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Dragon Ripper: Book I of The Detectivists
"Readers will clamor for more." - Hallie Ephron, NY Times Bestselling Author "A gripping crime drama, game but edgy." - Kirkus Reviews Astraia Holmes, sister of Sherlock, is baffled by a series of bizarre and brutal murders committed by a dragon-like assailant, and desperately wishing to impress her brother and solve the crimes she teams up with a mysterious and brilliant young woman, Madeleine Barquist. Sherlock suspects an ancient malevolence at work and he fears for Astraia's safety. The signs point to a Chinese Dragon God Cult known as the Ya Zi, a warrior society originally formed two thousand years ago to assassinate enemies of the Emperor. Astraia is exultant to finally have a chance to use her own deduction skills, but Miss Barquist is fearful to meet the eye of Sherlock Holmes—for unknown to both Astraia and Sherlock, she is the daughter of Jack the Ripper, and unknown to them all, a dark and powerful evil is preparing to strike at the heart of London. ________ "Madeline Barquist and Astraia Holmes prove the Rizzoli and Isles of Victorian England in THE DETECTIVISTS first book, Dragon Ripper. A dark and illuminating page-turner worthy of Anne Perry." - Paula Munier, Author of "A Borrowing of Bones"
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 24, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Been wanting to read it for years. Would highly recommend.
May 10, 2020
Do you like to solve mysteries?
If so, then read the book entitled, "The Detectivists: Dragon Ripper" by Melanie Bacon.
This book is a page turner!
Sherlock Holmes is a character in this story! His sister, Astraia Holmes and her friend, Madelaine "Maddie" Barquist meet at the first crime scene and continue to work together to solve the mystery. This mystery is set in the nineteenth century in London. Unfortunately, people are being killed in the Whitechapel alley.
Astraia works at the Whitechapel Library and Maddie is a veterinarian who provides veterinarian services to the horses for the Scotland Yard Metropolitan Police.
The investigation becomes intense when Astraia and Maddie start uncovering facts and begin putting pieces together in addition to the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police Lenan Street station and Sherlock Holmes.
Police Constable Frank Foerst who is a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department, Detective Inspector Rankin and Sherlock Holmes try to keep Astraia and Maddie from becoming too involved, but vow to protect them as they continue to uncover clues as to whom the killer might be.
Astraia goes undercover to uncover clues.
Will Astraia and Maddie survive the unpredictable twists and turns of the investigation and be able to find the killer?
To make matters worse, Hubert Cranston "Jolly Bert" comes back to town to find a journal belonging to Maddie's deceased father.
Will Sherlock Holmes discover the truth about Maddie's past?
A tremendous tale of unending commitment to friendship and to solving a mystery in order to save peoples' lives.
Adults only.
If so, then read the book entitled, "The Detectivists: Dragon Ripper" by Melanie Bacon.
This book is a page turner!
Sherlock Holmes is a character in this story! His sister, Astraia Holmes and her friend, Madelaine "Maddie" Barquist meet at the first crime scene and continue to work together to solve the mystery. This mystery is set in the nineteenth century in London. Unfortunately, people are being killed in the Whitechapel alley.
Astraia works at the Whitechapel Library and Maddie is a veterinarian who provides veterinarian services to the horses for the Scotland Yard Metropolitan Police.
The investigation becomes intense when Astraia and Maddie start uncovering facts and begin putting pieces together in addition to the ongoing investigation by the Metropolitan Police Lenan Street station and Sherlock Holmes.
Police Constable Frank Foerst who is a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department, Detective Inspector Rankin and Sherlock Holmes try to keep Astraia and Maddie from becoming too involved, but vow to protect them as they continue to uncover clues as to whom the killer might be.
Astraia goes undercover to uncover clues.
Will Astraia and Maddie survive the unpredictable twists and turns of the investigation and be able to find the killer?
To make matters worse, Hubert Cranston "Jolly Bert" comes back to town to find a journal belonging to Maddie's deceased father.
Will Sherlock Holmes discover the truth about Maddie's past?
A tremendous tale of unending commitment to friendship and to solving a mystery in order to save peoples' lives.
Adults only.
January 22, 2021
I DNFed this book.
Regretfully, I could just not get into it. I didn't like or connect with Madeleine, I disliked Astraia (whom at least initially seemed like just a female clone of Sherlock), and I couldn't get into the story having disliked/not connected with the two main protagonists, so I quit trying to pick it back up.
It didn't seem like a bad story, mind, it seemed to have most things that make this type of tale interesting; I just couldn't find enough interest in the characters to keep up with the story.
Regretfully, I could just not get into it. I didn't like or connect with Madeleine, I disliked Astraia (whom at least initially seemed like just a female clone of Sherlock), and I couldn't get into the story having disliked/not connected with the two main protagonists, so I quit trying to pick it back up.
It didn't seem like a bad story, mind, it seemed to have most things that make this type of tale interesting; I just couldn't find enough interest in the characters to keep up with the story.
July 26, 2023
I enjoyed the tie-in to Jack the Ripper and found that part of the story interesting. However, I like when I can follow along with the story and figure out what’s happening along with the MC in a big reveal. I don’t like this type of story where you have no clue what’s what, the MC has no clue either, but then all of a sudden they have it all figured out (somehow that I don’t understand) and proceed to tell you what happened.
May 14, 2020
Dragon Ripper is an exciting murder mystery that is inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels. It takes place in the Whitechapel area of East London in the late 1800's. The story is narrated by Maddie Barquist, a horse Veterinarian for the local Police department. By chance, she meets Astraia Holmes where a gruesome and unusual murder has recently taken place in an alley near an opium den. Maddie soon finds herself assisting Ms. Holmes with her investigation of the dead woman.
The story is very gripping and moves at a very fast pace as Ms. Holmes and Maddie become friends and join forces to solve the mystery as another victim is found a few days later under similar circumstances. While the local Police believe that Jack the Ripper is behind these murders, Holmes and Maddie are finding clues that point to something that is not human. Like her brother Sherlock, Astraia Holmes uses her “Observation and Deduction” skills to find the clues that are overlooked by the Police.
Maddie is a very entertaining character who holds a dark secret that she is trying to keep concealed. She has humorous accounts of her daily interactions and occasionally makes fun of herself for not being a classy woman. An unfortunate accident leaves her left foot in a cast and vulnerable when her past comes back to haunt her.
Bacon has recreated a classic in a very fun and intriguing story. The scenes transport the reader to the time of Sherlock Holmes. Astraia follows in her brother's profession of Investigator, but with more resistance because society at the time did not make it easy for women to have careers that were dominated by men. This is a good book for mystery fans as it has thrilling scenes that are recalled through Maddie's descriptions.
The story is very gripping and moves at a very fast pace as Ms. Holmes and Maddie become friends and join forces to solve the mystery as another victim is found a few days later under similar circumstances. While the local Police believe that Jack the Ripper is behind these murders, Holmes and Maddie are finding clues that point to something that is not human. Like her brother Sherlock, Astraia Holmes uses her “Observation and Deduction” skills to find the clues that are overlooked by the Police.
Maddie is a very entertaining character who holds a dark secret that she is trying to keep concealed. She has humorous accounts of her daily interactions and occasionally makes fun of herself for not being a classy woman. An unfortunate accident leaves her left foot in a cast and vulnerable when her past comes back to haunt her.
Bacon has recreated a classic in a very fun and intriguing story. The scenes transport the reader to the time of Sherlock Holmes. Astraia follows in her brother's profession of Investigator, but with more resistance because society at the time did not make it easy for women to have careers that were dominated by men. This is a good book for mystery fans as it has thrilling scenes that are recalled through Maddie's descriptions.
May 27, 2020
I have always loved the classics. Classic mysteries, novels, etc. and cozy mysteries and light novels now because I don’t have as much time to read as I once did. I was a big Sherlock Holmes fan so I try to read those when I can and have to admit, most just miss the mark. They are still entertaining and good but not as great as Conan Doyle.
I was intrigued and excited to read this new story featuring Sherlock Holmes and probably Watson but not using them as the main characters. These main character are great. I enjoyed reading about Astraia and Maddie, both extremely intelligent women in Victorian England making a living in fields that were still new to women. Maddie is a police veterinarian and Astraia is a librarian.
They met at a crime scene and became fast friends. Maddie has a secret she is keeping about her past and Astraia is Sherlock Holmes’s sister. She is uses methodical thinking to process clues and everyday living. Maddie enjoys working with the horses and just lives life one day at a time. She doesn’t look forward often until she meets Astraia.
This is an easy read. It flows quickly and is enjoyable. Both characters are easy to like and pleasant to be around. They speak and act as women with freedom would in Victorian England. They are rare, having freedom to work jobs other than shop assistants, seamstress, etc. Their positions allow them to use an education that wasn’t often opened to women. I look very forward to the next one in this series.
May 7, 2020
I read all of the Sherlock Holmes books and stories as a kid so I must admit to being predisposed to really liking this novel. That said, it far exceeded all of my expectations and was a very entertaining, fun, intriguing, and interesting read.
The protagonist is Sherlock Holmes’ sister, Astraia. Always feeling like she is living life in his larger-than-life shadow, she seeks a way to impress her brother by solving a string of murders. She teams up with Madeleine Barquist, who happens to be the daughter of Jack the Ripper. Neither Astraia nor Sherlock know this about Madeleine.
Using strong female protagonists in a detective/mystery novel set in the same time as Sherlock Holmes really makes for very interesting situations. The author uses this unique opportunity to create unexpected and exciting situations.
Overall, the feel of the book is like a refreshed Sherlock mystery with very interesting twists. Make no mistake, it is not a Sherlock Holmes novel though. He is in the story and plays a role but, unlike Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, he is not the center of attention.
If you enjoy mysteries or detective stories, you will definitely enjoy this one. If you love Sherlock Holmes then this is a must buy book. It is a page turner and will hold your interest from the first page to the last. The characters are rich, new, and interesting. There are a lot of interesting opportunities in this world created by Ms. Bacon.
The protagonist is Sherlock Holmes’ sister, Astraia. Always feeling like she is living life in his larger-than-life shadow, she seeks a way to impress her brother by solving a string of murders. She teams up with Madeleine Barquist, who happens to be the daughter of Jack the Ripper. Neither Astraia nor Sherlock know this about Madeleine.
Using strong female protagonists in a detective/mystery novel set in the same time as Sherlock Holmes really makes for very interesting situations. The author uses this unique opportunity to create unexpected and exciting situations.
Overall, the feel of the book is like a refreshed Sherlock mystery with very interesting twists. Make no mistake, it is not a Sherlock Holmes novel though. He is in the story and plays a role but, unlike Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, he is not the center of attention.
If you enjoy mysteries or detective stories, you will definitely enjoy this one. If you love Sherlock Holmes then this is a must buy book. It is a page turner and will hold your interest from the first page to the last. The characters are rich, new, and interesting. There are a lot of interesting opportunities in this world created by Ms. Bacon.
January 18, 2021
In “Dragon Ripper,” Melanie Bacon has written a fun, adventurous Victorian mystery that teams up lead character Madeleine Barquist, daughter of Jack the Ripper, with Astraia Holmes, sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. There is humor mixed with shudder-worthy scenes that keeps the pages turning. Bacon describes elements of the societal hierarchies for women, Chinese immigrants, animals, and the teeming London populace with sensory-inducing descriptions so that I was quickly hearing, smelling and seeing the story unfold. The reader is also treated to cameos by Sherlock and Mycroft that up the fun factor of the story.
I highly recommend Dragon Ripper as a pleasurable escape as told by the wryly courageous Maddie. I look forward to the next book in The Detectivists series.
I highly recommend Dragon Ripper as a pleasurable escape as told by the wryly courageous Maddie. I look forward to the next book in The Detectivists series.
January 24, 2025
Smashing Good Introduction!
There are so many female members of Sherlock Holmes family running around modern literature, (even) younger sisters Enola and Eurus, daughter (by Irene Adler!) Joanna, and contemporaries Veronica Speedwell and the intimitable Miss Eliza Scarlett and the reimagined Charlotte Holmes (All these women should get together and start their own Private Detective Guild.) that I was prepared to be disappointed by The Detectivists. Surprisingly, I wasn't. Interesting plot, well developed characters, occasional appearances of both of Astraia's more famous brothers, and a villain who makes meat pies out of murder victims. Fascinating, and I am looking forward to Book 2!
There are so many female members of Sherlock Holmes family running around modern literature, (even) younger sisters Enola and Eurus, daughter (by Irene Adler!) Joanna, and contemporaries Veronica Speedwell and the intimitable Miss Eliza Scarlett and the reimagined Charlotte Holmes (All these women should get together and start their own Private Detective Guild.) that I was prepared to be disappointed by The Detectivists. Surprisingly, I wasn't. Interesting plot, well developed characters, occasional appearances of both of Astraia's more famous brothers, and a villain who makes meat pies out of murder victims. Fascinating, and I am looking forward to Book 2!
November 24, 2021
A true 19th century mystery for female detectives
Take the daughter of a monster and the sister of most brilliant minds in Britain and you’ve got the female detectives we never knew we needed.
The story focus from the POV of Medelene has she meets the sister of Sherlock Holmes and slowly uncovers a deep plot stretching across Europe to China of murder and drugs in the 19 century England. It becomes abit obtuse at times has Medelene plays catch-up with the facts with Astraia being the overseer to explain how all the clues link to the true culprits with excellent details to show the cleverness the author used to get us there.
Take the daughter of a monster and the sister of most brilliant minds in Britain and you’ve got the female detectives we never knew we needed.
The story focus from the POV of Medelene has she meets the sister of Sherlock Holmes and slowly uncovers a deep plot stretching across Europe to China of murder and drugs in the 19 century England. It becomes abit obtuse at times has Medelene plays catch-up with the facts with Astraia being the overseer to explain how all the clues link to the true culprits with excellent details to show the cleverness the author used to get us there.
February 9, 2022
An awesome surprise!
I can’t lie, I wasn’t sure how far into Dragon Ripper I’d get before tapping out. I haven’t much luck with the recommendations I’d been seeing lately, but figured it would be worth the cost of the book in support of ambitious authors.
Dragon Ripper, the first in what I hope will be an ongoing series with many books to come, was a great read! The characters were interesting & fun to follow along, the dialogue was fantastic & often slid wry humor into the mix. Most important to me was the way author Melanie Bacon slipped in little bits of information here & there, through Maddie Barquist’s 1st person perspective. Very well done!
I can’t lie, I wasn’t sure how far into Dragon Ripper I’d get before tapping out. I haven’t much luck with the recommendations I’d been seeing lately, but figured it would be worth the cost of the book in support of ambitious authors.
Dragon Ripper, the first in what I hope will be an ongoing series with many books to come, was a great read! The characters were interesting & fun to follow along, the dialogue was fantastic & often slid wry humor into the mix. Most important to me was the way author Melanie Bacon slipped in little bits of information here & there, through Maddie Barquist’s 1st person perspective. Very well done!
October 19, 2021
An interesting book, and I will keep Melanie Bacon among my "Authors to Read" list. However, I intensely disliked the female "Dr. Watson" character. Found it disgustingly humble and following blindly all orders given by Astasia Holmes, like a well tamed dog, wagging his, in this case, her tail. The book is intensely feminist, and I think a more "manly" personages would do good to the characters if the author intends to write more of these detective women, as men are painted like very much "extras" in the book. Even Sherlock Holmes looks too patient and intimidated, which we all know he is not and never would be. All in all, a good entertaining book.
September 17, 2024
Dragon Ripper
Fanciful pairing of Sherlock Holmes’ sister and Jack the Ripper’s daughter as private detectives. Ever wonder what really happened to stop Jack the Ripper and what role Sherlock Holmes had in closing that homicide case?
I found the concept of this series intriguing and enjoyed reading this adventure. This plot fits into the genre of Sherlock Holmes pastiches. I took off one star for having the kind of stupid “plucky heroines” that populate most horror films.
Fanciful pairing of Sherlock Holmes’ sister and Jack the Ripper’s daughter as private detectives. Ever wonder what really happened to stop Jack the Ripper and what role Sherlock Holmes had in closing that homicide case?
I found the concept of this series intriguing and enjoyed reading this adventure. This plot fits into the genre of Sherlock Holmes pastiches. I took off one star for having the kind of stupid “plucky heroines” that populate most horror films.
April 13, 2025
Smoke and dragons.
An intriguing mystery involving the oriental inhabitants of London. The detectives are the sister of Sherlock Holmes and police vet Madeleine Barquist the daughter of Jack the ripper. I would have been happy to award an extra star but for the Jack the ripper connection. I feel this was far fetched and an unnecessary complication. The two characters are a good match however. They are both interesting characters who have valuable friends and relatives. I shall read the follow up novel next.
An intriguing mystery involving the oriental inhabitants of London. The detectives are the sister of Sherlock Holmes and police vet Madeleine Barquist the daughter of Jack the ripper. I would have been happy to award an extra star but for the Jack the ripper connection. I feel this was far fetched and an unnecessary complication. The two characters are a good match however. They are both interesting characters who have valuable friends and relatives. I shall read the follow up novel next.
October 20, 2021
Review
The detectivists. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were reminiscent of of Doyle's, but very fresh and new. Maddie was written almost as a Watson ish person but had much more depth and much more anxiety. I found her development to be very natural and exciting. Having her tell the story was the best possible course. I do hope there are more adventures for these two great women!
The detectivists. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were reminiscent of of Doyle's, but very fresh and new. Maddie was written almost as a Watson ish person but had much more depth and much more anxiety. I found her development to be very natural and exciting. Having her tell the story was the best possible course. I do hope there are more adventures for these two great women!
March 25, 2022
Interesting tale on the world of Sherlock Holmes. I liked his sister, Astraia, as well as the real central character, Maddie, who hides a huge secret. It wasn't a particularly quick read as the author's thesaurus got quite a workout but it was filled with colorful characters and well described locations. The mystery was good and somewhat unique. I am planning to read any more books that are released in the series.
November 1, 2021
A Sherlock Holmes type of book from a woman's point of view. I loved it and both main characters. I did not guess "who done it" until the very end.
Sherlock and Mycroft stick their noses in every so often to add their unwanted advice to their sister.
I can hardly wait the next book of the series,
Sherlock and Mycroft stick their noses in every so often to add their unwanted advice to their sister.
I can hardly wait the next book of the series,
November 2, 2021
Dragon Ripper 🐉
I enjoy all Sherlock Holmes books and even the ones associated with family. I anticipated anyone mystery of quality. It was and it wasn't. The story was very good and story was plausible. It was a very disjointed at times but very exciting at times. The series might be well worth reading. A 4 out of 5 rating.
I enjoy all Sherlock Holmes books and even the ones associated with family. I anticipated anyone mystery of quality. It was and it wasn't. The story was very good and story was plausible. It was a very disjointed at times but very exciting at times. The series might be well worth reading. A 4 out of 5 rating.
February 6, 2022
This was an enjoyable mystery, but the vocabulary? Whoa. I'm so glad that I read this on my Kindle where I could easily look up any unfamiliar word. I like broadening my vocabulary, but there were so many archaic words that I felt like I was looking up one every couple paragraphs. At times, this pushed me out of the story or broke up the flow for me. Overall though, I looked this book.
July 11, 2024
A Rollicking Good Read
Enter the world of late Victorian London, just after the Jack the Ripper murders.
Throw in a police vet,high society, opium dens and the Holmes family, for a murderous adventure with dragons, Chinese criminal gangs and a quest for what ties it all together.
A really innovative use of previously known, and new, characters.
A thoroughly entertaining read.
Enter the world of late Victorian London, just after the Jack the Ripper murders.
Throw in a police vet,high society, opium dens and the Holmes family, for a murderous adventure with dragons, Chinese criminal gangs and a quest for what ties it all together.
A really innovative use of previously known, and new, characters.
A thoroughly entertaining read.
October 22, 2021
A really entertaining good novel set in the 1800 love the way ladies were treated as such and love the angle of the story daughter of Jack the ripper and sister of Sherlock .Could even feel the vibe of the filthy streets and how people lived in them days great read .
October 24, 2021
Fantastic!
The best I’ve read in a long time. Beautifully written with amazing command of the language. I was skeptical about the premise, but she just nailed it! Please, give us more, more, more.
The best I’ve read in a long time. Beautifully written with amazing command of the language. I was skeptical about the premise, but she just nailed it! Please, give us more, more, more.
October 26, 2021
Detectives Holmes & Miss Ripper
Very interesting detective story about Sherlock Holmes Sister and Jack the Ripper’s daughter. The story is a highly entertaining mystery. I highly recommend it.
Very interesting detective story about Sherlock Holmes Sister and Jack the Ripper’s daughter. The story is a highly entertaining mystery. I highly recommend it.
November 25, 2021
Pretty good read
I enjoyed this book very much. It is a new take on Sherlock Holmes London . Who would ever expect Jack the Toppers daughter and Holmes sister to team up to catch a murderer? Yet here they do!
I enjoyed this book very much. It is a new take on Sherlock Holmes London . Who would ever expect Jack the Toppers daughter and Holmes sister to team up to catch a murderer? Yet here they do!
January 3, 2022
While the plot itself seemed quite exciting, I felt that the book lagged on a bit. It was difficult to keep myself pushing through it, but I finally finished it. I’m intrigued to see how the author’s writing skills improve for the next book.
February 12, 2022
The Holmes family....just wow
The book took a while for me to fully engage, but it was worth it. This is a different approach to the Holmes saga, which had some interesting twists and turns.
The book took a while for me to fully engage, but it was worth it. This is a different approach to the Holmes saga, which had some interesting twists and turns.
March 29, 2022
interesting twist on Jack the Ripper.
Entertaining read. Seems quite historically correct. Any history buffs would enjoy. Lots of period-accurate events. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Entertaining read. Seems quite historically correct. Any history buffs would enjoy. Lots of period-accurate events. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 23, 2024
Food for thought
A good read but a lot squeamish in parts . Never thought about Sherlock Holmes having a family but added to the mystery. Good description of the dress of the period.
A good read but a lot squeamish in parts . Never thought about Sherlock Holmes having a family but added to the mystery. Good description of the dress of the period.
December 8, 2024
Mmm ok
A Bit to much to get My Head around .with Fictional Characters with Family members added on . A long drawn out story that I struggled with . I Jave the second book but really don't know if I want to read it
A Bit to much to get My Head around .with Fictional Characters with Family members added on . A long drawn out story that I struggled with . I Jave the second book but really don't know if I want to read it
October 25, 2021
Great Read
I truly enjoyed this book. I am a Sherlock Holmes fan an this book is written in the tradition of great detective deducting. Worth the purchase price.
I truly enjoyed this book. I am a Sherlock Holmes fan an this book is written in the tradition of great detective deducting. Worth the purchase price.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews