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Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery #3
Remember, Remember
A lovely American actress awakens in London on a cold morning in 1897 - lying face down on the concrete pavement outside the British Museum. She has no memories. She does not even know who she is, although she has a vague recollection of the name Sherlock Holmes. What she believes is that she has may have just killed someone, and that someone is definitely trying to kill her. As she searches for clues to her true identity, she will learn that she is not the only target. Unless she can defeat her evil adversaries, the people most dear to her will die.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2019
655 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Anna Elliott
81 books416 followersAnna Elliott is an author of historical fiction and fantasy. She enjoys stories about strong women, and loves exploring the multitude of ways women can find their unique strengths. She was delighted to lend a hand with the Sherlock & Lucy series, and thrilled to continue a new spin-off series featuring Becky and Flynn. Her first series, the Twilight of Avalon trilogy, is a retelling of the Trystan & Isolde legend. She wrote her second series, The Pride & Prejudice Chronicles , chiefly to satisfy her own curiosity about what might have happened to Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and all the other wonderful cast of characters after the official end of Jane Austen’s classic work.
WEBSITE: http://sherlockandlucy.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sherlockand...
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77782...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anna-El...
Anna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.
WEBSITE: http://sherlockandlucy.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sherlockand...
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77782...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anna-El...
Anna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
December 15, 2017
This is the third instalment in the A Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mysteries series.
A woman awakens to find herself on the steps of the British Museum. She has no name, no home, and no memories that stretch further than the last few minutes. What she does have is a blinding headache, a golf ball-size lump on the back of her head, and an intuitive knack for reading both people and her surroundings, that she soon finds she can rely on to keep her alive. At least for now. What she also has is a policeman who believes her. Can this nameless woman find her way into the past to restore her memories? And what further mysteries will unravel if she manages to do so?
Despite not having read the first two instalments to this series I found I could immerse myself in the plot with relative ease, able to understand both the characters, themselves, and their various relationships to one another. I felt great joy in being reintroduced to the most infamous and favourite of literary detectives, Sherlock Holmes, and thought both authors did a marvellous job of re-opening up his world, to a modern-day readership.
Retellings must be a difficult subject for an author, I can imagine. To accurately portray an already renowned character and to dually make them the author's own sounds like quite a precarious feat. Yet I can undoubtedly state that this was such a worthy addition to the Holmesian canon: it felt both like a case I could easily imagine born from Sir Arthur Conan's Doyle own brilliant mind, and also something that had a distinct flavour that could only have been the authors' own.
Holmes was brought back to life with an authenticity I admired and getting to explore how his illegitimate daughter, Lucy James, was added to the plot, gave events an innovative twist. The pair find themselves deducing and sleuthing to find those responsible for the worst of the crimes to plague Victorian London society. This made the plot both alike to the originals, but with a female addition that altered things entirely.
Holmes was portrayed as he always has been - emotionally cold, greatly intellectual, and with an unruffled demeanour. His greatest flaws are also his greatest strengths, and were depicted as such. We also get to see a relative thaw to this notoriously icy facade, when his daughter finds herself in repeated trouble. Paternal worry reigns over his usual distant calmness and it was interesting to read of his character's arc, that remained unknown to Doyle's original readership.
Lucy James bore a resemblance to her father's character, and yet she had a more humane response to human suffering and a somewhat passionate approach to her detecting skills. The pair, however, worked well together, just as Watson's friendly and more emotive response always correlated well with Holmes' cool calm, in the original canon.
This book can be summed up as, in a word, fun! This evoked the flavour of classic crime, where both poor Watson and the reader attempt their own sleuthing but find themselves woefully inadequate to Holmes, when his most recent works of detective brilliance are ultimately revealed. I am glad that his daughter was allowed to shine alongside her father, as her mind worked in similarly unique and wonderful ways. James' character also brought in discussions of additional interesting topics that dealt with gender stereotypes and expectations, during the time-period, giving this a distinct feminist flavour I greatly appreciated.
A woman awakens to find herself on the steps of the British Museum. She has no name, no home, and no memories that stretch further than the last few minutes. What she does have is a blinding headache, a golf ball-size lump on the back of her head, and an intuitive knack for reading both people and her surroundings, that she soon finds she can rely on to keep her alive. At least for now. What she also has is a policeman who believes her. Can this nameless woman find her way into the past to restore her memories? And what further mysteries will unravel if she manages to do so?
Despite not having read the first two instalments to this series I found I could immerse myself in the plot with relative ease, able to understand both the characters, themselves, and their various relationships to one another. I felt great joy in being reintroduced to the most infamous and favourite of literary detectives, Sherlock Holmes, and thought both authors did a marvellous job of re-opening up his world, to a modern-day readership.
Retellings must be a difficult subject for an author, I can imagine. To accurately portray an already renowned character and to dually make them the author's own sounds like quite a precarious feat. Yet I can undoubtedly state that this was such a worthy addition to the Holmesian canon: it felt both like a case I could easily imagine born from Sir Arthur Conan's Doyle own brilliant mind, and also something that had a distinct flavour that could only have been the authors' own.
Holmes was brought back to life with an authenticity I admired and getting to explore how his illegitimate daughter, Lucy James, was added to the plot, gave events an innovative twist. The pair find themselves deducing and sleuthing to find those responsible for the worst of the crimes to plague Victorian London society. This made the plot both alike to the originals, but with a female addition that altered things entirely.
Holmes was portrayed as he always has been - emotionally cold, greatly intellectual, and with an unruffled demeanour. His greatest flaws are also his greatest strengths, and were depicted as such. We also get to see a relative thaw to this notoriously icy facade, when his daughter finds herself in repeated trouble. Paternal worry reigns over his usual distant calmness and it was interesting to read of his character's arc, that remained unknown to Doyle's original readership.
Lucy James bore a resemblance to her father's character, and yet she had a more humane response to human suffering and a somewhat passionate approach to her detecting skills. The pair, however, worked well together, just as Watson's friendly and more emotive response always correlated well with Holmes' cool calm, in the original canon.
This book can be summed up as, in a word, fun! This evoked the flavour of classic crime, where both poor Watson and the reader attempt their own sleuthing but find themselves woefully inadequate to Holmes, when his most recent works of detective brilliance are ultimately revealed. I am glad that his daughter was allowed to shine alongside her father, as her mind worked in similarly unique and wonderful ways. James' character also brought in discussions of additional interesting topics that dealt with gender stereotypes and expectations, during the time-period, giving this a distinct feminist flavour I greatly appreciated.
September 30, 2017
3.5 stars
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I’ll admit I went into this book a little bit hesitant. It’s no secret that I love retellings or novels that use classic characters in modern day literature—these are some of my favorite types of novels. However, the hesitation I experience comes from my love of the original stories and characters themselves. I’m always a stickler when it comes to keeping true to the most essential and definitive aspects, even while the author is forming his or her own unique story. And I am especially picky when it comes to my all-time favorites. This particular novel, I’m pleased to say, does a reasonably good job paying homage to the incredibly well-loved characters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless tales of the great Sherlock Holmes.
In this novel, we read from the perspective of the main character, Lucy James, a young woman who wakes up on the steps of the British Museum with amnesia. Once woken up, she realizes she has lost all of her memories, including her name. All she knows is that she was hit in the head and that someone is most likely out to kill her—and that she may in fact be a killer herself. This, along with the vague recollection of the name Sherlock Holmes, is all she has to go on as she attempts to remember who she is, where she’s from, and why she is running for her life. Her enemies are ruthless and willing to take down anyone who gets in their way. Navigating dangerous circumstances and forging new alliances, Lucy takes on her adversaries and works to prevent them from carrying out their nefarious scheme.
Despite my original wariness, I ended up enjoying this story quite a bit. I found the plot to be fast-paced and easy to get wrapped up in right from page one. Though this is actually the third book in the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mysteries series, it functions extremely well as a standalone. The overall mystery of the story is not completely unpredictable or surprising, but it still made for a very fun and action-packed read.
The portrayal of the various characters, overall, is fairly well done, but also the area from which the majority of my issues with the novel stem. The characters that were original creations of Anna Elliot were by far the strongest. Lucy is a great protagonist—she is a strong, highly intelligent, and independent heroine. The only major issue with her characterization is that there isn’t much development over the course of the story or depiction of flaws. One of the reasons a character such as Sherlock Holmes is so interesting is the mixture of his tremendous intellect and cleverness with flaws that make him human. While Lucy is a likeable character that is still easy to connect with, she seems just a bit too perfect at times.
As for Elliot’s versions of Holmes and Watson, I had somewhat mixed feelings. While her portrayal of Watson, in my opinion, is quite accurate, I felt a little bit lukewarm about her portrayal of Holmes. We don’t really get to see all that much of him, and even though there are certain times that truly reflect the classic great detective, there are some moments and plot points that I felt strayed a little too far. Though it was a little hard for me to imagine at first, I believe she did a decent job of gauging the way Holmes would treat a daughter had he had one in the original stories. However, there were times—such as his offering Lucy dating advice—that just didn’t feel authentic.
I had one odd problem with one of the character’s names. I was reading from an advanced review copy, so this is probably the cause of my confusion, but I could not figure out Lucy’s love interest’s first name. It kept jumping back and forth between John and Jack every few pages, sometimes even within the same page. Again, I assume this was caused by the uncorrected proof, and it has absolutely no bearing on my rating of the novel. However, I’m still not certain what his name actually was meant to be.
Elliot’s writing style is solid and easy to become absorbed in. She gives Lucy a strong narrative voice, which caused the plot to both flow well and pack a punch. Her world building of 1897 London is vivid and skilled, making it a very high point of the novel. She unravels the mystery at a steady pace, showing her talent for creating a storyline that hooks her readers and keeps them wanting more.
In the first part of the novel, Elliot does a great job of presenting Lucy’s slow gathering of clues pertaining to her life. The transition between the two halves of the novel—where Lucy suddenly regains her memories—is a bit rough. We are thrown rather quickly into her rapid and high-stakes lifestyle. However, this still does not hurt the plot progression overall, and though it was a little bumpy, I found myself falling into this new twist fairly easily. In general, Elliot keeps the plot as a whole straightforward enough to follow, and just unpredictable enough to create a exciting mystery.
Overall, I found this novel to be a pretty enjoyable and fast-paced read that was quite easy to become swept up in. This wound up being a very fun story, and an inventive take on some very timeless classics. While I would have liked to see a bit more development in Lucy and the various other significant characters in the novel, they were still portrayed well in general. Despite its few flaws, this is a good addition to the ever-expanding world of Sherlock Holmes novels. I am definitely planning to go back and read the first two novels of this series, and will eagerly await and further installments.
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I’ll admit I went into this book a little bit hesitant. It’s no secret that I love retellings or novels that use classic characters in modern day literature—these are some of my favorite types of novels. However, the hesitation I experience comes from my love of the original stories and characters themselves. I’m always a stickler when it comes to keeping true to the most essential and definitive aspects, even while the author is forming his or her own unique story. And I am especially picky when it comes to my all-time favorites. This particular novel, I’m pleased to say, does a reasonably good job paying homage to the incredibly well-loved characters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless tales of the great Sherlock Holmes.
In this novel, we read from the perspective of the main character, Lucy James, a young woman who wakes up on the steps of the British Museum with amnesia. Once woken up, she realizes she has lost all of her memories, including her name. All she knows is that she was hit in the head and that someone is most likely out to kill her—and that she may in fact be a killer herself. This, along with the vague recollection of the name Sherlock Holmes, is all she has to go on as she attempts to remember who she is, where she’s from, and why she is running for her life. Her enemies are ruthless and willing to take down anyone who gets in their way. Navigating dangerous circumstances and forging new alliances, Lucy takes on her adversaries and works to prevent them from carrying out their nefarious scheme.
Despite my original wariness, I ended up enjoying this story quite a bit. I found the plot to be fast-paced and easy to get wrapped up in right from page one. Though this is actually the third book in the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mysteries series, it functions extremely well as a standalone. The overall mystery of the story is not completely unpredictable or surprising, but it still made for a very fun and action-packed read.
The portrayal of the various characters, overall, is fairly well done, but also the area from which the majority of my issues with the novel stem. The characters that were original creations of Anna Elliot were by far the strongest. Lucy is a great protagonist—she is a strong, highly intelligent, and independent heroine. The only major issue with her characterization is that there isn’t much development over the course of the story or depiction of flaws. One of the reasons a character such as Sherlock Holmes is so interesting is the mixture of his tremendous intellect and cleverness with flaws that make him human. While Lucy is a likeable character that is still easy to connect with, she seems just a bit too perfect at times.
As for Elliot’s versions of Holmes and Watson, I had somewhat mixed feelings. While her portrayal of Watson, in my opinion, is quite accurate, I felt a little bit lukewarm about her portrayal of Holmes. We don’t really get to see all that much of him, and even though there are certain times that truly reflect the classic great detective, there are some moments and plot points that I felt strayed a little too far. Though it was a little hard for me to imagine at first, I believe she did a decent job of gauging the way Holmes would treat a daughter had he had one in the original stories. However, there were times—such as his offering Lucy dating advice—that just didn’t feel authentic.
I had one odd problem with one of the character’s names. I was reading from an advanced review copy, so this is probably the cause of my confusion, but I could not figure out Lucy’s love interest’s first name. It kept jumping back and forth between John and Jack every few pages, sometimes even within the same page. Again, I assume this was caused by the uncorrected proof, and it has absolutely no bearing on my rating of the novel. However, I’m still not certain what his name actually was meant to be.
Elliot’s writing style is solid and easy to become absorbed in. She gives Lucy a strong narrative voice, which caused the plot to both flow well and pack a punch. Her world building of 1897 London is vivid and skilled, making it a very high point of the novel. She unravels the mystery at a steady pace, showing her talent for creating a storyline that hooks her readers and keeps them wanting more.
In the first part of the novel, Elliot does a great job of presenting Lucy’s slow gathering of clues pertaining to her life. The transition between the two halves of the novel—where Lucy suddenly regains her memories—is a bit rough. We are thrown rather quickly into her rapid and high-stakes lifestyle. However, this still does not hurt the plot progression overall, and though it was a little bumpy, I found myself falling into this new twist fairly easily. In general, Elliot keeps the plot as a whole straightforward enough to follow, and just unpredictable enough to create a exciting mystery.
Overall, I found this novel to be a pretty enjoyable and fast-paced read that was quite easy to become swept up in. This wound up being a very fun story, and an inventive take on some very timeless classics. While I would have liked to see a bit more development in Lucy and the various other significant characters in the novel, they were still portrayed well in general. Despite its few flaws, this is a good addition to the ever-expanding world of Sherlock Holmes novels. I am definitely planning to go back and read the first two novels of this series, and will eagerly await and further installments.
January 31, 2022
It's not until almost halfway into the book that Sherlock Holmes makes an appearance. It didn't feel like a Sherlock Holmes mystery when there's no mention of him. However, my patience paid off. This pastiche has the feel, deductions, and plot twists of a Holmes' adventure. Be sure to read Book #2 before reading Book #3 as there are a few references.
January 1, 2020
Are you contemplating the purchase of REMEMBER, REMEMBER? Have you read the first two books in this series (THE LAST MORIARTY and THE WILHELM CONSPIRACY solo authored by Charles Veley)? If you have not, I highly recommend that you start at the beginning of the series and go from there. Why? Well, I don't do spoilers, so you will just have to trust me on this.
If you have read the first two books in the series and wonder how the addition of a new lead author affects the storytelling, I would say that it is even better. Charles Veley certainly provided a truly Sherlockian experience, but I do believe that Anna Elliot brings a certain something to the narration that only a woman can provide. I am not suggesting that she has changed the tenor but rather that she has enhanced what we have come to expect from a Sherlock Holmes adventure. In other words, Watson still pens these tales that take place after the incident at Reichenbach Falls but Lucy James is a force with which he must reckon.
REMEMBER, REMEMBER has a double meaning that begins with a dilemma on page one, and (as in John Milton's poem, In Quintum Novembris (On the Fifth of November) with its nursery rhyme sounding first line “Remember, remember 5th November…”) we are apprised of the time of year in which the story takes place with its historic relevance celebrated as Guy Fawkes Day.
At the end of the book, Anna Elliot's Acknowledgements start out with thanks to her father, Charles Veley, for reading the Sherlock Holmes stories to her when she was still too young to read them herself. This father/daughter bond makes for a great writing team. I like to know about the authors, so I always read the Acknowledgements and About the Author pages. In this case, both are short and sweet, so take a minute to peruse them.
Along with excellent writing that does the originator of Sherlock Holmes proud, I want to make mention of the high-quality formatting of the Kindle Edition in the books that I have read so far. This attention to detail makes for smooth, uninterrupted reading which I greatly appreciate.
My next read will be the next book in the series THE CROWN JEWEL.
If you have read the first two books in the series and wonder how the addition of a new lead author affects the storytelling, I would say that it is even better. Charles Veley certainly provided a truly Sherlockian experience, but I do believe that Anna Elliot brings a certain something to the narration that only a woman can provide. I am not suggesting that she has changed the tenor but rather that she has enhanced what we have come to expect from a Sherlock Holmes adventure. In other words, Watson still pens these tales that take place after the incident at Reichenbach Falls but Lucy James is a force with which he must reckon.
REMEMBER, REMEMBER has a double meaning that begins with a dilemma on page one, and (as in John Milton's poem, In Quintum Novembris (On the Fifth of November) with its nursery rhyme sounding first line “Remember, remember 5th November…”) we are apprised of the time of year in which the story takes place with its historic relevance celebrated as Guy Fawkes Day.
At the end of the book, Anna Elliot's Acknowledgements start out with thanks to her father, Charles Veley, for reading the Sherlock Holmes stories to her when she was still too young to read them herself. This father/daughter bond makes for a great writing team. I like to know about the authors, so I always read the Acknowledgements and About the Author pages. In this case, both are short and sweet, so take a minute to peruse them.
Along with excellent writing that does the originator of Sherlock Holmes proud, I want to make mention of the high-quality formatting of the Kindle Edition in the books that I have read so far. This attention to detail makes for smooth, uninterrupted reading which I greatly appreciate.
My next read will be the next book in the series THE CROWN JEWEL.
July 4, 2023
On a cold London morning in 1897, a young woman awakes on the ground outside the British Museum. She has no memory, and nothing that indicates her identity.
She does have a splitting headache, a lump on the back of her head, and a dim memory of having shot someone. She also quickly finds she has a talent for analyzing people's appearance and behavior for useful information that helps her survive. Unexpectedly, the police constable, John Kelly, who finds her decides that he trusts her. They piece together what they can, and then he's going off duty, and she's off to see what she can track down of her identity.
After walking around the outside of the museum, she sits on a bench, and is approached by a man who proceeds to talk seeming nonsense to her, and walks away when she doesn't respond as expected. Then she finds a card with the name of a doctor on Harley Street, which she puts in her purse for later consideration. Her clothing is not really presentable after her night sleeping on the sidewalk, and she inveigles a way to borrow clean clothing. With no other real clues, she decides to go see the doctor, in the hope that perhaps he can help with her memory.
But the doctor and his minions try to drug and kidnap her, and she barely escapes. Soon she is dodging villains, encountering John Kelly again, and meeting his little sister, Becky, and deciding, finally, to consult the one person in London whose name she remembers for sure--Sherlock Holmes. The conspiracy surrounding the British Museum turns out to relate back to a previous adventure, and as Lucy's memory gradually returns, she begins to understand the danger she's been in, and the importance of resolving this case.
John Kelly has his own related adventures, which become more and more entangled with those of Lucy and Holmes. I gather he and his sister, Becky, are going to be regulars going forward, and they are a welcome addition.
This is, in my opinion, a very good, satisfying Holmes pastiche, with Holmes, Watson, and Lucy all well portrayed, excellent characters.
I received this book as a gift.
She does have a splitting headache, a lump on the back of her head, and a dim memory of having shot someone. She also quickly finds she has a talent for analyzing people's appearance and behavior for useful information that helps her survive. Unexpectedly, the police constable, John Kelly, who finds her decides that he trusts her. They piece together what they can, and then he's going off duty, and she's off to see what she can track down of her identity.
After walking around the outside of the museum, she sits on a bench, and is approached by a man who proceeds to talk seeming nonsense to her, and walks away when she doesn't respond as expected. Then she finds a card with the name of a doctor on Harley Street, which she puts in her purse for later consideration. Her clothing is not really presentable after her night sleeping on the sidewalk, and she inveigles a way to borrow clean clothing. With no other real clues, she decides to go see the doctor, in the hope that perhaps he can help with her memory.
But the doctor and his minions try to drug and kidnap her, and she barely escapes. Soon she is dodging villains, encountering John Kelly again, and meeting his little sister, Becky, and deciding, finally, to consult the one person in London whose name she remembers for sure--Sherlock Holmes. The conspiracy surrounding the British Museum turns out to relate back to a previous adventure, and as Lucy's memory gradually returns, she begins to understand the danger she's been in, and the importance of resolving this case.
John Kelly has his own related adventures, which become more and more entangled with those of Lucy and Holmes. I gather he and his sister, Becky, are going to be regulars going forward, and they are a welcome addition.
This is, in my opinion, a very good, satisfying Holmes pastiche, with Holmes, Watson, and Lucy all well portrayed, excellent characters.
I received this book as a gift.
April 24, 2017
I gave up 2/3 of the way. It's just silly and a bit off-putting. Sherlock Holmes giving romantic advice to his daughter. I'm surprised I got that far.
June 30, 2022
A young woman regains consciousness after being attacked and left at the door of the British Museum. She is found by a constable in the early hours of the morning, missing any identification and her memory. She convinces the officer that she is only temporarily affected and he allows her to go her way. Unfortunately, she has no idea which way she should turn or who to appeal to for assistance.
A strange man approaches her and attempts to engage her in a nonsensical conversation, then departs quickly when she fails to understand what he’s saying. He leaves behind the card of a doctor, a specialist in anxiety disorders. That seems like a logical place to start to regain her memories, so she pays him a call. However, the doctor and his cohorts attempt to drug and abduct her, at which time she discovers she has skills that allow her to disable one of the men and escape, only to run into the same constable who helped her that same morning. With his assistance, she begins to remember who she is and who she should go to in her trouble; none other than the famous Sherlock Holmes.
From here the story is rather predictable as she and Holmes solve the plot that led to Lucy’s attack with the help of the young constable and, of course, Dr. Watson. There are no surprising revelations and the action is tepid at best. Lucy is a likable heroine and her deductions rival the great detective himself. Honestly, in this book Holmes isn’t quite the razor sharp detective invented by Conan Doyle. Lucy is more than his equal, which is both encouraging and a bit of a let-down.
An entertaining light read, but not up to the standard of the original stories.
A strange man approaches her and attempts to engage her in a nonsensical conversation, then departs quickly when she fails to understand what he’s saying. He leaves behind the card of a doctor, a specialist in anxiety disorders. That seems like a logical place to start to regain her memories, so she pays him a call. However, the doctor and his cohorts attempt to drug and abduct her, at which time she discovers she has skills that allow her to disable one of the men and escape, only to run into the same constable who helped her that same morning. With his assistance, she begins to remember who she is and who she should go to in her trouble; none other than the famous Sherlock Holmes.
From here the story is rather predictable as she and Holmes solve the plot that led to Lucy’s attack with the help of the young constable and, of course, Dr. Watson. There are no surprising revelations and the action is tepid at best. Lucy is a likable heroine and her deductions rival the great detective himself. Honestly, in this book Holmes isn’t quite the razor sharp detective invented by Conan Doyle. Lucy is more than his equal, which is both encouraging and a bit of a let-down.
An entertaining light read, but not up to the standard of the original stories.
January 31, 2022
*Spoiler Free*
“Holmes smiled faintly. “You are quite determined to shape me into some semblance of a normal human being.”
Quick synopsis: It's the late 1890's and a woman has awoken on the cold sidewalk in front of the British Museum. She has no idea who she is, what her name is, or even where she is. The woman meets a constable who promises to help the woman figure out who she is. The constable and woman soon begin figuring out snippets of the woman's life leading to an even bigger mystery.
Overall, I am giving this one a 3/5. Much of the time it held my attention, but towards the end I felt my mind wandering. I did go into this book with a lot of hesitation. Mainly the cover was just cheesy for me and not something I'd normally reach out and grab. I think one of my main complaints about this one was that there was not much if any character development. Our main character already comes off as perfect albeit maybe a little gun ho not leaving room for much development unless you count the brief love story.
I did wish that the main storyline and villains were flushed out more. I love reading about Egyptian artifacts and that was probably the most interesting part of the story. I would have loved to hear more about it rather than our main sleuth James Bonding everything for the sake of... well, action.
Overall, this was a fast paced read. I will be donating it to the little free library near my house in the hopes someone will love it more than I did!
“Holmes smiled faintly. “You are quite determined to shape me into some semblance of a normal human being.”
Quick synopsis: It's the late 1890's and a woman has awoken on the cold sidewalk in front of the British Museum. She has no idea who she is, what her name is, or even where she is. The woman meets a constable who promises to help the woman figure out who she is. The constable and woman soon begin figuring out snippets of the woman's life leading to an even bigger mystery.
Overall, I am giving this one a 3/5. Much of the time it held my attention, but towards the end I felt my mind wandering. I did go into this book with a lot of hesitation. Mainly the cover was just cheesy for me and not something I'd normally reach out and grab. I think one of my main complaints about this one was that there was not much if any character development. Our main character already comes off as perfect albeit maybe a little gun ho not leaving room for much development unless you count the brief love story.
I did wish that the main storyline and villains were flushed out more. I love reading about Egyptian artifacts and that was probably the most interesting part of the story. I would have loved to hear more about it rather than our main sleuth James Bonding everything for the sake of... well, action.
Overall, this was a fast paced read. I will be donating it to the little free library near my house in the hopes someone will love it more than I did!
August 10, 2023
Very good pacing overall & a quick read. Was very intrigued by the mystery behind the protagonist figuring out her identity again after short-term amnesia.
However, once she got her memory back, I became very annoyed with her character. She came off very arrogant and hyper independent — like she’s somehow learned how to be a street fighter while in an affluent boarding school and charming wealthy heirs? The author seemed to want to portray a late 19th/early 20th century feminist character, but it just fell a bit flat for me.
Sherlock Holmes entering the picture provided some literary reprieve but I found myself plodding through the middle third of the book, and as the pace began to pick back up near the end, but the resolution was so abrupt, so the pacing by the end was disappointing.
However, once she got her memory back, I became very annoyed with her character. She came off very arrogant and hyper independent — like she’s somehow learned how to be a street fighter while in an affluent boarding school and charming wealthy heirs? The author seemed to want to portray a late 19th/early 20th century feminist character, but it just fell a bit flat for me.
Sherlock Holmes entering the picture provided some literary reprieve but I found myself plodding through the middle third of the book, and as the pace began to pick back up near the end, but the resolution was so abrupt, so the pacing by the end was disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2021
The DC’s were checking to see if the young lady was still alive.
She claims to not be a street walker or knew her real name.
British Museum. 2 workmen are trying to get the large wooden box through the door.
Ms. Smith gives M, W, F tours of the Egyptian Room’s; the Terracotta Antiquities Room; the Bronze Room; the Etruscan Room, & all the Vase rooms.
# 29 Harley St. Dr. William Everett (MD, Disorders of the Nerves Specialist) is quite busy with patients.
Constable John Kelly & Becky (sister) live in the same house.
Becky (sister) went to see Constable Kelly in the hospital.
She has been staying with Lucy (D’Oyly Carte Opera Co. singer/actress), Mr. William “Sherlock” Scott Holmes (Scotland Yard consulting detective) & Dr. John Hamish Watson (husband, Sherlock's BMF. MD).
Holborn PD Station (Lamb’s Conduit St.). Sherlock went to see Jack Kelly (prisoner).
Sir Edward Bradford (1st Baronet, Metropolitan PD Commissioner) will be attending the Annual Guy Fawkes Ball dinner/dancing.
What was Frances Ferrars up to?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written 19th Century mystery book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great 19th Century mystery movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. To be continued. An extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Wilton Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
She claims to not be a street walker or knew her real name.
British Museum. 2 workmen are trying to get the large wooden box through the door.
Ms. Smith gives M, W, F tours of the Egyptian Room’s; the Terracotta Antiquities Room; the Bronze Room; the Etruscan Room, & all the Vase rooms.
# 29 Harley St. Dr. William Everett (MD, Disorders of the Nerves Specialist) is quite busy with patients.
Constable John Kelly & Becky (sister) live in the same house.
Becky (sister) went to see Constable Kelly in the hospital.
She has been staying with Lucy (D’Oyly Carte Opera Co. singer/actress), Mr. William “Sherlock” Scott Holmes (Scotland Yard consulting detective) & Dr. John Hamish Watson (husband, Sherlock's BMF. MD).
Holborn PD Station (Lamb’s Conduit St.). Sherlock went to see Jack Kelly (prisoner).
Sir Edward Bradford (1st Baronet, Metropolitan PD Commissioner) will be attending the Annual Guy Fawkes Ball dinner/dancing.
What was Frances Ferrars up to?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written 19th Century mystery book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great 19th Century mystery movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. To be continued. An extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Wilton Press; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
July 26, 2017
A young woman awakens one morning lying outside of the British Museum. She has no memories of who she is, where she came from, or what she has been doing. The only thing she knows is that the name of Sherlock Holmes holds some meaning for her. As she tries to piece together clues to her identify, the narrator finds herself caught up in the midst of danger, crime, and conspiracies.
While the narrator was fun, there really wasn’t much character development. She seems to be very perfect and does not have any flaws. She is beautiful, intelligent, and can fight fight. She has a love of solving crimes and chasing after criminals. Despite these characteristics, there was no depth to her. She didn’t have any flaws. Even when we learn of her identity, there were no conflicts that she was dealing with. Even though there was a lack of character development, readers will still enjoy the narrator’s pluckiness.
Overall, Remember, Remember was filled with adventure, intrigue, and action. The mystery was very predictable, and seemed to be very drawn out. The other supporting characters seemed to be very one-dimensional. I didn’t really get a good glimpse of them, especially Sherlock and Watson because they didn’t appear until half the book. When they did appear, they seemed like caricatures of the Doyle’s version. However, despite the novel’s flaws, it was an enjoyable and light read. It was very fast-paced and action-packed. The setting of Victorian London seemed very realistic. I did like the witty dialogue between the characters. Thus, reading this novel was a very delightful way to spend an afternoon. Remember, Remember will not only appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes, but also to those who love The Secret Life Anna Blanc, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, and A Curious Beginning.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
While the narrator was fun, there really wasn’t much character development. She seems to be very perfect and does not have any flaws. She is beautiful, intelligent, and can fight fight. She has a love of solving crimes and chasing after criminals. Despite these characteristics, there was no depth to her. She didn’t have any flaws. Even when we learn of her identity, there were no conflicts that she was dealing with. Even though there was a lack of character development, readers will still enjoy the narrator’s pluckiness.
Overall, Remember, Remember was filled with adventure, intrigue, and action. The mystery was very predictable, and seemed to be very drawn out. The other supporting characters seemed to be very one-dimensional. I didn’t really get a good glimpse of them, especially Sherlock and Watson because they didn’t appear until half the book. When they did appear, they seemed like caricatures of the Doyle’s version. However, despite the novel’s flaws, it was an enjoyable and light read. It was very fast-paced and action-packed. The setting of Victorian London seemed very realistic. I did like the witty dialogue between the characters. Thus, reading this novel was a very delightful way to spend an afternoon. Remember, Remember will not only appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes, but also to those who love The Secret Life Anna Blanc, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, and A Curious Beginning.
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
November 28, 2017
I've always liked Sherlock Holmes, both as a kid when I was introduced to him through Arthur Conan Doyle's books and then through the British TV drama series on Netflix. I was curious and eager to dig into this new Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery series and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
I wasn't aware that Remember, Remember is actually Book #3 in the series, but these books can very well be read as stand-alone novels. I did not feel that I missed anything. Actually, because the main character lost her memory, it was even more of a mystery as to who she was, seeing that I had not read any of the previous books.
In this installment, the main character has amnesia and has to figure out who she is and why she feels that she's in danger. She meets a police detective and other memorable characters and as her memory slowly returns we unravel the mystery along with her. I love historical fiction and this book takes place in 19th century London. I was intrigued and pulled in right from the start and I loved Lucy's character. She was brilliant, brave and independent.
The dialogue is witty and both Sherlock and Lucy's deductive sleuthing is smart and fun. I was thoroughly entertained as I quickly read through the pages. The inclusion of 8-year-old street-smart Becky made the story touching even as it was action-filled and adventurous. The blossoming romance in the story did not overshadow the mystery element but enhanced the storyline, in my opinion.
I am so pleased to have discovered this entertaining cozy mystery series, that I am now looking forward to reading the rest of the books. If you like historical fiction, cozy mysteries and are a Sherlock Holmes fan, then this series is a perfect addition to your reading list.
I wasn't aware that Remember, Remember is actually Book #3 in the series, but these books can very well be read as stand-alone novels. I did not feel that I missed anything. Actually, because the main character lost her memory, it was even more of a mystery as to who she was, seeing that I had not read any of the previous books.
In this installment, the main character has amnesia and has to figure out who she is and why she feels that she's in danger. She meets a police detective and other memorable characters and as her memory slowly returns we unravel the mystery along with her. I love historical fiction and this book takes place in 19th century London. I was intrigued and pulled in right from the start and I loved Lucy's character. She was brilliant, brave and independent.
The dialogue is witty and both Sherlock and Lucy's deductive sleuthing is smart and fun. I was thoroughly entertained as I quickly read through the pages. The inclusion of 8-year-old street-smart Becky made the story touching even as it was action-filled and adventurous. The blossoming romance in the story did not overshadow the mystery element but enhanced the storyline, in my opinion.
I am so pleased to have discovered this entertaining cozy mystery series, that I am now looking forward to reading the rest of the books. If you like historical fiction, cozy mysteries and are a Sherlock Holmes fan, then this series is a perfect addition to your reading list.
December 1, 2017
"Remember, Remember" eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Anna Elliott (http://www.annaelliottbooks.com) and Charles Veley. Ms. Elliott has published 17 novels and Mr. Veley over a dozen. This is the fourth book in their "Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery" series.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the Victorian are of the original Sherlock Holmes. The primary characters are Sherlock Holmes and the young American woman Lucy James.
James wakes up outside the British Museum without any memories of who she is, but with a sore bump on her head. She begins to search for her identity and she soon finds herself being pursued by people she doesn't know. She does seem to have a feeling about the name Sherlock Holmes. The mystery quickly grows beyond her identity as she is drawn into an effort to identify German spies that have infiltrated the British government.
I really enjoyed the 5.5 hours I spend reading this Sherlock Holmes mystery. The story was well crafted and fits into the original story line of the Holmes mysteries. I liked the characters as well as the plot. The novel cover art is OK. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the Victorian are of the original Sherlock Holmes. The primary characters are Sherlock Holmes and the young American woman Lucy James.
James wakes up outside the British Museum without any memories of who she is, but with a sore bump on her head. She begins to search for her identity and she soon finds herself being pursued by people she doesn't know. She does seem to have a feeling about the name Sherlock Holmes. The mystery quickly grows beyond her identity as she is drawn into an effort to identify German spies that have infiltrated the British government.
I really enjoyed the 5.5 hours I spend reading this Sherlock Holmes mystery. The story was well crafted and fits into the original story line of the Holmes mysteries. I liked the characters as well as the plot. The novel cover art is OK. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
January 4, 2018
Fans of one of the world’s most beloved fictional detectives will delight in this masterful extension of the mystery series.
Sherlock Holmes has stimulated the minds of inquisitive adventurers of all ages. And now, a pair of authors — Charles Veley and Anna Elliot— a Father/Daughter team — are bringing new life to the anthology, expanding on the timeless series of classics with even more detective stories… perfect for curious young adult and adult audiences.
In this third book of the new series, Remember, Remember, Lucy James wakes up outside of the British Museum in London with absolutely no recollection of who she is or how she came to be there. And as she searches for clues, she finds out that someone is trying to kill her!
Luckily she still has her quick wit and powers of deduction, and a Constable she met upon waking that keeps turning up at the most opportune times.
Remember, Remember puts Lucy James at her most vulnerable and finally gives readers a chance to view the softer, more paternal(ish) side of Sherlock Holmes. Not only does it excite with fast-paced action and suspense, but it introduces a romantic interest into Lucy’s life, which can only serve to enhance the series with more drama and complications.
Readers will devour this and other adventures in this well-written and exciting collaboration. As the characters develop and the stories build, each new novel is harder to put down.
September 17, 2017
Nell'ormai consolidata corrente delle fanfiction basate su Sherlock Holmes, Remember, remember (titolo che secondo me la casa editrice avrebbe dovuto ripensare) è un simpatico e onesto mistery con molta azione, la cui protagonista è l'intraprendente figlia che il famoso detective non sapeva di avere. Così, tra antichità vere e false, spie dell'Impero Germanico e un bel detective dagli occhi scuri, Scherlock Holmes si ritrova a pensare che presto o tardi potrebbe anche diventare nonno.
Divertente libro d'intrattenimento, ben scritto e pieno di colpi di scena.
Ringrazio Tangled Letter Press e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
In the well-established current of Sherlock Holmes-based fanfictions, Remember, remember (title that in my opinion the publishing house should have rethink) is a nice and honest mistery with much action, whose protagonist is the enterprising daughter that the famous detective did not know to have. So, between true and false antiquities, spies of the German Empire and a beautiful detective with dark eyes, Scherlock Holmes finds himself thinking that sooner or later he could even become grandfather.
Funny entertainment book, well written and full of twists and turns.
I thank Tangled Letter Press and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.
Divertente libro d'intrattenimento, ben scritto e pieno di colpi di scena.
Ringrazio Tangled Letter Press e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
In the well-established current of Sherlock Holmes-based fanfictions, Remember, remember (title that in my opinion the publishing house should have rethink) is a nice and honest mistery with much action, whose protagonist is the enterprising daughter that the famous detective did not know to have. So, between true and false antiquities, spies of the German Empire and a beautiful detective with dark eyes, Scherlock Holmes finds himself thinking that sooner or later he could even become grandfather.
Funny entertainment book, well written and full of twists and turns.
I thank Tangled Letter Press and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest review.
January 4, 2020
“Remember Remember” is the third installment in the “A Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery” series. I do highly recommend that you read this series in order to be able to watch the characters evolve. In fact, the optimal reading order of these Sherlock and Lucy books is: [1] “The Crown Jewel Mystery,” [2] “The Last Moriarty,” and [3] then continue in order. “The Crown Jewel Mystery” is actually the 4th in the series; however, this book is the prequel to the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery series. It does a good job of introducing readers to Lucy James, and “The Crown Jewel Mystery” sets up a plot strand that is a puzzling enigma that is woven through the future books.
“Remember Remember” opens with Lucy waking on a London street near the British Museum. She has no memory: no name, no home, and no memories that stretch further than the last few minutes. Confusion abounds and mysteries unfold as she attempts to regain her memory with the unlikely help of a policeman and his young sister. As Lucy’s memory slowly returns, a tangled web of sinister happenings and people intertwine Lucy and her benefactors. This is a quick read and an enjoyable series. If you enjoy Sherlock matched with a young, strong, intelligent woman, then give this series a try.
“Remember Remember” opens with Lucy waking on a London street near the British Museum. She has no memory: no name, no home, and no memories that stretch further than the last few minutes. Confusion abounds and mysteries unfold as she attempts to regain her memory with the unlikely help of a policeman and his young sister. As Lucy’s memory slowly returns, a tangled web of sinister happenings and people intertwine Lucy and her benefactors. This is a quick read and an enjoyable series. If you enjoy Sherlock matched with a young, strong, intelligent woman, then give this series a try.
December 15, 2022
What a great story! I really love Lucy's character, and I particularly liked that we spend almost the first half of the book just with her, trying to find who she is. And finding a handsome constable in the process *laughs*
I really like Jack, his relationship with his sister is lovely and showcases the kind of man he is. And Becky is loads of fun, she will be a deserving disciple of Holmes *g*
One thing I enjoyed was the way in which the romance develops, dealing with the obvious issues of class and money in a way that's perfect for the characters involved.
Once Lucy recovers her memory, the whole plot comes to life, and it was a really good one. Holmes and Lucy are working together not only to foil the German plot but also to clean Jack's name. Yep, he has been arrested, and charged with the murder of his former Sargent /0\
One of the things that I really enjoyed was that Lucy was learning not only from Holmes but also from Watson. Having her cite him in her head is a fantastic way to show how deeply the relationship between these two delves.
A lot of tense moments, great intrigue and a wonderful ending; this series is pure gold :)
I really like Jack, his relationship with his sister is lovely and showcases the kind of man he is. And Becky is loads of fun, she will be a deserving disciple of Holmes *g*
One thing I enjoyed was the way in which the romance develops, dealing with the obvious issues of class and money in a way that's perfect for the characters involved.
Once Lucy recovers her memory, the whole plot comes to life, and it was a really good one. Holmes and Lucy are working together not only to foil the German plot but also to clean Jack's name. Yep, he has been arrested, and charged with the murder of his former Sargent /0\
One of the things that I really enjoyed was that Lucy was learning not only from Holmes but also from Watson. Having her cite him in her head is a fantastic way to show how deeply the relationship between these two delves.
A lot of tense moments, great intrigue and a wonderful ending; this series is pure gold :)
July 12, 2022
~Disclaimer: I received a free audiobook copy of this book.~
I would note I have not read the first two books in this series, which makes this a fitting start to the series, because neither I nor the MC know who she is at the start of the book. It honestly wasn’t a bad introduction to the series. Given that these books are on KU, I’m likely to pick up the first book now.
Sherlock Holmes is a popular character and I believe this book stays true to his character. Lucy is an engaging protagonist and very likable. I enjoyed her as a balance to Sherlock as she is compassionate and showed the zeal of youth in her pursuit of finding the truth. Watson didn’t play a large role in the story, but did get to show his ability to understand human nature and his own investigative prowess a few times.
I feel if you are a fan of crime solving novels and a fan of Holmes you will likely enjoy this book.
Narration was great. I love when books have more than one narrator. It gives a lot of personality to each of the characters. Edward Petherbridge plays an excellent Holmes.
I would note I have not read the first two books in this series, which makes this a fitting start to the series, because neither I nor the MC know who she is at the start of the book. It honestly wasn’t a bad introduction to the series. Given that these books are on KU, I’m likely to pick up the first book now.
Sherlock Holmes is a popular character and I believe this book stays true to his character. Lucy is an engaging protagonist and very likable. I enjoyed her as a balance to Sherlock as she is compassionate and showed the zeal of youth in her pursuit of finding the truth. Watson didn’t play a large role in the story, but did get to show his ability to understand human nature and his own investigative prowess a few times.
I feel if you are a fan of crime solving novels and a fan of Holmes you will likely enjoy this book.
Narration was great. I love when books have more than one narrator. It gives a lot of personality to each of the characters. Edward Petherbridge plays an excellent Holmes.
November 9, 2025
This is another great book from the father daughter writing team and in this story you can tell that the daughter half of the team is very much in the driver's seat. This third installment of the Holmes and Lucy chronicles is told in Lucy's voice (the first 2 were in Dr. Watson's voice) and there is a definite female tone. It is also a chance to get more of a feel for Lucy's personality.
The story opens with Lucy lying in front of the British Museum with what seems to be a case of amnesia and a large knot on the back of her head. She is found by a handsome Policeman who mistakes her for a lady of the evening. Not the most romantic of beginnings, but as the story progresses, sparks do begin to fly.
As Lucy regains her memory, she takes her place along side Sherlock Holmes to thwart a plot to, if not overthrow the country, to greatly damage it. There are Sherlockian twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and that little hint of romance was a nice diversion.
I am now committed to the series and will be stating the next book soon.
The story opens with Lucy lying in front of the British Museum with what seems to be a case of amnesia and a large knot on the back of her head. She is found by a handsome Policeman who mistakes her for a lady of the evening. Not the most romantic of beginnings, but as the story progresses, sparks do begin to fly.
As Lucy regains her memory, she takes her place along side Sherlock Holmes to thwart a plot to, if not overthrow the country, to greatly damage it. There are Sherlockian twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and that little hint of romance was a nice diversion.
I am now committed to the series and will be stating the next book soon.
May 28, 2019
Utterly engrossing!!
Thinking of myself of being a true Sherlockian, I have previously refrained from reading any of the many more recent books on Sherlock by lesser known authors (imposters) attempting to grab notoriety by attempting to steal probably the most well known sleuth of all time. But, now I find that for so many years I may possibly of been throwing aspersions towards authors who most definitely did not deserve the ridicule.
This book which I just now completed being utterly mesmerized by the wonderful words of this author, Anna Elliott along with her father who initially started this series alone. What a glorious collaboration!!! What a wonderful book!!!
If there should be anyone looking for a great 👍 read that you may possibly not put down till it's completion... This is what you are looking for!!! Enjoy!!!!!
Thinking of myself of being a true Sherlockian, I have previously refrained from reading any of the many more recent books on Sherlock by lesser known authors (imposters) attempting to grab notoriety by attempting to steal probably the most well known sleuth of all time. But, now I find that for so many years I may possibly of been throwing aspersions towards authors who most definitely did not deserve the ridicule.
This book which I just now completed being utterly mesmerized by the wonderful words of this author, Anna Elliott along with her father who initially started this series alone. What a glorious collaboration!!! What a wonderful book!!!
If there should be anyone looking for a great 👍 read that you may possibly not put down till it's completion... This is what you are looking for!!! Enjoy!!!!!
April 6, 2020
I give a lot of 4 star reviews. I find it EXTREMELY hard to give a 5 star review. A 3 star is one that I have to plod through and MAYBE finally get into more than halfway through. This book seemed to be heading in that direction in the first couple of chapters, BUT I stuck with it and very quickly got extremely vested in Lucy’s situation and this new character Constable Jack Kelly. I don’t want to spoil anything by going further but my attitude towards this installment of the Sherlock Holmes/Lucy James Saga did a very quick turnaround and I really enjoyed the change of pace that it brought to the series. I have enjoyed these books, but did not want to get burned out on them, so I had determined to break it up by reading something else for my next book. Now? On to the next one in this series! The Game Is Afoot!
July 10, 2022
This is for both the Audible and the ebook.
I love getting to know Lucy much better than from the earlier books. Her interaction with Holmes and Watson was minimal compared to the previous books but there is also the addition of three new characters: Constable Jack Kelly, his eight year old sister Becky and, most importantly, her mastiff Prince. Love Prince. More, please.
Loved how all the characters, including Becky, worked together to help solve the mystery, or as much as they could. Also looking forward to the budding relationship between Lucy and Jack. Did I mention Prince, the mastiff???
I highly recommend both the Audible and ebook. Off to read more of this series.
I was given a free audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I bought a copy of the ebook separately.
I love getting to know Lucy much better than from the earlier books. Her interaction with Holmes and Watson was minimal compared to the previous books but there is also the addition of three new characters: Constable Jack Kelly, his eight year old sister Becky and, most importantly, her mastiff Prince. Love Prince. More, please.
Loved how all the characters, including Becky, worked together to help solve the mystery, or as much as they could. Also looking forward to the budding relationship between Lucy and Jack. Did I mention Prince, the mastiff???
I highly recommend both the Audible and ebook. Off to read more of this series.
I was given a free audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I bought a copy of the ebook separately.
October 16, 2022
I spoke too soon on this series. I have been deceived as thoroughly as if that master criminal Moriarty had his hand in this. While I was very happy with the first two books as told by Dr. Watson, and said as much, this missive is told from the PoV of Lucy James. Now that might have been fine, but even worse, it's written in present tense which I cannot abide. I don't think I've ever gotten more than two or three chapters into a novel told in present tense before (figuratively) flinging the book across the room. I recall, long ago, reading advice in a "How to Write for Beginners" book very much against the practice. Perhaps it's been embedded in my psyche because of that, but I find it annoying and distracting. When I start translating each and every sentence into past tense, as it should have been to begin with, there's something wrong.
I may pick this book up again, but I doubt it.
EDIT: Okay, I gave it another chance, and the book improved exponentially. As it turns out, the present tense thing was an artifice and was eventually "upgraded" I suppose you could say to normal narrative parameters. It is a well written story, but perhaps would have done much better to have had some warning to prevent such disappointment as I went through.
I may pick this book up again, but I doubt it.
EDIT: Okay, I gave it another chance, and the book improved exponentially. As it turns out, the present tense thing was an artifice and was eventually "upgraded" I suppose you could say to normal narrative parameters. It is a well written story, but perhaps would have done much better to have had some warning to prevent such disappointment as I went through.
July 11, 2017
I received this free from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
This is the third book in The Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James mystery series. It's the first book in the series I have read. I was not disappointed. I found it delightful. The mystery was interesting and the romance a nice touch. I love the interaction between Lucy and Holmes. I think the author captures the way Holmes would react to and respond to a daughter. The whole tone is very believable. I am definitely going to read the previous books in the series and the next book in the series. Great addition to Sherlock Holmes' world.
This is the third book in The Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James mystery series. It's the first book in the series I have read. I was not disappointed. I found it delightful. The mystery was interesting and the romance a nice touch. I love the interaction between Lucy and Holmes. I think the author captures the way Holmes would react to and respond to a daughter. The whole tone is very believable. I am definitely going to read the previous books in the series and the next book in the series. Great addition to Sherlock Holmes' world.
March 23, 2021
Another successful Sherlock Holmes mystery
I loved reading about Sherlock Holmes, starting as an older child. This book continues with the same type of story but with the addition of Lucy, an unexpected daughter who is also an intelligent and courageous participant in finding clues and foiling sinister plots. She also provides a romantic twist through her relationship with the policeman who discovered her unconscious on the steps of the British Museum. The policeman's younger sister introduces a child into the story. Both of the new female characters serve to make Holmes more approachable and human, and probably more acceptable to modern readers.
I loved reading about Sherlock Holmes, starting as an older child. This book continues with the same type of story but with the addition of Lucy, an unexpected daughter who is also an intelligent and courageous participant in finding clues and foiling sinister plots. She also provides a romantic twist through her relationship with the policeman who discovered her unconscious on the steps of the British Museum. The policeman's younger sister introduces a child into the story. Both of the new female characters serve to make Holmes more approachable and human, and probably more acceptable to modern readers.
November 23, 2021
Amnesia
Appropriate for middle school - adult
No sex
Action, but no stomach turning violence
No harsh language
Light reading
Setting Pre-WWI London
Interesting plot line
Plot no spoilers:
The story opens with a young lady being awakened by a policeman and told to move along. She's horrified to see that she has been sleeping on the ground. Her nice clothing is filthy. Worse, she has no idea what she's been doing -- in fact she has no idea who she is.
Bit by bit she learns things about herself, such as a remarkable ability to defend herself. She has a couple of misadventures, but then also obtains help from good people.
The time does come when she realizes who she is and the events that led to her situation. Then the chase is on to catch and stop the criminals' deadly scheme.
Again, very light reading. So, if that's what you're looking for, definitely recommended.
Appropriate for middle school - adult
No sex
Action, but no stomach turning violence
No harsh language
Light reading
Setting Pre-WWI London
Interesting plot line
Plot no spoilers:
The story opens with a young lady being awakened by a policeman and told to move along. She's horrified to see that she has been sleeping on the ground. Her nice clothing is filthy. Worse, she has no idea what she's been doing -- in fact she has no idea who she is.
Bit by bit she learns things about herself, such as a remarkable ability to defend herself. She has a couple of misadventures, but then also obtains help from good people.
The time does come when she realizes who she is and the events that led to her situation. Then the chase is on to catch and stop the criminals' deadly scheme.
Again, very light reading. So, if that's what you're looking for, definitely recommended.
January 31, 2022
Lucy wakens in the dawn unable to remember anything, not her identity nor how she came to be lying in the street outside the British Museum. The police constable who finds her has no clue but is willing to help, but she spurns his help to go off on her own. She manages to find people to talk to who direct her to a doctor's office. But something about the doctor just isn't right, and Lucy manages to get away from him. The constable manages to find her again and he takes her home to meet his little sister. I personally had a wonderful time regaining Lucy's memories and following her through the rest of the adventure. I loved this book and I think you will too.
July 11, 2022
Great addition to Holmes mystery genre
I have loved and read Sherlock Holmes mysteries since my teens so when new additions to this master of mystery comes along I try it. This is the second book in the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James series that I've read and I'm really enjoying the development of Lucy's character as Holmes' long lost daughter. They make a wonderful pair without competing with each other. In this book a new character was introduced, who I hope reappears in the next book. I enjoyed the interplay between Lucy and Jack Kelly. He is a good counterbalance for her impatient nature. I look forward to reading the next book by these authors.
I have loved and read Sherlock Holmes mysteries since my teens so when new additions to this master of mystery comes along I try it. This is the second book in the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James series that I've read and I'm really enjoying the development of Lucy's character as Holmes' long lost daughter. They make a wonderful pair without competing with each other. In this book a new character was introduced, who I hope reappears in the next book. I enjoyed the interplay between Lucy and Jack Kelly. He is a good counterbalance for her impatient nature. I look forward to reading the next book by these authors.
June 29, 2023
I thoroughly enjoy reading about the adventures of Lucy James, Holmes' daughter. The books are very well written. Victorian London is perhaps, glossed over a bit, but not completely romanticized. In this tale, Lucy has received a blow to the head, and has amnesia. She retains her native wit however and follows her instincts to regain her memories. Along the way she assists Sherlock in foiling a plot to assassinate the Head of Scotland Yard. It's all great fun. The character of Holmes may not ring exactly true to canon, but he is still believably close. Recommended to all who love Sherlock Holmes, but are not religiously wedded to canon.
November 29, 2025
Except for the narration, this was a great book. I loved the initial plot and the characters. The majority of the book was Lucy speaking in the first person and the voice for Lucy soon became boring and monotonous to me, otherwise all the other characters were fine. I liked the interactions between Holmes and Lucy as father and daughter. It was a pleasant change from the staid, all about the case attitude of Holmes. He is warming up to the idea that he actually has a daughter. Little Becky was a delight and Jack is going to be a good match for Lucy. Really enjoyed the story except for the narrators choice of voice for Lucy.
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