but, hard as it is for me to give it, on it’s own this book does so. I really just don’t like the idea of Holmes operating in upstart American venues, I guess, but Millets novels earn their due. I enjoyed this tale a lot, tho it gets a bit complicated & intricate, requiring a high degree of attention. And rewinding! to make sure I got the clue. Memorable major & minor characters, well developed and either well likeable or disgusting. The accurate historical settings are nice, & fitting it into an appropriate place in the Holmes stories timeline lends a degree of respectability. The narration is top-tier; not to slow, not to fast; great voices, terrific inflection and emotive / logical expression per each character’s character. Starting book 3 as soon as I click ‘submit’ on this review!