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A Conspiracy in Belgravia

(Lady Sherlock #2)

Sherry Thomas (Goodreads Author)

4.09 · Rating details · 10,415 ratings · 1,374 reviews

The game is afoot as Charlotte Holmes returns in the atmospheric second novel in New York Times bestseller Sherry Thomas's Victorian-set Lady Sherlock series.

Being shunned by Society gives Charlotte Holmes the time and freedom to put her extraordinary powers of deduction to good use. As “Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective,” aided by the capable Mrs. Watson, she’s had gr ...more

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Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Published September 5th 2017 by Penguin Group (USA) LLC

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· 10,415 ratings · 1,374 reviews

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Nov 11, 2017 Navessa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorite, romance, historical-fiction, retelling, favorites, 2019, mystery-thriller

With this second installment, the Lady Sherlock series officially becomes my favorite historical fiction series of all time.

Nothing else even comes close. Five stars are NOT ENOUGH. <— I have literally never said that in a review before.

*deep breath*

Sherry Thomas is a goddess. She has literally given me everything I have ever wanted from this genre.

Interesting take on a retelling: ✔
Compelling romantic sub-plot: ✔
Accurate depiction of a time period: ✔
Whip-smart female lead: ✔
Plots within plots: ✔ ...more

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Oct 08, 2017 Christina ~ Brunette Reader rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle, historical-fiction-1800, mystery-historical, romantic-historical-fiction, victorian-late-1871-1901, historical-romance-victorian

Clever, devious and highly engaging sequel to A Study in Scarlet Women and picking the story up right after that one ended.
It would be impossible to discuss the plot without giving away too much of both book 1 and book 2, so I will only say that things get ever more tangled, layered and interesting and the unique female Sherlock spin Ms. Thomas offers on the original version staples is ever more convincing. And it is “technically” possible to read A Conspiracy in Belgravia without having read th ...more

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Jan 21, 2017 Caz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aar, mystery-thriller, arc

I've given this an A at AAR

Reviewing mysteries is always a challenge as anyone who’s tried it will know. And with one of this calibre, it’s even more difficult, because I want to tell you just how GOOD this book is, but I can’t tell you too much for fear of giving too much away and spoiling your enjoyment. I could just say a) “Sherry Thomas is a genius – go buy this book!”, or b) “Don’t waste time here - go buy this book!”, but that isn’t much of a review, so I will attempt – somehow – to do ...more

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Mar 20, 2017 Alyssa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-releases

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas
Book Two of the Lady Sherlock series
Publisher: Berkley Books
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

The game is afoot as Charlotte Holmes returns in the atmospheric second novel in New York Times bestseller Sherry Thomas's Victorian-set Lady Sherlock series.

Being shunned by Society gives Charlotte Holmes the time and freedom to put her extraordina ...more

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Sep 25, 2017 Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2017

I totally love this book. Charlotte Holmes is such a fabulous character and I enjoyed the book so much that not even half-way through did I order the first book in the series. I had no problem whatsoever getting into this book. However, I'm deeply curious to learn more about Charlotte's past transgressions that made her being shunned by her family and society. And, most of all I want to know more about her "creating" Sherlock Holmes. And, the case she was involved in the first book.

The story sta ...more

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Oct 17, 2018 K.J. Charles added it

Shelves: detective, murder-mystery, victorian, feminist, 1890s

Another brilliant installment in this intensely enjoyable series. This is extremely character-led murder mystery, where a huge part of the pleasure and indeed plot hangs on the interactions of Charlotte Holmes and her close family and companions in detection.

It starts the day after book 1 ends and I'm glad I read them back to back as I suspect it might have been a tad hard to follow otherwise. These definitely need to be read in order to grasp the interwoven threads, which are done magnificently ...more

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Feb 14, 2017 Lady Wesley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: playing-chess-not-checkers, 2017-faves

I am breathless. Not to mention sleepless, as I had to stay up late to finish this amazing book. Sherry Thomas is simply a genius – twisting classic Sherlockian memes into complicated knots and then gradually untying them so that we’re left with a beautiful seamless ribbon of an adventure tinged with romance. A Conspiracy in Belgravia is most definitely going on my “playing chess not checkers” shelf.

This is the second Lady Sherlock book, and as we learned in the first, Miss Charlotte Holmes has I am breathless. Not to mention sleepless, as I had to stay up late to finish this amazing book. Sherry Thomas is simply a genius – twisting classic Sherlockian memes into complicated knots and then gradually untying them so that we’re left with a beautiful seamless ribbon of an adventure tinged with romance. A Conspiracy in Belgravia is most definitely going on my “playing chess not checkers” shelf.

This is the second Lady Sherlock book, and as we learned in the first, Miss Charlotte Holmes has set herself up as the supposed sister of an invalid brother, Sherlock, who is brilliant at solving baffling mysteries and who occasionally assists Inspector Treadles of Scotland Yard. Charlotte is estranged from her aristocratic parents and lives with Mrs. John Watson, the colorful widow of an Army officer. Together, they maintain the facade of an ailing Sherlock living at 221B Baker Street. Charlotte interviews the clients while ‘Sherlock’ listens from his bedchamber. Only a few people know that Sherlock does not exist, including Charlotte’s sister Livia, Inspector Treadles, and Lord Ingram Ashburton – Ash – Charlotte’s closest friend since childhood.

Shortly before our story begins, Charlotte had helped expose a triple murderer, and here I must offer a suggestion: read A Study In Scarlet Women first. While this book could be read as a standalone, I think that a reader’s understanding and enjoyment would be enhanced by reading them in order.

Charlotte receives a note requesting an appointment from a Mrs. Finch, but Charlotte immediately recognizes the notepaper and realizes that the letter comes from Lady Ingram Ashburton. The situation is rather tricky, as Ash and his wife are not a happy couple, living virtually separate lives under the same roof for the sake of propriety and their two young children. Moreover, Ash and Charlotte are secretly in love with one another, although they would never admit it or act upon it. Ash is too honorable, and Charlotte is too unromantic to think of love. There is a palpable undercurrent of attraction though.

Charlotte accepts Lady Ingram’s request, but to avoid being recognized by her, Mrs. Watson’s niece Penelope poses as Sherlock’s sister. It turns out that Lady Ingram is looking for help in locating a young man, Myron Finch, with whom she fell in love before marrying Ash. For financial and social reasons, they could not marry but they agreed to meet once a year at the Albert Memorial, not speaking or acknowledging one another but merely passing to see that each was still alive and well. This year, however, Mr. Finch did not appear, and Lady Ingram wants Holmes to locate him and discover the reason. Imagine Charlotte’s surprise when Penelope repeats this story to her, for Myron Finch is Charlotte’s illegitimate half-brother, a son her father had supported but kept a secret from his wife and daughters. (Charlotte knows about him because she and Livia routinely snooped in their father’s office when he was out of town.)

Charlotte is in for another surprise that day, when Ash’s older brother, Lord Bancroft Ashburton, pays her a call and proposes marriage. (For you Sherlockians, Bancroft is a Mycroft Holmes sort of character who holds a position in the government and can pull strings when needed.) Bancroft is the opposite of his brother Ash – cerebral, decidedly uncharismatic, and obsessively curious about everything and everyone. Charlotte agrees to consider his proposal, as it does present some advantages for her. Marriage to Bancroft would redeem her reputation in society, which was ruined when she ran away from home after being deliberately caught in flagrante with a married man. It would enable a reconciliation with her family and enable her to offer care for her mentally disabled sister Bernadette and to visit openly with Livia. However, she would be required to give up her Sherlock Holmes persona and distance herself from the socially unsuitable Mrs. Holmes. Bancroft offers her a consolation, though: “given that mental exertion gives you pleasure, I shall be happy to supply the necessary exercises. After all, I come across them on a regular basis.” With that, he gives her a dossier of six envelopes containing the details of unsolved mysteries. One of them involves breaking a virtually impossible cipher, but Charlotte is up to the job, which leads her and Ash to a London house where Inspector Treadles is investigating a murder.

Of course, I cannot resist saying that from there, the game is afoot. It is far too complicated to even begin to describe how this murder ties into the search for Myron Finch, but it does. In the incredibly skillful hands of Sherry Thomas though, the intricate plot works and everything falls into place at the end. Not only is the adventure marvelously structured, the characters are fascinating. Charlotte is logical and unromantic, and yet she hesitates to marry Bancroft given that she finds his brother more attractive. We feel great sympathy for Ash, trapped as he is in a miserable marriage to a deceitful woman who only married him for his money. Little sister Livia meets a mysterious young man who seems to like her despite her oddities and quirks. We also learn more about the tribulations of Inspector Treadles, a man happily married to an heiress but living on a detective’s income. He has women problems. His wife admits that she would like to run her father’s business, and the “magnificent boon to his career,” Sherlock Holmes, “turned out to be a woman with loose morals and no remorse.”

Once again, Thomas inserts little factoids from Conan Doyle’s Sherlock stories. Livia is finding her inner muse and begins writing her own mystery story about a massacre in Utah related to a religious cult. (Sherlockians will immediately recognize elements of A Study in Scarlet.) And the arch-criminal Moriarty makes his presence known.

I read this on my Kindle, making lots of notes and highlights and flipping back to read some passages again. It is not an effortless read, even for someone who loves complex mysteries. But the effort is well worth it. Sherry Thomas is superbly talented, and it shows in every page of this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

One more thing. Just when you think you have it all figured out – there is the last line of the book. Wow! I did not see that coming. Can’t wait for the next one. ...more

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Sep 15, 2017 Lyuda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: victorian

When I started the series, I was apprehensive of how successful my favorite HR writer is going to be navigating the uncharted territories of historical mystery. My fears were put to rest as I loved the first installment and this one even a tad better.

The story picks up right after book one ends. And rather than describing the plot which would be difficult to do without spoilers, I want to share what I felt navigating the story.

The best analogy I can come up with is viewing a painting by an Impr When I started the series, I was apprehensive of how successful my favorite HR writer is going to be navigating the uncharted territories of historical mystery. My fears were put to rest as I loved the first installment and this one even a tad better.

The story picks up right after book one ends. And rather than describing the plot which would be difficult to do without spoilers, I want to share what I felt navigating the story.

The best analogy I can come up with is viewing a painting by an Impressionist. At the beginning, if staying too close to the painting, all you see is small "broken" vivid brush strokes of oil paint. They appear to be randomly selected, unorganized, going in different directions, and in no way related to each other. Take a few steps back, and your eyes will have to adjust to its blurriness, you start to see the purpose of these strokes. They start making sense. Take more steps back and you reach the perfect end distance where it all comes together and you can truly appreciate the shimmering effect of these not-so-random strokes, marvel at the whole picture they present and you want to see more. That’s exactly the experiences I had while reading the story.

And the best part of the story? Miss Charlotte Homes herself, of course! Oh, if I can hug a fictional character, I would hug her. Although, on the second thought, since she would prefer not to be touched, I would bake a delicious pastry to satisfy her ever-present sweet tooth. The pastry would be light enough so she wouldn’t have to worry about reaching the "maximum number of tolerable chins".

Charlotte's superb mental abilities and lack of emotional empathy to other are the most fascinating aspects of her character.

It seems there is a proliferation of stories with female detective set in Regency or Victorian times. These women are smart, capable and…too anachronistic of the times. Not Charlotte. In Charlotte’s characterization, Sherry Thomas's talent shines through. Charlotte has a brilliant mind, amazing ability of deduction. She solves almost impossible problems, able to connect what appears to be random things and events and does it better than any man around her but is able to do all of this within the boundaries of Victorian England female and not just any Victorian female but unmarried and socially ruined one...The author didn’t just insert Charlotte into Sherlock’s area of expertise, she made a character completely different from the well-known man. Charlotte has to be creative in her investigation in order to preserve the illusion of Sherlock Holmes to the man on the street and the police.

And although the mystery is solved at the end, there is so much of family and relationship dynamic left to explore. Can’t wait for the next installment! ...more

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Aug 05, 2017 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-books, arc-book-read

It was so much fun diving back into the atmospheric and mysterious Victorian London world that Thomas has created in her Lady Sherlock series. Once again Charlotte and her friends were a treat to see and conspire with. As a mystery always rich in detail and curiosity slowly unfolds as Charlotte puts her deductive talents into play and figures it all out before anyone else and before the danger becomes too great to those she knows and loves. And she does it all while trying to keep it a secret as ...more

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Feb 06, 2018 Obsidian rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018-library-books

Wow. I really enjoyed the first book and the second one was a disappointment compared to that. I think Thomas tried to bite off more than could be reasonably followed in this book. Maybe some of it could have been pushed to a third book. Having Charlotte Holmes and Mrs. Watson taking on cases, having Charlotte solving ciphers for Lord Bancroft, and the follow-up to Moriarty and the half-brother we heard about in the last book all thrown together didn't make for an engaging read. Don't even get m Wow. I really enjoyed the first book and the second one was a disappointment compared to that. I think Thomas tried to bite off more than could be reasonably followed in this book. Maybe some of it could have been pushed to a third book. Having Charlotte Holmes and Mrs. Watson taking on cases, having Charlotte solving ciphers for Lord Bancroft, and the follow-up to Moriarty and the half-brother we heard about in the last book all thrown together didn't make for an engaging read. Don't even get me started on Inspector Treadles and his nonsense about women. The man goes around ticked that the brilliant Sherlock Holmes is Charlotte Holmes. And then is even more unhappy when his wife admits she wishes she could run her father's business.

After the events in book #1, Charlotte and Mrs. Watson are still doing their detective business as Sherlock Holmes. However, things become awkward when Lord Ingram's wife comes asking for help in finding her first love. There's a lot of hand-waving away why Charlotte agrees to work on this case, but ultimately that case leads to a larger mystery that I didn't think was put together very well.

Charlotte is still quite good at deducting. But you do read a lot about what she eats, her tea, and how hungry she is at all times. Why Thomas switched Holmes addiction to Charlotte being an over-eater or glutton (I honestly don't know what she is doing with this) is baffling to me. She could have her addicted to something else and or just not at all. Since you already set up that Sherlock Holmes is not real, and that Charlotte's sister Olivia is going to write stories about the man, who cares that you try to mirror every little thing in those stories.

I can't really get a handle on the other characters. Mrs. Watson barely felt in this one. We do have her teaching Charlotte about self defense which I liked.

Olivia Holmes is in and out of this one. She's not really integral to the plot, but having her get romantic notions about someone that may be in danger made me just sigh. I am guessing based no how this book ends, he will pop up in the third book.

Lord Ingram and Charlotte...I don't know. Due to the events in this book one wonders what will happen next. I actually liked the idea of Charlotte getting married to Lord Bancroft (have fun reading about what happens next). At least it would have moved the book to a different place than I think most readers would have expected.

The writing didn't grab me like in the first one and the flow was not good. The only parts I found interesting where getting Charlotte's and Mrs. Watson's POV. I would recommend Thomas cut down on the back and forths to Inspector Treadles in the next one. She could have left him out entirely and nothing would have been missed since he ends up just being a minor player in this. I think we only see him since he will have a larger role in book #3.

The ending felt vaguely unsatisfactory since you have a lot of revelations that didn't quite make sense to me at all. I even re-read some of the sections again and just gave up. I think books like these have to leave clues that readers can pick up on as well. Otherwise it's not really fun to read. You just have the author throwing out twists.

...more

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May 04, 2018 Veronique rated it really liked it

Shelves: favourites, r2018, mystery, historical-fiction

4.5*

“To be thought of as the perfect woman for a man isn’t a compliment to a woman, it’s more about how a man sees himself—and what he needs.”

It turns out that I’m really enjoying these Lady Sherlock stories! Thomas has created a singular version of the famous detective - not only a woman, but one that keeps surprising me - and this is not just due to her surprising love of food and taste in clothes! Add to this a powerful cast where women shine in a plethora of roles, and you get a novel that I ...more

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Nov 14, 2017 ❀⊱RoryReads⊰❀ rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery-historical

Solid and enjoyable, better than the first book.

For some reason this series, although there's nothing really wrong with it, has left me strangely unmoved. I remember the excitement of waiting for the release of the next Irene Adler by Carole Nelson Douglas or the new Mary Russell by Laurie R. King and this series just doesn't make me feel the same eager anticipation. I think back fondly of Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody and Sharyn McCrumb's Elizabeth MacPherson as though they were old friends ...more

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Mar 14, 2019 Desi rated it it was amazing

Not much to say here. Great book. Perhaps the mystery was a little scattered and unwieldy. I’m not sure I believe in the eventual villain, it was mighty convenient to the plot. And the way everything tied together with personal entanglements was also a wee bit to ‘nice’ to be true as they say.

But fantastic writing as always and great personal relationships. Loved the characters, and insights they delivered about each other.

It moved along at a clipping pace. And somehow had that sherlockian vene ...more

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Sep 12, 2017 Jen (The Starry-Eyed Revue) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017, 2017-faves, adult, audiobooks, girl-power, re-read, historical-fiction, favorites, reimaginings-retellings, 2018

I obviously loved the previous book -- I re-read it prior to starting this sequel. But I did not expect to love this second book even more. I mean, the second book is rarely as good as the first, but in this case, it is just. So. Unbelievably. Good! I love all of the relationships in this series -- the intrinsic ones and those with side characters that develop along the way -- and the banter and camaraderie just elevate them for me. Then you've got the mystery that ties them all together, but ev ...more

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Oct 01, 2017 Cindy Burnett rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-to-read

3.5 stars

While I enjoyed Charlotte Holmes as “Sherlock Holmes”, I did not fully love the mystery at the heart of A Conspiracy in Belgravia. It took me about 50 pages to even fully follow the story line, and I found the mystery and its resolution to be more convoluted than necessary. Charlotte Holmes and Mrs. Watson saved the book for me; I enjoyed both characters immensely. Charlotte’s love triangle was intriguing also. Thanks to Penguin First to Read for a copy of the book; all opinions are my ...more

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Apr 20, 2019 fleurette rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-mystery

What a wonderful book! I wish I’ve read it earlier. I still haven’t read the first book in this series starting with the second one that I required for some challenge. But it’s not big deal. I could still fully enjoy this story.

The idea of Sherlock Holmes being a woman is nothing new. There are some stories like this out there (however, to be totally honest, I haven’t read any of them somehow). But Charlotte Holmes is not just some female copy of Sherlock. No, she is a fully developed, complex ...more

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Oct 17, 2017 Caz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-thriller, audiogals, audiobook

I've given this an A+ for narration and an A for content at AudioGals.

This second book in Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series is one of my most awaited releases of this year, and it fulfilled all my expectations. A Conspiracy in Belgravia picks up the day after the previous book, A Study in Scarlet Womenconcludes, and while might not be absolutely necessary to have read or listened to that in order to fully appreciate this latest instalment, I’d strongly recommend it, as one of the real delights ...more

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Jul 14, 2017 Joanna Loves Reading rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed, non-hr, hist-myst

This was everything I thought it could be and more. Thoroughly enjoyable!

To be perfectly honest, I did not go in expecting to love this book. The first I was lukewarm about. It had a lot of necessary premise setup and backstory and set the stage for a potentially great series, but I felt the promise was better than the story on its own. I walked away somewhat satisfied that I had gotten to read a new ST book, but also wishing she was still writing in my favorite genre, historical romance. But no ...more

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Apr 07, 2018 Laurie Anderson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-of-the-best, historical-fiction, mystery

Even better than the first one!!

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Dec 31, 2017 Andree rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2017

I will state right off the bat that some of the 2 star rating might have to do with me being in the wrong mood for this when I read it; however, I can't imagine ever giving it higher than three stars, SO.

I went into this book with some trepidation, because there were things I didn't like about the first book in the series - how long it took to get going, how it required Holmes to be as stupid as a turnip, unable to predict simple cause and effect - but those were mostly tied up in the setup, and I will state right off the bat that some of the 2 star rating might have to do with me being in the wrong mood for this when I read it; however, I can't imagine ever giving it higher than three stars, SO.

I went into this book with some trepidation, because there were things I didn't like about the first book in the series - how long it took to get going, how it required Holmes to be as stupid as a turnip, unable to predict simple cause and effect - but those were mostly tied up in the setup, and theoretically dispensed with for this book. I will say, that this book probably starts better, in the sense that you (and Sherlock) are thrown into the case almost immediately, without getting distracted by a more boring parallel plot around Treadles solving the case on his own, while Sherlock's busy with other things. I was disappointed with what Treadles there was, because he's apparently decided to go all threatened/insecure-male because his wife and Sherlock have proven themselves to be women with brains. A little nuance would have helped there, but it's nonexistent as far as I can see.

That said, Sherlock is involved in the case right from the start, but it's hugely complicated (involving codebreaking and espionage and mostly muddy personal feelings), and her major contribution seems to be codebreaking, rather than strictly observation (though I might have missed that). I was not particularly engaged in the case, mostly because the plot of it exacerbates what I identified as a third potential problem for the series, namely: Lord Ingram. And I mean this particularly in his capacity as potential doomed love-interest. As I said in my review of the first book, I could have dealt with it if it had been subtle, if it had been repressed and unspoken. This book chooses instead to focus the case around Lord Ingram's wife, with a heavy dose of his brother (who works in intelligence). (view spoiler)

The one bright spot is Olivia, who continues to be the far more interesting character to me (possibly because she's not forced to try and be two things at once - the great hyper-rational detective, who is also at the center of one of the most melodramatic character arcs in the world). She starts writing Holmes' adventures, but more interestingly, meets a mysterious stranger, who charmingly talks about books to her (view spoiler). The thing is, Olivia is the perfect character to play this role. I don't understand why most of the personal drama can't center around her, while Charlotte's personal issues are kept more repressed. It would be much more Holmesian.

Add to that, Mrs. Watson is barely in this, and when she is, all she seems to do is be afraid of dictating to Charlotte, instead wanting her to feel like an equal in the partnership. Which Charlotte doesn't seem to suffer from at all. It's a weird Watson/Holmes dynamic, and didn't work for me. It worked better in the first one when you could clearly see what Mrs. Watson brought to the case-solving, as opposed to this one, in which she just seems to be bank-rolling the operation, and feeding/clucking over Charlotte.

I just, I think the reason I didn't like this is that I knew it was going to go all drama-lama about five pages in, but not so much due to a particularly complicated case, but due to personal drama around Charlotte. From Treadles, from Lord Ingram, from his brother, from his wife... And you know what? That is not Sherlock Holmes for me. The tone of this book is all wrong. There's no room for clever detachment and crime solving, because of the overabundance of melodrama.

Some melodrama is no bad thing, but in a book about a protagonist who's supposed to be highly rational, this was a bit much. Having Charlotte react mostly calmly to it all doesn't make it go away. If the majority of the melodrama could be centered around Olivia in the future, I would much appreciate it. As it stands, I'm far more interested in that plotline anyway.

Also, editing to add that the way this is going, and how I perceive Lord Ingram's future/current role, it feels like he's essentially Watson in everything but name (while also being something of a love interest), and Mrs. Watson is being cast as a combination between Mrs. Hudson and the Baker St. Irregulars. In fact, the role of Watson seems to be heavily diluted in this series, in that it's currently being shared between Lord Ingram, Mrs. Watson, and Olivia. Olivia makes sense, in that she's just taking care of Watson's role as scribe of Holmes' adventures, but I'm not wild about how the roles of the other two are being parsed/probably going to be parsed.

And I still find it somewhat ironic, that in a series that seems to be so much about all the limitations and stereotypes around women, the first thing that happens when Holmes is feminized is that she gets a super-tragic love interest. Just sayin'.
...more

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May 16, 2018 Lata rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, bipoc-author, x2018-read, auth-f

Enjoyed this mystery, with great narration by Kate Reading. We get a little more Moriarity information, but the best part of this series is the ever expanding set of women pulled into Charlotte's orbit as she expands her detective practice to assist people with a variety of personal puzzles and issues.
Inspector Treadles reappears, and has his head more firmly stuck up his posterior regarding 1) how Sherlock Holmes is actually a fallen women, Charlotte Holmes (how horrible!!), and 2) how his wif Enjoyed this mystery, with great narration by Kate Reading. We get a little more Moriarity information, but the best part of this series is the ever expanding set of women pulled into Charlotte's orbit as she expands her detective practice to assist people with a variety of personal puzzles and issues.
Inspector Treadles reappears, and has his head more firmly stuck up his posterior regarding 1) how Sherlock Holmes is actually a fallen women, Charlotte Holmes (how horrible!!), and 2) how his wife actually aspired to run her father's company instead of simply running a home for her husband. Why couldn't his wife just be happy darning his socks??? Oh boo hoo!
There are several threads in this story, with 1) the mystery in this story involving Lady Ingram, Lord Ingram's wife, who wants Sherlock to find her first love, who has recently gone absent. This puts Charlotte in an uncomfortable position, thanks to her friendship with Lord Ingram, and with Mrs. Watson, whose discomfort with the potential conflict that could result from the case. 2) Livia attempts to fictionalize Sherlock's exploits as a way to take some control over her life and make a little money. 3) Lord Ingram's brother makes a marriage proposal to Charlotte, who must consider this very seriously, as her social position is precarious, and prevents her from being able to provide any assistance to Livia and her sister Bernadette, both of whom are mostly ignored by their parents. 4) Lord Ingram and Charlotte continue to dance around their feelings for each other, both behaving scrupulously correctly toward the other. 5) Moriarity and his organization figure in a murder of a man Treadles is investigating; Charlotte becomes involved in the case thanks to Lord Ingram's brother's requesting Charlotte assist.
While I sometimes became a little confused by all the story threads, I loved 1) Charlotte's, Mrs. Watson and Penelope Redmayne's sleuthing and friendship, 2) Livia's relationship with Charlotte, 3) the ways in which the Sherlock team winkled information out about all sorts of things by talking to other women, whether maids or housekeepers or others, in essence, the kinds of people usually not paid a lot of attention by the men around thm. In fact, the way the author showed us how society perceives women of repute and ill-repute, and how the various women in this story use those perceptions to navigate society, was quite interesting. And the end of this story definitely has me interested to see where Sherry Thomas takes the Sherlock team next. ...more

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Nov 22, 2018 ☕️Kimberly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Caffeinated Reasons to add A Conspiracy in Belgravia to your Bookshelf

Charlotte Holmes is brilliant and a character you won't be able to resist. Refusing to accept her place in society, she resides with Mrs. Watson and poses as the niece of Sherlock Holmes, famous detective who solves crimes and solve mysteries. I wish I was a resident on Baker Street and could join them for tea and biscuits or perhaps berries and cream?
Fans of Sherlock Holmes that like to explore retellings, will enjoy ...more

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May 26, 2017 Kelsey rated it it was ok

Shelves: netgalley, awful-covers

This is a difficult book to review because I love Sherry Thomas, and I love the first book in this series. But my favorite elements from the first book were sadly lacking in this one. While this book was very well researched, Charlotte came to conclusions that were not clear to the reader, and it was very easy to get confused as to what was going on. Characters and situations from the first story were not well explained when they were reintroduced, and the plot really fizzled. I understand that ...more

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Sep 10, 2017 G. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5/5

A Conspiracy in Belgravia, the second book in Sherry Thomas's Lady Sherlock series, picks up almost exactly where the first book left off. And what can I say, Sherry Thomas does a great job at building upon the foundation she laid out in the first book. If you enjoyed A Study in Scarlet Women, then you will definitely enjoy this one too. That said, for those who haven't read the first one, this is not the right book to enter the tale. If you find yourself curious about a different spin on t ...more

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Dec 02, 2017 Leona rated it it was ok

Shelves: mysteries

This series is definitely not going to be my cup of tea.

I would describe the books as "Sherlock Holmes meets Agatha Christie". Given, I'm not particularly fond of either, it's not surprising that I don't care for this one. The writing gets sluggish at times. In the first book, the author was laying the ground work. But, the second book should have flowed more easily. This was so bogged down in details, there were times I actually forgot what mystery we were solving.

It took me more than two week ...more

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Mar 01, 2018 Hollis rated it liked it

Shelves: retellings, crime-mystery, hist-fiction, lgbtqia, 2018-reads, overdrive, plot-is-twisty, finished-in-march-2018

Welp, I don't know how to feel about this one. Starting it before vacay, putting it aside, and then picking it back up a week later might be to blame but who knows. There are so many elements of this series that I enjoy but I'm still a bit removed from them all. And as for that twist.. I just don't know how I feel about it.

I did love the final page, though. No, the whole final chapter, really. Probably my favourite part of the whole book.

Hoping I find the love in book three.

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Sep 11, 2017 Minh rated it it was ok

Shelves: mystery

I love Sherry Thomas, and I love Sherlock Holmes. What I do not love however, is this series.

At first glance the concept of a genderswapped Holmes looks as though it could be fascinating, instead we're bogged down by a sluggish storyline, entirely too many obscure hints about nefarious deeds and characters which are simply too unlikeable to want to relate to. I struggled to get back into the world building and never quite got back into it before the novel ended.

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Feb 02, 2019 Amber’s reading rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, historical, mystery

A fabulous continuation to the 1st book. Listened to the audio and was very impressed with the narrator. Very descriptive writing with lots of characters, making this an audiobook you really have to pay attention to. The author makes the reader or listener solve the mystery along with Charlotte Holmes.

Charlotte is such a wonderful character. Highly intelligent, independent, adventurous, and fiercely loyal. I loved this quote from her:

“To be thought of as the perfect woman for a man isn’t a comp ...more

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Sep 13, 2017 Blackjack rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: published-2017, 2017-favorite-books

Most definitely one of the best books I've read this year, though using a whiteboard and Sharpie wouldn't go amiss here in order to sort through the five seemingly separate mysteries juggled throughout this second book in the Lady Sherlock series. Though I hesitated to get fully on board with Sherry Thomas transitioning over to historical mystery writing given that she is one of my very favorite historical romance writers, it is my fervent hope now that this series continues indefinitely. Over t Most definitely one of the best books I've read this year, though using a whiteboard and Sharpie wouldn't go amiss here in order to sort through the five seemingly separate mysteries juggled throughout this second book in the Lady Sherlock series. Though I hesitated to get fully on board with Sherry Thomas transitioning over to historical mystery writing given that she is one of my very favorite historical romance writers, it is my fervent hope now that this series continues indefinitely. Over the years I've read many mysteries and historical mystery series, but I don't think I've read one as good as this one. The mystery itself is meticulously crafted and exciting, and the character study of the female Sherlock Holmes continues to develop and deepen.

I have random thoughts rather than a summary of the story, and I do think going into this book without knowing too much is best. A Conspiracy in Belgravia picks up immediately after A Study in Scarlet Women ends with Charlotte benefiting from an advertisement she posted in the newspapers offering her investigative services for hire. She wants it widely known that she can perform a range of detective work. Charlotte needs the money so that she can provide for herself and remain an independent woman outside of the control of her father and any pesky suitors with hopes of domesticating her. As much as I love the mysteries in this book, I continue to be utterly absorbed in Thomas's examination of what it means to be a sharp and independent 19th- century woman who views marriage with great skepticism. This theme is developed throughout the book and I look forward to where Charlotte can continue to go with her ideas and what ways she can devise to circumnavigate patriarchy. Her greatest admirer, Lord Ingram, continues to support her in every way, including her feminism, and for that alone, he is a wonderful hero. But I loved him too for many reasons in this book, including his respect for his wife. Ingram could very easily have become resentful and sullen but he rises above personal grievances here. The subtle scenes between Charlotte and Ingram were quite moving and made me appreciate how sometimes less is more in romance writing. At times though I wished for more of Ingram in this book, but given the stories being told, I think it makes sense to have him a bit more sidelined this time.

I stayed on top of the mysteries here for the most part, and still I was surprised by developments on a number of occasions. I did not anticipate a few of the developments despite my best efforts. Moriarty is the subterranean threat and I cannot wait to see how Thomas expands on his role in Charlotte's life. Needless to say, I am much relieved that Charlotte has taken up self-defense training. I also appreciate that it is Watson who is training her. Kudos to Watson for her unexpected sleuthing abilities and physical skills with a lance.

Small details too such as refined carbs serving as Charlotte's weakness are highly entertaining. It's not opium but it is a flaw, and one of a number that Charlotte happily accepts about herself. I got caught up in Livia's romance and so even though Charlotte and Ingram's romance was not as central in this novel, Livia's secondary plot serves this aspect quite well. I continue to enjoy too the strong female friendships and sisterly love. This book abounds with wonderful details and I enjoyed reading each segment carefully to absorb them all.

I did not foresee the ending. Having advertised her services to the public, it is clear by the end of the second book that Holmes's name and reputation have standing, and that is both beneficial for Charlotte as well as potentially ominous for her future safety. Having finished the book, I cannot wait for the next next one.

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Sep 05, 2017 Melanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own-print, edelweiss, mystery

A Conspiracy in Belgravia was an excellent mystery that lives up to its predecessor and I really enjoyed it.

A Conspiracy in Belgravia picks up immediately following the conclusion of the first book, A Study in Scarlet Women. Charlotte Holmes, with the assistance of Mrs. Watson, helps solve a variety of mysteries from murder to a lost ring as the illustrious Sherlock Holmes. Upon becoming Sherlock, Charlotte did not anticipate one of her future clients to be Lady Ingram, the wife of a dear friend A Conspiracy in Belgravia was an excellent mystery that lives up to its predecessor and I really enjoyed it.

A Conspiracy in Belgravia picks up immediately following the conclusion of the first book, A Study in Scarlet Women. Charlotte Holmes, with the assistance of Mrs. Watson, helps solve a variety of mysteries from murder to a lost ring as the illustrious Sherlock Holmes. Upon becoming Sherlock, Charlotte did not anticipate one of her future clients to be Lady Ingram, the wife of a dear friend. Lady Ingram enlists Sherlock to help locate her first love who has gone missing, a man who is none other than Charlotte's illegitimate half-brother.

A Conspiracy in Belgravia works well on its own as the mystery is contained to this one book, however I feel it's best if you read the first book before picking this one up. By skipping the first book, you'd miss out on some character connections and there are several scenes that you wouldn't fully understand without the entire back story.

Charlotte continues to be a character that impresses me. Her powers of deduction are simply incredible and I love watching her puzzle things out. I do like that she's not entirely infallible and does occasionally have to go over something several times before she works things out. Her relationships with other characters are definitely interesting as Charlotte doesn't process emotions in the same way everyone else does.

The side characters in this series are well fleshed out and are all quite unique. Mrs. Watson continues to be my favorite as I love her relationship with Charlotte. Lord Ingram sadly doesn't appear in this book as much as the first, but I loved every time he popped up. His and Charlotte's relationship is certainly intriguing and I'm curious to see where it will go in future books. I’m very excited to see where Livia, Charlotte’s sister, goes with her writings on the adventures of the great Sherlock Holmes. Inspector Treadles is probably the character I like the least as I don't appreciate his views on women, but he is likely an accurate representation of the average person in this time period.

One of the places these books continue to excel is in the main case Charlotte finds herself involved in. There were several seemingly unrelated avenues Charlotte explores over the course of the investigation that tie together very nicely in the end. Ciphers and code breaking come up several times which was great as I find the subject fascinating. I'm being intentionally vague as I don't want to give too much away as I find the mysteries in these books to be some of the best parts. I'm quite interested to see where things go with Moriarty and how much of a role he'll have in future books.

This book, unlike the first, had Charlotte only taking one case outside of the main one. The case itself was a decent one and the outcome surprised me, but it felt a bit out of place. Every time the characters would stop to work on the side case, it disrupted the flow of the story and I think the book would have been better served with only the one main case.

Overall, I am very much enjoying Thomas' take on Sherlock and definitely recommend the Lady Sherlock series to anyone looking for a great historical fiction series with some excellent mysteries. I am now eagerly awaiting future installments in the series.

**I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.** ...more

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About Sherry Thomas

Sherry Thomas

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Because actual world domination is too much trouble, USA Today-bestselling author Sherry Thomas decided that her goal is life is to write every kind of book she enjoys reading. Thus far she has published romance, fantasy, mystery, and a wuxia-inspired duology. Her books regularly receive starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications, including such outlets as the New York Tim ...more