Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for this earc

Sigh. I knew it after reading previous book but it’s official. I’m very much done with this series. It just lost everything that kept me reading for all these years

One thing I’ll give it is the writing is still good. But the plot and the romance? Just not the same. I spaced out for most of this story because I couldn’t care less about the story.
Holmes and Ash? Feel more like detective partners than lovers. It would be okay in a different story but after all the build up, I kind of wanted more.

I’m sad to say, I just don’t care to read any upcoming books.

Included as a top pick in weekly June New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

Another excellent addition to this series! Charlotte is perpetually clever, and her character has been really flushed out over the course of the books. The mystery in this is fascinating and has plenty of twists to engage readers and keep this story moving.

Once again, Charlotte Holmes is busy putting her incredible mind to work to solve the puzzle. Lord Bancroft makes a reappearance in this novel, only to end up dead and creating more problems for Charlotte to solve. The way Sherry Thomas is able to write such a detailed book each and every time is astounding. No detail is overlooked and each character has been carefully crafted. This series is on my must-read list for a good reason and I'm already looking forward to the next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Ms. Thomas for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Either I'm getting older or I'm more tired or I'm just getting dumber, because I had trouble keeping all the details of A Ruse of Shadows straight! I had such a hard time keeping track of the details of the Christmas Eve Murder, or figure out what if anything it had to do with Lord Bancroft's plot line. I should have known better than to question Sherry Thomas. Seriously. The Lady Sherlock series just keeps getting better and better and better. Somehow Charlotte remains unflappable and mysterious and a step ahead at every turn.

The side characters here are just amazing. The staunch sidekick? best friend? assistant? partner? Mrs. Watson, who plays a giant role as Charlotte's foil/helper/co-investigator. Lord Ingram, who has ascended to almost Charlotte-level investigating, disguising, and subterfuge. The introduction of Johnny, Jessie and Mumble was great, but I was intrigued by Mrs. Farr too. Livia and Penelope are back as are a number of coincidental characters from past books, all caught up together in an ever-expanding web.

As with any mystery book sharing too many details spoils the story. In a mystery as labyrinthine as a Sherlock (or LADY Sherlock) Holmes, even one extra detail might ruin it all. Suffice to say, Charlotte definitely ramps things up here. Some people get what they deserve. Some people are a step or two closer to a happy ending. And SOME people finally exchange a few words that various readers, myself definitely included, have been waiting for for SEVERAL BOOKS NOW.

Very satisfying. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Will absolutely positively be first in line for #9. I have recommended this series to anyone I thought might pick it up and will be happy to highly recommend this latest installment too.

There are many different iterations of Sherlock Holmes, but not that many are as thoughtful and clever as Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series.

There aren’t a lot of authors who can weave suspenseful and creative page-turning mysteries while also giving fantastic character development and slow burn romance and we should all be thanking Thomas for delivering these books to us.

A Ruse of Shadows is a fantastic addition to this series that just keeps getting better and better with each book. Every book has a much more complex mystery and Shadows ups the ante by having Charlotte Holmes herself in the hot seat. There are so many clever devices in this book including flashbacks and interludes and we also get to meet characters we hadn’t seen since three books ago.

I confess I find a lot of the mysteries in these books to sort of go over my head but really, we are all playing passenger princess to Charlotte Holmes and her fabulous brain. There are so many things that have built on themselves for this book and it’s so gratifying to see how far our favorite characters have come. I cannot recommend this series enough.

Thank you so much to @berkleypub and @netgalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

We are brought back to the story of Charlotte and her crew as she races to solve yet another mystery (or mysteries in this case), but this time around she finds herself as suspect numero uno. Sherry Thomas absolutely delivers in this newest installment of the Lady Sherlock series! From the intricate plot to the beautiful way she develops Lord Ingram and Charlotte’s romance throughout the story (and let us not forget the delicious dessert descriptions!).

I knew going in that I wasn’t going to guess the whodunit accurately so I was all in for the ride and what a ride it was. Thomas is an absolute mastermind of slowburn chemistry that makes things feel so natural and not slow at all. I loved watching everything fall into place and seeing things happen right before my eyes and not even know it was happening right before my eyes.

I’m excited to reread this to catch anything I missed on the first go around and to hear Kate Reading’s beautiful narration on audio. If you are looking for a mystery series to get your hands on–this should be your next one!

Sherry Thomas, once again, proves she is a master at her craft.

This is book eight in the Lady Sherlock series, and yet it still felt fresh. As usual, I was utterly captivated by the mystery and my favorite found family, Charlotte Holmes and company.

Also, how many times is it possible to fall in love? And with the same person? Yes, I’m talking about Lord Ingram. With each additional book, I feel like I’m falling in love with him all over again. His addition to their story 🥺 and that ending 😍🥰 iykyk I had the biggest grin on my face reading the last few pages. I’ve read the ending at least five times now because it brings such joy to my heart. Even just thinking about it makes me smile. I’m so proud of both Ash and Charlotte and how they’ve grown to be able to recognize and give each other what the other person needs in their own unique ways and while still staying true to themselves. Their relationship development, written with such care and nuance, is one of the best I've ever read.

If you’re looking for a thrilling historical mystery series with wonderful character development, a delicious slow-burn romance, and a brilliantly written plot, then give this series a try.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Berkley
and NetGalley for the eARC.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. A Ruse of Shadows is the latest entry in the now long running Lady Sherlock series. As events between books are very closely connected, I don't recommend readers who haven't read prior books start here. Plus, the series is super enjoyable, so the prior books are definitely worth reading. A Ruse of Shadows takes place after the events on ship in the prior book and sees Charlotte still in hiding. Charlotte is summoned to see Lord Bancroft who the government is holding at a high security location after it was discovered that he was selling secrets during a prior book. Bancroft has sent thugs to the Paris house where Charlotte's sister Bernadine is staying and demands Charlotte help in escape. When the book starts, Bancroft has turned up dead and the book flips between her discussion with the police and the events that led up to this meeting. I'm not going to get too much into the details, but suffice to say, like prior titles, there are several plots that eventually come together in unexpected ways. Ms. Thomas has tightly and cleverly plotted out events and keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of their seat. I'm a long time fan of the series and am excited to see where Charlotte and crew go next.

Genre: historical mystery
England, 1887

A Ruse of Shadows opens with Charlotte Holmes accused of the murder of Lord Bancroft, older brother to beloved Lord Ingram, and man who had twice asked Charlotte to marry him. Charlotte confides that she has no part in his murder, but the Chief Inspector sees a lot of motive and possible evidence for her to have carried out the crime. The setup has investigation into multiple mysteries going on at once including a cold case murder from 15 years prior and this much more recent one.

As usual, Charlotte Holmes and company are trying to keep one step ahead of Moriarty and company, but this time Charlotte herself is under interrogation by the Chief Inspector and wanted for murder. Unfolding in dual timeline between Charlotte’s interrogation and the direct events leading up to it, this has a more sinister and desperate air about it than the others. Charlotte has the outward appearance of calm, but let’s be honest I’ve never once trusted Sherry Thomas on outward appearances.

Never fear, this has a few ridiculous antics and the typical barrel of red herrings. It draws a lot on characters we've met before throughout the series- so if you were considering a reread, I recommend it! That said, Sherry gives us enough detail in case you don't remember the blind woman from book one who steals a pound off Charlotte. The mysteries in this book don't rely heavily on the previous ones, but as always the overall character arc continues.

We all know that a Lady Sherlock book is always better the second or third time through. I find my first time through each of these books that I never know quite what to pay attention to. (The answer is: never try to solve the mystery!) I’m already looking forward to a reread, upon which I’ll be able to pay more attention to the character details than the plot. The progression of character development in this series is unmatched, sometimes subtle and sometimes heart-wrenchingly overt.

A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas is the eighth book in the Lady Sherlock mystery series. For those new to the series, it's important to note that Charlotte Holmes, whose alter ego is Sherlock Holmes, has been solving mysteries in her unique way. In this installment, she finds herself being questioned by the police for murder. The story then explains what happened to lead to that point in a tangle of small mysteries that come together into the one big mystery that only "Sherlock" Holmes could solve, provided Charlotte doesn't find herself jailed.

Charlotte Holmes is a shockingly modern woman during a less-than-modern Victorian era, a time when women were expected to be demure and submissive. Her cheekiness and wit are not just endearing traits, but acts of rebellion against the societal norms of her time. I absolutely fell in love with her and couldn't get enough of it. Despite what society thought, I also admired her determination to do things her own way. Charlotte is brilliant, a master of disguise, and nothing even close to a wilting flower in dangerous situations. Charlotte is not the type of woman to ever experience a case of the vapors.

The plot of A Ruse of Shadows is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of suspense, filled with unexpected twists and a jaw-dropping reveal at the end. The author's skill in weaving a complex web of mysteries, complete with red herrings, is a masterclass in suspense.

The relationship between Charlotte and Lord Ingram is a breath of fresh air. Their unconventional approach to love, defying societal expectations, is both fun and affirming.  It's a testament to the author's ability to create characters that resonate with the readers, making the book all the more enjoyable.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I must admit that, unlike in A Tempest at Sea, I found myself at a slight disadvantage due to not having read books 1-6. Therefore, I strongly recommend reading this series in order to fully appreciate the depth and intricacies of the characters and their relationships. It's a wonderful series that is well worth the time investment.

I have wanted to read the Lady Sherlock series for a while now, and here I am, jumping in at book 8. I LOVED this book! Enough background is woven in organically, and I wasn't lost, but I fell hard and fast for these characters and the premise of this book, a gender-swapped Holmes and Watson with feminist themes. I plan to read the earlier books to know how it all began.

Thomas's writing is excellent. The setting is immersive, and the characters, particularly the brilliant Charlotte, aka Sherlock Holmes and Mrs. Watson, are faceted and vibrantly depicted. Charlotte is such an intriguing character, and the Holmes pseudonym allows her to investigate by covertly navigating around the limitations of women in the Victorian era. She also dons various disguises, as does her lover, Lord Ingram, which I found to be a delightful surprise each time they met incognito. Their chemistry is fantastic, too.

This mystery has a clever, intricate, meaty plot with many moving pieces. Charlotte's deductions are brilliant, much like those of Conan Doyle's original Sherlock, and her entire team works together in perfect sync. I have loved the original Sherlock books since I was a kid, and I can be pretty critical of retellings of the source material, but this was one of the best Sherlock reimaginings I have read. It's wholly unique but captures some of the spirit of the original.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the free book!

When I purchased the first book of this series eight years ago, I knew I liked the author, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about the description given for Charlotte Holmes or even the series. OMGoodness! There is nothing to worry about there – I still love the author – and absolutely adore Charlotte and the series. Charlotte is smart, quirky, cunning, and brave with few of the social ‘graces’, but everybody comes to love her. Well, everybody except those she outsmarts and brings to justice. I just looked back and I have given every book a 5-star rating so far – and this will get one as well.

I was fully engaged and invested in this story from the very first page and stayed that way until I let out a huge sigh at the last word on the last page. There is never a dull moment as Charlotte masterminds a massive blow to Moriarty and he never sees it coming! While she’s doing that, she’s solving a decades-old case for Inspector Treadles and outwitting Lord Bancroft Ashburton who rears his ugly head again. What does she do in her spare time? She shows some phenomenal character growth from the woman (girl really) we met in that first book.

I thought the author's way of telling this story was interesting because I could see the events unfolding almost as if it were a movie or an old newsreel. We begin with Charlotte being interrogated by Chief Inspector John Talbot who believes she murdered Lord Bancroft Ashburton. The story alternates between the interrogation with her answers and the actual events that took place. That was an intriguing way to put the timeline together and to help us easily follow all of the events – even though the reader won’t really have it all pieced together until the end.

There is the full complement of recurring characters with integral parts to play and a couple of new characters that we may or may not see again. All of the unique parts of the story work seamlessly together to present the reader with an unforgettable reading experience. If you love complex mysteries with equally complex characters, you will love this book and this series. I can highly recommend this book – especially if you love books by Anna Lee Huber, Andrea Penrose, Ashley Weaver, Will Thomas, or C.H. Harris. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As this series progresses, Sherry Thomas's mysteries get more and more complex. Just like Conan Doyle's Sherlock, the reader can never guess the ultimate conclusion from the clues as laid out on page. The plots are elaborate, Charlotte is inscrutable, and the endings are always tied up with the brightest of bows. So yes, Sherry doles out a TON of mystery plot, and only the tiniest forward momentum for the slowest burning romance between Charlotte and Ash - and yet we will read them all just for that smidgeon of relationship development. (It just works.)

You find out from the beginning of this one that Bancroft has kicked the bucket (or, someone kicked the bucket out from under him). But who? How? Why? It's no spoiler to say that Moriarty is involved, or that Charlotte knows the answers to all of those questions.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

A Ruse of Shadows is the Eighth installment in Sherry Thomas's Lady Sherlock series. Charlotte Holmes is accustomed to solving crimes, not being accused of them, but she finds herself in a dreadfully precarious position as Chief Inspector Talbot from Scotland Yard, along with Inspector Robert Treadles, arrives to interrogate Charlotte for suspicion of the death of Lord Bancroft Ashburton. Charlotte’s success on the RMS Provence has afforded her a certain measure of time and assurance.

She's also found herself under the protection of Lord Remington which has kept Moriarty temporarily at bay. Taking advantage of that, she has been busy, plotting to pry the man her sister Olivia loves, Stephan Marbleton, from Moriarty’s iron grip. 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 story is told in a series of flashbacks since it begins with her under investigation for Lord Bancroft's murder. We see Charlotte and Mrs. Watson investigating a 25-year-old murder for Treadles.

We see Livia staking out a house in Aix-en-Provence which might be the house where her Mr. Marbleton is being held by Moriarty. We see Paris where Charlotte and Livia's sister Bernadine is being held prisoner to guarantee that Charlotte does what Lord Bancroft demands. This investigation sees the return of Mrs. Farr who lost her younger sister in one of Charlotte's earlier cases and who has been looking for revenge on the man who was responsible ever since.

*Thoughts* A Ruse of Shadows required more focus than prior books because it juggled multiple mysteries, included alternating time lines, and heavily drew on pieces from prior novels in the series. One minute Charlotte is being investigated which forces her brilliant mind to find a way to explain her role in a key event. Then we have three minor characters Jimmy, Mumbles, and Jesse being used to thwart Charlotte, only to find themselves having their lives changed with an opportunity of a lifetime.

Livia has been traveling all around the globe. She has no clue what Charlotte has been up to, even though she is writing the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I have a lot of respect for Livia for being so willing to stand with Charlotte even after everything that happened a year ago in this series. What is more curious is that Charlotte and Lord Ingram's relationship picks up steam, literally, with an erotic love story written by Charlotte.

Finally, there are things that happen in this book that will catch you off guard unless you read these books as they were released. Charlotte is an odd duck, very smart and logical but sometimes a bit lacking in tact and social elegance. But the author definitely makes you love her because she's not perfect. I have heard that the publisher fully supports the authors intent to keep writing this series which is a good thing because readers are anxious for a confrontation with Moriarty.

I'm not usually one for reading series out of order but I found that I was giving plenty of backstory for reading this one. I love the concept of Lady Sherlock Holmes! It was a true delight to read. The characters and background made for a lively and interactive story as a whole. I will be going back to the beginning of this series and reading all the titles. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. Until next time Happy Reading!

I would like to thank Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC via Netgalley.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Mystery, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Subgenre: Romance
Spice Level: Sex on page and other comments that are sexual
Representation: Strongly hinted at one character being interested in a gay relationship, though it is not developed
Readability: It's probably helpful to read the series in order, but it's not necessary

I love to read Sherlock variations. A RUSE OF SHADOWS is my first novel by Sherry Thomas. I found it to be easy to pick up in the middle of the series, but there are things that I didn't know—such as the identity of "Sherlock's" lover and other character connections. Enough background is given to make this work.

The "erotic" comments from Charlotte (who is the Lady Sherlock) kind of threw me off—she's the one who calls her story erotic as she shares it with her lover. This sort of threw me off since I was expecting more mystery from the outset. And whenever sex is on the page in a historical novel, I always have questions about the status of the women and if it's realistic. This was considered for this book, and there are courtesans involved in the mystery.

The mystery is complex and nuanced. There were definite twists and turns that I don't think readers will expect. I also feel like elements of the storyline are wrapped up in a satisfying way, and there are still loose ends.

This one wasn't my favorite mystery, but fans of the previous books won't want to miss it to learn more about their beloved characters.

Happy reading!

"Charlotte Holmes is accustomed to solving crimes, not being accused of them, but she finds herself in a dreadfully precarious position as the bestselling Lady Sherlock series continues.

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?"

With the end of the Enola Holmes series, might I suggest this one to fill that gaping void?

Lady Sherlock is tangled in a plot to charge her with murder and other crimes by an English lord who is in custody for treason in A Ruse of Shadows. When the lord turns up dead she has to acknowledge that she had come from France to see him. Charlotte Holmes has Moriarty followers to contend with along with the kidnap of her sister. The plot is adequate but there are too many side plots that distract. Not Sherry Thomas at her best.

Fans of the Lady Sherlock series will love this latest installment. For readers new to the series it's imperative to read from the first book on.

A Ruse of Shadows is highly entertaining and cleverly plotted. It will not disappoint.  I love that the author includes a cast of characters at the beginning. There are many - some new and some returning - and I referred to it often.

Devoted readers will no doubt appreciate the progress made in the relationship between Charlotte and Ingram (Ash). All in all I was satisfied with how the plot unfolded and look forward to seeing where Thomas takes her characters next.