This is the fifth book in the Lady Sherlock mystery series. Miss Charlotte Holmes is visited by Mrs. Robert Treadles to beg for Sherlock's help since her husband Inspector Treadles has be arrested for murder.

Inspector Treadles was found blood-stained and holding a gun over the bodies of his two supposed victims. His supposed victims were Mr. John Longstead and Mr. Ambrose Sullivan both had connections to the company Mrs. Treadles inherited from her father.

Inspector Treadles had been a colleague of Sherlock Holmes and was one of very few who know Charlotte's secret identity. Naturally, Charlotte, her friend Lord Ingram Ashburton, and colleagues Mrs. Watson and her niece Penelope Redymayne are eager to assist in clearing the Inspector's name.

It doesn't help their case that Mrs. Treadles is lying to them primarily out of embarrassment. She is reluctant to tell them about the many difficulties she has been having with Mr. Sullivan in her quest to gain control of the company she has inherited. She hadn't shared her troubles with her husband either since he wasn't at all happy that she was going to be working outside the home managing her new company.

At first, the implication is that the Inspector killed the two men out of some sort of jealousy but that motive is quickly supplanted by chicanery at the business Mrs. Treadles has inherited.

I like the changing relationship between Ash and Charlotte now that Ash has stopped letting society's expectations rule him - or, at least, reduced their impact on him. Charlotte is her brilliant and eccentric self although she, too, has some questions about her new relationship with Ash. I especially enjoy Charlotte's outrageous outfits and love affair with cake.

The story is steeped in Victorian morals and the Christmas time setting adds interest too. The mystery was well-plotted and Charlotte's investigations intriguing. There were many interesting characters in the story too. ( )

I love this series so much! In this one, we have a great locked room mystery, as well as a great character study into our heroine Charlotte as she wrestles with a new attitude from her loving duke Ash. We also get to know Mrs Treadles and she is utterly wonderful. I love how the world keeps expanding with each book and I can't wait until the next one. ( )

Classic locked room mystery with so many twists! Does anyone know what kind of man Inspector Treadles is? To his wife, he was supportive, yet went through a period of cold disinterest they didn't speak of. She didn't trust he was truthful with her. To Ash and Charlotte, he was a once ally turned disapproving judge. And to Scotland Yard, he was a murderer. ( )

I am such a Sherry Thomas fangirl. At this point I think I've read 10 books by her. I absolutely LOVE this series. Ever since Book #1 this series has just been such a delight. I believe the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas might just be my favorite mystery series of all time. Maybe it's my favorite series of all time period, but I haven't decided.

I'm not much a review writer, but I just absolutely love this series and want everyone to know! ( )

Following the dots became tedious toward the end but not as distracting as Charlotte's predilection for cake and Her Lord. Still a good series for a weekend read. ( )