A Study in Scarlet Women

I just did a reread of this timed for the release of the seventh in the series, and every time I read it I’m blown away by the genius way Thomas deconstructs the Holmes mythology and then puts it back together again in a new, fascinating, plausible, entirely satisfying way.

In this retelling Holmes is not only a woman, but one who has been exiled from society for—well, behaving like Sherlock Holmes. The characterization—not only of Holmes, but also of her family, associates, and enemies—is rich and believable, and the mysteries are complex and gripping.

The whole series… show more.

What if Sherlock Holmes was actually a lady?

This playful reimagining of the great sleuth features a fiercely independent and intelligent young woman named Charlotte Holmes, stuck in an age where a woman’s job was to produce heirs. The determined Charlotte intentionally breaks moral codes in hopes of freeing herself from the rigid expectations of her strict, unsympathetic parents. Things don’t work out as planned, and her life might have plummeted into ruin if not for a (seemingly) chance encounter with a wealthy widow named Mrs. Watson.  

Thus begins an unconventional and highly entertaining partnership. Fans of the original will… show more.

Charlotte Holmes of the Lady Sherlock series is—next to Benedict Cumberbatch—the most wonderful, interesting, fascinating new version of Sherlock Holmes to show up so far this century. I’m not going to argue that Sherlock isn’t ‘real’—he’s more real than most people! Sherry Thomas has taken the extension of the Sherlock legend/motif/fanfiction to a greater height than previous authors, and I guarantee you will delight in Charlotte, her quirks and foibles, her keen mind, and her insatiable lust for pastries. Watson becomes “Mrs. Watson” and is a down-to-earth wonder as a sidekick for Miss Charlotte. Great additional cast of characters as… show more.