The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas Pages: 303
Length: 10 hours 7 minutes
Series: Lady Sherlock #4
Genres: Historical Fiction
Setting: London, England and Paris, France
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Narrator: Kate Reading
Also in this series: A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia
Also by this author: A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, The Hollow of Fear
Goodreads
As "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes has solved murders and found missing individuals. But she has never stolen a priceless artwork—or rather, made away with the secrets hidden behind a much-coveted canvas.
But Mrs. Watson is desperate to help her old friend recover those secrets and Charlotte finds herself involved in a fever-paced scheme to infiltrate a glamorous Yuletide ball where the painting is one handshake away from being sold and the secrets a bare breath from exposure.
Her dear friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, Livia's admirer Stephen Marbleton—everyone pitches in to help and everyone has a grand time. But nothing about this adventure is what it seems and disaster is biding time on the grounds of a glittering French chateau, waiting only for Charlotte to make a single mistake...
The Art of Theft continues the delightful tale of Charlotte Holmes and her attempt to live her life on her own terms at time when that option wasn’t available to women. As a character, Charlotte is fascinating, determined, and brilliant. The supporting characters are also unique, inventive, and charming. The world of Charlotte Holmes is fleshed out well and you will be enraptured with the story from beginning to end.
The story starts out with more of Olivia and I kind of loved that. Her possible suitor is adorable and I hope Olivia figures her self out! Interestingly, this story contains the first time anyone questions the existence of “Sherlock”. I can’t believe it took 4 books for someone to doubt! We also get more of Lord Ingram in this installment and it’s kind of heartbreaking. Each character in the book has a life full of secrets and lies and pain.
Mrs. Watson, Olivia, Lord Ingram, and the other supporting characters add so much to the story. The depth they help create is invaluable to the world of Lady Sherlock. The mystery is complex, as one expects from this series, and I enjoyed seeing everyone’s involvement. The maharani that they assist brings some very interesting drama to the story (and takes them to Paris). However, I felt this book was somehow missing something. Book 3 was SO dramatic and filled with lots of shocking reveals and that momentum wasn’t continued in The Art of Theft. I still loved every minute of the story, but I felt the absence of something.
Kate Reading continues to do a great job with the narration. She has different ‘voices’ for each character and it really feels like a performance of the story.
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Series/Standalone: series-you really do need to read these in order!
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
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Authors like Amanda Quick, Deanna Raybourn…then you will probably like The Art of Theft!
The Art of Theft
I need to read this series! I’m glad this one was good for you!
I LOVE this series So much. I loved having more of Ash but Charlotte is breaking my heart. I guess I will have to wait and see, I hope all is not lost but can the next book come out… tomorrow? Excellent review
Yeah Charlotte is breaking my heart too. She is so…. ugh Charlotte. I’m still holding out hope.