This is a gripping and well-written full-length mystery for fans of Sherlock Holmes. The book is rich with detail and well-developed characters (I especially enjoyed Heffie). Without being graphically violent, the plot is so exciting, I did not want to put the book down! The mystery was clever, engaging, and not overly easy to solve. Additionally, written in first-person as Dr. Watson, the style does well at emulating Doyle’s. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to others who enjoy Sherlock who aren’t canon-only purists.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. It is also on Goodreads, and will be posted on Amazon and Instagram upon publication.

Bonnie MacBird does it again in the Sherlock Holmes world, it had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. It had that twists and turns that I was looking for and enjoyed the plot overall. The characters felt like they belonged in this series and from the world. I enjoyed how good Bonnie MacBird wrote this and can’t wait for more.

For fans of: Sherrie Thomas, Laurie R. King
Genre: 🔎 Historical Mystery
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓
Spice: 🚫
TW: suicide, drowning, snakes

Synopsis: MacBride’s Sherlock Holmes’ series is ideal for lovers of the great detective & his faithful biographer, continuing where Conan Doyle leaves off. The Serpent Under, 6th in the series, finds Holmes & Watson enlisted by the queen to solve the murder of a royal insider. Before long, they’re embroiled in a child’s drowning & a traitor within a women’s movement, which both seem inexplicably linked to the palace death.

Thoughts: For close readers of the original canon, MacBride does an excellent job capturing the voice of both Holmes & Watson. And for those who simply enjoy a good historic mystery, the author creates stories lush with period details & twisty puzzles of which even ACD would be proud. This tale even has a cameo from brother Mycroft & a plucky Baker Street Irregular who I hope to see make future appearances. Given Holmes’s complicated relationship with women, it’s enjoyable to see him engage with an Emily Pankhurst-type activist & weigh in on women’s suffrage in a nuanced way that feels faithful to his character. I also appreciate the sensitive, yet period-appropriate, treatment of Roma. The mystery is appealingly complex with a satisfying resolution. While I had my suspicions about the culprit, MacBride casts doubt wide enough to stump even the best armchair detectives.

I absolutely love the images that are attached to each chapter! I wish all historical fiction novels had this. The combination of the images and MacBird’s descriptive writing make it easier for a reader to be in Victorian London.

MacBird stays true to the personalities of Holmes and Watson but adds her own touch with young Heffie. I enjoyed the fact that Heffie is streetwise but working with the police. She clearly outwits them over and over again, but is using her powers, like Holmes, for good.

I quickly realized who the villain was, but I couldn’t figure out why or how. The ending results came as a revelation. I could see how others had done the deed and why, but I also knew them to be too easy. I was pleased to see that there were moments that Watson showed the tutelage of Holmes, but that he was still “Victorian” in his views. I sometimes wonder if some authors who write of Watson make him too prejudice. MacBird displays a balance in Watson’s personality, as well as Holmes’ eccentricity and vibration.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

"The Serpent Under - Treachery, Twists and Terror in Baker Street" by Bonnie MacBird takes readers into the atmospheric setting of the fog-laden streets of Victorian London, masterfully recreated with rich descriptions and intricate detail. I felt as though I was at the movies!

MacBird's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson is both authentic and fresh, breathing new life into these classic characters while staying true to Doyle's original portrayals, while new characters add depth and intrigue. One of my favorites is Heffie, a young, super-intelligent girl off the streets who assists Holmes and Watson by going undercover and fading into society's background, collecting information to assist their case. They continually correct her broken English, and their relationship is a bonus to the storyline.

The plot centers around the torture and murder of a young, high-society woman who is soon to be married. Her body is found in the Queen's castle and made to appear as a horrific suicide. The mystery and investigation that unfolds lead to the discovery of several additional murders. It is a thrilling rollercoaster ride filled with unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the very end - just when you think you know who did it, you find out you're wrong! The intricate web of treachery and deceit surrounding the central murder mystery is expertly woven, with each revelation bringing new layers to the story. MacBird's sharp writing and ability to create tension make it impossible to put the book down.

What truly impressed me was the balance of suspense and historical context, with well-researched references that enhance the narrative without feeling forced. The dialogue sparkles with wit, and the pacing is impeccable. I felt like I just rolled through this story. "The Serpent Under" is a must-read for fans of classic mysteries and new readers alike. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating page-turner that honors the genius of Sherlock Holmes!

Thank you, #NetGalley, #BonnieMacBird, and #Harper360, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #TheSerpentUnder.

The Serpent Under finds Sherlock Holmes, and his colleague, Dr. Watson, following a serpentine path of crimes and clues from Windsor Castle to a dangerous gathering of suffragettes. As the body count begins to grow, Holmes must use his renowned logic to identify the perpetrator before he and Watson become victims as well.

I've read most, if not all, of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories, so I wasn't sure what to expect from author Bonnie MacBird. Often, attempts to write stories in the style of an original author fall disappointingly short. Not so with The Serpent Under! The two main characters are true to the original, and the twists and turns of the plot rival those of Doyle. This is a thoroughly satisfying mystery, and I hope to read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I love Sherlock Holmes, and I love a good Sherlock pastiche, so I was very happy to come across this book. This was my first Bonnie MacBird novel, and it won’t be the last.

MacBird writes Sherlock’s quirky personality pretty well. While I wouldn’t say she captures Doyle’s writing style perfectly, the book was still very entertaining and I really felt like they were the same Sherlock and Watson from Doyle’s books.

This was a pretty good mystery, and there was some good action in it. A good addition to the Sherlock collection. Now to go back and read the other books in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing an advanced copy of this book.