Murder in Westminster by Vanessa Riley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1806 London. Lady Abigail Worthing discovers the body of her neighbour, Julie Henderson, murdered. She suspects the husband Stapleton Henderson at first because of his jealous over her numerous lovers. Can they work together to find the motive and killer.
I didn't find Abigail particularly likeable, that with her mathematical cousin, activities with abolitionists, her visions and her horrible little dog equals somewhat of a lack of interest in the story though some parts were enjoyable.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Missing Girls of Alardyce House by Heather Atkinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1878 Due to the death of her parents Amy Osbourne, is now under the guardianship of her uncle Sir Alfred Alardyce and his family. Knowing her past scandalous behaviour, and with no reputation to lose, they are eager to marry her quickly. But she soon hears of the rumours surrounding the family, can she survive long enough to escape.
Unfortunately I just didn't find Amy character that likeable and certainly not as intelligent as she believes herself to be. Overall it was an enjoyable gothic story, I just hoped to have more of a mystery to solve.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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A Strange Death in Devell's Wood: A darkly atmospheric Victorian gothic mystery by Denise Jay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1895 Sophie Spencer has returned to England from Australia only to find that her brother-in-law Gregory Littleton has died in mysterious circumstances in Bailsham Wood, known locally as Devell's Wood. Can she in her laudanum induced state solve the mystery, and does the wood contain evil.
An enjoyable Victorian gothic mystery

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The Secret Notebook of Sherlock Holmes by Liz Hedgecock
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A notebook is discovered in the Holmes museum in 221b Baker Street - consisting of the write up of many cases. There is a very short story for each case, too short for me but still n enjoyable read.

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Pride & Regicide by Cathy Bryant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three years after the end of Pride and Prejudice, Mary and Kitty Bennet are still single and living at Longbourn. Mary has become friends with Cassandra Lucas the youngest of the Lucas daughters.
As these three young ladies are out walking they watch as a someone falls from the local bell tower. But only Mary of the three sees a shadow in the tower and decides to find out who the murderer is.
An enjoyable re-read of this mystery, again. I just wish it was longer and that there was a Book 2

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Bones of the Innocent by John A. Connell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summer 1946 Marseille. Just as the assassins close in on Mason Collins he is offered an escape out of his predicament, to Tangier where his help is needed. There children have been abducted, can he find them. But he discovers more have been taken then he was told.
An entertaining and well-written mystery and thriller.

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The Doctor's Family by Mrs. Oliphant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dr Edward Rider thought his life was bad enough housing his idle brother Fred, but then Fred's wife Susan, their three children, and Susan's sister Nettie arrive from Australia. People that Edward did not known existed. How will his life be altered by their arrival.
An entertaining Victorian story, a re-read.

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The Dagger Dance by Elizabeth Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1793 . The Fanshawes steward Hemp Roy needs Lady Fan's help. Old friend Dorote, from his time in Barbados has been accused of the murder of her owner Marcus Scalloway of Bristol. With all the help she receives can she find the motive and then the guilty party.
An entertaining Georgian mystery

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A Silent Way to Die by N.R. Daws
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

December 1940 Scotney Village. Two people have disappeared, one the niece of Chief Inspector Hartson, the other labourer Kenneth Jarvis. But that is not all that D.I. Jonathan Kemper has to deal with because a body of a female has been discovered, throat slashed and her hands missing. Kemper requests the help of Lizzy Haynes. Her interest is engaged as a friend of hers has recently died the same way.
An entertaining well-written, and well-plotted historical mystery with its cast of interesting and likeable characters. This is a good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Troubled Midnight by John Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

December 1943 DCS Livermore and his team are sent to Wantage, Berkshire. There they investigate a double murder, that of Lt. Colonel Tim Weaving, and friend Mrs Emily Bascombe. A motive seems to be scarce.
A entertaining historical mystery

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Death and the Conjuror by Tom Mead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1936 London. Famous psychologist Dr Anselm Rees is killed in his study, the door and windows locked from the inside. So how, and why was he killed. Also how did the murderer escape. Inspector George Flint knows that he needs help in the case and recruits professional trickster Joseph Spector.
An entertaining, well-plotted, and well-written locked room mystery. With its cast of varied and likeable characters it is a good start tothis new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


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Peril at the Exposition by Nev March
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The newly wed Agnihotris have left Jndia and are on living in Boston, USA, where Jim is working for the Dupree Detective Agency. Jim is sent to Chicago to discover the fate of one of their agents. But after weeks not hearing from him and with information he needs Diana leaves to find him. But is she more of a hinderence than any help, as she believes she is more intelligent than she really is.
Unfortunately the story is mainly from her pov but she is not that likeable. I would have preferred the setting to have stayed in India and with Jim as the main investigator and pov.
A somewhat slow paced mystery.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Angels Dining at the Ritz by John Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

August 1942 Long Taddmarten, East Anglia. Someone has brutally killed barrister Max Ascoli, his wife and son. Ascoli is the barrister who previously saved Golly Goldfinch from the gallows. As that case involved DCS Tommy Livermore and his team, they are assigned to the case.
An entertaining historical mystery

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A Killer in King's Cove by Iona Whishaw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1946. Ex-intelligence officer Lanette (Lane) Winslow has arrived in King's Cove, British Columbia, her new home. But the peace of the community is disturbed when a body is discovered. Soon when she becomes the chief suspect in Inspector Darling's investigation she decides to investigate the crime herself.
An entertaining and well-written cozy historical mystery. A good start to the series.

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The True Confessions of a London Spy by Katherine Cowley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel, Mary Bennet is on the way to London to spend the season with the Darcys. But she and her fellow spies, Miss Fanny Cramer (acting as her maid) and Mr. William Stanley have been assigned the task of discovering who has killed Oliver Rice, a messenger for M.P.s. Will she be able to carry out the task without raising the suspicions of the family and sent back to the countryside. But will there be any romance for Mary, Kitty or Georgiana.
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery with its touch of romance. With its cast of varied and lovable characters especially Mary who continues to grow.
Enjoyable re-read


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The Yeoman's Tale by M.J. Trow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

June 1381. Chaucer and his fellow pilgrams are travelling to Canterbury but have had to turn back due to the army of peasants (The Peasants Revolt) and some are now holed up in the Tabard Inn waiting for the horde to arrive. Meanwhile Chaucer is investigating the death of two people, both murders.
More of a historical fiction story than a historical mystery, though still an enjoyable and well-written read.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Hunt by Celina Grace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

D.I. Kate Redman is called out to the apparent suicide of divorced businessman Oliver Webster. But it is suspicious. With conflicting information how will the team find the motive and the killer. For so long the case seems to be at a stand still. Then there is another suicide. Is there a connection between the cases.
An entertaining, well-crafted and well-written modern mystery with its cast of varied and likeable characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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The Sins of Their Fathers: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Tiffany Thomas


In this Pride and Prejudice variation due to the death of both his parents William Collins comes to live with the Bennets. I gave up at 30% when it was stated that 16 year old Mary Bennet had married William Collins, even an improved Collins is of no interest, compounded by the General Fitzwilliam pairing. (Lydia)

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Longbourn's Son: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Laraba Kendig


Unfortunately in this Pride and Prejudice variation I did not care for the Colonel's pairing (with Jane Bennet) so I lost interest and gave up.

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The Rector by Mrs. Oliphant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr Proctor, old Fellow of All-Souls, is the new rector of Carlingford. How will he cope with his new position considering his lack of experience not just with the job but the social aspects. He soon discovers how ill-suited he is for the vocation.
A reread to start the whole Carlingford series again.

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The Executor by Mrs. Oliphant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On the death of old Mrs Thomson the next of kin are shocked to discover via a new will the existence of a daughter, Phoebe, who inherits all including £20,000. How does this affect their futures.
An enjoyable short prequel to the Carlingford series.
Originally published in 1861

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A Promise of Forever: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Christine Combe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variarion Elizabeth Gardiner is just 16 and living in Lambton when she
elopes with Fitzwilliam Darcy. But the morning after their wedding in Gretna Green both sets of parents have separated them. Five years later Elizabeth is living with her Bennet cousins and her son. What happens when Colonel Fitzwilliam sees her son.
An enjoyabe variation

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A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder by Dianne Freeman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

February 1900 London. Just as they are about to leave for their honeymoon the new Mr and Mrs Hazelton, are told by Inspector Delaney that their neighbour has been killed and her brother Alonzo Price was discovered next to the body, and has been arrested. But is he guilty, the inspector, Mr and Mrs Hazelton investigate.
An enjoyable cozy historical mystery with unfortunately mostly unlikeable characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Miss Alridge Regrets by Louise Hare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

London 1936. The offer of a job on Broadway comes just in time for Lena Aldridge as she watches her boss and husband to best friend Maggie die at the Canary Club. But was it murder. But once on the Queen Mary deaths start occurring.
For me it was just too slow paced and overly long to keep much of my interest though I did finish the story. Also none of the characters were that interesting or likeable, and Lena herself not particularly intelligent. I did find the guilty party somewhat implausible.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Rotten To The Core by T.E. Kinsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1911 Littleton Cotterell. The crime solving duo of Lady Hardcadtle and Florence Armstrong are asked by Inspector Sunderland for help when a body is discovered. That of Claud Cridland found in a nearby orchard, stabbed. Was being a member of the Cider Wardens the reason for his death for this unassuming man. Then another of the Wardens is discovered dead.
A well-written and entertaining historical mystery with its fun and likeable main characters. The secondary characters also add to the enjoyment. This is another good addition to the series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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In the Midst of Shadows by Nicola Italia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1880 London. Lavinia Howard has hopes of being a mystery writer, to this end family friend Dr Malcolm Allopp gives her story to a publisher of penny dreadfuls, Jasper Courtenay. But after publication it seems her crimes are being reenacted. Detective Chief Inspector Harrison Bryce is assigned to investigate.
More of a romance, and less of a mystery rather than wholly a mystery.



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The Blue Diamond by Leonard Goldberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

November 1917. After two robberies at hotels, the Blue Diamond is stolen from the hotel suite of the Governor-General of South Africa while staying at the Windsor Hotel. Joanna, daughter of Sherlock and the two doctor Watsons are brought in to investigate. But then secret war plans are stolen, and their lives are threatened. Can they all survive, find the guilty parties and retrieve all the stolen items.
An entertaining and well-written mystery with its likeable and interesting three main characters, especially the two Doctor Watsons. This is another good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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NO ESCAPE by Carolyn Mahony
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A young female is running for her life, but she is found, and stabbed, resulting in a coma but she has recently given birth. So where is the baby. D.I. Harry Briscombe and his team try to unravel the mystery.
Part of the story is told from the pov of Juliet as she lies in the coma.
An entertaining well-written mystery

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Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1837. Due to being left penniless after the suspicious death of her father, the Earl of Morton, Lady Caroline Morton has taken employment as a companion to business woman Mrs Frogerton and her daughter Dorothy. All three are invited to her cousin Lady Mabel's seventeenth Birthday Ball at Caroline's old home of Greenwood Hall in Norfolk. But soon a death occurs, and unpleasant incidents start to happen. With the help of Mrs Frogerton Caroline investigates even though most people refuse to believe that it is a murder.
An entertaining and well-written cozy Victorian mystery, with its likeable main characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Murder by the River Usk by Pippa McCathie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After a storm bones are discovered at a dig, unfortunately more recent than Roman. It seems that they are the bones of Caleb Morgan, missing for nine years. Back in May 2010, it was Inspector Havard and Sergeant Lambert's first case together. Now Chief Inspector Lambert and his team would like the help of retired Havard in uncovering the motive and guilty party.
An entertaining and well-written mystery

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Return to Longbourn by Shannon Winslow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sequel to Pride and Prejudice where Mary Bennet is now in her late twenties, and with her sister Catherine they are still unmarried.
Mary has been working as a governess to the new family at Netherfield for four years. It starts with the death of Mr. Bennet and the arrival of the new heir Tristan Collins from America, (Mr William Collins having died). Will either of the sisters have a happy ending.
Will Mary continue to be happy as a governess or does she wish for love - this is her story.
A delightful and well-written sequel.

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A Taste for Killing by Sarah Hawkswood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

January 1145. Godfrey Bowyer, having just finished his meal is found dying, from being poisoned. His wife Blanche recovers. Under sheriff Hugh Bradecote, with sejeants Catchpoll and Walkelin are told to investigate. Unfortunately there seems to be many suspects and motives.
A well-written, entertaining and well-plotted historical mystery, with its array of varied and likeable characters. Another good addition to this series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this sequel to Jane Austen novels the Darcys have been married for twenty two years, and they and their son Jonathan have been invited to a house party by the Knightlys of Donwell Abbey. The other couples include the Wentworths, Brandons and Bertrams, but also seventeen year old Juliet Tilney. Unfortunately to the chagrin of some of the guests, George Wickham, unwanted and uninvited arrives and is forced by the storm to spend the night. When he is discovered dead, secrets may need to be exposed to reveal the guilty party. It is Jonathan and Juliet that aid magistrate Frank Churchill.
An entertaining well-written historical mystery, with its cast of familiar and likeable characters which I suspect no one wants any to be found guilty.

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The Perfume Killer by Linda Hagan


I really could not get interested in the story or the characters so I stopped reading at about 28%

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Upon A Bloodstained Land by John A. Connell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

April 1947 Mason Collins is travelling on a Jewish refugee ship to Mandatory Palestine, to find girlfriend Laura Talbot and their unborn child and get them to safety. But it is not that easy and before long he is embroiled in the local politics, desperate to stay alive and find a solution to all his problems with the British, Police, Jews and the Black Hand.
An interesting and enjoyable well-written post World War II thriller, with its likeable main character. Another good addition to this entertaining series.

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Games in Londinium by John Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Circa 100 A.D. Teutonius, Britannia's provincial governor has planned the Londinium games to take place only for murders to start occurring. It is up to Ikaros of Apollonis, Imperial slave and Morganus, senior centurion of the Twentieth Legion to investigate to determine why now and who by.
An entertaining historical mystery

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Hidden Hearts: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Rose Fairbanks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Pride and Prejudice variation where the Gardiners and Elizabeth have visited Pemberley several times. But now it is 1811, and post Jane falling ill at Netherfield. Due to an unfortunate accident Darcy and Elizabeth are now betrothed, but they agree that they will keep secret that it is a pretend engagement until all her sisters are married. Will this be possible.
An entertaining and well-written variation, but I would have liked more about Mary and Anne de Bourgh

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Bury Him Darkly by Roger Ormerod


I just got bored and lost interest with the story at around 27%

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The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When the very poor Reverend Josiah Crawley, the perpetual curate of Hogglestock, is accused of theft many believe him innocent but more condemn him as guilty. How will he prove himself innocent.
We also learn what happens to other characters that have been in the previous books.
The end of the series that has portrayed the social lives of Victorian clergymen.
Another enjoyable re-read

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A P&P Christmas Carol: A spirited romp through P&P by Sydney Salier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride and Prejudice variation the spirits of Mrs Prudence Bennet, Lady Anne Darcy, and Sir Lewis de Bourgh are sent to various characters of Pride and Prejudice to shown them their past, present and possible future. It was good to see that Elizabeth's faults were also shown as she has quite a few, as does Darcy.
An entertaining and well-written story.

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The Hanging Tree by Paul Doherty


1382. This is a busy time for High Coroner Sir John Cranston and his secretary Brother Athelston, not only to they have to investigate the theft of crown gold and silver from the impregnable Flambard's Tower, but also the deaths of six members of the Guild of Hangman. Then there is the murder of Clement, ex Key-master, found in St. Erconwald's church.
An entertaining well-written and well-plotted historical novel of the time of Richard II. With its likeable main two characters, it is another good addition to this series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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A Game of Traitors by Catherine Leslie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1808 Taunton Somerset. The Greville family have decided it is time for eldest daughter Charity to have a season. So they stay with friend Lady Elizabeth Holbech. Her son Earl of Alspath is head of the King's Secret Police. When Lord Castlereagh is murdered Charity becomes involved in the investigation because of her magical abilities.
An entertaining historical murder mystery with its elements of mystery, romance and paranormal. With its cast of varied and likeable characters, it is a good start to this new series.

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The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of the occupants of the Small House of Allington, that of Mrs Dale and her daughters Isabella (Bell) and Lilian (Lily). Their relationship with Squire Dale and his heir and nephew Captain Bernard Dale. But what are the consequences when the Captain introduces Mr Crosbie to the inhabitants. Not just the Dales but also friend John Eames.
An enjoyable re-read

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Murder at Claridge's by Jim Eldridge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

October's 1940 London. DCI Coburg and Sergeant Ted Lampson are called to to investigate the death of a kitchen porter at the Claridge's Hotel. Much to the annoyance of the local Detective Inspector Lomax, then another similar murder occurs on his patch. But there is also the problem of fighting between local gangs, and various fraud ploys to be investigated. While some are dealing with personal problems.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its varied and likeable characters. Another good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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In Place of Fear by Catriona McPherson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1948 Edinburgh. Helen Crowther is a newly qualified medical almoner for the N.H.S. and will be attached to a local doctor's surgery. She and her husband have been given a flat by one of the doctor's and in the Anderson shelter in their garden she discovers the body of a female, someone she thinks she recognises. Circumstances lead her to investigate.
Unfortunately the first half of the book seems to be more of a historical fiction story than an actual mystery. By the time the mystery begins it was too late to raise interest for me. I also found Helen Crowther be be just irritating, and the Scottish vernacular was annoying.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Sherlock Holmes and the Man Who Lost Himself by Val Andrews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Professor Mainwaring approaches Holmes for help when his wife, his invention and his home have disappeared. The various subplots were unnecessary.
Overall enjoyable enough.

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