The romantic plot lines were delicious. For the first time ever during a book I was impatient for the triangle to emerge. In recent days love triangles are so old hat, but this one I enjoyed.

I think I may have to reread this when I am in a better place for it. I loved the Steampunk/Gaslight elements to it, and the book is perfect for fans of Gail Carriger.

This book was requested when I was young and requested more books than I could possibly read. Sadly, I no longer have access to this book and my tastes have changed. Thus I will not be able to give feedback on this title.

Fabulous steampunk/magical historical. I was immediately enthralled to the point I’d bought books two and three before I’d even finished. What starts as a simple murder mystery being investigated by Evelina Cooper, niece of Sherlock Holmes, expands into a whole ensemble of amazing characters with world changing problems. Instant classic for me.

Though A Study in Silks appears to be right in a sweet spot for books I adore -- I have read every single author who blurbed the book -- I never did fall head over heels in love. I adore Sherlock Holmes, so a story about his crime-fighting niece is in the wheelhouse. Said niece, Evelina, is also competent and sensible, which is in stark contrast with many steampunk heroines. Often the writer informs us a young woman is strong and resourceful, only to have all of her actions put the lie to that characterization. Evelina's relationship with her friend Imogen is lovely, and welcome in a genre that often downplays female friendships. Because of the coming-of-age quality, sometimes A Study in Silks read like a young adult novel, not that that's a bad thing, necessarily.

The world I found a little frustrating. The Steam Barons' power seemed outsized and unbelievable, and their harsh treatment of magic users well out of line with Victorian sensibilities. Also, I would have preferred if Uncle Sherlock hadn't swept in at the end and turned into Basil Exposition; she was doing just fine on her own. There are a lot of unresolved threads at the end, which tends to annoy me if there are too many, but I appreciate the need to set up the next in the series. All in all, a fine read, with good pacing, likable characters, and fully realized world.

Sorry for the inconvenience in taking so long for my feedback, but I never finished this book and no longer have access to it.