This author has written some of my most favorite historical romances so her stories are always such a treat! I particularly love her heroines. Amazing.

This was a good installment in the series. I got a little bored a few times in the middle of it, but there was some good progression with certain aspects of the series that made it well worth the read.

I enjoy this series just because of how much is going on and the need for the MC to keep track of it all. I like the characters and the setting.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Ruse of Shadows is the 8th Lady Sherlock mystery by Sherry Thomas. Released 25th June 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in library binding edition, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a well written historical Holmes homage murder mystery with a strong romance subplot. The book is largely character driven and most of the characters are well rendered and interesting. The pacing was somewhat uneven for though it picked up in the second half of the book. The underlying setup (that the investigative force behind the Holmes name is Charlotte Holmes who's not above some gender prestidigitation to walk unfettered in a man's world) is well and sensitively written for the most part and the author makes good use of the ensemble cast including Mrs. Hudson and Holmes' sidekick "friend with benefits" Lord Ingram.

The dialogue was pretty well done and at least moderately true to period, there aren't any places readers will be yanked out of their suspension of disbelief (which usually happens because of egregious modernisms), so that's very nice. The language is clean and there's nothing to dismay anyone's maiden auntie. There is a fair amount of casual sexism which was annoying, but obviously a fact of everyday life for women of the time period regardless of their social class.

The book does work well enough as a standalone; new readers won't have trouble keeping the story straight, however, these characters do have a history together. There are several plot elements from previous books which are referred to here which would be fairly big spoilers if not read in order.

Four stars. It's an enjoyable escapist read which is well written. For -strict- fans of the Doyle canon, this book won't convince readers that it's a newly discovered authentic story. For people who love the time period, like their murder mysteries with a dose of romance, and don't mind that Holmes is female, this could be a good fit. The series continues to go from strength to strength, and the author's not resting on her laurels and continues to work to keep her audience. Top shelf historical mystery fiction, and a solid series.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

In A Ruse of Shadows, Sherry Thomas continues the captivating saga of Charlotte Holmes, where intricate plots and engaging character dynamics take center stage. The novel blends mystery and romance as Charlotte finds herself entangled in the aftermath of a murder that may implicate her, all while navigating her complex feelings for Lord Ash. Although the narrative is filled with twists and turns, some readers may find the plot convoluted with its non-linear storytelling and extensive character list. Nevertheless, the book offers satisfying resolutions to long-standing narrative threads, making it a rewarding read for fans of the series​.

This entry, the eighth in the Lady Sherlock series, begins with Charlotte Holmes being interrogated in her London hotel room by recently unretired Chief Inspector John Talbot and his erstwhile protege Inspector Treadles. Treadles is ambivalent – he is an ally (and perhaps after a long period of ambivalence, a friend) of Charlotte/Sherlock, and so he’s less thrilled than he would normally be to be working again with the Chief Inspector.

Charlotte, as usual, seems to be calm and unperturbed by the interrogation, the subject of which is the recent murder of Lord Bancroft Ashburton. Bancroft was the brother of Charlotte’s dearest friend and lover, Lord Ingram Ashburton. Charlotte and Bancroft’s own relationship was fraught, to say the least – he had also proposed marriage to her on a couple of occasions, proposals which she turned down. Prior to his death, as a result of her investigation he had been imprisoned for selling government secrets (also, in an earlier book he tried to frame Ash, his own brother, for murder; Bancroft really is quite the baddie).

(I realize I’ve jumped in in media res; to be fair this mimics the book itself, and I doubt anyone who’s not familiar with the series would be able to follow anyway, without a level of exposition that would turn this review into a novella itself.)

The story shifts to two weeks before, setting the scene for the death. Bancroft lures Charlotte to his cushy semi-private prison, Ravensmere. The bait that draws her in is in Paris; Bancroft has arranged to have mercenaries seize control of Charlotte’s sister Bernadine (Bernadine is apparently severely autistic and Charlotte has taken responsibility for her care).

Bancroft, with Bernadine’s fate in his hands, tasks Charlotte with finding his right-hand man, Underwood, who has disappeared. This kicks off another byzantine plot of the sort I’ve come to expect from the series.

It’s hard to synopsize the plot of this book because there’s a lot going on, and I only kept the most tenuous hold on understanding it as I was reading it. Though to be fair, I think I had a slightly better hold on the events as I was reading than I have in some of the previous books in the series. It helped tremendously, as usual, to have things explained at the end.

(One of the reasons it’s absolutely necessary to have an exposition-y section at the end things is that a lot is kept from the reader in the course of these books. There are hints and clues, but there are also things that the main characters are doing behind the scenes that aren’t made clear to the reader at the time. I believe this sort of plotting is in the style of Arthur Conan Doyle in the original Sherlock series, but I’m not 100% sure because as I believe I’ve probably mentioned in a previous review, I’ve only ever read The Hound of the Baskervilles, and that was probably 40 years ago.)

I will try to hit on the high points of the plot as best I can:

Charlotte and Mrs. Watson visit Underwood’s mistress, Mrs. Claiborne (formerly Bancroft’s mistress, which seems like it would be awkward) to try to track Underwood’s last known movements before he disappeared. They learn about his sponsorship of a trio of boxers.

The boxers, Johnny, Mumble and Jessie, end up having complicated backstories that tie them to other characters in the story.

There’s a subplot involving a manor house murder that occurred years before on Christmas Eve. Except not exactly a subplot, because it ties characters together in a way that felt *really* coincidental, but maybe it wasn’t? (I’m considering the possibility that there is some logical reason I missed that the characters in this subplot ended up involved in the main plot. I just don’t know.)

Oh, also, the main character that ends up being involved in both plots is one that’s known to Charlotte and has appeared in at least one (maybe two?) previous books. (Again, coincidental, as far as I could tell?)

This paragraph, late in the book, seemed emblematic of how difficult it can be to keep these characters straight:

“Mrs. Farr,” Holmes asked, “Mr. Waters said he saw Mrs. Claiborne once, when she delivered something to Mr. Esposito’s house on Mr. Underwood’s behalf. He never identified Mrs. Claiborne to you?”

Also appearing in the story is Charlotte’s sister Livia, who is acting as Charlotte’s eyes and ears in Aix-en-Provence and wondering if her secret love Stephen Marbleton is imprisoned nearby (by the dastardly Moriarty, who as usual lurks in the background throughout the story).

The Lady Sherlock series keeps me on my toes, and perhaps because of that it can take a while for me to get into the story. In this case it wasn’t until the last third or so that I felt fully absorbed in the story.

Still, A Ruse of Shadows ended up being a strong entry into the series, and by the end there were some interesting advances in a couple of relationships that I think fans of the series are invested in. My grade for this is a B+.

I love this series, and my enjoyment has only increased as the series has progressed. The development of the cast of characters is a joy to read, and I love seeing all of them deal with different situations with aplomb. Charlotte continues to be my favorite, especially as she works on showing the people she loves that she loves them. Particularly her interactions with Lord Ingram and Livia, both of whom need her in different ways. With each book, a new emotional dimension is explored, and that deepens the characters for me as a reader.

The mystery also interested me, and while I always expect the unexpected with these books, they still manage to surprise me and keep me turning it over in my mind. In the ongoing battle against Moriarty, Charlotte has powerful allies, but I can't predict what to expect in the next installment. I'm on the edge of my seat anyway.

This author has completely turned my world upside down! Charlotte Holmes is accused of murder, and Lord Bancroft is found dead?! Please tell me I read this wrong! Maybe I had too much Rooibos tea and wasn’t seeing straight!

The author is back with another heart-pounding novel. The last book, A Tempest at Sea, was excellent, but this one… this one is sensational and even better if that’s possible. For those who love the romance between Lord Ash Ingram and Charlotte, it progresses beautifully. And let’s not forget the infamous Moriarty—yes, he’s still lurking around! This novel truly exceeded my expectations, which is impressive for a long-running series.

For those of you who asked if this is a stand-alone, no, I would strongly advise you to read the prior novel, A Temptest at Sea, at the very least to better the series.

The last few books have ended on something of a cliffhanger or with something left undone. I liked that this book differed a bit; Olivia and Stephen might not have a happy ever after but it sure is a lot closer than what we've seen in other books. And We also get to see a bit more about her relationship with Lord Ingram which is running the way she would like and they solidify a bit more where they are going in a completely nerdy and adorable manner.

Lady Sherlock #8
Four stars
This book comes out June 25, 2024
Follows Tempest at Sea
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I've really enjoyed this series and eagerly awaited a new one in the series. While I did enjoy this story, I found it hard to follow. I don't know if it was the different time lines or the fact that there are now so many characters to keep track of, but it was harder for me to get through than the others.

In this latest of the Victorian era Lady Sherlock mysteries with a gender-bending Sherlock Holmes cast, Charlotte Holmes finds herself in the hot seat, but anyone who has followed this series knows that somehow the person sweating it out won’t be Miss Charlotte. Sherry Thomas has created an original cast of characters and set them in a series of mysteries with the most delectable tangle of plots that the Great Detective himself would be impressed.



A Ruse of Shadows is the eighth in a series of strongly connected books that must be read in order. Regular series fans are, no doubt, hard-pressed to work out some of the connections that progress through the series and then there are those delightful relationship developments providing a side of romance and friendship for fans to cheer on.



This latest introduces matters in a frame-style story, with the present scene being an interrogation situation for Charlotte, who then takes her testimony of events back into the past. Right away, this setup has the reader wondering just how Charlotte, of all people, ended up being questioned by the police for a murder. From there, the story progresses forward with the occasional return to the present to remind the reader where things are headed before finally getting caught up to that shocking first scene.



The Sherlock Holmes motif is obvious though the new iteration of Holmes & Watson are a pair of very talented women who include a strong and supportive team behind them. The romance has been a slow burn and fascinatingly drawn because Charlotte never was good at relationships and Ash has had his share of missteps in that department. Moriarty is a worthy adversary joined by other cunning opponents. Sherry Thomas does a fair hand at bringing the Victorian era, including some of its grittier social issues, to lend depth to the story.



A highly entertaining mystery romp, A Ruse of Shadows is full of cleverly executed twists that look like a jumble of knots until the very tension-wrought end untangles to satisfying clarity. Historical mystery, and particularly Holmesian fans, should definitely clear some time for this series.

Another great entry in the Lady Sherlock series. I love that Thomas avoids using a formula, so the mysteries never feel stale or familiar. Each book, too, is playing with some different conceit (a locked room, a shipboard mystery, or in this case, a "two days earlier..." framing device) while still feeling like part of a cohesive whole. A Ruse of Shadows also reveals the careful layers of the story, reminding us that nothing is unimportant and no one's story is ended just because we haven't seen them in a while.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I do so love the Charlotte Holmes novels! I keep wondering when I will find one that I didn't enjoy but it seems each one is better and better.

This installment takes place shortly after the adventures aboard the ship Provence. Charlotte was in Paris but journeys to London upon hearing that Ash (Lord Ingram) has had an accident and broken his leg. What follows is a masterpiece of planning and precision. Lord Bancroft (Ash's older brother) has been locked in prison following the discovery of his selling of state secrets. Bancroft has been in touch with Charlotte (Sherlock), stringing her along in order to get what he desires: his freedom. A second case, seemingly unconnected, threads it way through with astonishing results. This might be my favorite installment yet!

4.5 Stars ⭐️ - Top Pick

The eight story in the Lady Sherlock series and it’s probably one of my favorites.

Let me be very clear, this is not a standalone. I think in the past, I’ve vaguely hinted in my reviews of this series that you could hop into the mystery, but it’s official with book eight that you can’t just read this and know what’s going on. In fact, if you were to read this before the others, I believe you would be disappointed and confused.

It’s also hard for me as a reader to believe that the events from the first book are only a year from the events of this book. The timeline in this series is so compact, where the time between books is so lengthy that I may make 2025 the year I re-read. But I digress.

This book made me smile; it made my eyebrows furrow and my stomach clench, and I won’t lie. I’m so invested in Charlotte Holmes, Mrs. Watson, Livia Holmes, and Charlotte’s lover, Ash. All the characters have my eager support. I want them to succeed, and at times during this story, I wasn’t sure they would. There were twists and turns, but Thomas again does a great job of Charlotte as our dubious narrator. She’s the master of the puppets, and the rest of us are just playing out her story.

What is the story? Charlotte is accused of murder, and not just any, but one of an old enemy, Lord Bancroft. Fancily enough, our dear Charlotte solves not one, not two, but three crimes during this book, and what’s even better is how nothing is a coincidence, and everything ties back to each other. This is another reason to read the previous books, as there are hints and clues that help pave the way, and if you’ve got a photographic memory like Charlotte, you’ll be able to put everything together.

P.S. For us fans of Sherry Thomas in her historical romance days, this book doesn’t disappoint and also gave me enough to make that romance-loving part of me so very happy. Don’t walk; run to the bookstore. Grab your copy. Settle in for a lovely read. Now, I need book nine.

~ Landra

I was never a fan of Thomas’s romances, but I’m a fan of Thomas’s Lady Sherlock romance, between Charlotte Holmes (“Sherlock”) and Lord Ingram “Ash” Ashburton. And yet, I have to admit, with this latest, while I ate up the few romantic scenes between Charlotte and Ash (and finally, FINALLY, there is some bend in the stringent keeping them apart ethos), they weren’t sufficient to win my I’ll-follow-you-through-the-series. This was less mystery to be solved and more let’s end narrative threads started volumes ago and start news ones, which is satisfying, to have that sense of completion at long last.

To the publisher’s blurb to orient us before further commentary:

Charlotte’s success on the RMS Provence has afforded her a certain measure of time and assurance. Taking advantage of that, she has been busy, plotting to prise the man her sister loves from Moriarty’s iron grip.

Disruption, however, comes from an unexpected quarter. Lord Bancroft Ashburton, disgraced and imprisoned as a result of Charlotte’s prior investigations, nevertheless manages to press Charlotte into service: Underwood, his most loyal henchman, is missing and Lord Bancroft wants Charlotte to find Underwood, dead or alive.

But then Lord Bancroft himself turns up dead and Charlotte, more than anyone else, meets the trifecta criteria of motive, means, and opportunity. Never mind rescuing anyone else, with the law breathing down her neck, can Charlotte save herself from prosecution for murder?

The blurb neglects to mention that Lord Bancroft is Lord Ash’s older brother; Ash, while on the side of right with Charlotte and her ensemble of family and helpers, still has to contend with the mixed feelings for a villainous brother who was kind to him when he was a child. Ash isn’t conflicted exactly, but it is painful and difficult. I think this added nuance to the story that made it stronger.

Why Thomas’s Lady Sherlock and I are parting ways, however, is the convoluted plotting. First, there is the back-and-forth movement in time and space (England, France, different parts of each) as the narrative is pieced together. One scene moves back and offers some information and another moves forward, or vice versa, and the reader is left nonplussed. I have no doubt there are readers who will enjoy the narrative’s puzzle quality, but I don’t. Add the plethora of characters and then add characters who often act in disguise, Charlotte, Ash, Mrs. Watson, add characters who look alike are are mistaken for the other to the narrative ping-pong and what you have is rococo over baroque. I like baroque, but rococo makes my eyeballs hurt.

Moreover, this is not a series volume that can easily stand alone, so reader beware. I’ve read some, but not all the previous volumes, and gave up trying to make the connections. Add significant chunks of exposition to give inklings to new readers and the novel’s first third bogged down while the last quarter, as things wrapped up, gallopped at a dizzying pace.) Long-time series fans, or those who want to return to the first volume and follow them through to number eight, will relish the advancing of relationships and the introduction of new “team” members, the Baker Street Irregulars, at Ruse of Shadows‘ end.

Sherry Thomas’s A Ruse of Shadows is published by Berkley and was released on June 25th. I received an e-galley, from Berkley, via Netgalley. The above is the honest AI-free expression of my opinion.

Having achieved success in her previous case, Charlotte sets out to rescue the man her sister loves from the clutches of Moriarty. Then, Lord Bancroft demands her help in finding his missing henchman. But when Lord Bancroft himself is found dead, Charlotte becomes the prime suspect. Now, she must clear her name while navigating the treacherous waters of a new investigation.

I love this series! It’s tense and atmospheric with lovable characters and an addictive storyline. This book has interesting characters and a complex plot that kept me guessing. I liked the dual-timeline aspect.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

What a delicious web that’s been weaved!

🔎 Charlotte Holmes juggles multiple cases which are all intertwined while continually learning how to navigate her own personal relationships. 🔎

This newest installment of the Lady Sherlock Series felt really refreshing and perfectly puzzling.

The balance of this book is brilliant. There are so many moving parts but they are easy to keep ahold of. I loved how everything was intertwined in just the right way.

Everything that has been seeded since the first book is beginning to blossom and it’s exciting to see.

One of my favorite parts of this series is Charlotte’s relationship with Ingram. I love how they’ve grown together and are now testing each other’s limits. I can’t wait to see more of them in future installments.

I also really enjoy Charlotte’s sister Livia’s storyline so I was pleased with how it’s continuing to develop.

👍🏼 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

🔎 Mystery
📚 Series
💋 Romance
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn
🧩 Puzzling
👒 Victorian Era

🔥 🌶️🌶️/5

👉🏼 #bookstackcityreviews

🎁 Thank you @berkleypub for this #gifted copy of #ARuseOfShadows !!

A great addition to the series! I loved reading about Charlotte having to navigate being the one accused of murder. It was interesting to see a Sherlock having to prove their innocence, from my memory I don't think Doyles Sherlock ever had to do this. The characters are enjoyable as always, though I do wish Livia and Mr. Marbleton's storyline seem to have been forgotten a little bit in favor of advancing Ash and Charlotte's story. This book definitely focus the most on these two, I hope that the next book will give a little more focus to Liva and Mr. Marbleton. I am hooked on this series and eagerly awaiting the next instalment.

Charlotte Holmes returns, though her guise of Sherlock Holmes does not make an appearance in this novel As this series progresses, the plots rely more and more on a knowledge of past action. You cannot pick up midway and have any idea what is going on. At this point in the narrative arc, Lord Bancroft Ashburton, vanquished two or three books ago, has resurfaced as a puppet master behind bars. The story unfolds in reverse, as we see Charlotte being questioned about a murder. The rest of the novel tells us how she got to that point. By turns convoluted and poignant, this novel is recommended for fans of the series.

'A Ruse of Shadows' by Sherry Thomas is a gripping tale full of mystery and suspense that will keep readers hooked until the very end. The primary characters, Charlotte, Mrs. Watson, and Lord Ingram find themselves entangled in a web of conspiracies. As the story unfolds, new characters emerge, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. The intertwining of past investigations with the present case creates a rich and intricate plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The ongoing relationship between Charlotte and Lord Ingram provides a touch of romance, adding another layer to the captivating story line.

Thomas's masterful storytelling and strong character development make this series truly remarkable. The mysteries are cleverly crafted, with each piece falling into place seamlessly. Readers will be completely absorbed in the world of Charlotte and her friends, eagerly awaiting the next volume in this extraordinary series.

Sherry Thomas has created a world that is both intriguing and captivating, with complex characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Her writing is superb, and her attention to detail is impeccable. I cannot recommend this series enough. It is a must-read for any fan of historical mysteries or simply anyone looking for a gripping, well-written story. A Ruse of Shadows an excellent read, and I cannot wait to see where Sherry Thomas takes us next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.