13 Creepy Books to Read This Halloween

How perfect is it that a Friday the 13th falls in October? Now if we’d only had a full moon on Halloween, this month would have been complete!

I have a confession: I’m a total weenie when it comes to scary things. I avoid horror movies and can only read the occasional scary book. Chalk it up to having an overactive imagination, but if I watch or read anything scary, I spend days looking over my shoulder and wondering what’s lurking in the dark. That being said, I have a lifelong love of Halloween, and in October I tend to venture into the territory of creepy, spooky, sometimes even downright scary books (and TV shows). I know a lot of other people do the same, so I figured what better day than Friday the 13th to share some book recommendations.

1. Servants of the Storm by Delilah S Dawson

Hands down the scariest book I’ve ever read. This book was put-it-in-the-freezer scary (if you get that reference, we need to be friends). Set a year after a devastating hurricane sweeps through Savannah, Georgia, leaving a path of destruction and death, the main character begins to realize the hurricane was more than a force of nature, and there are all kinds of horrifying, sinister things lurking in her city...including her best friend, who died the night of the storm.

2. Sweet Madness by Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie

A wonderfully creepy retelling of the Lizzie Borden story, told from the perspective of their maid. This book had me wound so tightly from all the tension and mystery; it was like a ghost story, except the things lurking in the shadows were real people and an aura of madness that permeated the entire house.

3. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

If you like ghost stories, this is a must read. It’s spooky, exciting, suspenseful, and gruesome.

4. The Archived by Victoria Schwab

“Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.” Yes, this is absolutely as creepy as it sounds. This book is a unique, haunting story with lots of mystery and action, plus if you’ve ever read a book by Victoria Schwab, you’ll know you’re in for something beautifully and compellingly written.

5. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

When I first heard of this book, I didn’t need any other details besides the title. I’m one of those people with a sick fascination of the Jack the Ripper and that time period in London. This book put a different spin on it in many ways; it’s usually men (police, Sherlock Holmes, hapless wannabe detectives) who are on the hunt for the elusive killer, but in this case, it’s a teenage girl who has an intense interest - and knowledge - of the ‘gruesome practice’ of forensic medicine. And the ending! Completely horrifying, shocking, and amazing.

6. Mayhem by Sarah Pinborough

We all know about Jack the Ripper and how he terrorized London in the late 1800s, right? But did you know during the same time, there was another serial killer on the loose, one who chopped women into bits and threw their torsos in the Thames? As gruesome as these murders were, they were overshadowed by the media sensation caused by the Ripper. This book, though, focuses on the Thames Torso Killer. It's dark, gritty, and fast-paced, and weaves together the supernatural with horror and mystery, all with a backdrop of the shadowy, gaslit streets of London.

7. Apparition by Gail Gallant

Some books are more spooky and creepy than they are scary, but this book is all those things. There’s a dark, sinister vibe to the mystery in this book, and it’ll keep you flipping pages to find out what happens.

8. Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

This list so far has ghosts, demons, various monsters, plus evil people, but it's lacking a classic horror creature: the werewolf. Hemlock isn’t your typical werewolf story; lupine syndrome, aka the werewolf virus, is sweeping through the nation. Many people who are infected try to hide their symptoms, but an extremist group called the Trackers are on the hunt, and lupine syndrome comes with a healthy dose of bloodlust that’s difficult to control. Dark, suspenseful, and compelling, Hemlock is perfect for fans of urban fantasy.

9. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

I couldn’t have a list of creepy books without including one by the Queen of Urban Fantasy, Kelley Armstrong. The Gathering is a unique spin on shapeshifters. This thrilling, action-packed book is full of secrets and mystery, plus plenty of supernatural creatures.

10. As I Descended by Robin Talley

A modern-day retelling of Macbeth with queer characters, As I Descended is a dark, suspenseful, often disturbing story about revenge, jealousy, and the lengths people will go to for what they want. This is a very atmospheric horror story with a hint of the paranormal.

11. Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson by Lyndsay Faye

Another Jack the Ripper story? What can I say, I’m obsessed. This one throws in something else I’m obsessed with: Sherlock. Or, more accurately, John Watson, who narrates this dark tale of murder and mayhem on the streets of London. If you’re a fan of Sherlock, this is an absolute must-read; it’s clear Faye did her homework on this dynamic duo, along with the Ripper cases, and late 1800s London.

12. The Hill by Karen Bass

Stuck in the Alberta wilderness after a plane crash, two boys fall into a parallel universe of sorts where they’re hunted by a monster of Cree legend.

13. Ghost Walk by Heather Graham

When I found out this book was set in New Orleans and featured the manager of a haunted tour who began seeing the dead, I was like SIGN ME UP. I read this book years before I started blogger, and I still about it often and plan to reread it this fall. I love Graham's Harrison Investigation series, but Ghost Walk was my first and remains my favourite.

You might also like:

  ☆6 TV Shows to Watch This October to Get in the Halloween Spirit

  ☆10 Books I’m Excited to Read This Fall

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2017 Love-a-Thon: X Meets Y

The Love-a-Thon is hosted by Alexa of Alexa Loves Books, Cee of The Novel Hermit, Kristin of Super Space Chick, and Mel of The Daily Prophecy. Follow along on social media using the hashtag #LoveaThon

My Love-a-Thon posts so far:
Introduction
Mad Libs: Fairytale Edition
Mix and Match Challenge

Book Spine Poetry

Sweethearts Candy Messages

Other places to find me this weekend:
Bookstagram
Twitter

♥  ♥  ♥

The idea for this challenge is for us to combine the books and TV shows/movies we love in some way, in order for other people to find new recommendations for things to check out.

I took three of my favourite TV shows and paired them with three awesome books with similar themes or characters.

If you like Doctor Who, try Jackaby by William Ritter. When it first came out, it was being advertised as 'Doctor Who Meets Sherlock', which a) excited me because I love both, and b) made me slightly wary since those are two popular shows and books advertised that way often don't like up to their hype. However, this is one of those books that totally does live up to it. It definitely has a Doctor Who and Sherlock vibe with its own unique elements and characters. 

If you like Sherlock, try Every Breath by Ellie Marney. The premise of this one is 'What if Sherlock Holmes was the boy next door?' and it is SO. FREAKING. GOOD. Set in Australia and featuring a female 'Watson' character, this is one of my absolute favourite Sherlock-related books.

If you like Supernatural, try Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. This book is so spooky and creepy, and is totally the type of thing you'd see Sam and Dean dealing with in an episode of Supernatural.

Do you watch any of these shows? Have you read any of these books? Are there other books you'd pair with my choice of shows?

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Monthly Recap: January 2017

Hello beautiful people! Can you believe the first month of 2017 is already over? It alternately flew and dragged. I was busy to the point of feeling overwhelmed, and I'm hoping to find more balance in February. For now, here's what my January looked like:

What I Read:

• What Happens at Midnight by Laura Chapman

• On Broken Wings by Chanel Cleeton

• Sweet Pursuits by Pauline Wiles

• Three Men and a Maybe by Katey Lovell

• Love, Hate, and Other Lies We Told by Deirdre Riordan Hall

• Even if the Sky Falls by Mia Garcia

• Worth the Wait by AJ Pine

• Fateful by Claudia Gray 

• London Belongs to Me by Jacquelyn Middleton

• Londontown by Susannah Conway

• Skating at Somerset House by Nikki Moore 

What I Watched:

• Season 4 of Sherlock. Holy crap what a mindfuck! This season was seriously intense. I know a lot of people had issues with it, but I enjoyed it...for the most part. I feel like I spent most of the three episodes sitting on the edge of my seat screaming at the TV lol

• I started a rewatch of Supernatural. I'm several seasons behind, and it's been so long since I watched, I can't remember where I left off! Since I got season 11 for Christmas and since one of my friends is doing a rewatch, I decided to just start again from the beginning. I suck at binge-watching and don't know how some people can watch a season a day or in a couple of days. My friend and I started around the same time and I just finished season 1 and she's already on season 6 or 7!

Blog Highlights:

• I posted my 2016 reading recap and 2017 reading goals

• I shared some of my favourite books of 2016 in different lists: one for YA books, one for New Adult and Adult books, and one for LGBTQ+ books

• I reviewed 5 books: On Broken Wings by Chanel Cleeton (5 stars), RoseBlood by AG Howard (4 stars), Dreamology by Lucy Keating (5 stars), Sweet Pursuits by Pauline Wiles (4 stars), and Worth the Wait by AJ Pine (5 stars)

• I did 3 Top Ten Tuesdays: Books I meant to read in 2016 but didn't get to, and hidden gem books of the last 2 years, and books to satisfy your wanderlust.

• January was the 5-year publication anniversary of my debut novel, Blue Sky Days. I shared 5 things I've learned in my 5 years of being a published author

Bookstagram Highlights:

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Goals Progress:

• Personal Goals: At the beginning of January, I set overall goals for 2017, monthly goals for January, as well as specific daily goals (separate from my daily to-do list). I need to be more active and I need to lose weight, but I didn't want to do too much too soon and then burn out like I always have in the past. I'd like to work my way up to the recommended 10,000 steps a day, but I figured going from barely any physical activity to 10,000 steps a day would be difficult, so I set a small goal of 3,000 steps a day and an overall goal of 100,000 steps in January. I hit (and usually exceeded) my daily goal every day, plus exceeded the 100,000. Yay! I also set a goal of drinking more water every day, plus eating breakfast daily - both of which I achieved. And finally, I set a goal to drink less pop and I managed to go 22 days without pop. My reward = $22 in my piggy bank!

• Writing Goals: I didn't meet my writing goal for the month. FAIL. I'm so out of practice since I didn't write daily last year, and while I did get a fair bit of writing done, I'm still lacking in motivation and energy. I AM going to do better in February, though.

• Blogging Goals: In my yearly wrap-up post, I mentioned I was uncertain about the future of this blog. I decided to get it a few months and decide from there. I set a goal to post at 15 times in January, and I exceeded that. I started visiting and commenting on more blogs, and getting a decent amount of visitors and commenters in return, which is nice. I'm going to keep it up in February, and I even have a couple new features I'm planning that I'm excited about.

What's Happening in February:

• My youngest nephew is turning 7. I can't believe how fast this sweet, thoughtful, sensitive, smart little boy is growing up. 

• The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro, sequel to A Study in Charlotte (one of my favourite books of 2016) is coming out on February 14th. So excited!

• The 2017 Love-a-Thon, an event for book lovers (bloggers, authors, bookstagrammers, booktubers, etc) is happening from February 18th - 20th. I missed it last year, so I'm excited to participate this year. Visit the link for more information and to sign up!

• I'm planning a blog re-design. I'll be leaving the colour scheme the same, as well as most of my graphics (like review ratings, meme graphics, etc), and changing up the main header, as well as maybe some of the sidebar stuff. I have an idea in mind for the header, I just need to time to actually do it. 

So, that's my month. How was yours? How many books did you read? Do you have a favourite? Do you have a blog post you wish got more attention in January? Feel free to leave a link in the comments. Also, if you did a wrap-up post, be sure to leave that link too so I can visit you!

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Review: Beastly Bones by William Ritter

Beastly Bones by William Ritter 
Series: Jackaby #2
Published: September 22nd, 2016
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
296 pages (ebook)
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy/Mystery
Acquired this book: Won
Warning: May contain spoilers
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 In 1892, New Fiddleham, New England, things are never quite what they seem, especially when Abigail Rook and her eccentric employer, R. F. Jackaby, are called upon to investigate the supernatural. First, members of a particularly vicious species of shape-shifters disguise themselves as a litter of kittens. A day later, their owner is found murdered, with a single mysterious puncture wound to her neck. Then, in nearby Gad's Valley, dinosaur bones from a recent dig go missing, and an unidentifiable beast attacks animals and people, leaving their mangled bodies behind. Policeman Charlie Cane, exiled from New Fiddleham to the valley, calls on Abigail for help, and soon Abigail and Jackaby are on the hunt for a thief, a monster, and a murderer.

 

Two years ago when Jackaby came out, it was being promoted as 'Sherlock meets Doctor Who'. Now, for someone who loves both those things, that was setting the bar pretty high. From my experience, comparing a book to another book/TV show/movie is rarely a good idea because it often sets impossibly high expectations for diehard fans. I was relieved and thrilled when I read Jackaby and discovered it was very much Sherlock meets Doctor Who, with its own unique and fun premise and characters. I was excited to carry on with the series and went into Beastly Bones with high hopes. While the book was mostly entertaining and had quite a bit going for it, I was disappointed.

Where Jackaby was fun, quirky, and fast paced, I found Beastly Bones dragged quite a bit. It started out well; the story picked up right where the last one left off, and we’re thrown into a world - Jackaby’s world - where paranormal happenings are commonplace. Abigail was getting used to her boss’s peculiarities and to the fact the world holds much more than most people are aware of. I still enjoyed Abigail’s voice and her observations, and thought she was a great match for Jackaby. There were some new character additions too, and they added a lot to the story.

There was nothing ‘wrong’ with Beastly Bones. The characters, plot, and premise were all great. There was just something about it that was underwhelming. The entire middle of the book dragged. Things happened at a very...slow...rate. There was too much technical talk. I kept thinking of it as ‘dino talk’ or ‘science talk’ - either way, it had my eyes glazing over more than once. There was also something lacking when it came to Jackaby himself. As I said before, as a huge fan of both Sherlock and Doctor Who, Jackaby appealed to me because he was a mixture of the two, with his own special, unique quirks thrown in. His social awkwardness and chaotic energy made for some hilarious dialogue, and I liked that he was a bit of a mystery. Those things were still the same, and while he did have some amusing remarks and observations, I didn’t find myself laughing as much or feeling as engaged or curious.

Overall, Beastly Bones was good but not great. With a bit more action, the book could have been great, but the sluggish pace affected my overall enjoyment. This could be solely a ‘me’ thing though, so I’d recommend reading it if you enjoyed Jackaby, and I’ll definitely be reading the third book, Ghostly Echoes. There was fantastic set-up for the third book throughout Beastly Bones, so I’m hopeful that it’ll have the magic and that special something that made me love Jackaby.  

 

{My review of Jackaby by William Ritter}

Have you read Jackaby or Beastly Bones? What did you think? If you haven't read them, do you plan to? How do you feel about books being compared to other books/movies/TV shows? Can you think of any examples where the comparisons were warranted?

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Sherlock Love

It's no secret I love all things Sherlock. While I've only actually read one Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock story (A Study in Scarlet), I've read a ton of Sherlock-inspired fiction, I've seen the Robert Downey Jr./Jude Law Sherlock movies several times, and have watched the BBC's Sherlock TV series countless times. There's just something about Sherlock Holmes and John Watson that fascinates me endlessly and makes me want to watch or read anything even remotely Sherlockian.

I was super excited the other day when I went on Edelweiss and discovered two of my favourite Sherlock-inspired YA novels had sequels available for reviewers. Apparently I'm out of the loop because I missed title, cover, and synopses reveal for both books!

The Last of August (Charlotte Holmes #2) by Brittany Cavallaro

February 14th, 2017 from Katherine Tegen Books

In the second brilliant, action-packed book in the Charlotte Holmes trilogy, Jamie and Charlotte are in a chase across Europe to untangle a web of shocking truths about the Holmes and Moriarty families.

Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are looking for a winter break reprieve in Sussex after a fall semester that almost got them killed. But nothing about their time off is proving simple, including Holmes and Watson’s growing feelings for each other. When Charlotte’s beloved uncle Leander goes missing from the Holmes estate—after being oddly private about his latest assignment in a German art forgery ring—the game is afoot once again, and Charlotte throws herself into a search for answers.

So begins a dangerous race through the gritty underground scene in Berlin and glittering art houses in Prague, where Holmes and Watson discover that this complicated case might change everything they know about their families, themselves, and each other.

{Read my 5-star review of Charlotte Holmes #1: A Study in Charlotte}

Mind Games (Lock & Mori #2)

December 6th 2016 from Simon & Schuster

Sherlock Holmes and Miss James “Mori” Moriarty may have closed their first case, but the mystery is far from over in the thrilling sequel to Lock & Mori, perfect for fans of Maureen Johnson and Sherlock.

You know their names. Now discover their beginnings.

Mori’s abusive father is behind bars…and she has never felt less safe. Threatening letters have started appearing on her doorstep, and the police are receiving anonymous tips suggesting that Mori—not her father—is the Regent’s Park killer. To make matters worse, the police are beginning to believe them.

Through it all, Lock—frustrating, brilliant, gorgeous Lock—is by her side. The two of them set out to discover who is framing Mori, but in a city full of suspects, the task is easier said than done. With the clock ticking, Mori will discover just how far she is willing to go to make sure that justice is served, and no one—not even Lock—will be able to stop her. 

 

Now, from read-ables to watch-ables...have you guys seen the trailer for series 4 of BBC's Sherlock? All I can say is HOLY SHIT. It looks so dark and intense! I've watched it a few times now and each time I get chills. I'm so curious to see what's going to happen, especially after the holiday special. I can't believe we have to wait until next year for new episodes. In the meantime, I'll have to keep reading Sherlock books and rewatching the first three seasons of Sherlock (for about the millionth time).

Have you read A Study in Charlotte or Lock & Mori? Do you have a favourite Sherlock-inspired book? What do you think of the S4 Sherlock trailer?

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Review: A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Series: Charlotte Holmes #1
Published: March 1st, 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
336 pages (eARC)
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary/Mystery
Acquired this book: Via Edelweiss in exchange for honest consideration
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}

The last thing sixteen-year-old Jamie Watson–writer and great-great-grandson of the John Watson–wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s enigmatic, fiercely independent great-great-granddaughter, who’s inherited not just his genius but also his vices, volatile temperament, and expertly hidden vulnerability. Charlotte has been the object of his fascination for as long as he can remember–but from the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else.

Then a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Holmes stories, and Jamie and Charlotte become the prime suspects. Convinced they’re being framed, they must race against the police to conduct their own investigation. As danger mounts, it becomes clear that nowhere is safe and the only people they can trust are each other.

Equal parts tender, thrilling, and hilarious, A Study in Charlotte is the first in a trilogy brimming with wit and edge-of-the-seat suspense.

If you read my reviews regularly, I know what you’re probably thinking: Another Sherlock book? Yes, another Sherlock book. I can’t get enough of them, and luckily authors keep feeding my love of (read: obsession with) all things Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. It’s no secret I love Sherlock, and it’s also no secret I’ve read a ton of Sherlock-inspired books. They’ve ranged from good to great, and A Study in Charlotte falls squarely in the ‘great’ category. So great, in fact, it’s a new favourite.

This book has the perfect blend of classic Sherlock elements and wonderfully original content. It’s clear the author has an extensive knowledge of the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories, and it shone through on the pages, making the characters familiar and yet unique. Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are the descendants of the infamous Dr. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes, who, for the purpose of this book were real people. Over the last hundred-plus years, the descendants of this famous duo have stayed pretty true to type, especially the Holmeses, who are known for being clever, analytical, and eccentric, with definite sociopathic tendencies. Charlotte Holmes is no exception. She was raised to observe, make deductions, solve problems, and possibly above all else, not let her emotions get in the way of what needs to be done. Don’t make attachments, keep a safe distance, don’t feel. She does a pretty good job of this until Jamie Watson enters her life.

I loved Jamie. He had a great voice, making him one of my new favourite narrators. Being inside his head was absolutely fascinating. It’s been awhile since I got completely sucked into a story, but I got sucked into A Study in Charlotte. There were several scenes I was so engrossed in, I had trouble coming back to reality. As a reader, this is one of the best feelings, but it’s become incredibly rare for me, which is part of why I loved this book so much. It was so compelling, so intriguing, and so well written, I didn’t want to do anything else but sit and read.

Charlotte was very much a modern-day Sherlock. She was cold, harsh, blunt, and incredibly independent. She was used to doing things on her own and in a specific way, so she tended to boss Jamie around and disregard his opinions, and for the most part, he let her. She was a chameleon, able to adapt to her surroundings, be what she needed to be when she needed to be it, and it was absolutely fascinating watching Jamie watch her. He was captivated by her, but not blind to her faults. Their relationship was far from a typical contemporary YA romance, but that’s kind of the point. It was exactly how a relationship between a Holmes and a Watson should be: begrudging acceptance of friendship on Holmes part, Watson keeping Holmes from spiraling into the oblivion of her own dark mind, complete trust, and chemistry that simmers quietly and makes you yearn for something to happen between them.

I am so impressed with Brittany Cavallaro’s debut. A Study in Charlotte is compelling, engaging, suspenseful, and basically everything I could hope for in a Sherlock book. The characters and their relationships are complex, the plot is full of twists and turns, and the writing is absolutely gorgeous (I lost count of the number of passages I highlighted in my Kindle). I can’t wait for more of these characters, and I kinda want to cry thinking that I’ll likely have to wait over a year for more. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC, but I’ll definitely buy a copy, because I know this will be one of those rare books I take the time to reread.

Have you read A Study in Charlotte? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you enjoy Sherlockian stories? What was your last 5-star read?

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Review: Jewel of the Thames by Angela Misri

Jewel of the Thames by Angela Misri
Series: Portia Adams Adventures #1
Published: March 25th, 2014
Publisher: Fierce Ink Press
254 pages (ebook)
Genre: Young Adult Historic Fiction/Mystery
Acquired this book: Bought
Warning: May contain spoilers
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}
 

There’s a new detective at 221 Baker Street

Set against the background of 1930s England, Jewel of the Thames introduces Portia Adams, a budding detective with an interesting — and somewhat mysterious — heritage.

Nineteen-year-old Portia Adams has always been inquisitive. There’s nothing she likes better than working her way through a mystery. When her mother dies, Portia puzzles over why she was left in the care of the extravagant Mrs. Jones but doesn’t have long to dwell on it before she is promptly whisked from Toronto to London by her new guardian. Once there Portia discovers that she has inherited 221 Baker Street — the former offices of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Portia settles into her new home and gets to know her downstairs tenants, including the handsome and charming Brian Dawes. She also finds herself entangled in three cases: the first involving stolen jewelry, the second a sick judge and the final case revolving around a kidnapped child. But the greatest mystery of all is her own. How did she come to inherit this townhouse? And why did her mother keep her heritage from her? Portia has a feeling Mrs. Jones knows more than she is letting on. In fact, she thinks her new guardian may be the biggest clue of all.

If you regularly visit my blog, read my reviews, or follow me on social media, you’ll know I love all things Sherlock. I’ll read any book with a Sherlockian premise, and luckily I’ve enjoyed all the ones I’ve read, including Angela Misri's debut, Jewel of the Thames.

What makes Jewel of the Thames so wonderfully different is that it’s not a retelling of the original Holmes stories. 19-year-old Portia discovers she’s inherited the famed 221 Baker Street, so she moves from Toronto to London to live there. Her mother’s death has left her on her own except for a mysterious new guardian who seems intent on keeping Portia’s heritage a secret.

Portia is an interesting combination of Watson and Holmes - clever, intuitive, and observant - so she fits in well in their former home and office. I enjoyed the unique premise in a familiar setting, and thought the period - 1930s London - was a nice touch. Portia has to fight to be taken seriously a lot of the time, between her age and her gender, and I liked that she stood her ground and used her intelligence to overcome problems. The mysteries she helped solve were all interesting, as was the on-going mystery of Portia’s extended family and why she had inherited 221 Baker Street.

I could easily see Jewel of the Thames as a period drama on the BBC. The mysteries are well thought out, the plot and characters were interesting, and there's a lot of potential for further stories and character growth. Between that and the fantastic twist at the end, I'm eager to read the next book, Thrice Burned.

Have you read Jewel of the Thames? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? Do you enjoy Sherlockian stories?

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