Book Review: The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes

Author: Leonard Goldberg

Publication Date: 6, 2017

Publisher: Minotaur Books

1910. Joanna Blalock unknowingly is the product of a sole assignation between the late Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. After the nurse and her ten-year-old son see a man fall to his death in an apparent suicide, elderly Dr. John Watson and his charming handsome son Dr. John Watson Jr. invite her to join their detective team. From hidden treasure to the Second Afghan War of 1878-1880, the group devise an ingenious plan to catch a murderer in the act while dodging Scotland Yard the British aristocracy.

“There is no need to be brief or delicate with Joanna. My daughter-in-law is looking forward to your interview, for she is fascinated by such events. As a matter of fact, she has delved deeply into the subject of suicide for the past several days and has read every book, text, and monograph she could find that deals with this unpleasant act.”

“Reading about a mangled body and looking at one are two different things, Sir Henry.”

“But the enchanting charm and beauty of Irene Adler was inherited by Joanna.”

I AM SHERLOCKED – only true fans will understand! I am always looking for anything from novels to T.V. shows that take me to Sherlock’s world. I have loved everything I have ever read or watched that revolves around Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved character. This book was definitely a twist on the character that I have never read before – yes, Sherlock has a daughter. In this book, Sherlock Holmes has since passed, but his faithful friend, Dr. John Watson is still around as is his son Dr. Watson Jr. These two vibrant, intelligent men team up and join forces with Mrs. Joanna Blalock while they solve a murder that is more than a little bit fishy. It is no secret that Mrs. Blalock is the offspring of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler, as this is divulged to readers almost from the very start of the novel. Her character is fleshed out entirely and she is nothing short of a Sherlock clone. She is fantastic!

I loved Joanna’s voice and her character in general. She is just as witty and as hyper-analytical as Sherlock Holmes and I commend the author, Leonard Goldberg, for attempting and succeeding to write someone as brilliant as Sherlock. The portrayal of Dr. Watson and his son is something that I am sure true Sherlock fans will appreciate as well. I was filled with nostalgia as all the characters were being introduced and proceeded to enter in conversation and investigation with one another.  Their relationships are contagious and will have you smiling and laughing as you read. The mystery itself is easy to solve and really comes as no shock, but reading about the characters as they find clues and make discoveries is really the pleasure that comes in reading this novel!

***A free copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Minotaur Books in exchange for my honest review***