Sophia Rose Reviews Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas

 Today I once again turn over the blog to my pal Sophia Rose who is reviewing Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas. Take it away Sophia Rose
Enjoy!

Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas

#5 Lady Sherlock

Historical Mystery

Publisher:  Berkley

Published: 10.6.20

ASIN:  B082S2G4GQ

Pages: 306

Rating: 4.5 stars

Format: eARC

Source:  Net Galley

Sellers:  Amazon/ Barnesand Noble/ Kobo

Add To GoodReads  

 

GoodReads Blurb:

Charlotte Holmes, Lady Sherlock, is back solving new cases in the USA Today bestselling series set in Victorian England.

Inspector Treadles, Charlotte Holmes’s friend and collaborator, has been found locked in a room with two dead men, both of whom worked with his wife at the great manufacturing enterprise she has recently inherited.

Rumors fly. Had Inspector Treadles killed the men because they had opposed his wife’s initiatives at every turn? Had he killed in a fit of jealous rage, because he suspected Mrs. Treadles of harboring deeper feelings for one of the men? To make matters worse, he refuses to speak on his own behalf, despite the overwhelming evidence against him.

Charlotte finds herself in a case strewn with lies and secrets. But which lies are to cover up small sins, and which secrets would flay open a past better left forgotten? Not to mention, how can she concentrate on these murders, when Lord Ingram, her oldest friend and sometime lover, at last dangles before her the one thing she has always wanted?

 

Sophia Rose's Review: 

It's the festive Christmas season of holly, ivy, plum pudding, and a murder that might prevent Holmes' friend, Inspector Treadles from celebrating ever again.  Each installment of the Lady Sherlock series is awaited with great anticipation and never fail to deliver.

 

Murder on Cold Street is the fifth of the Lady Sherlock series of historical mysteries that work best when read in order.

 

After the daring deeds of their last case, Charlotte Holmes, Lord Ingram, Mrs. Watson, and the others hope to celebrate a quiet Christmas with loved ones in the lull between cases, but Mrs. Treadles' tearful face and shaking fear have them scrambling to find answers to a murder investigation with the silent Inspector Treadles as the only suspect and holding the 'smoking gun' no less.

 

I loved seeing Holmes and company scramble into action on behest of a friend against the setting of Victorian London during the holidays.  Holmes brilliantly splits interest between the case which she suspects must have to do with Mrs. Treadle's family business and her developing relationship with Lord Ingram.   All through the series there has been the relationship push-pull between Charlotte and Lord Ingram as they work around past barriers and the barrier of Charlotte's fallen woman persona as well as her unorthodox choices for her life against his confusion about tradition, respectability, and a failed marriage.  The struggle was over and it was neat to see them as friends, cohorts, and lovers. 

 

Their relationship is hitting its stride as is the professional roles Charlotte, Mrs. Watson, and even Olivia as writer are coming together.  For this case, Charlotte orchestrated, but everyone took their assignments and worked hard and fast to get to the truth in order to save Inspector Treadles.  Olivia is heartsick over the loss of Mr. Marbleton and also being the only daughter left at home stuck between her toxic parents, but she writes to escape and shows she is clever in her own way.

 

The heart of this story delved into Mrs. Treadles' position as owner of her family's manufacturing business and struggling to get the managers and supervisors to take her seriously because she's a woman.  Even more painful was to have Inspector Treadles struggle so hard to see his wife in this role and accept it.  This has been an ongoing thread for a couple of books and came to a crisis point in their marriage and also with this murder.  Mrs. Treadles came into her own and it was brilliant to see.  There is also another woman who faced adversity for her mixed race and interests in science who had a secondary story tucked in with the Treadles' situation.

 

The case is twisting, but I love how the author gives it layers and warmth by the background or other primary stories swirling around it.  The characters, including the villains, are as important as the mystery and the historical setting.  It all balances to provide a rich, emotional experience for the reader.

 

The end of the case brought closure for the Treadles, but left the series plot thread about the Moriarity conflict ready to be picked up in a future installment as well as some ongoing personal storylines. 

 

This was satisfying through and through.  I was disappointed to see the end arrive.  Whether one is a fan of the Sherlock Holmes' world or one who appreciates Historical Mysteries, this series is not to be missed.

 

Author’s Bio:

USA Today-bestselling author Sherry Thomas decided years ago that her goal in life is to write every kind of book she enjoys reading. Thus far she has published romance, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and three books inspired by the martial arts epics she grew up devouring. Her books regularly receive starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications, including such outlets as the New York Times and National Public Radio.

A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, and The Hollow of Fear, the first three entries in her gender-bending Lady Sherlock historical mystery series, are all NPR best books of the year. The Magnolia Sword, her 2019 release, is the first young adult retelling of the original Ballad of Mulan in the English language.

Sherry emigrated from China at age 13 and English is her second language.

Website:  https://www.sherrythomas.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/sherrythomas

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherryThomas/

Sophia’s Bio:

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

Sophia’s Social Media Links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose