It’s the season of peace and goodwill, but a Victorian Christmas is no holiday for the world’s most popular detective in this new book from Bonnie MacBird, author of the bestselling Sherlock Holmes novel Art in the Blood.
It’s Christmastime in London, and Sherlock Holmes takes on two cases. The angelic three-year-old child of a wealthy couple is the target of a vicious kidnapper, and a country aristocrat worries that his handsome, favourite son has mysteriously vanished from his London pied à terre. Holmes and Watson, aided by the colourful Heffie O’Malley, slip slide in the ice to ensure a merry Christmas is had by nearly everybody . . . (Goodreads synopsis)
I have read one of Bonnie MacBird’s previous Sherlock Holmes novels prior to this one, so I must admit that I did not have the complete backstory for their young friend Heffie. That did not, however, take away from the story at all, as it was obvious that Heffie had originally been a part of Sherlock’s Baker Street Irregulars network.
There were 2 mysteries, and I am somewhat disappointed to say that I had figured out both solutions before the ending. However, I still enjoyed Holmes (and MacBird’s portrayal) and his empathy towards the individuals. Sherlock may not view it as such, but Watson and loyal friends do.
Jean Vidocq also makes an appearance, and I really wish the author had given the reader the scene for the thrashing, instead of just telling us. I found it interesting that the English servants would prefer Holmes over Vidocq, but that Lord Endicott would refer to Holmes as an amateur. Guess it was one to show that the “below stairs” were/are more sensible to life than the “above stairs.”
Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars, because it is a great Christmas mystery read filled with intriguing and lots of emotion.
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