The Serpent Under: Treachery, Twists and Terror in Baker Street (A Sherlock Holmes Adventure) by Bonnie Macbird

 Holmes and Watson face treachery and danger in the latest full-length thriller by Bonnie MacBird, author of the bestselling Sherlock Holmes novel Art in the Blood.

Murder, jealousy, and deceit underscore three interlocking mysteries as Holmes and Watson take on a high profile case at Windsor Castle, a boy drowned in the Serpentine, and a crusading women’s rights activist who suspects a traitor in her organization. The cases send them into danger into locales as varied as the Palace itself, a dockland cannery, an arts and crafts atelier, and a Gypsy encampment. But is there peril underfoot as well – right at 221B Baker Street?

The twisting, breathlessly plotted conjoined mysteries that Bonnie MacBird is known for provide a thrill ride that will delight Sherlockians worldwide.

I absolutely love the images that are attached to each chapter! I wish all historical fiction novels had this. The combination of the images and MacBird’s descriptive writing make it easier for a reader to be in Victorian London.

MacBird stays true to the personalities of Holmes and Watson but adds her own touch with young Heffie. I enjoyed the fact that Heffie is streetwise but working with the police. She clearly outwits them over and over again, but is using her powers, like Holmes, for good.

I quickly realized who the villain was, but I couldn’t figure out why or how. The ending results came as a revelation. I could see how others had done the deed and why, but I also knew them to be too easy. I was pleased to see that there were moments that Watson showed the tutelage of Holmes, but that he was still “Victorian” in his views. I sometimes wonder if some authors who write of Watson make him too prejudice. MacBird displays a balance in Watson’s personality, as well as Holmes’ eccentricity and vibration.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.