A Study in Silks
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4.4 • 16 Ratings
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- $3.99
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- $3.99
Publisher Description
Evelina Cooper, the niece of the great Sherlock Holmes, is poised to enjoy her first Season in London Society. But there’s a murderer to deal with—not to mention missing automatons, a sorcerer, and a talking mouse.
In a Victorian era ruled by a council of ruthless steam barons, mechanical power is the real monarch and sorcery the demon enemy of the Empire. Nevertheless, the most coveted weapon is magic that can run machines—something Evelina has secretly mastered. But rather than making her fortune, her special talents could mean death or an eternity as a guest of Her Majesty’s secret laboratories. What’s a polite young lady to do but mind her manners and pray she’s never found out?
But then there’s that murder. As Sherlock Holmes’s niece, Evelina should be able to find the answers, but she has a lot to learn. And the first decision she has to make is whether to trust the handsome, clever rake who makes her breath come faster, or the dashing trick rider who would dare anything for her if she would only just ask.
Praise for A Study in Silks
“This book has just about everything: magic, machines, mystery, mayhem, and all the danger one expects when people’s loves and fears collide. I can’t wait to return to the world of Evelina Cooper!”—Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Druid Chronicles
“As Sherlock Holmes’s niece, investigating murder while navigating the complicated shoals of Society—and romance—in an alternate Victorian England, Evelina Cooper is a charming addition to the canon.”—Jacqueline Carey, New York Times bestselling author of the Kushiel’s Legacy series
“Holloway takes us for quite a ride, as her plot snakes through an alternate Victorian England full of intrigue, romance, murder, and tiny sandwiches. Full of both thrills and frills.”—Nicole Peeler, author of the Jane True series
“A Study in Silks is a charming, adventurous ride with a heroine who is both clever and talented. The brushes with the Sherlock Holmes mythos only add to the fun of this tale, and readers are bound to fall in love with Evelina and the London she inhabits.”—Philippa Ballantine, author of Geist
“In A Study in Silks, Emma Jane Holloway has created a wonderful reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes mythos set in a late-Victorian Britain ruled by nefarious industrial titans called steam barons. Holloway’s clever writing, attention to detail, and sublime characters forge a fascinating world that combines brass-plated steampunk technology with magic. By turns a coming-of-age story, a gas-lamp thriller, and a whimsical magical fantasy, A Study in Silks is the premiere novel of an author to watch.”—Susan Griffith, author of the Vampire Empire series
“Holloway stuffs her adventure with an abundance of characters and ideas and fills her heroine with talents and graces, all within a fun, brisk narrative.”—Publishers Weekly
“Splendid . . . The characters are thoroughly charming and the worldbuilding is first-rate.”—RT Book Reviews (four stars)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Evelina Cooper has a taste for science, a gift of magic, a famous uncle (Sherlock Holmes himself), and an uncertain future. Her parents' scandalous elopement is the talk of the town, and she's fending off the attentions of both her friend Imogen's ne'er-do-well brother, Tobias, and her dashing childhood friend, circus performer Nick. Then her stay with Imogen's family for her debut season is disrupted by the murder of a servant. As they investigate the murder, Evelina and Imogen are drawn into a web of plots surrounding the steam barons who dominate London, and even Evelina's uncle may not be safe. Holloway stuffs her adventure with an abundance of characters and ideas and fills her heroine with talents and graces, all within a fun, brisk narrative. The importance of Evelina's friendship with Imogen is especially welcome, though Holmes's role in solving the central mystery gilds the lily a little too much.
Customer Reviews
sherlock holmes niece
This book is well worth reading, assuming you can handle all 549 pages. It has everything a great book needs, suspense, romance, a bit of sci-fi, and extreme intrigue. The setting takes place in the 19th century in Victorian England, around the time period of Sherlock Holmes.
Evelina has magical powers, which her Uncle Sherlock does not condone. This matches how I think Sherlock would respond to a niece thinking she has powers. In addition, magic is forbidden, and punishable by death or experimental testing.
Evelina is a commoner, but wishes to be part of the wealthy society as a magician, an investigator and a debutante. See, her mother was upper class, and her father was from circus folk. Everything Evelina dabbles in, is viewed as not lady like.
To make things even more complicated, she has two boyfriends that she's juggling. There's Nick, another magician who she has known since her childhood in the circus, who shares something common with her, magic, and the circus. Then there's Imogen brother, Tobias, who is handsome and intelligent and makes her feel things no other can. They both hold different and unique spots in her heart.
She's set out to solve the murder of a parlor maid named Grace, which takes place in the mansion she herself is a guest in. There are clues left behind that could possibly ruin reputations and cause an uproar. She's no ordinary sleuth of her time, she has the genes of Sherlock Holmes in her which are possibly going to aid or hinder her investigation.
Jane Holloway knows how to bring the magical world to life, and enthrall the reader. She especially captures the attention of the reader, by ending the book in a cliff hanger to die for. Many of the sub plots are unresolved, and if you're anything like me, you'll be dying to find out what happens. At the same time, I'm glad it didn't go any longer, with the amount of pages that I had already read, I was excited to finally finish the book. I give this book 5/5 with great enthusiasm. I'm excited for the sequel.
A really fun read!
This was a really awesome, fun read! The intermingling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's characters into the storyline was great! Highly recommend this series!