Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: June 6, 2017
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Library
Genre: Mystery & Detective / Historical
The thrilling tale of Sherlock Holmes’ daughter and her companion Dr. John Watson Jr. as they investigate a murder at the highest levels of British society from the USA Today bestselling author.
From USA Today and internationally bestselling author Leonard Goldberg comes a new thrilling tale of Sherlock Holmes’ daughter and her companion Dr. John Watson, Jr. as they investigate a murder at the highest levels of British society.
Joanna Blalock unknowingly is the product of a sole assignation between the late Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. After the nurse and her ten-year-old son see a man fall to his death in an apparent suicide, elderly Dr. John Watson and his charming handsome son Dr. John Watson Jr. invite her to join their detective team. From hidden treasure to the Second Afghan War of 1878-1880, the group devise an ingenious plan to catch a murderer in the act while dodging Scotland Yard the British aristocracy.
Leonard Goldberg's The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes is the first installment in the series by the same name. The year is 1914, Joanna Blalock’s keen mind and incredible insight lead her to become a highly-skilled nurse, one of the few professions that allow her to use her finely-tuned brain. But, after she and her ten-year-old son witness a man falling to his death, apparently by suicide, they are visited by the elderly Dr. John Watson and his charming, handsome son, Dr. John Watson Jr.
Impressed by her forensic skills, and her deductive reasoning, they invite her to become the third member of their investigative team. Caught up in a Holmesian mystery that involves a hidden hidden treasure from the Second Afghan War of 1878-1880, Joanna and her companions must devise an ingenious plan to catch a murderer in the act while dodging familiar culprits, Scotland Yard, Inspector Lestrade who has all but put the suicide to rest, and members of the British aristocracy. It is impossible to not know who the villain of the story is since the author doesn't bother wasting time hiding the person's identity.
Joanna is the product of a one-time assignation between the now dead Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler, the only woman to ever outwit the famous detective, Joanna has unwittingly inherited her parents’ deductive genius. Joanna displays aspects of Holmes' intellect and observation powers which are reminiscent of some parts of the original Watson/Holmes relationship. There are curious questions to be asked as well since the author himself brought them up. Can you inherit the ability to think like a detective or inherit the ability to be a keen observer? Likewise, can you inherit the ability to have a criminal pre-disposition based on your lineage?
It's curious to read about Dr. Watson, Sherlock's old partner and writer of his memoirs and his adventures. While his son John is a physician of pathology, he is now an old man trying to remain relevant on the chase for a bit of adventure. When the family of the so called suicide victim calls on him at his famous address, he is more than ready, willing, and able to do what he can to help the family. Along the way they meet the son of Lestrade, the daughter of Mrs. Hudson and--I kid you not--the puppy of the great tracker Toby. So it's legacy time all around. Then there is the curious connection between John and Joanna. A connection that is mostly skimmed but not really focused on since the mystery gets rather lengthy and in depth with lots of medical jargon. The story itself is a bit of a stretch, and the overall ending is wrapped up dubiously, but nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and have since read the sequel called A Study in Treason.
Enjoyed the review. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental