3.5 stars

This series features Charlotte Holmes, who masquerades as Sherlock's brother to solve crimes. Charlotte is an odd duck, very smart and logical but sometimes a bit lacking in tact and social elegance. The ensemble around her includes her love Lord Ingram (Ash), her friend and partner Mrs. Watson, and her two sisters. And of course Moriarty is always lurking in the background.

I enjoy the characters very much. The plots in this series tend to be quite complex and times and a bit hard to follow. If you factor in that both Charlotte and Ash tend to disguise themselves for these cases, you can imagine it's confusing.

Ash's evil brother has taken one of Charlotte's sisters hostage and demanded she find one of his henchman as a condition of turning her loose. Charlotte and crew find him, but he is dead. There is an additional plot harking back to a murder, and one with substituted bodies just to make it interesting. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I adore Sherry Thomas' Lady Sherlock series. This one, A Ruse of Shadows, draws us back into Charlotte's world and I'm so glad to visit again! Charlotte (and all the other returning characters) is an absolute delight to read and enjoy the story unfolding. The only drawback (and it's not one AT ALL) is that this is not a standalone. So if you're new to Lady Sherlock, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning. Another winner by Sherry Thomas!

This series is so well written. so thought out, and just so well done that I think Ms. Thomas would make Sir Conan Doyle proud with her take on Sherlock Holmes. This series truly is unlike any other I have read. From the lovable quirky characters to the completely captivating mysteries that truly are worthy of the classic Sherlock, it is just so entertaining and truly, hard to put down. And I can say with confidence, that after eight books, it is still getting better and better. I can't recommend this series enough.

A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas is hands down one of the most epic reads I've stumbled upon lately! I mean, seriously, from the moment I cracked open the cover, I was whisked away into this world of intrigue, deception, and pulse-pounding mystery!

Let's talk about Charlotte Holmes for a sec. She's back in action, and let me tell you, she's just as brilliant and captivating as ever. Eight books deep into the series, and she still manages to feel fresh and utterly fascinating. She's like Sherlock Holmes, but with this whole new level of depth and relatability that just draws you in.

And then there's her relationship with Lord Ingram – I love them together so much! I was practically cheering them on from the sidelines as they navigated through all the twists and turns of their romance. Plus, the chemistry between them is amazing!

But of course, it wouldn't be a Lady Sherlock mystery without, well, a mystery! And let me tell you, the one in this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Charlotte and her crew are faced with their most dangerous challenge yet, and watching them piece together the clues and outsmart the bad guys was seriously thrilling.

And can we just take a moment to appreciate Sherry Thomas's talent for historical mystery? The way she brings Victorian London to life is nothing short of magical. I could practically smell the fog and hear the clip-clop of horse hooves on the cobblestones. It's like stepping back in time!

So yeah, if you're a fan of historical mysteries or just love a good story with awesome characters and a plot that'll keep you guessing until the very end, you absolutely have to check out A Ruse of Shadows. Highly recommended!

The eighth book in the Lady Sherlock series begins shortly after Charlotte’s success at finding the child of Miss Moriarty and helping England. Lord Remington, Ash’s oldest brother, and head of England’s spy network has now declared Charlotte under his protection. Moriarity is now hesitant to touch her for fear of Remington’s recriminations. Giving Charlotte and Mrs. Watson some breathing room, they settle down to domestic bliss in Paris with Bernadine, Charlotte’s oldest sister.

Things don’t stay peaceful for long, a letter comes saying Ash has broken his leg. Charlotte goes to England to visit him and seemingly falls into a trap set by the disgraced Lord Bancroft. Setting off ripples of schemes from numerous directions. Can Charlotte see through all the secrets and lies and find the winning plan that lets her come through unscathed? But of course my dear Watson!

A superb mystery and my favorite of this series!

In 'A Ruse of Shadows,' Sherry Thomas weaves a captivating narrative of intrigue and suspense, leaving readers captivated throughout the novel. The primary characters, Charlotte, Mrs. Watson, and Lord Ingram find themselves entangled in a web of conspiracies. As the story unfolds, new characters emerge, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. The intertwining of past investigations with the present case creates a rich and intricate plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The ongoing relationship between Charlotte and Lord Ingram provides a touch of romance, adding another layer to the captivating story line.

Thomas's masterful storytelling and strong character development make this series truly remarkable. The mysteries are cleverly crafted, with each piece falling into place seamlessly. Readers will find themselves immersed in the world of Charlotte and her companions, eagerly anticipating the next installment in this brilliant series.

Sherry Thomas has created a world that is both intriguing and captivating, with complex characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Her writing is superb, and her attention to detail is impeccable. I cannot recommend this series enough. It is a must-read for any fan of historical mysteries or simply anyone looking for a gripping, well-written story. A Ruse of Shadows an excellent read, and I cannot wait to see where Sherry Thomas takes us next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Lady Sherlock series just keeps getting better and better. I anxiously await each new addition, devour it, and then suffer from the pain of knowing I have to wait a year to get another installment. In the latest adventure, Charlotte herself is questioned in the death of Lord Bankcroft, Ash's older and disgraced brother. The story switches from the present day when Charlotte is being questioned to a few weeks before when Lord Bancroft summoned her to his prison and enlisted her help under threat to her loved ones. The story weaves how Charlotte uncovers the mystery requested by Lord Bancroft, how she gets out of being the prime suspect in his murder, how she also solves a cold case, AND how she makes strides toward freeing her family and friends from the grip of Moriarty. Cannot wait for the next one. Only ten months to go!

I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, I will watch or read pretty much any adaptation or retelling! I gobbled up the first books of the Lady Sherlock series and loved them but after that my high opinions of the books started to dwindle. It's been years since I read from this series and I missed the last two books but when I saw the newest installment on NetGalley, I decided to give it one more go. I couldn't remember what made me put them down in the first place, apart from the excessive descriptions of what Charlotte likes to eat and wear, so I went into it with an open mind. It didn't make me want to read the two books I've missed or continue with the series. It's not a bad book but I feel like the series has gone on too long and Thomas is now over complicating little things and adding more and more characters in an attempt to keep things fresh. She does do a good job of bringing the reader up to speed with the events of past stories, which I found very helpful, but I don't particularly like that in series if I have been keeping up to date on all the installments. I feel like it means the author doesn't trust the reader's intelligence to figure it out for themselves or even they can't keep it straight cause they have so much going on. All in all, I'm glad I read this book to catch up with the characters but I won't be reading any more from this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As always, this series is a delight! I enjoy the way Sherry Thomas plays with time, in proper Sherlockian style.

Simply amazing! This series just keeps getting better and better with each one. Sherry Thomas has done a phenomenal job writing these books and bringing these characters to life. I loved everything about A Ruse of Shadows!

Charlotte, Mrs. Watson and Lord Ingram have so much going on. They're in the middle of several plots and deceipts, with Charlotte always one step ahead. She is being forced to help Lord Bancroft, searching for a missing person and solving an old murder case.

I loved the addition of some new characters in this book. I also loved the way peices of this story fit into past investigations, and as always, I adored Charlotte and Lord Ingam's ongoing relationship.

I was invested in this mystery all the way through and truly enjoyed seeing how everything fell into place. This is an absolutely brilliant series, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Thank you, Netgalley, and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sherry Thomas can do no wrong and neither can Charlotte Holmes... ugh I just absolutely adored this addition to the series and watching Charlotte, Ash and Mrs. Watson working together. These books are just perfectly plotted and written! I recommend this series to everyone!

Thank you for allowing me to read this one early!

This is the eighth volume of the excellent Lady Sherlock series. This one opens with Charlotte being accused of killing the very clever Lord Ashcroft Ashburton. Through a series of flashbacks a typically complex evolves involving Lady Sherlock’s usual team and some delightful new members. Recommended.

Another winner from Sherry Thomas.. Sherry is the master of all things historical mystery. Engaging, thoughtful and always an enjoyable read. I look forward to Charlotte Holmes books probably more than any other historical mystery series that I read.

Another great addition to the Lady Sherlock series, though I have to admit it probably would have been better if I had reread the previous one more recently than I did - there were a lot of references to previous mysteries and past characters that I did not fully remember, so was in a bit of a fog for some of the time. Still, always fun to read about Charlotte and her entourage.

Another installment of the highly enjoyable Charlotte Holmes and her skill for solving crimes. An intricate plot and familiar cast of characters makes this a must read for fans of the series.

I meant to hold off on reading Sherry Thomas’ newest Lady Sherlock novel until this spring, but I just couldn’t help myself! A Ruse of Shadows is every bit as brilliant and delightful as the rest of the series (if not more so).

In contrast to the seventh installment, which was a contained murder mystery on a cruise ship, this eighth installment is possibly Thomas’ most broad and sweeping addition to the series. In A Ruse of Shadows, “Sherlock” is faced with a new mystery to solve and also must grapple with Lord Ingram’s brother, Lord Bancroft (who is stirring up new trouble for Charlotte), and, in the background, continue to match wits with Moriarty.

In my experience, reading A Ruse of Shadows required more focus than prior books because it juggled multiple mysteries, included alternating time lines, and heavily drew on pieces from prior novels in the series. However, this also felt like one of the most satisfying Lady Sherlock books because it incorporated the full cast of beloved characters and managed to advance everyone’s storyline, especially that of Charlotte and Lord Ingram.

If anything, the eminently satisfying nature of this book sparked a tiny bit of fear that we might be nearing the last book in the series (please, say it isn’t so!).

To future readers, I think you’ll enjoy this book more if you refamiliarize yourselves with the first seven books. I am currently rereading the series with friends on Bookstagram and know I will appreciate A Ruse of Shadows even more the second time. And if you haven’t read the first book in the series, A Study in Scarlet Women – what are you waiting for?!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the gifted copy!

I enjoyed this installment of the Lady Sherlock series a lot! I do wish I'd had some sort of review of the previous books before starting, though, because I quickly realized how much of the intricate detail of the past few I'd managed to forget since reading them. I really liked the convoluted structure of this one, though: it made the mystery even more fun to tease out, and it almost made the story feel more cinematic in a way.

Sherry Thomas did it again! I am a huge fan of the Lady Sherlock series so as soon as I saw this installment, I had to have it. This is one of my favorite alternate version of Sherlock!

The characters, as usual, are well thought out and the period settings are on point.

I think you can read this as a stand alone, but I will defer to others who read this as one.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this!

Sherry Thomas is so smart y’all. I knew that with book one but she only gets smarter and writes more complex plots. I think she is outpacing me. I don’t think I know how to read. I think I just memorized a lot of words.

She is writing the next Hercule Poirot and she’s succeeding. My literal one qualm is that you do have to start from the very beginning to know what the heck is going on; you can’t pick one up at random like you can with Poirot. I think she’s trying to write these books like you could, but that’s because she doesn’t realize how smart she is. I read all these books and I’m barely keeping up.

Here’s the thing. Sherry. You’re a genius. You are certifiably brilliant. This book was written with the most convoluted time/POV structure I’ve ever encountered. It laughed in the face of linear storytelling. It chortled at the mention of structured split-time. I understood 10% of everything that happened. You don’t need to impress me, Sherry. You proved you were smarter than me 7 books ago. I am here til the blissful end. You just keep writing ‘em!!

Thank you NetGalley, you are the backbone of the publishing industry, and we don't deserve you.

I have loved every single moment in every book of this series, but this is the first one that has brought me to tears. Charlotte and Mrs. Watson and Lord Ingram are juggling plots and deceipts and sleight of hands better than any magician I have seen. With her sister having been kidnapped by mercenaries, Charlotte must now play Bancroft's dangerous game on his terms. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!