As a lover of most things related to Sherlock Holmes, this take on a daughter of Holmes and a son of Watson intrigued me. I thought that the characters created by Chapman were believable in most aspects, and while staying true to many of the ideas from their fathers they were still their own characters. In fact, if this book had been about Arabella and Henry of any other names it would have been just as enjoyable.

I was not aware that this was a sequel until I had finished this book, but do not feel it took away from the experience. I look forward to reading the first novel soon. This second book has a mystery that ties into some major historical movements, keeps the reader making discoveries right alongside the main characters, and from my knowledge (and according the the helpful notes at the end) is grounded in true history. The story is told from multiple narrators, but is done so clearly and in a way that builds the story rather than distracting from it. Chapman manages to have many peripheral characters without muddling the story, which is often a problem in many mysteries.

Overall I recommend this book as an enjoyable read, and I hope that Arabella and Henry’s stories continue in future books.

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Overall I thought this was a pleasant read, I didn't know this was the second book until after I'd started it, but I did not count anything lost on me against its rating. Brynn writes in first-person with ease and despite it switching around to other characters she flawlessly writes from each one's pov. I think it was my overall lack of belief that Holmes would have a daughter that had made me skeptical (stop correcting me autocorrect, I'm American) of Arabella, but if he ever would have been written to have one, no doubt she would have similar emotional issues just like Brynn has written Arabella. Henry is nice, he's real, and he's also quick to show his emotions which makes a nice contrast.

My biggest issue with this book was that it was just too much by the end. It wasn't until over halfway through that we really got on track with the mystery, and after that, I flew through it but it was a very slow start to get there and never enough time spent on it because at the end you were left there going 'wait did that really happen?' it was much too came out of nowhere left wing and it felt ludicrous because of this. Not only in plot but Arabella's emotional development, I was actually SO disappointed that the one thing that seemed plausible for her to feel in regards to being conventional in a role as a wife was suddenly just changed for love of Henry. I think it was her desire to make it a nice ending with no loose ends and I wouldn't hesitate to tell her to let it get messy, because she can write wonderfully and I would love to see more grittiness from her.

Still, I enjoy Brynn's writing style and I look forward to going back and reading the first novel.

I read this as a free reader copy from Netgalley and was not paid or swayed in any other way on my rating and opinion of this book.