really well. All is quiet on the Moriarty front but it did have me wondering throughout if it was too quiet.
A cast of characters and their relationship is provided up front. I found it helpful as it took me a bit to keep all the characters straight.
I thought maybe reading it with my eyes this time might give me an advantage in being able to solve the mystery before all was revealed; but it’s so expertly weaved that it kept me guessing.
It felt as a more somber tale, maybe because Mrs Watson took it hard or it hit closer to home with the characters this time.
I enjoyed getting to see a more domestic side to Ash and Charlotte’s relationship that slowly continues to evolve. As well as the continuance of Olivia and Stephen’s budding romance. I think we have more to go on this series and can’t wait to see what happens next.
The Vanished Sister is the ninth installment in the Lady Sherlock series. This is a historical mystery with a romantic subplot. Closed door.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
When Mrs Watson’s long estranged sister comes to invite her to a house party, Mrs Watson warily agrees. Before too long though Mrs Watson’s sister is missing and a body appears off the coast. As Sherlock Holmes has found their newest case, Charlotte and Ash’s holiday ends as it takes all of them to sort through an ever tangling web of secrets.
The last book ended on a really high note for me, so I was excited for this newest installment yet also wanted to keep my expectations to be realistic. One of the series long plot lines had played out in the previous book and another had wrapped…for now. So I was curious where this would go.
It felt like Sherry Thomas went back to basics with a very Sherlock Holmes-esque case and it worked really well. All is quiet on the Moriarty front but it did have me wondering throughout if it was too quiet.
A cast of characters and their relationship is provided up front. I found it helpful as it took me a bit to keep all the characters straight.
I thought maybe reading it with my eyes this time might give me an advantage in being able to solve the mystery before all was revealed; but it’s so expertly weaved that it kept me guessing.
It felt as a more somber tale, maybe because Mrs Watson took it hard or it hit closer to home with the characters this time.
I enjoyed getting to see a more domestic side to Ash and Charlotte’s relationship that slowly continues to evolve. As well as the continuance of Olivia and Stephen’s budding romance. I think we have more to go on this series and can’t wait to see what happens next.
The Vanished Sister is the ninth installment in the Lady Sherlock series. This is a historical mystery with a romantic subplot. Closed door.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 1, 2026
I have a few, very few, authors I go back to over and over again. Sherry Thomas is one. More precisely, her Lady Sherlock series is The One. This book as been on my Wait List for several months and I was eager to dive in.
Mrs. Watson is one of those characters who anchors the base. She is steady, thoughtful, caring and the best possible partner to Charlotte Holmes in her guise as Sherlock. Her backstory has been told in small bits over the course of the series. This book, however, provides a very broad look back at her life. Her encounter with a sister who went her own way decades ago is the start of a roller coaster story with an ending that I doubt many would have anticipated.
Sherry Thomas writes mysteries that are layered and complicated. They are also not for the faint hearted. Frankly, I gave up on trying to solve such stories back when reading Agatha Christie gave me headaches. I just go along with the flow and try to keep up.
All that in mind, Charlotte and company will bring you along on that ride giving you clues, providing red herrings, tossing in some lovely romance, and by the end of the story you will find yourself astounded, amazed, satisfied. And hoping the next one won't take as long.
While the series can be read (or in my case listened to - Thank you Kate Reading) individually but to gain the full effect over the over arching storylines - and there are - I suggest you start at the beginning and dive in in order. That way you get the full effect of character and story growth.
Also this latest takes place 3 years after that prior book. I have to say I am impressed at the way these familiar folks have evolved over that time. Some serious thought and planning was put into that...which is no real surprise when you think of who wrote it.
This one might be the best one yet...
Mrs. Watson is one of those characters who anchors the base. She is steady, thoughtful, caring and the best possible partner to Charlotte Holmes in her guise as Sherlock. Her backstory has been told in small bits over the course of the series. This book, however, provides a very broad look back at her life. Her encounter with a sister who went her own way decades ago is the start of a roller coaster story with an ending that I doubt many would have anticipated.
Sherry Thomas writes mysteries that are layered and complicated. They are also not for the faint hearted. Frankly, I gave up on trying to solve such stories back when reading Agatha Christie gave me headaches. I just go along with the flow and try to keep up.
All that in mind, Charlotte and company will bring you along on that ride giving you clues, providing red herrings, tossing in some lovely romance, and by the end of the story you will find yourself astounded, amazed, satisfied. And hoping the next one won't take as long.
While the series can be read (or in my case listened to - Thank you Kate Reading) individually but to gain the full effect over the over arching storylines - and there are - I suggest you start at the beginning and dive in in order. That way you get the full effect of character and story growth.
Also this latest takes place 3 years after that prior book. I have to say I am impressed at the way these familiar folks have evolved over that time. Some serious thought and planning was put into that...which is no real surprise when you think of who wrote it.
This one might be the best one yet...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For fans of: Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber, Andrea Penrose
Series: 9
Avail: 9/29
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Genre: Historical Mystery
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓 [off-page]
Spice: 🔥🔥
TW: Family estrangement, gaslighting
Synopsis: A summer holiday derails when Mrs Watson’s estranged sister invites her to a houseparty then vanishes just as the ocean delivers a body on the Devon coast.
Thoughts: Book 8 in this series, A Ruse of Shadows, proves that Thomas holds her own with the best plotters of (fictional) espionage. While no less complex in its storytelling, #9 returns Charlotte to the arena of domestic mystery I 🩷. The plot seems simple at 1st glance, akin to many a suspense novel: a schism between sisters as its origin, a woman’s disappearance & a body’s discovery as its driver. But Thomas evidences the gamesmanship she gifts her villain(s), planting clues & thinking 17 steps ahead like a strategy master. The result is a layered, unpredictable mystery experienced on both an emotional & intellectual level. Not to mention reveling in the unique, thoughtfully articulated characters & the period details. Definitely read the ‘Cast of Characters’ 1st: their interwoven connections & backstories are key to following the plot. A gold sovereign to anyone who anticipates the resolution. Thomas plays fair with the reader while building to a denouement far darker, messier & infinitely more satisfying than I anticipated.
New to the Lady Sherlock series? Read Charlotte Holmes’s origin story in A Study in Scarlet Women.
Thanks to Berkley & NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Series: 9
Avail: 9/29
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Genre: Historical Mystery
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓 [off-page]
Spice: 🔥🔥
TW: Family estrangement, gaslighting
Synopsis: A summer holiday derails when Mrs Watson’s estranged sister invites her to a houseparty then vanishes just as the ocean delivers a body on the Devon coast.
Thoughts: Book 8 in this series, A Ruse of Shadows, proves that Thomas holds her own with the best plotters of (fictional) espionage. While no less complex in its storytelling, #9 returns Charlotte to the arena of domestic mystery I 🩷. The plot seems simple at 1st glance, akin to many a suspense novel: a schism between sisters as its origin, a woman’s disappearance & a body’s discovery as its driver. But Thomas evidences the gamesmanship she gifts her villain(s), planting clues & thinking 17 steps ahead like a strategy master. The result is a layered, unpredictable mystery experienced on both an emotional & intellectual level. Not to mention reveling in the unique, thoughtfully articulated characters & the period details. Definitely read the ‘Cast of Characters’ 1st: their interwoven connections & backstories are key to following the plot. A gold sovereign to anyone who anticipates the resolution. Thomas plays fair with the reader while building to a denouement far darker, messier & infinitely more satisfying than I anticipated.
New to the Lady Sherlock series? Read Charlotte Holmes’s origin story in A Study in Scarlet Women.
Thanks to Berkley & NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2026
The best installment so far!
The ninth historical mystery in the ‘Lady Sherlock’ series takes us to an elegant home on the coast of North Devon in August 1890, three years after the conclusion of the previous book.
The wonderfully developed characters are all back in action when Mrs. Watson’s estranged sister goes missing. Mrs. Watson’s concern draws Charlotte and Lord Ingram into the search, with even Olivia becoming involved.
What really elevated this installment for me was the deeper look into Mrs. Watson’s life. We learn more about the choices she has made, the consequences she has endured, and the restrictions placed upon her by a strict society. Her story added so much depth to a character I already loved and made her even more relatable. There were several moments when everything she had been through genuinely brought tears to my eyes.
And then there is the mystery.
There are plenty of twists, turns, and one particularly convincing red herring. At one point, I was absolutely certain I knew where the story was going. It even appeared that the author might be dressing up and reusing a plot from an earlier installment. Oh no. Pay attention. It is not what you think.
This continues to be an excellent historical mystery series, but nine books in, I think the real reason I keep coming back is the found family at its heart. The mysteries may pull me in, but these wonderfully complicated and relatable characters are why I stay.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a digital advance review copy. All opinions are my own and based on the ARC, which may differ from the final published edition.
The ninth historical mystery in the ‘Lady Sherlock’ series takes us to an elegant home on the coast of North Devon in August 1890, three years after the conclusion of the previous book.
The wonderfully developed characters are all back in action when Mrs. Watson’s estranged sister goes missing. Mrs. Watson’s concern draws Charlotte and Lord Ingram into the search, with even Olivia becoming involved.
What really elevated this installment for me was the deeper look into Mrs. Watson’s life. We learn more about the choices she has made, the consequences she has endured, and the restrictions placed upon her by a strict society. Her story added so much depth to a character I already loved and made her even more relatable. There were several moments when everything she had been through genuinely brought tears to my eyes.
And then there is the mystery.
There are plenty of twists, turns, and one particularly convincing red herring. At one point, I was absolutely certain I knew where the story was going. It even appeared that the author might be dressing up and reusing a plot from an earlier installment. Oh no. Pay attention. It is not what you think.
This continues to be an excellent historical mystery series, but nine books in, I think the real reason I keep coming back is the found family at its heart. The mysteries may pull me in, but these wonderfully complicated and relatable characters are why I stay.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a digital advance review copy. All opinions are my own and based on the ARC, which may differ from the final published edition.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25/5 stars
I'm so happy this series is still going strong and am in hopes that it continues to do so. I always look forward to a new book drop.
This particular book was a refreshing change of venue as it took place (primarily) in North Devon...although the plot was a bit scattered in travels and that was the only caveat for me (trying to keep up with where the characters were at any given time). However, no biggie.
The timeline here was a bit different here as it took place three years into the future from the previous book with the Moriarty threat not looming at that moment (although he was mentioned and hinted at returning to his dastardly deeds at a future date). I enjoyed having the entire cast together as I love how they play off each other and aid in whatever needs doing. The plotline was riveting as it featured some background to Mrs. Watson's background that was both surprising and heartbreaking...there were moments that were both poignant and moving as she dealt with emotions involving her estranged sister and that lady's current situation. There were some definite twists and turns, and the villains involved were both cunning and disturbingly manipulative.
All-in-all this was a very satisfying addition to a stellar series, and again, I very much look forward to seeing where Charlotte and her supporting cast end up next.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group / Berkley for providing the free early arc of The Vanished Sister for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
I'm so happy this series is still going strong and am in hopes that it continues to do so. I always look forward to a new book drop.
This particular book was a refreshing change of venue as it took place (primarily) in North Devon...although the plot was a bit scattered in travels and that was the only caveat for me (trying to keep up with where the characters were at any given time). However, no biggie.
The timeline here was a bit different here as it took place three years into the future from the previous book with the Moriarty threat not looming at that moment (although he was mentioned and hinted at returning to his dastardly deeds at a future date). I enjoyed having the entire cast together as I love how they play off each other and aid in whatever needs doing. The plotline was riveting as it featured some background to Mrs. Watson's background that was both surprising and heartbreaking...there were moments that were both poignant and moving as she dealt with emotions involving her estranged sister and that lady's current situation. There were some definite twists and turns, and the villains involved were both cunning and disturbingly manipulative.
All-in-all this was a very satisfying addition to a stellar series, and again, I very much look forward to seeing where Charlotte and her supporting cast end up next.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group / Berkley for providing the free early arc of The Vanished Sister for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
September 29, 2026
THE VANISHED SISTER, with its Sherlockian detective, gripped me with its twists.
Genre: Historical Mystery, Mystery, Thriller, Whodunnit, Suspense
Spice Level: It's not explicit but two characters are definitely having relations
Gore Level: This has one description that was a little gory than what I would consider for a cozy
How intriguing!
Mrs. Watson has got quite the past! Granted, I have not read all of this series, but really—those are some big reveals. (Sorry, no spoilers here.) But my goodness, I love Mrs. Watson even more now that her dirty laundry is aired.
Charlotte (Sherlock) must continue the charade as being the Great Detective, which results in frustrations in her investigation and some funny moments. I like her as a character. Even so, it's hard for me to wrap my head around her having a friends-with-benefits relationship because of the time period. For women to have intimacy before marriage was scandalous in Victorian England. Charlotte is clever as she investigates the clues, some of which are quite obscure. But that's why I love a Sherlockian mystery!
Another interesting aspect of this story is that the vanishing sister is not likable. I really loved this because it added friction and so much more depth. It also added to the mystery of the actions taking place. Everyone's movements and motivations were suspect.
Happy reading!
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. I'm voluntarily leaving a review and all opinions are my own.
Genre: Historical Mystery, Mystery, Thriller, Whodunnit, Suspense
Spice Level: It's not explicit but two characters are definitely having relations
Gore Level: This has one description that was a little gory than what I would consider for a cozy
How intriguing!
Mrs. Watson has got quite the past! Granted, I have not read all of this series, but really—those are some big reveals. (Sorry, no spoilers here.) But my goodness, I love Mrs. Watson even more now that her dirty laundry is aired.
Charlotte (Sherlock) must continue the charade as being the Great Detective, which results in frustrations in her investigation and some funny moments. I like her as a character. Even so, it's hard for me to wrap my head around her having a friends-with-benefits relationship because of the time period. For women to have intimacy before marriage was scandalous in Victorian England. Charlotte is clever as she investigates the clues, some of which are quite obscure. But that's why I love a Sherlockian mystery!
Another interesting aspect of this story is that the vanishing sister is not likable. I really loved this because it added friction and so much more depth. It also added to the mystery of the actions taking place. Everyone's movements and motivations were suspect.
Happy reading!
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. I'm voluntarily leaving a review and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've loved this series across eight audiobooks, and Vanished Sister is the first I read with my eyes. Kate Reading still narrated every line in my head.
The characters in this story keep me coming back. They are quirky and funny and warm. Thomas' eye for detail brings the era and the settings to life, capturing a time of real change across Britain (1890) without it ever feeling like a history lesson.
I wish we would've seen more of Charlotte and Ash together. Whether Charlotte is herself or in her disguise as Sherrinford Holmes, the playfulness and affection between them is a delight. And we do see some progression in their relationship, even if it's small.
This mystery takes a turn away from the intrigue of Moriarty, which is fine and gives some new context for Mrs. Watson's backstory. However, I got turned around more than once with a large cast of characters, many of whom share the same name and even more of whom have some sort of relationship that muddies the waters. I lost track. And some of the logic leaps arrived faster than the breadcrumbs that should've set them up, so the resolution clicked while leaving me a step behind it. And some of this is me for sure.
None of it dented how much I love these two. Charlotte letting herself imagine a life with Ash, his kids edging into the frame, is the forward motion I've been waiting nine books for. I'll follow them wherever Thomas goes next, breadcrumbs or not.
The characters in this story keep me coming back. They are quirky and funny and warm. Thomas' eye for detail brings the era and the settings to life, capturing a time of real change across Britain (1890) without it ever feeling like a history lesson.
I wish we would've seen more of Charlotte and Ash together. Whether Charlotte is herself or in her disguise as Sherrinford Holmes, the playfulness and affection between them is a delight. And we do see some progression in their relationship, even if it's small.
This mystery takes a turn away from the intrigue of Moriarty, which is fine and gives some new context for Mrs. Watson's backstory. However, I got turned around more than once with a large cast of characters, many of whom share the same name and even more of whom have some sort of relationship that muddies the waters. I lost track. And some of the logic leaps arrived faster than the breadcrumbs that should've set them up, so the resolution clicked while leaving me a step behind it. And some of this is me for sure.
None of it dented how much I love these two. Charlotte letting herself imagine a life with Ash, his kids edging into the frame, is the forward motion I've been waiting nine books for. I'll follow them wherever Thomas goes next, breadcrumbs or not.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Welcome back Charlotte Holmes! I just love this series and it was so nice to be back in this time and space with Charlotte and her friends and family. I did not enjoy this book quite as much as previous books, but I still loved it and stayed up way too late to finish reading it. This time we got to learn more about Mrs. Watson’s sister and her family. What an interesting and unusual group of people. I don’t want to share any spoilers, but I’m very glad that these people are not my relatives! I do feel like there were so many characters in this book that it was a little hard to keep up, especially when scenes changed from one sentence to the next, but it’s always fun to watch Charlotte figure out what is going on and try to bring some kind of resolution to her clients or in this Mrs. Watson. I would have loved to see Ash and Charlotte together more in this book, but hopefully that will happen in the next book. I also really appreciate Sherry Thomas’ writing skills. She can create a mystery that is so full of twists and turns that I can hardly keep up. Now instead of trying to figure out who did what, I just keep reading and enjoy the story and wherever it takes me!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Ms. Thomas for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
I really look forward to each new book in Sherry Thomas's Lady Sherlock series. This series is one of three historical mystery series I've kept up with that is dependable for high-quality writing, great characters, an intricate mystery, and something new in each installment. The Vanished Sister was no exception. Here we learn more about Mrs. Watson's family history, as well as make some small advancements in both Livia's and (shockingly!) Charlotte's romantic entanglements. The mystery is very complex - at times to the point that I had to re-read certain segments to make sure I had details down correctly. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into specifics.
Of course, the segments with Charlotte and Ash were both deeply satisfying and not frequent enough. I found myself eagerly looking forward to any passages where they appeared together. However, it's clear that Charlotte is maturing and beginning to open up to new possibilities. I really hope the next installment (#10?) pushes her even further. I will be eagerly waiting for it!
PS. Off to look up whether Villa Inglese is based on a real place in England that I can visit. It sounded GORGEOUS.
I really look forward to each new book in Sherry Thomas's Lady Sherlock series. This series is one of three historical mystery series I've kept up with that is dependable for high-quality writing, great characters, an intricate mystery, and something new in each installment. The Vanished Sister was no exception. Here we learn more about Mrs. Watson's family history, as well as make some small advancements in both Livia's and (shockingly!) Charlotte's romantic entanglements. The mystery is very complex - at times to the point that I had to re-read certain segments to make sure I had details down correctly. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't go into specifics.
Of course, the segments with Charlotte and Ash were both deeply satisfying and not frequent enough. I found myself eagerly looking forward to any passages where they appeared together. However, it's clear that Charlotte is maturing and beginning to open up to new possibilities. I really hope the next installment (#10?) pushes her even further. I will be eagerly waiting for it!
PS. Off to look up whether Villa Inglese is based on a real place in England that I can visit. It sounded GORGEOUS.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a delight to be back in Charlotte’s world! Three years after the events of A Ruse of Shadows, we reconnect with our characters and see how much has changed (and how much has stayed the same). The major pleasure of the book for me was seeing new steps in a few key relationships, especially (for me) Livia’s, as she seems to be thriving away from the confines of her parents’ home. That said, the central mystery, revolving around Mrs. Watson’s estranged sister, is extremely compelling. It seemed to be one that mostly relied on “good old fashioned detective work,” rather than amazing leaps of logic on Charlotte’s part, and I will say I was surprised to see how stumped she seemed at various points - she is really not the primary driver of the detection anymore. It is fascinating to see how the whole group works together (Ash, Mrs. Watson, Treadles and more) to solve this mind-bending mystery. They are really a very well-oiled machine at this point, with every one playing I would have loved to see more of Charlotte (and the Baker St. Irregulars!) but I also have the sense that much more page time with her would reveal too much about where her character might be heading. A delightful romp from start to end. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read & review this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am a huge fan of the Lady Sherlock series and was thrilled to be able to read an advance copy of this book. It adds a new location and new characters but keeps our favorites along for the ride, including Livia and Mr. Marbleton. Mrs. Watson has a sister who she has not been in contact with for years due to the decisions she made when she was younger. Her sister, Mrs. Carstairs, has married well with her second husband and is known as an amazing wife and hostess. It ends up that her vacation home is near the home of Lord Ingram where Charlotte, Livia, Mr. Marbleton, Penelope and Mrs. Watson are vacationing. She invites them over to meet her family as her son is marrying into another familiar family to the series. Mrs. Carstairs ends up disappearing and a body is found, but is it her? There are many other parts to the story and our characters travel to different places. This book wasn’t my favorite of the series, there was so much going on I had to re read and remember who was who, but it was still a great adventure. I was definitely surprised by the turn of the story in places and enjoyed finding out more about Mrs. Watson. I would rate this book four stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is a perfect representation of this series as a whole: what starts out as a straightforward-looking mystery soon reveals multiple intersecting strands, some of which were first laid out in previous books. This one starts with Mrs watson’s long-estranged sister and the family drama of secrets and betrayals, but we quickly add in longstanding villains and threats to Charlotte Holmes and all around her. I’ve long thought that the author makes notable use of absences in her stories; events not described in the chronological order of the story are revealed later, sometimes books later, as critical to the larger narrative and subject to manipulation. All of that holds here, plus we get the main characters’ personal lives continuing to develop in emotionally resonant ways. Please do read the full series to really appreciate the layers that the author is weaving in with each new entry. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.
August 19, 2026
3.5 stars - I've loved the Lady Sherlock series since the beginning, and Sherry Thomas continues to deliver the atmospheric Victorian mystery elements that made me a fan in the first place. The Vanished Sister is entertaining and genuinely suspenseful, with a plot that kept me guessing.
That said, this installment didn't quite hit the same mark for me as previous books, mainly because Charlotte herself felt less present than usual. Part of what I love about this series is spending time in her head - her deductions, her unconventional approach to the world - and here she felt more like one piece of a much larger ensemble. And that ensemble is large: there's a sizable cast to keep track of in this one, and I found myself flipping back at times to remember who was who and how they connected.
Still, the mystery itself is well-constructed and the payoff is satisfying. It's a good read, just not my favorite in the series. Fans of the earlier books will still find plenty to enjoy, but newcomers might want to start elsewhere to get the full Charlotte Holmes experience first.
Thank you for the early copy for review!
That said, this installment didn't quite hit the same mark for me as previous books, mainly because Charlotte herself felt less present than usual. Part of what I love about this series is spending time in her head - her deductions, her unconventional approach to the world - and here she felt more like one piece of a much larger ensemble. And that ensemble is large: there's a sizable cast to keep track of in this one, and I found myself flipping back at times to remember who was who and how they connected.
Still, the mystery itself is well-constructed and the payoff is satisfying. It's a good read, just not my favorite in the series. Fans of the earlier books will still find plenty to enjoy, but newcomers might want to start elsewhere to get the full Charlotte Holmes experience first.
Thank you for the early copy for review!
September 2, 2026
Another dive into the world of Charlotte and Olivia Holmes, Mrs. Watson, Penelope, Lord Ingram and more. How I’ve missed these characters as if they’re my friends! I was so delighted to see this book after sincerely enjoying her book The Librarians.
The pace of this book seemed a little less frantic than some of the others, and I was glad to have a break from M. It felt like we were being rewarded with lots of appearances of all my favs, and the focus on the delightful Mrs. Watson.
The case itself was intriguing and twisty turny enough to keep me guessing, though I did lose track of a couple of the characters a few time and was wishing for an index page.
I’ll admit I was surprised by the ending of the case and a teency bit disappointed, if only for full happy ending, although it was fitting.
The ending ending was however an absolute delight. So much crying (why am I like this).
C & A and O & Mr. M (not the evil one) forever. More more more C&A please!
Would recommend, desperately hoping for another soon!
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The pace of this book seemed a little less frantic than some of the others, and I was glad to have a break from M. It felt like we were being rewarded with lots of appearances of all my favs, and the focus on the delightful Mrs. Watson.
The case itself was intriguing and twisty turny enough to keep me guessing, though I did lose track of a couple of the characters a few time and was wishing for an index page.
I’ll admit I was surprised by the ending of the case and a teency bit disappointed, if only for full happy ending, although it was fitting.
The ending ending was however an absolute delight. So much crying (why am I like this).
C & A and O & Mr. M (not the evil one) forever. More more more C&A please!
Would recommend, desperately hoping for another soon!
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The plot of this book was at times exciting, with some shocking moments and full of many twist and turns. The mystery is engaging, the pacing is solid, but it lacked the tension and intrigue that made other books hard to put down. Sherry Thomas' eye for detail brings the era and the settings to life, making you feel like you are in the scene with the characters.I did enjoy the deeper look into Mrs. Watson's past and how she ended up where she did and with who she did. I did wish there were more Charlotte and Ash scenes and more progress in there relationship. Overall, while this wasn't my favorite entry in the series, it was still a worthwhile read. I struggled to read this book, putting it down and picking it back up many times. I did have trouble trying to remember which of the way-too-many characters is related to whom, who was involved in what as well as who was where. It was a little hard to keep up when scenes changed from one sentence to the next. I would go back to see if I missed anything.
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