1891 Holmes is called late into the investigation of the death of lady's companion Miss Jane Wandley. Found with a tattoo of an ouroboros on her face and head, fully clothed in a bath at her workplace of Windsor Castle. Holmes declares it a murder but by whom and why. Unfortunately this will not be the last death.
An entertaining, well plotted and well-written Holmes mystery. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

1891 - Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson have been called out by the Monarchy to investigate a death at Windsor Castle. A Lady’s companion has been found dead but what makes this case one of the most puzzling of Holmes’s career - someone has tattooed a double intertwined ouroboros across her face and head. But this is not the only mystery the pair are confronted with. A body of a young boy is found, drowned in the Serpentine, and a young female activist has been murdered. Are all these seemingly separate events connected and, if so, how? Once again, the game is afoot!

I love all things Holmesian and The Serpent Under by Bonnie MacBride definitely does not disappoint. MacBride does a marvelous job of recreating the style of the original tales while providing a unique and extremely entertaining story. The novel is well-written and intriguing, the mystery complex and well-conceived, and the characters interesting. I was pulled into the story from page one and it kept my interest throughout. Definitely a fine edition to the Sherlock Holmes canon.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book in exchange fot an honest review

The Serpent Under by Bonnie MacBird is an excellent example of Sherlock Holmes’ pastiche. She writes in a more modern style that totally echoes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle which makes her story totally readable and yet authentic. Holmes is at his independent best and Watson is left wondering more than once. He has been called by the palace, which is not only an honor but comes with accouterments that make investigating more comfortable but add gravitas. A young woman has been tattooed across her face and onto a shaved spot beneath her coiffure, with snakes, and then killed. The palace assumes it is a suicide but despite the fact they have moved her body and cleaned up evidence, Holmes is certain it is murder. But, for what purpose?

MacBird has captured Holmes’ character perfectly so no need to describe any of that. Watson, also, is perfect. But the people to whom they speak during their investigation defy what they have come to see as human. Peculiar, the lot of them. The dead woman seemed to be the only among the bunch with a thread of humanity. The mystery was a good one, although no one can out think Sherlock Holmes. He keeps investigating even when the palace is finished with the affair. At least one additional murder happens, Holmes and Watson being too late to prevent it. The whole thing was a gloriously complicated endeavor. Excellent read!

I was invited to read The Serpent Under by HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUKHarperFiction #BonnieMacBird #TheSerpentUnder

A tale of mystery and treachery that weaves three stories that interlock.
This will be the ultimate test for the world’s finest detective and his dutiful partner.
A high profile case at Windsor Castle, the death of a prominent female activist and the drowning of a young boy in the Serpentine.
The game is afoot and this one could come very close to home. In the ultimate test of minds, can Holmes come out on top?
Bonnie Macbird really takes readers back in time with her Sherlock Holmes stories in a wonderfully authentic way. She has that great ability to keep the reader hooked and guessing right up until the finale.
I’ve loved reading this series and The Serpent Under is a wonderful addition to the series. A highly polished novel and one I highly recommend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was really well written and the characters jumped out of the pages. Holmes and Watson’s pursuit of the answers moved at a brilliant speed and had me really engrossed, to the point of me not wanting to put the story down, which hasn’t happened in a while. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to another great novel by Bonnie Macbird.

I first must thank both NetGalley as well as the publisher Harper Collins for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
As l have said with almost all of Bonnie MacBird’s previous novels, she continues to brilliantly mimic both the characters as well as the atmosphere of the original Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This said l look forward to her next work.

4.5 stars

Dastardly crimes abound in Victorian London, this is the serpent under the surface.

London, March 1891.
Holmes and Watson encounter one of their most diabolical cases, a real conundrum. Holmes is brought a case by Heffie, that of a pauper found dead in the Serpentine. She is hotly followed by Inspector Lestrade who summons him urgently to Windsor Castle where there’s been an unusual and gruesome death of a young woman in very strange circumstances. The murder of the well liked Miss Jane Wardley presents the pair with a particular challenge. The deeper they dig the more is revealed, are Holmes and Watson putting themselves in great danger?

As a longtime fan of Conan Doyle‘s Sherlock Holmes books thanks to my late father, these are a great modern addition that Conan Doyle would hopefully approve of. The author does a great job in authentically capturing the characters of the eccentric, perspicacious Holmes whose detecting skills are no match for Watson. Although he is without doubt intelligent, Watson lacks Holmes’ observational skills and insights and is frequently taken by surprise as are the readers! I love the addition of Heffie to the cast. This young girl has plenty of gumption and bravery with her undercover skills proving very useful to unmasking the villains afoot in this yarn. The dialogue whenever she’s on the page is full of cockney colour.

The lively suspenseful plot is really good, it feels very Victorian and although it seems there are sub plots they all connect together extremely well. There are more twists and turns than alleys in London’s 19th century underbelly. The ending is a melodramatic tense confrontation and fits perfectly for a Holmes and Watson tale.

As for the novels in the series that proceeds this one, it is rich in atmosphere. The author makes you feel as if you are treading the streets of London with the intrepid duo. In this novel the changeable March weather adds an extra dimension to the storytelling as Holmes and Watson race around the countryside in a smooth Royal carriage.

Overall, this is a captivating and engaging read from its dramatic start to equally dramatic finish.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.