I was given a free e-copy by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have read all of the novels in Leonard Goldberg's Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, and I am a bit disappointed in this installment.
Joanna, her husband John Watson Jr, and her father in law John Watson Sr are requested to look into the kidnapping of Whitechapel actress Pretty Penny. It would appear that many in Whitechapel deeply admired the young woman, and are devastated by her disappearance. Which also brings about it's own list of suspects. Joanna and Watsons follow a trail involving candy and jewelry to the sinister return of Jack the Ripper. As Jack's usual motive involves prostitutes named Unfortunates, our heroes must venture further into darkness than they ever have before. But how far down the rabbit hole must they go before they realize that the danger could be closer at home?
I enjoy the historical context that Leonard Goldberg flows through his chapters. The use of Jack the Ripper in a Sherlock pastiche is not new. However, this is the first time I have read one with a daughter being the main detective and not Sherlock. Since Jack was never caught, I also liked the idea that he had taken a "sabbatical" before continuing the deeds. I have read a few historical papers that say Jack and H.H. Holmes could be one and the same person. It is interesting to see the theories that historians and authors come up with.
I even like the addition of Joanna having a son/family because I believe it makes her more human and relatable. What I do not like is Joanna's warm and cold personality in this installment. In this particular case, Joanna's son is threatened with kidnapping and implied horrors. When such an event occurred, it seemed like Joanna could not decide on an emotion. I also felt that John Watson Sr was decided clumsy or slow at times, which seems contrary to a man who was beside Sherlock for many of his successes and teachings.
Joanna's son Johnny becoming involved felt unnecessary. It seemed like an addition to make the reader see the difference between father and daughter but it just left a bad taste in my mouth. For example, it is implied that Johnny will be kidnapped and harmed. While the family is supposedly on their guard, the kidnapping happens anyway, and I find that realistically impossible. Not just because Joanna is supposed to be specially observant, and Watson Sr has stated many times to remain at Johnny's side, but also because Johnny is aware of the danger and purposefully puts himself in a position to be out of sight. I cannot imagine that the grandson and son of a famous detective would purposefully cause such drama.
Overall I have to rate this 3 out of 5 stars. But I will continue to read Leonard Goldberg's series in the hopes that this was just the exception in his otherwise well admired series.
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