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ssmylie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There were times when I couldn't really tell when the book would go into the case or if it was another scene from Charlotte's life. But I think I would read a second book. However, it would need to be a bit shorter, needs some clarity, and a clear distinction about when we're talking about Charlotte acting as Sherlock Holmes or when she's solving the case as herself.
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
14ersi_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's just a regrettable minus that this story is written as if it supports infidelity in a married person's relationship. So much cheating going on and I don't like it. I have to stop shuddering every time that story comes up. And a big crime that is paid for by death, I would prefer if the perpetrator of sexual harassment was punished and died slowly rather than committing suicide.
Graphic: Death, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Suicide
groovybouvie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Stalking
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Charlotte Holmes is brilliant, basically neglected by her parents, and has no desire to be a properly married lady. So, she purposely ruins herself and then runs away from home. Through the help of friends and strangers she finds her way and her purpose, and starts to find her love.
From the dense but gorgeous Roger and ruination, the “moo” when Charlotte sneaks out, the Mrs. Watson origin story, Inspector Robert Treadles and his beloved Alice, Ash and Charlotte and their friendship/feelings, the mystery (check the CWs, the resolution is brutal), the sisters, and THAT kiss.
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault
nightowlreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Sexual assault
sabrinaboyk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
ashwaar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This retelling hinges on Sherlock being a woman, which is challenging to pull off in Victorian England because, of course, women couldn't do much of anything. The start of the novel focuses on our main character's origin story and their struggle to start a detective business in the face of many, many obstacles. It is significant that even once Charlotte (our version of Sherlock) appears to have succeeded, she is still, inevitably, supported in many ways by the men she has tried to avoid relying on.
It was also refreshing that Charlotte is the opposite of everyone's expectations. She is a plump, round-faced, well-mannered society woman with a penchant for cakes, sweets and anything frilly. The author rejects the traditional expectations of what a great mind looks like and instead gives us a character far more realistic and relatable.
Despite the noticeable differences, A Study in Scarlet Women still reads much like the original novels. However, this makes it so incredibly boring to try and get through. The original books were also quite dull, and although I like the idea of writing the Lady Sherlock novels in this style, they are not getting read by a Victorian audience. It's also very long as Charlotte's background is told alongside a mystery story, which in the end, is solved with a letter and Charlotte's sentiment of 'knowing all along.
Despite trying to do something different, this ends reading like a traditional Arthur Conan Doyle novel, and I was bored. At several points, I didn’t understand what was happening in the investigation, and too many threads were left unexplained, resulting in me feeling a bit stupid for not following along.
Read more on Wordpress at Bookmarked by Ash: https://book990337086.wordpress.com/
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Suicide
reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
elat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault