by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Sherlock Holmes: The Next Generation
Joanna Blalock is the result of a close relationship between Holmes and Irene Adler, and although Sherlock is no longer around, she, too, has a Dr. Watson, actually two of them. Dr. John Watson, her father’s close friend and chronicler of the Holmes’ cases, invited Joanna to join his detective team which introduced her to his son, Dr. John Watson Jr., director of pathology at St. Bart’s. One complex case led to another which led to Joanna and John becoming partners and good friends, then husband and wife. John, as his father did for Sherlock, chronicles their cases from locating missing treasures and recovering stolen documents to rescuing the kidnapped and uncovering many a treasonous plot. The Watsons are formidable, and as with the original Holmes/Watson duo, they’re often enlisted by Scotland Yard and even the crown itself when a case requires their unique expertise. But, their success does not go unnoticed by the criminal element who would like to see their demise.

The Wayward Prince Earns 5/5 Royal Scandals … Engaging, Must-Read Gem!
Although war rages on in Europe, our trio did not expect to be summoned by the prime minister. Even after proving their worth with their two previous cases involving treason and espionage, the principle authorities arrived at 221b Baker Street with limited details. Watson Sr. is curious, of course, Jr’s mind is swirling, and Joanna is full of possible answers about what drastic event would cause them to be called to Downing Street. It becomes even more curious as they’re driven to a private entrance hidden from prying eyes and ears. And drastic it is … Prince Harry has been missing for two days having disappeared during his ride in Hyde Park. It isn’t like he hasn’t disappeared before, but he’d always return the next day after a rendezvous with any number of female companions. However, there’s chatter, worrisome chatter, chatter that insinuates the Prince may instead be the “asset” kidnapped by Germans, but could it be more of a domestic threat? Is the trio heading into danger? Or is Joanna the primary target due to her family connections?

Elementary, my dear child!
Whether a twist on gender, age, race, era, or location, I am a big fan of any incarnation of the original Sherlock Holmes, and Leonard Goldberg’s twist, using offspring of the famous Holmes and Watson duo, is engaging, suspenseful, and very entertaining. Each “next generation” figure has characteristics of their parent giving fans a familiar dynamic, but it’s the twist having a female, Sherlock’s “daughter,” as the lead, with pre-suffragette era issues, who’s more than capable of overcoming the limitations and earning the confidence of law enforcement and the crown, but she can also navigate in and around the dark corners of London … albeit carefully. The Watson men are important, not just as sidekicks, but as contributing partners, additional support, effective sounding boards, and witnesses to Joanna’s unique abilities, and no matter how capable she is, she needs them when she’s targeted. It is an engaging core cast of characters that made me an immediate fan, and although I came in late to the series, I didn’t feel there were many details on background and connections missing. I am very eager to read from the beginning.

Using WWI as the backdrop, a fascinating and terrifying era by itself, provides several intriguing and sinister opportunities with which our intrepid trio can be entangled, but in this seventh adventure, readers shouldn’t overlook the criminal element that still harbor serious animosity for the man who vexed, imprisoned, or greatly curtailed their illegal enterprises, Sherlock Holmes, and by extension, his daughter. The plot is complex and encompasses various figures from the different classes of society many with their own personal agenda or professional scheme sending the troupe to several locations; all are well described giving a complete picture of WWI London and its people: good, bad, rich, poor, and a compelling mixture. Goldberg did well creating the reality of the era incorporating the measures needed to survive and insights into the day to day life.

Goldberg’s writing style uses the tone and vernacular that does well to represent the era and place the reader in the middle of WWI. The narrative is interestingly enough from Watson Jr.’s perspective which offers a continuity since Doyle wrote Sherlock Holmes adventures from the perspective of Dr. Watson Sr. This technique gives readers a fascinating one-side view as John Jr. is not present for all activities or experiences, so we learn as he learns and his narrative provides the explanation and insights into only what he is aware of, but it also increases the tension when Joanna is in danger and he’s not immediately there. Joanna, herself, is brilliant with deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills paired with her scientific knowledge that rival her father’s, and her methods, thought process, and experiments are presented in language readers can understand and enjoy. Watson Jr.’s medical knowledge is valuable and his work at the hospital provides additional details and peripheral drama. The dynamic between them mirrors that of Doyle’s Sherlock and Watson Sr.’s close friendship, but their love and admiration is also on display. Definitely a nominee for best of 2023!

A Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mystery
The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes (2017)
A Study of Treason (2018)
The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth (2019)
The Art of Deception (2020)
The Abduction of Pretty Penny (2021)
The Blue Diamond (2022) Reviewed HERE
The Wayward Prince (2023)

Be a Big Fan of Leonard Goldberg! USA Today bestselling author Leonard Goldberg is also a consulting physician with UCLA Medical Center and has been appointed a Clinical Professor of Medicine. These credentials provide him with ample background to write the various medical thrillers: Joanna Blalock Medical Thrillers and the Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries.

Facebook: Leonard Goldberg, Author

Enter to win a copy of The Wayward Prince by Leonard Goldberg by making a comment below about: (1) your favorite Sherlock Holmes incarnation, (2) an experience or fun fact about London, or (3) are you a frequent, occasional, or “not for me” horse fan?, or simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “prince,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 22, 2023. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying year 2 of retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband of 26+ years.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.