Score: 4/5 Bookmarks

Thank you to Minotaur Books for gifting me a review copy of The Art of Deception by Leonard Goldberg.

Who knew I was such a fan of cozy mysteries set in early-1900s London, but this is the third I’ve read this month and I am all about it! This book was particularly wonderful because the main character is Sherlock Holmes’ daughter, Joanna.

This is actually the fourth of The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, but I felt that it worked very well as a stand-alone book. The only thing I would have liked a little more explanation on was the relationships between Joanna, Dr Watson, and Watson’s son (also called Dr Watson) — which I’m sure was given in previous books, but was a little tricky to figure out coming straight into the series at book four. Joanna is married to Dr Watson Jr, but I was confused about it all (and the timeline) because there is mention of her previous husband and her son from the previous marriage comes to stay with them at one point.

Anyway, in this book, Scottland Yard comes calling just before Christmas with a case they need help solving. There seems to be an art vandal on the loose, slashing the likes of Renoir and Cézanne (the horror!) and they haven’t been able to determine a pattern to see where he might strike next. It was thoroughly enjoyable to be along for the ride as Joanna put clues together to determine who was causing the destruction, why, and what their ultimate target was. She was definitely Sherlock-esk in picking up on little tidbits that others missed and analyzing them to ultimately end up a step ahead of the criminal. I also particularly enjoyed all of the art and restoration discussions throughout the book because…well…I’m an art nerd.

I didn’t love that the narrator was Dr Watson Jr, when Joanna was the one with the most interesting things to say (and one would assume, the most interesting thoughts as well). There were several times when I felt like he was actually a superfluous character. Or at least, one of the Watsons could have been paired down.

Overall, this book was exactly the cozy, page-turning escape I needed and definitely one that I would recommend. Click below to get your own copy.

Synopsis:

USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg returns with another puzzling case for the daughter of Sherlock Holmes to unravel in this exciting mystery, The Art of Deception, sure to be enjoyed by fans of Sherlock Holmes as well Laurie R. King and Charles Finch.

In the west end of London, an apparently crazed individual is on the loose, breaking into art galleries and private homes to slash valuable paintings of women. Despite Scotland Yard’s best efforts, the criminal remains at large and continues on his destructive path.

When Joanna and the Watsons are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches. The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal—he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits.

Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. When Joanna finds the body of one in a bricked off fireplace at the gallery, the other is left as the prime suspect. But then he's discovered dead as well. Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings—and lives—will be lost.