Where I Embrace Yet Another Sherlock-type Series

The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard Goldberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book and thought to find everyone else thought the same, but I saw a lot of super negative reviews. So I dunno. Anyway, I'm sticking with my score, because it's how much I personally liked it. Well, I liked it a lot. 5 stars.

As a rule, I like all the Sherlock Holmes stuff: pastiche, sequels, fan fiction, reimaginings, graphic novels, and crossovers, so this is right up my alley. I especially like it with a female lead, as in Brittany Cavallaro and Sherry Thomas's series. (Serieses? Serii?) This novel, and apparently this series, fits right in that groove, and I liked it.

I also like novels where capable main characters like and respect each other and are impressed with each other. Awesome characters being awesome, clapping one another on the back for it. We've got that here, and I'm ready for it.

I can't really account for the negative reactions other readers have, but I suppose we have different expectations. Weird.

The setting is London, just prior to WWI. Doctor John Watson is still alive, though obviously getting on in years, and his adult son is also a doctor. They are investigating a death which seems suspicious. Both play their part in the story and are a pleasure to follow, but it is Joanna Blalock who is the hero. (Can we dispense with "heroine?" Does anybody want to keep that? I'm always double-checking the spelling...)

Joanna Blalock, the unacknowledged daughter of Sherlock, is brilliant, confident, brash, and brave, so right in the Sherlock tradition. She also has an emotional life, showing genuine warmth in places, which is staking out different territory from her "father." To me, that only adds to the story, and I like how it was managed. In many other ways, though, this novel is true to the original, particularly in tone.

The plot is remarkable for not being remarkable. It was reminiscent of many Sherlock stories, similar enough to be a pleasure for fans but not seem out of place. As always, this is IMO. And the pace seemed about right, with little slowing down the action.

So, yeah; I liked it.

Anyway, I'm looking for the sequels. A good amount of my fellow readers enjoyed it as much as I did, so maybe you're one of us and will love it. Maybe not. Whatevs.

Conditionally recommended. Not for grumpy people. LOL. :)

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