No Cage for a Crow

by M.R. Graham

Sherlock Holmes is legend, but his sister was lost to history.

One hellish night, Morrigan Holmes ruined everything. Fleeing scandal and grief, her only choice is to run.

In the darkness of London’s streets, a child is kidnapped before her eyes, and she barely escapes the same fate. Adrift, she seeks help in strange quarters: a radical suffragist, a half-blind journalist, a sinister physician, and the enigmatic street boy, Magpie.

As the kidnappings continue, something dark begins to take shape in the mists. Still Morrigan cannot escape the family she devastated. Could Sherlock be her salvation… or her destruction?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Historical

265 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2018

About the author

USA Today bestselling author M.R. Graham is a native Texan who traces strong cultural roots back to Scotland, Poland, and England. A mild-mannered PhD student during the day, Graham transforms at night into a raging Holmesian loremaster and rabid novelist.
Though passionate about all scholarship and academia, Graham's training and true love lies with anthropology, particularly the archaeological branch.
Also, steampunk and vampires.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos]

I want to acknowledge that first and foremost, I tend to be a purist. If a book has a character named Dracula, then this monster should be the character as created by Bram Stoker, unless the writer is spoofing or otherwise paying homage. No Cage for a Crow by M. R. Graham only includes Sherlock Holmes in the most ancillary way, but where Holmes is shown, there is respect and deference to the personality created by Doyle. Morrigan Holmes is the younger sister of the well-known detective. She has runaway from home to make her way in the world, feeling as if she must flee her good home and name because she has committed an unforgivable act that has brought shame to her family. While wandering the streets, she begins to experience the world through the eyes of the wayward homeless, constantly vigilant for the predatory hands of the monstrous, the mentally unstable, and those who are perversely licentious. Exposed to the elements, she begins to perceive that her sheltered life was not quite as horrific as she once believed, and when her new family of street urchins is threatened, she knows that she must utilize every resource at her disposal to protect them, including her name. I loved it and would love to find more of these stories. It is obvious that Graham is a fan of Holmes.

[Alan]

Teenager Morrigan Holmes, sister of Sherlock Holmes, runs away from home and is plunged into the gritty and often deadly street life of Victorian London. Ultimately her brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, come to her aid.

Morrigan Holmes, the protagonist, is rendered as strong, principled and perceptive. Graham's vivid descriptions bring Victorian London to life and, against this background, she weaves an intriguing plot with well fleshed-out secondary characters.

Highly recommended for readers of historical mysteries.

[M.R. Graham]

Yes, my own book, but it is the work of decades, and I do happen to be rather fond of it.

[Sabra K]

One star was generous.

[Karin Corneau]

Loved it, well written, kept me in suspense and i loved the characters. Definitely will read more

[Randi]

AAAAH so exciting! Not only was it hard to put down, but I was dazzled by the atmosphere (historical details, description) and the characterization. Also, as I mentioned in a previous update, it was just plain fun to read a young Sherlock. So serious, but also sometimes inevitably boyish. ^^ (Dare I say "adorably"?) Morrigan was also a highly sympathetic character--clever but vulnerable, and full of heart. Definitely recommend this!

[Brandi DeLoach]

Very well written...

After reading the forward, I was hooked. The story itself started a little slow, but it wasn't enough for me to put down. Actually, I didn't put it down -- I read straight through the night. I am looking forward to reading about the adventures of Morrigan Holmes and the others.

[Tanya]

Her brother Sherlock began famous while she lost everything and ended in her being homeless. She is soon in the middle of a mystery like her brother. She needs to solve it and find a missing baby. Will she solve it? See if she will

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristen]

I love Sherlock Holmes, and I love the idea of his sister taking centre stage [side-note: the Enola Holmes YA books are wonderful and highly recommended!] so I really expected to enjoy this book. Sadly, that proved not to be the case and I will not be finishing this book.

I am obviously the minority on this, as every other review I saw, save one, gave this 4 and 5-stars. So take my opinion with that perspective.

I found the writing here to be strong, with excellent character development and a good emotional connection built between the characters and the readers. So, there's that at least that I can say on the positive side.

The problem is that I got 150 pages in to this story and we still have absolutely no idea what the hell is happening, who it's happening to, or why. We also have no idea what the deal is with Morrigan in terms of either her family, or the new people she meets when she runs away from home. Everything we're given is vague or confusing. Maybe the author felt it was clever to string the reader along for hundreds of pages without really giving them any idea of what is going on, but it didn't work for this reader at all.

If you can't engage me with 150 pages of your story, I have to conclude the story isn't the right one for me. I will be moving on to other books.

[Emma]

I really tried...But no

I love mysteries.
I love beyond words the writings of A.C.D., even non-Holmsian works
I even enjoy retakes or modernized Holmes stories.

What I cannot abide is reworking the characters for an agenda. I loathe "feminist readings" and social commentary disguised in Holmsian garments. Yes, we know Victorian England was stratified and sexist. Yes, I am sure A.C.D. ignored the plot potential of the sister (never mind what the BBC did with her in Sherlock).

The narrative style is aggressively feminist and the conceit of a "found narrative" is overdone.

Ms. Graham likely is not a terrible writer but this book was tedious and I ended up needing to skim in order to finish.

[Pat Eroh]

Maybe because I am such a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I loved this story. Morrigan Holmes is just as interesting as Sherlock and this story will grab you and pull you into the era and the intrigue. When I read a story like this, I realize how much better our lives today because I know how stark the class contrast was and how poorly women were treated. This vivid reminder is just one of the reasons I loved this book. Another is that is it not just a copy of Sir Arthur's style. And the mysterious note in the beginning of the book was so great!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beverly Laude]

I am a longtime fan of Sherlock Holmes and decided to give this book a try. It was a very slow read for me. I just couldn't seem to get engaged with the main character for one thing. It took so long to develop that I almost gave up on it.

However, I stuck with it and it enjoyed it for the most part. It did end on a huge cliffhanger and I wish I had known that going into the book. I'm not sure if I will continue with this series or not since there are more entertaining books written in the world of Holmes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Slugpuppy3]

I obtained No Cage for Crow through a promotional free offer and thoroughly enjoyed it! Teenaged Morrigan Holmes. sister of Sherlock and Mycroft, runs away from home to the raw streets of London. She finds cold, hunger, poverty, and horror. Someone is stealing young women and girls — including her new friend, Snail. Is there anything Morrigan can do?
The youthful Sherlock and Mycroft are exactly as one might imagine, and Morrigan is a unexpected treat. Good plot, great characters, excellent writing, and impeccable grammar. I’m looking forward to more from this author!

[Brad]

This book follows the story of Sherlock Holmes' sister. Having not read a "Sherlock Holmes" book since my youth, I could not remember if he had a family at all. (According to Wikipedia he has a brother but no sister) so technically this is not canon for what that is worth.

However, this is an entertaining book, that occasionally jumps ahead in the story to skip over mundane details. I was okay with that, but obviously some people will find this obscene.

[Terri]

Cleverly imagined tales of the early Holmes family, with Sherlock's sister Morrigan as the detective and both as teenagers. The writing style emulates Conan Doyle but is updated to exclude some of the minutia of daily Victorian life that can weigh down fiction of that period, while still providing historical observation and context. Looking forward to additional memoirs from Morrigan and Graham.

[Al Bredenberg]

Entertaining and plausible

A greatly enjoyable Sherlock Holmes takeoff, introducing a slightly older sister for Holmes, and portraying Sherlock and Mycroft as young men. I use the word ‘plausible’ to describe this story in a thoroughly positive sense, in that the author has created a good yarn, without violating the Doyle canon, as far as I can tell.

[Ellen White]

Intriguing, loved the detail description as she was getting out, the land, what she was incounting in her run away travels. The mishaps and danger for a young girl. Delightful filled book, as a legend to that of being a Holmes.

[Joan]

This novel came in a bundle of suspense stories. The writing style is smooth and mostly skillful (repeated misuse of objective case pronouns, however.) I just couldn't get interested in the story; I stopped reading after chapter 6.

[Billc]

I bought this for my daughter as I don't usually read YA fiction. It was also convenient as I had it signed by the author at a convention.
I liked the story and if the opportunity presents I will pick up the next one in the series.

[Pamela]

A Holmes Family

Very interesting combination of characters! I would recommend this to anyo who likes an Aretha Christie and Shelock Holmes time period.

[Mindy]

Sherlock Holmes Sister

Victorian Era setting for coming of age style story with strong femall lead. My croft and Sherlock's sister proves that not just the boys have skills

[Janet L.]

Interesting take on Sherlock Holmes and his family.