#Review - The Wayward Prince by Leonard Goldberg #Mystery #Historical

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (#7)
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: July 11, 2023
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Mystery / Historical

The fate of Prince Harry and the British throne lies in the hands of Joanna and the Watsons in the latest Daughter of Sherlock Holmes mystery from USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg.

During the height of the Great War, playboy Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne, vanishes in thin air while horseback riding in Hyde Park The strikingly handsome playboy prince is initially believed to have arranged his disappearance so he can enjoy a brief rendezvous with one of his secret lovers. But when his absence continues on for days, the royal family grows concerned and summons Scotland Yard, who can only recover scant, unrevealing clues.

The concern deepens when MI5 decodes a recent message from German spies in London which speaks of a captured asset that will bring great embarrassment to the Crown. There is a strong belief within the Intelligence agency that plans are underway to transport the captive prince to Berlin without delay. Despite an intensive search, no trace of the royal can be detected.

With Scotland Yard and MI5 baffled, Joanna and the Watsons are called in, and they soon find themselves entangled in a web of abortion, murder, treason, and spies, all of which is seemingly being orchestrated by an arch-enemy of the long-dead Sherlock Holmes. In their race to rescue Prince Harry, it becomes clear that the mastermind behind the maze of crimes has a singular motive in mind. He desires overdue revenge in the form of Joanna’s death.

The Wayward Prince, by author Leonard Goldberg, is the Seventh installment in the authors The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. During the height of the Great War, playboy Prince Harry, the third in line to the British throne, vanishes in thin air while horseback riding in Hyde Park. The strikingly handsome playboy prince is initially believed to have arranged his disappearance so he can enjoy a brief rendezvous with one of his secret lovers. But when his absence continues on for days, the royal family grows concerned and summons Scotland Yard, who can only recover scant, unrevealing clues.

The concern deepens when MI5 decodes a recent message from German spies in London which speaks of a captured asset that will bring great embarrassment to the Crown. There is a strong belief within the Intelligence agency that plans are underway to transport the captive prince to Berlin without delay. Despite an intensive search, no trace of the royal can be detected. With Scotland Yard and MI5 baffled, Joanna and the Watson's are called in by Commissioner Sir Charles Bradberry, and they soon find themselves entangled in a web of abortion, murder, treason, and spies, all of which is seemingly being orchestrated by an arch-enemy of the long-dead Sherlock Holmes. 

In their race to rescue Prince Harry, it becomes clear that the mastermind behind the maze of crimes has a singular motive in mind. He desires overdue revenge in the form of Joanna’s death. Like her own father, Sherlock, Joanna will face the wrath of Professor Moriarty, but this time, Colonel James Moriarty seems to be two steps ahead of Joanna which will eventually lead to a confrontation at the infamous Reichenbach Falls. 

Once again, Joanna's husband John Watson Jr. MD, who is a pathologist at St.Bart's Hospital, is the narrator of this story, pretty much the same as his father John Watson Sr. MD, a former British army surgeon and prolific marksman, did with Sherlock Holmes. Joanna's son Johnny from her marriage to her first husband, a student at Eton, also plays a curious role which seems to indicate that not to far away he will be taking over the reigns for his mother. Oh, and I nearly forgot, we can't forget about the Irregulars that Joanna uses in basically the same way that Sherlock did to help solve the mystery.

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#Review - The Blue Diamond by Leonard Goldberg #Mystery #Historical

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (#6)
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: June 14, 2022
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Mystery / Historical

The fate of the allied forces lies in the hands of Joanna and the Watson's in the latest Daughter of Sherlock Holmes mystery from USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg.

During a critical stage in World War One, the Governor-General of South Africa journeys to London for a meeting of The Imperial War Conference. Days prior to the conference, the Governor-General is scheduled to have an audience at Buckingham Palace at which time a most precious blue diamond will be presented to King Edward as a symbolic gesture of the colonies’ resolute and never-ending allegiance to England.

The flawless blue diamond, with its magnificent luster, weighs nearly 3000 carats which renders it one of the world’s largest and most valuable gems. On the Governor-General’s arrival, he is ensconced at the fashionable Windsor Hotel under the tightest security, with his entire entourage and formidable security team occupying the entire penthouse floor. All entrances and exits are locked down and closely guarded, and no one is allowed entrance after 6 PM.

Despite the extreme precautions, the famous diamond is stolen from the Governor-General’s suite in the middle of the night, with no clues left behind. With Scotland Yard baffled, Joanna and the Watson's are called in to investigate the theft and it becomes clear that the crime is not simply the work of a master thief, but one that could greatly aid the Germans and turn the tide of war in their favor. Time is of the essence and the blue diamond must be recovered before it begins its travels which could cause irreparable damage to the allied war plans.

The Blue Diamond is the Sixth installment in author Leonard Goldberg's The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. As with the previous Five installments, this story is narrated by Dr. John Watson Jr, husband of Joanna Holmes Watson, with his father. Dr. Watson, former chronicler of Sherlock Holmes, along for the mystery and to give his own Sherlock inspired commentary. During a critical stage in World War One, the Governor-General of South Africa journeys to London for a meeting of The Imperial War Conference. 

Days prior to the conference, the Governor-General is scheduled to have an audience at Buckingham Palace at which time a most precious blue diamond will be presented to King Edward as a symbolic gesture of the colonies’ resolute and never-ending allegiance to England. The flawless blue diamond, with its magnificent luster, weighs nearly 3000 carats which renders it one of the world’s largest and most valuable gems. 

On the Governor-General’s arrival, he is ensconced at the fashionable Windsor Hotel under the tightest security, with his entire entourage and formidable security team occupying the entire penthouse floor. All entrances and exits are locked down and closely guarded, and no one is allowed entrance after 6 PM. Despite the extreme precautions, the famous diamond is stolen from the Governor-General’s suite in the middle of the night, with no clues left behind.

This isn't the first sensational robbery at a named hotel. Before the Windsor was hit, there was the Fairmont, and St. Reyes all over a 10 day period. One of the other rare items stolen was a Ming Era vase. Enter Inspector Lestrade, and Sir Charles Bradberry, Scotland Yard Commissioner. With Scotland Yard baffled, Joanna Holmes Watson, her husband Dr. John Watson, and Sherlock Holmes chronicler Dr. John H. Watson MD, are called in to investigate the theft and it becomes clear that the crime is not simply the work of a master thief. 

Joanna quickly learns that this is only the tip of the mystery. To make things even more dire, a war document has also been stolen, and if it falls into German hands, millions of allies will be slaughtered. Time is of the essence. As she gets closer and closer to the mechanics of just how the diamond was stolen and by whom, and if their South African allies are actually frauds, Joanna and the Watson's suddenly become targets for murder. And, when chips are down, Joanna once again calls on Toby Too and her group of street urchins who are slowly growing up to be adults. 

Since this story takes place in November of 1917, there is a lot of historical ties to actual historical characters. There is more realism than before in that the author puts our characters in harms way of German bombs, and the devastation that they left behind. For Sherlock fans, the author mentions a specific case called Adventure of the Dancing Men which means that readers will finally get a look at the infamous Sherlock Holmes code book he used to break the case.

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#Review - The Abduction of Pretty Penny by Leonard Goldberg #Mystery #Historical

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (#5)
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: June 15, 2021
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Mystery / Historical

A continuation of USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg's Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, The Abduction of Pretty Penny finds Joanna and the Watson's on the tail of an infamous killer. Joanna and the Watson's are called in by the Whitechapel Playhouse to find Pretty Penny, a lovely, young actress who has gone missing without reason or notice. While on their search, the trio is asked by Scotland Yard to join in the hunt for a vicious murderer whose method resembles that of Jack The Ripper. It soon becomes clear that The Ripper has reemerged after a 28-year absence and is once again murdering young prostitutes in Whitechapel.

Following a line of subtle clues, Joanna quickly reasons that Pretty Penny has been taken capture by the killer. But as Joanna moves closer to learning his true identity, the killer sends her a letter indicating her young son Johnny will be the next victim to die. Time is running out, and Joanna has no choice but to devise a most dangerous plan which will bring her face-to-face with the killer. It is the only chance to protect her son and rescue Pretty Penny, and save both from an agonizing death.

"The little things are infinity the most important."

The Abduction of Pretty Penny, by author Leonard Goldberg, is the Fifth installment in The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries series. Joanna, (daughter of Sherlock Holmes), joined by her husband John, (son of Dr. Watson who is chronicling Joanna's adventures), and by Dr. John Watson, (long time friend and partner of Sherlock), are commissioned to find a local playhouse actress named Pretty Penny who has gone missing. Pretty Penny is the stage name of a young actress in Whitechapel Playhouse who has been kidnapped. 

Young Penny Martin, "Pretty Penny", has been admired for her role as Juliet in the Shakespeare play. Her presence on stage is renowned not only for her beauty, but also for the aire of her finesse for one so young. It appears that Penny was partaking in late night dinners with a mysterious gentleman. Exactly who is this unknown man and is he responsible for her kidnapping? As the ”Unfortunates” (prostitutes) body counts begins to increase, in the same gruesome and remarkable way that Jack the Ripper was known for, torturing his victims while yet still alive, dissecting, killing them, it becomes clear that Jack has returned. But why has he resurfaced after 30 years? 

With constant taunting's from Jack, Joanna and family get hit with the stark reality that Jack might go after someone precious to the family. What better than to kidnap and kill Little John, Sherlock’s Holmes grandson, thereby making a name forever by defeating Sherlock Holmes himself, by way of Sherlock’s daughter, Joanna.  As the investigation goes deeper, secret after secret is unlocked and more lives are at stake. They are dealing with someone dark, someone evil, someone who mocks.  

With a bit of help from Toby Too, as well as The Irregulars who have unique skill sets, as well as Joanna using her self as bait, the question is whether or not Joanna can solve the mystery before Jack takes another victim. The Victorian vernacular, historical bits and fascinating characters contribute to this suspenseful book filled with the right level of tension and sticky webs of deceit. As a reviewer, I tend to over analyze things like the fact that Joanna smokes Turkish cigarettes like a chimney. At some point, John and Dr. Watson need to address the possible health implications for Joanna as well as her son who seems ready to step into the shoes of his legendary grandfather.

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#Review - The Art of Deception by Leonard Goldberg #Mystery #Historical

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (#4)
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date:  June 16, 2020
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Library
Genre: Mystery & Detective / Historical

"Suspenseful and entertaining, with many twists and turns....This is one of the best Sherlock Holmes series since Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell books." —Historical Novel Society

In the west end of London, an apparently crazed individual is on the loose, breaking into art galleries and private homes to slash valuable paintings of women. Despite Scotland Yard’s best efforts, the criminal remains at large and continues on his destructive path.

When Joanna and the Watson's are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches. The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal—he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits.

Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. When Joanna finds the body of one in a bricked off fireplace at the gallery, the other is left as the prime suspect. But then he's discovered dead as well. Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings—and lives—will be lost.

USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg returns with another puzzling case for the daughter of Sherlock Holmes to unravel in this exciting mystery sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sherlock Holmes as well Laurie R. King and Charles Finch.

The Art of Deception is the Fourth installment in author Leonard Goldberg's The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries. The story begins 10 days before Christmas, December 1916 when Inspector Lestrade visits with the Watson's. He's got a mystery for them. Lestrade informs Joanna that someone is on a trail of destruction in art galleries and private homes. Portraits of women, in particular, have been slashed as if the crazed madman is in search of something. The portraits from the Italian Renaissance Period have all been left behind. The only clue is a tattered scarf left behind, likely unintentional.

At first it appears to be simple vandalism, but soon it becomes apparent that the vandal has a purpose beyond destruction. What drew the vandal to target these paintings specifically? It is up to the trio to determine that purpose and thereby catch the criminal. Of course, there's a bit of a twist which I won't spoil as well as a pretty good guess as to who the alleged vandals are. Meanwhile, Joanna's son Johnny has his own troubles to deal with when Cholera visits his Eton school and he is forced to return home until he is given the all clear. 

Dr. Watson is in charge of his grandson's case and it's highly interesting what was known medically at the time. It will give you pause as to what limited prevention's were in place and the number of deaths caused by simple lack of hygiene. *There have been many a reviewer who compared Cholera to Covid and that couldn't be any more ridiculous. Cholera is the result of food and water contamination which leads to runny diarrhea and dehydration. Covid seems to be a man made virus made in a lab which affects the lungs and heart in some cases. Cholera is still likely in underdeveloped countries thanks to lack of clean water.

Joanna is the result of a one time assignation between Sherlock Holmes and the only woman to ever outwit the famous detective; Irene Adler. Joanna inherited her parents deductive genius and displays aspects of Holmes's intellect as well as observation powers. Not unlike the Sherlock Holmes tales which were told by Dr. Watson, this series too is told by another Watson. Dr. Watson's son John who is now married to Joanna Blalock Watson, daughter of Sherlock Holmes.

Joanna’s keen mind and incredible insight have lead her to become a sought after investigator. Her forensic knowledge is on par to that of the younger Dr. Watson who is also a physician of pathology which comes in handy when a dead body needs to be examined or exhumed. As the clues come to light, all of the defaced paintings were retouched by an art restorer. If you know nothing at all about the world of paintings, the author brings so called experts to differentiate between the artists and why the villains are so eager to find what they are searching for. It will also show you how intelligent criminals can be when trying to rip off highly valued and expensive items.

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#Review - The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth by Leonard Goldberg #Historical #Mystery

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries #3
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: June 11, 2019
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: Library
Genre: Mystery & Detective / Historical

In the third book of this critically-acclaimed series, Sherlock Holmes' daughter faces a new unsolvable mystery with spies and a threat to the crown.

Joanna and the Watson's receive an unexpected visitor to 221b Baker Street during a nocturnal storm. A rain-drenched Dr. Alexander Verner arrives with a most harrowing tale.

Verner has just returned from an unsettling trip to see a patient who he believes is being held against his will. Joanna quickly realizes that Verner's patient is a high-ranking Englishman who the Germans have taken captive to pry vital information about England’s military strategies for the Great War. The man is revealed to be Alistair Ainsworth, a cryptographer involved in the highest level of national security.

The police are frantic to find Ainsworth before the Germans can use him to decode all of England’s undeciphered messages. Ainsworth must be found at all costs and Joanna and the Watson's might be the only ones who can connect the clues to find him.

USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg returns with another puzzling case for the daughter of Sherlock Holmes to unravel in this exciting mystery sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sherlock Holmes as well as the works of Laurie R. King and Charles Finch.

The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth is the third installment in author Leonard Goldberg's The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries. While this book focuses on Joanna Blalock, daughter of Sherlock Holmes, it is actually Dr. James Watson Junior who is doing the story telling. On a rainy night in November, 1915, Joanna, John, and former Sherlock Holmes biographer, Dr. Watson, receive a curious visitor. Dr. Alexander Verner claims he saw a distressed patient who wrote HELP on his stomach. It seems that this will be another 3-pipe problem (a particularly complex or challenging problem or puzzle.)

"When a fact is taken for granted, it often loses it's importance."

Verner, who was unable to get his alleged captors to take him to the nearest hospital for treatment, believes the man is being held against his will. The kidnapped man (Alistair Ainsworth) is a highly placed cryptologist for the British government and is in possession of many state secrets that must remain secret. Joanna quickly realizes that the Germans have taken Ainsworth captive to pry vital information about England’s military strategies for the Great War. If the Germans find a way to break Alistair's code, they will be nearly unstoppable and England might actually lose the war.

"At times, there's nothing more deceptive than obvious facts."

As the group unravels the clues, it seems that the German’s are always 2 or 3 steps ahead which likely means that someone on the inside is working for the Germans. But, who would go this far to betray his or her country? Others involved in this mystery are Scotland Yard Inspector Lestrade who is getting used to the fact that Joanna is Sherlock's daughter who has the same drive, and intelligence as her father; Lieutenant Dunn of Naval Intelligence who is allegedly Ainsworth boss; Toby Too, a tracking dog that has been involved in three mysteries now; Emma Ainsworth, Alistair's sister; Roger Marlowe, Geoffrey Montclair, Mary Ellington members of The Admiralty Club; Johnny Blalock, Joanna's 12 year old son; Wiggins, Alfie and Sarah who are part of Joanna's Baker Street Irregulars; and Sir Harold Whitlock, First Sea Lord who always seem to appear whenever national security is at stake. 

I dare say that one should have some knowledge of previous installments to understand these characters and how far they've come from Joanna being a skilled nurse to a Private Investigator who is getting more and more support for her work. While each of the stories themselves are standalone, a beginning, a mystery, and an ending, it does seem valuable to me to understand what led Joanna to take this path and how adorable her 12-year old son is in this book. He's a chip off the old Sherlock block.  

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#Review - A Study in Treason by Leonard Goldberg #Mystery #Historical

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries (#2) 
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: June 12, 2018
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Mystery & Detective / Historical

A continuation of USA TODAY bestselling author Leonard Goldberg's The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Treason is a new intriguing locked room mystery for Joanna and the Watsons to solve.

The following case has not previously been disclosed to the public due to the sensitive information on foreign affairs. All those involved were previously bound by the Official Secrets Act. With the passage of time and the onset of the Great War, these impediments have been removed and the story can now be safely told.

When an executed original of a secret treaty between England and France, known as the French Treaty, is stolen from the country estate of Lord Halifax, Scotland Yard asks Joanna, Dr. John Watson, Jr., and Dr. John Watson, Sr. to use their keen detective skills to participate in the hunt for the missing treaty. As the government becomes more restless to find the missing document and traditional investigative means fail to turn up the culprit, Joanna is forced to devise a clever plan to trap the thief and recover the missing treaty.

Told from the point of view of Dr. John Watson, Jr. in a style similar to the original Sherlock Holmes stories, A Study in Treason is based partly on facts in our world and partly on the facts left to us by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Full of excitement and intrigue, this mystery is sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sherlock Holmes as well as the works of Laurie R. King and Charles Finch.

A Study in Treason is the second installment in author Leonard Goldberg's The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries. The year is 1914, protagonist Joanne Blalock, the daughter of Sherlock Holmes, is now married to John Watson, Jr. the son of Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes partner and chronicler. This time out, the trio is summoned by Sir Harold Whitlock, First Sea Lord in His Majesty's Navy to solve a case that has the utmost national security implications for England. A case that needs to be solved quickly, or thousands of lives may be lost.

“The most unifying explanation is most likely to be correct.”

As it so happens, a highly secret document called the French Treaty, has gone missing. Scotland Yard's Inspector Lestrade is on the case, but we all know that in this world, Scotland Yard tends to bungle things up worse than they already were. The document was last seen at the estate of Duke Winchester, so, this is where most of the story takes place. With the winds of war now blowing across Europe, and a secretive paper missing, and quite possibly in the wrong hands, it will take a whole lot of that old Sherlock Holmes ingenuity, and cunning to solve the case.

We now have three characters, not just Joanna, tossing things back and forth to see what they can come up with. Even with Dr. Watson's health issues, you can't keep a good man from doing what he believes in. Like her father, Joanna has a keen intellectual mind and is relentless in her pursuit of the villain or villains who may be involved in what will become a national security nightmare if the Treaty ends up in the wrong hands. Joanna loves to get in the faces of those like Lestrade, and a new character from Naval Intelligence, Leftenant Dunn.

While explaining away contradictions and impossibilities right and left, Joanna has the humility and good grace to accept that if an answer doesn’t make sense, it is likely because she doesn’t yet have all the facts. In this way, she stalwartly seeks out the facts and thereby appears to let the mystery solve itself. In this story, anyone could be the culpert, and then again, nobody could be the culpert. When a witness dies, and a prime suspect disappears, Joanna and company must not lose focus on the general scheme of things for fear of being accused of incompetence.

So, in closing, I have a few negatives to report. I will be a happy camper if I never see or hear the words Nevertheless and Persisted in a story again! Holy crap does the author over use these words. In a span of several chapters, it seems as though these two worlds are the only words he can think of for certain situations the characters find themselves in. Not such a negative. There is a symmetry in having the daughter of Sherlock Holmes, the son of Dr. Watson, the son of the original Inspector Lestrade, as well as the offspring of the original tracker dog Toby once again appear in Goldberg's story. 

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#Review - The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard Goldberg #Mystery #Historical

Series: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes  # 1
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.

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