Happy Wednesday and Happy Halloween, all! Today I am super excited to share my review of another book I group read, and we unanimously endorsed, The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas! Now available from Berkley!
My Thoughts:
I love the idea behind this series! Female companions Holmes and Watson during the Victorian era- how fun! This is the third installment in the Lady Sherlock series, and while I feel this can be read as a stand-alone, I think my experience would have been richer if I had known more of the backstories of Holmes and Watson, as well as the connections between installments. That said, Thomas includes some backstory as well.
Just as Sherlock did, Charlotte Holmes attracts to her those who need help. A couple big events happen. The first is Charlotte’s brother is missing. Shortly thereafter, Lady Ingram, married to Charlotte’s friend, Lord Ingram, is murdered…and it appears Lord Ingram is to blame.
Charlotte goes undercover to find out what happened. Will she be successful?
Charlotte is at once awkward and off-putting, but endearing at the same time. She is also highly intelligent and masterful in her analysis. I was especially impressed that she is able to live as an independent woman during Victorian times, which was no small feat. Sherry Thomas writes in a classic style that fits with both the time period and the Sherlock Holmes novels and short stories we all know and love.
Overall, The Hollow of Fear is a strong effort filled with a colorful cast of characters, mystery, intrigue, and ultimately, charm. I am ready to read the first two installments now to spend more time with Charlotte!
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Charlotte Holmes, Lady Sherlock, returns in the Victorian-set mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of A Conspiracy in Belgravia and A Study in Scarlet Women, an NPR Best Book of 2016.
Under the cover of “Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective,” Charlotte Holmes puts her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. Aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, Charlotte draws those in need to her and makes it her business to know what other people don’t.
Moriarty’s shadow looms large. First, Charlotte’s half brother disappears. Then, Lady Ingram, the estranged wife of Charlotte’s close friend Lord Ingram, turns up dead on his estate. And all signs point to Lord Ingram as the murderer.
With Scotland Yard closing in, Charlotte goes under disguise to seek out the truth. But uncovering the truth could mean getting too close to Lord Ingram—and a number of malevolent forces…
Check out these reviews by the other Book Besties:
Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark
Holly at Dressed to Read
Mackenzie at PhDiva
This series sounds fab! Love the cover too.
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It is definitely a charming series! I was impressed!
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Happy Halloween 🎃 x
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Thank you! Happy Halloween to you, Sassy! 👻
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What an interesting take on the Sherlock Holmes story!
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It really is a fascinating version!
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Love the cover on this one! Perfect for today. Great review, Jenn! 💜🎃💜 xoxo
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Thank you, favorite M! It is a terrific read for Halloween! Atmospheric and fun! 💕 Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻
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The cover is beautiful 😍Jennifer
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Happpppyyyyyy Halloweennmnnnnn💜
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Thanks, Priyasha! I thought so, too! Happy Halloween to you! 🎃
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Wonderful review, Jennifer. I have not read HOF. My favorite read this fall is The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Happy Reading!
🐕💕📚😍
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Thank you, Virginia! It was a fun read and so intriguing! Aw, Travelling Cat is wonderful! I’m happy you enjoyed it! 🐱 ♥️ xo
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LOOKS GOOD WITH A FANTASTIC COVER, CHINA
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Thanks, China! It’s a beauty!
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Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
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Thank you again, China! ♥️
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Fantastic review Jennifer! I’m looking forward to getting books 1 and 2 and then 3!!! ❤
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Thanks, Holls! I bet we will completely fall in love with Charlotte then! 💗 xo
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This sounds like a great read Jennifer. I am a big fan of Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock. 🌼
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He makes a wonderful Sherlock, doesn’t he? This is a super read, Brigid, and I’m really looking forward to exploring the series more. ♥️
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I’ve been meaning to try the series and I’m so excited to see you review this! Charlotte sounds like the perfect genderbent Sherlock! ❤ Does the plot overlap with the original Holmes stories or are they originals? And anything special planned for Halloween? 😀 🎃
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Kathy, I just saw Sherry Thomas writes fantasy. Have you read any of her fantasy books? So I wasn’t sure about plot overlap and tried to find the answer but couldn’t. I have only read this one, book 3, and I didn’t notice any, but I also have read allll the Sherlock novellas and short stories (and also may not remember). Charlotte gives this a unique feel, and if there is any crossover, I bet it would just be a nod, and then move along, but I may be wrong? Nothing fun planned at all. Ugh! Work gets in the way. Do you have something fun planned? Are you dressing up? ♥️ 🎃 👻
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Aw, thanks for the info, Jennifer! I actually prefer Sherlock imaginings that don’t follow the original plot, so I’m definitely giving this a try. 😀 And I’m looking through Sherry Thomas’ amazon page right now and WOOW, she writes in a lot of genres! I think I’ve seen her fantasy covers floating around but never looked closely before. I will keep them in mind!
And no dressing up for me! Though I will be raiding the stores after tomorrow for all the bargain Halloween candy 😂
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That candy! I’m sure some will land here, too! I read that Thomas has a goal of writing in every genre she herself enjoys, so that makes sense with the genre jumping! I hope you enjoy this series if you end up trying it out. ♥️
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Lovely review – I’d not heard of this series so I’ll have to go and check it out.
Thanks
Lynn 😀
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Thank you, Lynn! It seems like quite a charming series!
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Going to eventually get to this series and my library has them all! Super review!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I can’t wait for you to try them out! I am excited to explore the first two.
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Great cover and awesome review. Happy Hallowwweeeeen 🎃🎃
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Thanks so much, RoseMarie! ♥️ Happy Halloween to you, too! 🎃 👻
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You’re welcome! Happy Halloween 🎃
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Great review Jen and what a creepy cover! Happy Halloween my friend!🎃🎃👻👻
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Thanks, Sus! I love that haunting cover- definitely creepy. I hope your Halloween ahs been excellent so far! 👻 🎃 ♥️
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I’m up for anything Holmes related!! This didn’t seem like a super strong read, judging from your review (… Maybe I’m wrong) but, I’ll still give it a try! 🍻
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It’s definitely a good one, Nicole. I just wish I had read the first two books to understand some of the happenings, but I already am completely loving the MC and the writing is superb! If you read it, start with book one! I just added it to my wishlist! ♥️
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I already added the 1st one to my TBR!! 💖🍻
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I love what you said about her independence as a woman in the Victorian Era—that really is one of the parts of this book that sang to my soul. It’s not just a female Sherlock Holmes, there’s a lot to Charlotte’s character that I enjoyed! 💕 wonderful review, Jennifer! Glad we read this together 💕💕
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Yes, Charlotte is such an endearing and different sort of character, and I’m fully invested in her, Mack. I was just adding the first book to my wishlist. I definitely want to read it. ♥️ Thank you, and I loved reading this with you! Xoxo
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I’m so glad that you enjoyed this book overall. Wonderful review. 🙂
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Thanks, Chrissi! It seems like a wonderful series!
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Fabulous review! I loved detecting this book with you!🕵🏻♀️
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Thanks, Berit! It was a fun one for sure! ♥️
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This looks amazing!
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It was absolutely terrific, and now I have a new series to explore! ♥️
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This looks wicked. I will check out the first book in this series. I am like you. I like knowing a little more.
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It’s so good, Reeca- so much potential here! ♥️
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Nice review. I have not read any of this series, so might go back to read the first one, I am intrigued.
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Thanks, Carla! With your love for cozies and other mysteries, I think this series may be a good fit.
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Great review, Jennifer. Charlotte sounds like such a great character. I hope that you will enjoy the first 2 books in the series.
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Thanks so much, Diana. I hope so too!
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Sounds interesting! Fantastic review Jennifer! 💜🌸
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Thank you, Lindsay! It’s a fun and engaging series! ♥️
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Lady Sherlock?! How fun Jenni! How have I never heard of this series before?! 😂
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So fun, Beth! This is a wonderful series, and I’m definitely going to read more! ♥️ (I hadn’t really paid attention to it until recently myself!)
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I didn’t request it, despite interest, because I haven’t read the first in series. Trying so hard to avoid requesting books that are mid-series because I’m just a little inflexible that way. I suspect I have the first in series for this somewhere – Kindle purchase or way past due galley. Sounds like I should bump it up the line!
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Yes, definitely give it a try if you have it, Myndi. It’s a lovely series, and I can’t wait to explore more of it.
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