TEST
Murder on Cold Street, the fifth book in Sherry Thomas’ acclaimed Lady Sherlock series picks up immediately where the previous book (The Art of Theft) left off, so if you haven’t read it yet, then you might want to wait to read this review until you have. In fact, there will probably be spoilers for other titles in the series here, and while in some respects these novels are standalone mysteries, the character relationships and some plot arcs are ongoing and you’ll get more out of the later books if you’ve read at least some of the earlier ones.
Right at the end of The Art of Theft, after Charlotte, Lord Ingram, Mrs. Watson and Livia had returned from their latest escapades in France, a buoyant Lord Ingram, finally resolved on putting himself out there as regards his feelings for Charlotte, was diverted from his purpose by the news that his friend, Inspector Robert Treadles, had been arrested on suspicion of murder. While it’s true that Lord Ingram’s friendship with the inspector had cooled a little in recent months on account of the policeman’s disapproval of Charlotte’s being the brains behind the formidable Sherlock Holmes, she and Lord Ingram are no less determined to do everything they can to discover the truth and prove the Inspector’s innocence.
This is going to be rather difficult however, as comes to light when Mrs. Treadles arrives in Baker Street to engage Sherlock to work on her husband’s behalf. She explains that he was found covered in blood, gun in hand, in a locked room with two men who had been shot to death, and that as far as Inspector Brighton – who is in charge of the investigation – is concerned, Treadles is guilty and it isn’t going to take much to convict him.
At this initial meeting, it’s obvious to both Charlotte and Lord Ingram that Mrs. Treadles is holding something back from them, and any pressure they try to exert causes Mrs. Treadles to insist ever more steadfastly that there’s nothing else they need to be aware of. They tacitly agree not to pursue this further (for now), but know they have to get to the bottom of whatever secret she’s keeping if they’re to gain a proper understanding as to what might have happened on the night of the murders.
Murder in Cold Street is a clever locked-room mystery, and the author keeps us on our toes as we follow Charlotte and Lord Ingram unearthing clues and suspects as they work tirelessly to prove Treadles’ innocence. We learned in an earlier book in the series that while Mr. and Mrs. Treadles were a devoted couple, things had become a little strained between them of late, ever since she inherited the family business, Cousins Manufacturing, on the recent death of her brother. Alice – Mrs. Treadles – an intelligent, educated woman, was keen to take up the reins of the business, but her husband wasn’t pleased at her moving beyond the “domestic sphere”. The two dead men were related to Cousins in some way – one was an employee, the other a former business partner who had also been a mentor to Mrs. Treadles – and when Charlotte suggests that perhaps the deaths are tied to Cousins somehow, a closer look into the company business reveals things that may well have been worth killing over.
As always, the mystery is clever and well-executed, and I really enjoyed watching ‘the gang’ – Charlotte, Lord Ingram, Mrs. Watson and Penelope – all working together and playing off one another. Even better is the amount of time that Charlotte and Lord Ingram spend together; I know, I know, these are mainly historical mysteries, but Ms. Thomas injected so much delicious sexual tension and palpable longing between the couple right from the first book that I – along with many fans, I’m sure –have been eagerly lapping up even the tiniest signs of romantic attachment between them! I won’t say too much, but there are significant progressions here; Charlotte, always so unperturbable and not at all romantic is displaying some vulnerability when it comes to Lord Ingram, and there’s a greater realisation on her part of his reasons for holding back from her for so long. As for Lord Ingram, well, he’s always been completely swoonworthy, but Ms. Thomas somehow makes him even more dreamy; we’re in his head a fair bit in this book and his thoughts and reflections about his past and his relationship with Charlotte are interesting and insightful. When it comes to their working relationship, they’re so in sync that that they almost don’t need to talk at all, and I loved that. He’s every bit as shrewd and observant as Charlotte is, he’s her intellectual equal as well as a man in love who is ready to accept her, foibles, eccentricities and all, in whatever way she will accept him. And it’s fairly clear Charlotte is coming to realise something along the same lines. She prides herself on logic and clear-headed calculation… but Lord Ingram is occupying her thoughts more and more frequently, in a way she’s so far reserved for the finest madeira or plum cake (!)
Throughout the story, Sherry Thomas deftly makes some very pertinent points about societal injustice in the Victorian era without resorting to lengthy polemics or info-dumps. Mrs. Treadles’ difficulties in assuming control of Cousins Manufacturing due to the misogyny displayed by the all-male management team made me want to spit, and the obliviousness of an otherwise kind and decent man to the fact that his mixed-race niece was frequently made deliberately uncomfortable was both subtle and hard-hitting at the same time.
So, why the A- and not a flat-out A, especially considering I enjoyed so many things about Murder on Cold Street? Well, I have to admit that I’m getting a little bit frustrated with the Moriarty plotline in the sense that after five books, I still have very little idea what he’s up to in the way of a Master Plan. He’s this nebulous baddie pulling strings somewhere in the wings, and okay, so he’s a master criminal with his finger in many dastardly pies, but even though, at the end of this book, Lord Ingram warns Charlotte that Moriarty must consider her an enemy now, he’s not inspiring the same sense of dread in me that he obviously is in the characters. Again, perhaps that’s my fault and I’ve missed (or forgotten) something important. Even so, Murder on Cold Street is a readable, clever and compelling addition to the series and should definitely be on any historical mystery fan’s Wish List.
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Grade: A-
Book Type: Historical Mystery
Sensuality: Kisses
Review Date: 04/10/20
Publication Date: 10/2020
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
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Question, at the end of this does Charlotte fake her own death?
I… can’t remember. But I think Charlotte is “herself” in the next book, so maybe not?
Wrong book–I meant the next book. “smacks head”
Does she fake her death at the end that one?
I think it’s implied that she’s going to do it – I can’t remember if she does it in the book, or if she just states the intention to, but IIRC, now she’s in Moriarty’s sights and has to disappear. I’m guessing it’s her “Reichenback Falls” moment ;)
Still reading. It’s a very cerebral book. Lots of what is going on in people’s heads. It, thus far, feels like the book has less showing and more telling than I’d adore. But it is so well-written that I do keep picking it back up.
I think it’s less so than some of the others in the series, but there’s a lot to take in. I do like the way she makes very pertinent points about the misogyny and racism certain characters had to put up with.
Lord Ingram is still swoonworthy, though ;)
It took me another month to finish this and…. I was distressingly bored. I’ve liked each book in the series less than the one that preceded it.
For me there is almost no sexual tension between Ingram and Charlotte. He loves her, he gives her cake, we are told they kiss, he gives her more cake. We can sense that a real love is growing between them but it isn’t sexy anymore.
The mystery is overly convoluted and the denouement:
is neither explained nor very believable.
It’s hard for me to say this about a book by my beloved Thomas this but this is a C read for me.
Obviously I liked it more than you but I’m concerned about this being a ten book series – I think that’s what Ms. Thomas indicated on my review of the previous book? I did like the mystery and I’m pleased there’s movement in the romance, but I’m not sure there’s enough substance now for five more books. And as I said, I’m becoming frustrated by there being no real development on the Moriarty front.
Moriarty is the source of all evil in the world. Which is silly in a series like this. It isn’t a fantasy series. He’s like Voldemort except five books in, we know nothing about him or his personal motives.
Yeah, he’s a kind of deus ex machina (in reverse?).
I agree and I’ll add that I’m unhappy with this series going from a mystery with romantic undertones to a romance with a little mystery.
It’s a bad sign for me if the sexiest thing your wannabe lover does is make sure you get enough very elaborate desserts to eat.
Ha. I love dessert. I would find that very sexy.
I love dessert too. And when my husband stops by and picks me up a piece of the world’s best Key Lime Pie and brings it home and smiles as I eat it for dinner, that’s sexy. But if he did only that and never seriously jumped my bones, it would not be enough. This is how Charlotte and Ingram feel to me.
Lovely review, Caz. Looking forward to reading this one!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Thank you for the review, Caz! I’m glad to hear there is going to be some progression on Charlotte’s feelings for Ingram. Talk about your slow burn romances!
Yes–the slowness of this love story has made me less likely to keep reading the series. I am now trying this one despite not having loved the last.
I have what I’m guessing is a very high tolerance (relatively speaking) for “slow”; but even I’m wanting some definitive progress.
The series is being shelved in the mystery section of my independent bookstore – not their romance section (which they do have). Does anyone know how it is being perceived by “mystery readers”?
I’m the same – and I had faith in Sherry Thomas that she wouldn’t have created such incredible UST between Charlotte and Ash in the first book not to deliver on it. I was discouraged by the lack of romantic development in the last book, BUT this one makes up for it ;)
I can’t speak with any authority as to how mystery readers perceive the series; I only know that I’ve seen reviews on GR – not of this book or series, but of other books that are predominantly mysteries with romantic elements – that say they’re glad that there isn’t too much romance in them. Whether that’s an accurate representation I have no idea, but I’ve seen comments like it more than once and for several different books. I suppose ST may be in danger of falling between stools; not enough romance for the romance fans, too much for the mystery afficionados, although I suspect the majority of her audience has followed her from HR.
As for the slow burn… I’m a veteran of Gregory Ashe’s books. If I can survive those, I can survive anything!!
Yay! I’m glad this is as good as I’d hoped it’d be!
I adore this series and am so happy that the excellence continues. Great review. Love that Charlotte is realizing the depth of her feelings for Lord Ingram (deep sigh).
Yeah, she’s getting there. FINALLY!
Lovely review and now I’m even more excited to read this then I was already. It came up the other day around here that e-books were ludicrously expensive. Well this is one series which I have no qualms about purchasing, in fact I’ve pre-ordered both E-book and Audiobook. Which is absurd and slightly embarrassing but they have become my go to comfort read/listens.
Thank you! And yes, the audios are excellent, too – Kate Reading’s work on this series has been outstanding.
I may give the series another try on audio instead of print if Reading is the narrator. I didn’t find any characters besides Inspector Treadles in the first book. But the series is so popular I feel I’m missing out somehow,and may give it another go. Great review.
*I didn’t find any characters I liked…