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Running Time => 2hrs. and 50mins.

©2020 Charles Veley and Anna Elliott (P)2020 Charles Veley and Anna Elliott

Audible Audio

First published October 25, 2020

292 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

Anna Elliott

82 books434 followers
Anna Elliott is an author of historical fiction and fantasy. She enjoys stories about strong women, and loves exploring the multitude of ways women can find their unique strengths. She was delighted to lend a hand with the Sherlock & Lucy series, and thrilled to continue a new spin-off series featuring Becky and Flynn. Her first series, the Twilight of Avalon trilogy, is a retelling of the Trystan & Isolde legend. She wrote her second series, The Pride & Prejudice Chronicles , chiefly to satisfy her own curiosity about what might have happened to Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and all the other wonderful cast of characters after the official end of Jane Austen’s classic work.

WEBSITE: http://sherlockandlucy.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sherlockand...
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77782...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anna-El...

Anna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.

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5 stars
237 (55%)
4 stars
130 (30%)
3 stars
51 (11%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Madelon.
946 reviews9 followers
April 22, 2021
We first met Lucy's mother, Zoe Rosario, in book 7 of this series, THE RETURN OF THE RIPPER. (I do keep saying, these books need to be read in order.) Her return in THE CODED BLUE ENVELOPE puts her in the middle of the international concern put forth by Mycroft Holmes, in the previous tale, THE CURSE OF CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE, of the Sons of Ra, seeking freedom from British domination in Egypt.

Along with the Sons of Ra, the infamous Italian organization known as the Black Hand rears its ugly head. They want something, and they will pursue Zoe Rosario from Italy to London to accomplish this goal. The usual murder and mayhem ensues… perhaps a bit more murder than usually occurs. The item in question is, of course, the titular envelope.

Sherlock, Lucy, and Dr. Watson are on the case with some assistance from Flynn, young Becky and Sergeant Jack Kelly. All of these people are part of the extended 221-B Baker Street family and appear with varying degrees of importance throughout the series.

It doesn’t happen often in the series, but THE CODED BLUE ENVELOPE ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. I don't need a cliffhanger to get me reading the next installment in the life of the Baker Street regulars, but as soon as I read the last word, I was on to CHRISTMAS ON THE NILE.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, historical fiction or are just a fan of the great detective, I urge you to check out this series starting with the first book, THE LAST MORIARTY.
Profile Image for Debra.
129 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2024
I highly recommend ALL the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James stories. I love the characters, settings, and the mysteries.
Profile Image for Rod Innis.
918 reviews11 followers
December 30, 2025
Another of the short stores about Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James.
A good story that was well read.
Profile Image for Kristjan.
588 reviews30 followers
June 16, 2023
Book: **
Performance: ****

By now it should be clear that I am a fan of the series; this my review here is primarily on how it sits within the corpus. With that in mind … it is decidedly average and more or less what I have come to expect as Sherlock and the Sons of Ra under Lord Sonneborne (the big bad for this trilogy) maneuver around a plot to throw the empire into disarray so that Egypt might gain their independence. The story begins in Milan Italy with Lucy’s mother Zoe before moving back to London to secure the help of Sherlock and Lucy … and it is a marvelous opportunity to explore more of Zoe’s history and personality (and perhaps learn a bit more about how she hooked up with Sherlock so long ago). Jack, Becky and Flynn, as part of the expended caste, make a few minor contributions just so we can stay in touch while the blue envelope macguffin holds an important clue to the ultimate overarching plot that will remove itself one way or another on the next story … and for some reason, that was not enough of an incentive, this story ends in a surprising cliffhanger (minus 1 star) that makes the beginning of the next book more confusing than it should have been. Still it was fun and I continue to recommend this trilogy and the series over all.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#TheBlueCodedEnvelope #LucyJamesMysteries #KindleUnlimited
6,726 reviews5 followers
September 23, 2022
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Another will written British 🏰 mystery family relationships adventure thriller short story by Anna Elliott and Charles Veley The Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery Series book 23. Lucy James's mother comes from Italy with a letter that leads Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James into a mystery. Sherlock and Lucy with the help of Jack, Becky, and Flynn solve the mystery. I would recommend this series and authors to readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening 🎶 to novellas, novels, and books. 2022 👑👒😀
Profile Image for Susan.
7,306 reviews69 followers
December 22, 2020
3rd November 1899. Zoe Rosario, mother to Lucy James is given a blue envelope for Sherlock Holmes by fellow orchestra member Mr Palazzi. His policeman brother had that day been murdered. How are the organisations of the Black Hand and the Sons of Ra involved, but other threats surround them all.
Another well-written Holmes mystery in this series with its cast of likeable characters.
1,745 reviews8 followers
July 10, 2021
Another fun read in the series

This is the fifth of the series that I have read and they continue to be a fun fast read with well developed characters and great details about the streets and homes of 1899 London. Many twists and turns with the ending a big surprise. I look forward to reading more in the series
1,423 reviews9 followers
October 26, 2022
the Ra organization seems to be linked to the German forces beginning to wreck havoc in Europe an d Africa. SH. Watson, Zoe. Lucy, Jack and Becky and Flynn all are involved in following the trail of an envelope linked to blackmail and skullduggery. I found the book exciting, with many surprises and was left with an unsatisfied ending as it's a cliff-hanger.
Profile Image for Susan.
502 reviews27 followers
June 2, 2023
This is for both the ebook and the Audible

Another enjoyable Sherlock and Lucy mystery. This one has more Zoe in it. Great character, as are all of the main one's. And the Audible was very enjoyable. Much better than text to speak.

I purchased the ebook but I received the Audible free from Free Code. This is a voluntary and honest review
189 reviews3 followers
May 13, 2024
brilliant story

As usual with Sherlock and his unique band of helpers the story moves rapidly through the pages. Lucy’s mother has arrived after being chased from Italy and has evidence that must be delivered to Sherlock.The gripping ending leaves you with frustration and the urgent need for the next story.
Profile Image for Mark Lucas-Taylor.
547 reviews
June 7, 2024
The Coded Blue Envelope

This is the start of new adventure for Holmes and Lucy James, beginning in Milan and moving to London.
Information passed to Zoe Rosario leads to her rushing to London and thus begins the new adventure involving possible high treason, criminal gangs and murder.
Profile Image for Rita L. Woods.
22 reviews5 followers
November 3, 2020
Another great Lucy James/Sherlock Holmes stoey

I remember when I first began reading the story introducing Sherlock Holmes daughter, I thought: "I'm not going to like this!", and I was right, I didn't: I LOVE it!! I look forward to every story and am never disappointed.
4 reviews
January 25, 2021
Stunning wish there was more in the series

Wish there was more in the series. Enjoyed these books very much. Good relaxing read. Very entertaining. Love the Sherlock Homes mysteries.
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews58 followers
February 7, 2021
Kindle unlimited

This was a 2 parter, which I cannot stand, but as the next one, the second 2 part, was already been written, I should let that go. I think there is only ttttthe second parter and maybe one more, maybe not, to finish off the second series.
Profile Image for Carl.
636 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2024
I have read many Sherlock pastiches with a daughter; the Sherlock & Lucy James books by Anna Elliott & Charles Veley rank high along Goldberg's Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series. “The Coded Blue Envelope” is more of a novella than a full novel. This begs the question of “Why?” – since the story ends with a cliffhanger which most likely could have just been part of a full novel. Regardless, “The Coded Blue Envelope” is a well written story which grabs one’s attention right from the beginning.

“The Coded Blue Envelope” opens in 1899 in Italy. The stage is set for a melodious mystery as Zoe Rosario, Lucy's mother who is the epitome of elegance, becomes the unlikely messenger in a deadly game played by the Black Hand gang. The blue envelope she carries will send a new challenge to Lucy James and Sherlock Holmes, with a coded message that sings of secrets and danger. Sherlock and Lucy with the help of Jack, Becky, and Flynn solve the mystery right up to the final twist in the story. The reader is left with a cliffhanger.

It does not happen often in this series, but “The Coded Blue Envelope” ends with a bit of an unsatisfied ending - a cliffhanger. OK ~ I fell! I have already ordered the next book – “Christmas on the Nile.” If you enjoy cozy mysteries, historical mysteries, or are just a fan of the great detective, I do recommend this series, starting with the first book, “The Last Moriarty,” so one can appreciate the growth and development of the characters.
Profile Image for Christa Saccullo.
412 reviews4 followers
December 16, 2020
Love it!

Oh, I zoned out on this one! Best read of the series so far! I am excited to finish the season!
80 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2021
Read them all to this point

They have each been as good and better than the last. I would recommend this book and all the others to anyone.
Profile Image for Michael Mcfarren.
404 reviews4 followers
February 14, 2025
Action

Sherlock pulled out all the stops to make this story sizzle in the end. It keep me guessing from page 1.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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