This is the 5th book in the daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, in which Joanna is joined by Watson and his son and are continuing the family tradition of sleuthing. This installment was particularly gory as the killer they were hunting was believed to be Jack the Ripper, back in action 30 years after his original killing spree. The author does a good job of transporting the reader to the bleak streets of Whitechapel in the early 1900s.

Leonard Goldberg has written a book with flair, mystery, and suspense all while staying true to the characters we have come to love. This is the fifth installment featuring Joanna and her father in law Dr. Watson. As you may know, Joanna. Is married to Dr. Watson’s son and the three of them continue to solve mysteries together. This particular book brings back someone who we are all to familiar with, Jack the Ripper. Or rather the ways in which ripper chose his victims. As prostitutes became missing there were concerns that the similarities were just too uncanny to put aside. I rather enjoyed this read as I have always been fascinated with the ripper most of my adult life. Goldberg does an exquisite job of placing the reader in that time frame and era and you can almost smell the smells surrounding you as you venture on the quest for truth with the trio of sleuths. The characters are well developed and very likable so much so that they almost seem as though they could be your neighbor or best friend. I highly recommend this novel and have found that you do not have to read the others in the series to follow along.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Abduction of Pretty Penny is the fifth in a series revolving around Sherlock Holmes' daughter, Joanna and her marriage to Dr. John Watson's son. Together the husband and wife team along with Dr. Watson, Sr. solve mysteries and murders in Victorian London. While it is not necessary to read the previous works in this series, it does help to fill in some of the characters quirks.

The Abduction of Pretty Penny finds the trio following the murders and disappearances of prostitutes and low level actresses. Fearing that the infamous Jack the Ripper has returned to harm more women, Joanna and the Watsons have the race the clock in order to find Pretty Penny and Joanna's own son, Johnny.

Goldberg continues to tell intriguing stories that draws the reader in and then slowly unravels the mystery in a way that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would be proud of. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a copy of this novel.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Abduction of Pretty Penny, A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Leonard Goldberg from NetGalley and Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

” … face-paced, intriguing, intelligent and captivating read that will keep you turning pages! …”

A fan of this series author Leonard Goldberg certainly didn’t disappoint. In this instalment of the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series, Joanna Watson the infamous daughter of the late Sherlock Holmes, her husband, and father-in-law Dr John Watson are pulled into yet another investigation one with echoes of an infamous serial killer who stalked Whitechapel years before. Mrs. Emma Adams, pub owner, and playwright at the Whitechapel playhouse turns to Joanna for help when her lead actress and friend Penny Martin disappears. When people are convinced, she just ran away the clues lead to something much more sinister which Joanna is determined to get to the bottom of. The urgency increases when a string of grotesque murders of young women in the Whitechapel area occur it appears the infamous Jack the Ripper is making his encore. “Jack” is thrilled by Joanna’s challenge and is determined to claim fame for “besting” the daughter of Sherlock Holmes. The closer Joanna gets to revealing his identity the more dangerous life becomes for her and her loved ones.

I have always been a fan of authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, in my opinion, Mr. Goldberg has found his way into that elite circle The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series is fantastic series and although this book would be great as a stand-alone, I do recommend reading the previous books in the series as they are all great reads and help the reader get inside the brilliant mind of Joanna Watson. Although the books have some violence, I feel they are suitable for most ages, this one however I would not recommend for younger or sensitive audiences. I enjoyed the book as it was a face-paced, intriguing, intelligent and captivating read that will keep you turning pages!

Thank you to Minotaur Books for a gifted copy of The Abduction of Pretty Penny by Leonard Goldberg. All opinions are my own.

Joanna "Holmes" Watson, her husband, and father in law are on the hunt for Jack the Ripper. When Pretty Penny, a local stage actress, goes missing and bodies of Unfortunates start turning up in Whitechapel there is a suspicion that Jack the Ripper is back after 28 years. Is it possible?

The story starts in March 1917. Dr. John Watson is the narrator, much like his father was the narrator for the Sherlock Holmes novels. Joanna, like her father Sherlock Holmes, is a genius at figuring out puzzles and mysteries especially with the help of the Watsons.

This is book 5 in The Daughter Of Sherlock Holmes Mystery series. It worked well as a standalone but I wanted to know more about the characters and will most likely read the earlier 4 books before book 6 is released.

Is this a cozy mystery? I would say no. This is a bit darker than a cozy. Keep in mind this particular book is about Jack the Ripper and at times it is very descriptive.

I love that this series continues the relationship between Holmes and Watson with a new generation of detectives. Joanna and John are both very similar to their fathers.

This series is perfect for mystery fans especially Sherlock Holmes fans.

Historical Fiction
Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: June 15, 2021

Joanna Watson displays all of the traits of her famous father. She is the daughter of Sherlock Holmes and is married to the son of Dr. Watson. She has been approached by Mrs. Emma Adams, a pub owner and playwright, to find Penny Martin. Penny is an actress at the Whotechapel Playhouse, where she is known as Pretty Penny for her beauty and talent. Her clothes and asthma medication are still in the room that she rents from Emma, so they know that she has not run away. Joanna and her husband are also contacted by Lestrade when a prostitute is murdered in a manner similar to Jack the Ripper’s victims. Called to the murder scene, Joanna discovers that the victim is wearing copper earrings similar to a pair given to Penny.

Penny frequently purchased a specific candy from a local sweet shop. In an interview with the owner, Joanna discovers that a man recently came in and purchased five portions of the same candy. When she tracks down the jeweler who sells copper earrings, he reveals that a man fitting the same description recently purchased five pairs. Joanna fears that Penny has been taken by Jack the Ripper and he is holding her to become his fifth victim. As the body count rises, it is a race to stop the killings and find Penny. Then a note arrives from Jack that threatens the life of Joanna’s son Johnny.

Jack’s victims reveal his knowledge of anatomy and surgical techniques. Three of the amateur actors working with Penny when she disappeared are also doctors at St. Bartholomew’s where Joanna’s husband works. All three become suspects until Lestrade announces Jack’s arrest, but Joanna finds fault with his evidence and continues her search for Penny as time is running out.

Fans of Sherlock Holmes will discover the same attention to details and clever solutions from his daughter. Her son Johnny also displays the beginnings of a future detective. Joanna is also trained in martial arts and has an ability to adopt disguises to blend in. Leonard Goldberg takes her from the morgue and labs of St. Bartholomew’s to the alleyways of Whitechapel in a mystery that is dark and atmospheric. It is entertaining, with enough twists and misdirections to satisfy avid Sherlockians. I would like to thank NetGalley and St Martin Press/Minotaur Books for providing this book for my review.

The Abduction of Pretty Penny by Leonard Goldberg 4 stars (Daughter of Sherlock Holmes #5)

An ordinary day finds Joanna and the Watsons looking into the disappearance of Pretty Penny, a talented young actress working at the Whitechapel Playhouse. While in the Whitechapel District, Joanna and the Watsons are asked by Scotland Yarn to help find a murderer who is using the same MO as Jack the Ripper. However, various clues and information from the police soon confirms that it is Jack the Ripper still at large. All indicators suggests that Pretty Penny in being held captive by The Ripper. Can Joanna put the clues together to save Pretty Penny and capture The Ripper?

This was an interesting mystery; a bit slow in the beginning; the main suspects were named early on in the book. The rest of the plot centered on several murders, a threat against a loved one, and a race against time. I found the end logical, but a bit of a let down. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Title: The Abduction of Pretty Penny
Author: Leonard Goldberg
Genre: Historical fiction, mystery
Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Joanna and the Watsons 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.

This is the first book in this series I’ve read…and I’m not sure I’ll read more. Solid writing and interesting characters, but it just didn’t keep my attention. I was never that invested in what happened to Pretty Penny—I didn’t feel a connection to her at all—and the POV was very distant for the other characters, so I felt like I was watching a TV show, not actually involved. And, frankly, I felt like the resolution—despite the Jack the Ripper mystery—was a bit of a let down.

Leonard Goldberg is a physicist and professor of medicine The Abduction of Pretty Penny is his newest novel, the newest installment in the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 6/16.)

Joanna with the assistance of her husband, John Watson and his father, the famous Dr. John Watson are a top notch investigation trio. She is truly her Sherlock's daughter, and has become one of my very favorite female historical characters. In this, the fifth of the series, they take on the case of a missing young actress nicknamed Pretty Penny by her fellow actors and fans in Whitechapel. Yes, the killing ground of Jack the Ripper. What danger has befallen Pretty Penny - Joanna fears that her end is near as she and the Watson's follow a clever trail of clues. They seem to point to her demise with a few weeks, at most. The pace slowly builds and soon Scotland Yard is involved when another case cries out for her help. It appears that Jack is back and has her in his sights, threatening her young son.
I won't say more for fear of spoilers but be assured that any book in this terrific series involves some of the best reading time you can spend. Each mystery is complex and well crafted with surprises unending. The setting, the language, the sights and sounds plus three very well developed characters, what more can the fans of great historical mysteries want? This series is solidly on my must be read list of mysteries.
My thanks to the publisher, Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Abduction of Pretty Penny is the fifth book in Leonard Goldberg's A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery series. This is the first one I've read so far. Should you start from the beginning? I'd say yes; I wish I had. I feel like I missed quite a bit regarding getting a feel for these characters and their backgrounds. I believe I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the previous novels.

Joanna (the daughter of the deceased Sherlock Holmes), together with her husband Dr. John Watson the younger and his father Dr. John Watson the elder, are asked by the proprietor of the Whitechapel Playhouse to investigate the disappearance of beautiful young actress Pretty Penny. While they are looking for her they are asked by Scotland Yard to help in their investigation of a murder that bears a striking resemblance to the work of the infamous Jack the Ripper. It quickly becomes obvious that the killer actually IS the Ripper, reappearing 28 years after his string of murders stopped . Joanna believes that the Ripper abducted Pretty Penny and is killing prostitutes, keeping Penny for his grand finale. When Joanna starts getting close to honing in on the killer, she receives a letter from him threatening that her young son Johnny will be the next victim. Now Joanna and the Watsons frantically work to catch him before the Ripper kills both the actress and the boy they love before disappearing once more into the ether...

I admit that I have never read any of the Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but of course am familiar with his famous characters. I was excited to read this story centered around the great detective's daughter. Except...I didn't care for Joanna. She was arrogant and condescending to everyone, including her husband and father-in-law, both of whom were intelligent and respected doctors. She called her father-in-law simply Watson, which I found disrespectful. She also smoked up a storm with Turkish cigarettes, disregarding others. This is why I think I would have been better served reading the previous books first; I would have come to know and respect Joanna by seeing more interactions with her and her family and learning about her past. However, once I really got into the mystery I became much more engaged. I've always found Jack the Ripper stories interesting though horribly gruesome. Joanna also became more human when she worried about her son. The story became much more exciting when she had the Ripper in her sights. Before I read the next book in the series, I do believe I will check out the prior books first to bring me up to speed.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The review of The Abduction of Pretty Penny is in the June 2021 issue of Gumshoe Review and is exclusive to them until July 1st. You may read the review at this link:
<http://www.gumshoereview.com/php/Review-id.php?id=6748>

This is the 5th installment in this delightful series about Joanna the daughter of Sherlock Holmes. She is now married to John Watson, the son of Dr. Watson, and the three of them make a formidable crime fighting team. This time they are tasked with finding Pretty Penny...a young actress who is a member of a theater company in White Chapel. Soon they are involved with Scotland Yard and in the hunt for a serial killer who threatens Joanna's son. With clever, engaging characters and intelligent dialog this is an excellent addition to this fine series.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This mystery story fills many of the boxes one would look for in a great story to rival Sherlock Holmes. Part of a series chronicling the investigations of Sherlock Holmes adult daughter, Joanna, the main character epitomizes the great detective to a Tee. Told from the perspective of her husband, son of Dr. John Watson, this book details the search for a missing actress as it dovetails with the recent killings that resemble those of the famous Jack the Ripper!

On the downside some of the pieces were repetitive (Joanna constantly being referred to as “Daughter of Sherlock Holmes” or the repetition of the terms “Unfortunates” when describing contemporary sex workers to name two) and the resolution was rather anticlimactic. If you are expecting a twist you are going to be disappointed.

However the actual mystery itself, the ins and outs of Joanna’s thinking, and spying the clues as they are laid out is great fun!

Penny Martin, a young actress has gone missing in London. Joanna, Sherlock Holmes' daughter, and her husband John Watson and his father the famous Watson are on the case. They think there might be a connection to three physicians who worked with Penny at the playhouse but ....someone is killing in a manner reminiscent of Jack the Ripper! AND then someone threatens the Watsons! The mystery arc is familiar in some ways (although I always welcome the cleverness of Joanna and the Watsons) so read this for the characters. This would work fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read. No spoilers from me.

This is the 5th in a cozy mystery spin on the Holmes/Watson partnership. Its lead is Joanna Blalock (a skilled nurse and the daughter of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler), now married to Watson's son John Jr., also a physician.

A new client hires them to find a missing young actress, Pretty Penny. After bodies of two mutilated young women are found in Whitechapel, Scotland Yard fears a return of Jack the Ripper.

Joanna involves the Baker Street Irregulars to track their suspects; her son Johnny is involved; and she offers herself as bait - the game is afoot!

This is the first book I have read in the series, so it took me a while to figure out the characters’ relationship and who was narrating the story.

Joanna is a brilliant know-it-all like her father and she is a formidable character. Joanna’s husband, and the narrator, Dr. John Watson Jr, is one dimensional and does not add much to the plot except for executing his narrating duties.

I enjoyed the straightforward and meticulous way Joanna worked through and solved the mystery. I also liked the ending where Joanna works to trap the murderer.

I would not normally pick up a book that involves Jack the Ripper because I don’t care for graphic details, gore, and autopsy scenes. Unfortunately, I got all three in this book. It was like attending a real autopsy or reading notes of one.

This was a well written story that didn’t appeal to me due to the gore. I think if you are a Sherlock Holmes fan who doesn’t mind graphic anatomical details about the murder victims and how they were killed, this book is for you. 3.5/5

This book was very slow-moving. I prefer a faster-paced mystery/thriller. Also, the culprit in the mystery was very obvious from around the book. There were parts that were interesting but I would have liked more original characters and plot lines.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Abduction of Pretty Penny from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is the fifth book in The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries series and I just loved getting to reenter this world. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eArc.

While I hadn't read the other novels in this series, I was happy to find it didn't really matter. This was a standalone mystery about Jack the Ripper. Of course, Joanna solves it. She's the daughter of Sherlock Holmes. This started off really well. It was a nice pace and I didn't feel like there was a huge introduction. I expected Joanna to be much like her father and that's what I got. She's an insufferable know-it-all, but everyone idolizes her. I wish she'd been a bit more charming though. She didn't exactly bother me, she was a bit flat.

The entire novel, after the first third or so, was a bit flat for me. I was really interested until Joanna narrowed down the prime suspects to three. Then it was boring. It was a series of actions by three characters (mostly) to prove/disprove Joanna's theory. There isn't anything inherently wrong with that, it was just a bit too predictable. No twists and no turns.

The story was well written and there is a decent plot. I just didn't really enjoy this. I am assuming that's just personal preference, so I've rated this three stars, which feels fair.

The story itself was great, but I don't feel like the main character had much of an individual voice. It was like someone was telling a story, not experiencing the events happening.

I also am unsure why this is called The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes, when the story is told from the perspective of Watsons son. However I have not read the other books, so maybe I'm just missing something.

Well written and enjoyable story overall.

*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.