Sophia's Reviews > The Art of Theft

With each new installment in this series, I have come to highly anticipate the clever cases, the Victorian Era ambience, and most of all, the characters peopling these books. This author's Lady Sherlock isn't just a wink and a nod at the venerable detective, but a classy tribute that Sherlockians cannot help but approve.

The Art of Theft is fourth in the Lady Sherlock series and is part of a series with not just a few series arcs though each mystery is new, making it a series that is best appreciated in order.

The Yuletide approaches and Sherlock Holmes gets a visit from a dignified Maharini no less. And, shock of all, she keeps her problem to herself and chooses to dismiss the great detective or his clever 'sister'.
But soon, Mrs. Watson gets a visit from her past and she learns her former lover, the older Indian Queen who went to Sherlock, is in trouble. For her feelings and her guilt over saying no years ago, she accepts the case with Charlotte's approval even though it is likely to tax them to the limits.
Charlotte doesn't hesitate to round up Ash, Livie, and Mr. Marbleton to round out their team headed to France. They must break into a nearly impregnable chateau and steal back what was taken from the Maharini. Naturally, things get complicated even further and it will take all of their brains and abilities to get through this unscathed.

Like the rest of the series, this one pulls in narration from all the key players and it starts rolling slowly as the intro to the case and their earlier planning and work transpires. It never felt sluggish or unnecessary because there are the personal interactions and complicated relationships that kept it interesting beyond the moments of great action and suspense. There are a few twists and turns particularly in the latter half that had me flipping pages rapidly. Did we get some good moments with Lord Ingram and Charlotte? You bet! Are there hints of further dastardly deeds from Moriarity? Oh man, are there... We must wait until the next installment for developments.

The series is for anyone who adores a good historical mystery series, but fans of Sherlock will not feel insulted to give this series a go.

My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange of an honest review.