A review by ceena
Mrs. Sherlock Holmes by Brad Ricca

4.0

3.5 stars

I do not often read true crime-- in fact this might be the first or second I've read all the way through. I picked this one up because it sounded interesting and I needed to read a true crime novel for one of the reading challenges I'm doing.
I read this in chunks as to not bore myself or dislike the book and truly, that helped.

I enjoyed reading about Grace and how she became the first female U.S. District Attorney and many of the crimes that she was able to solve. I will say that at first I didn't like how the book went back and forth in time-- Ruth has gone missing, then to Grace is getting her law degree. I didn't understand, but then it worked for me. Ruth's case ties in to Grace's career and looms over her future, without her even knowing or suspecting that a missing person's case will drastically change her life. AND, at the end how things kind of come to together, made me realize that the kidnapping and slavery cases she took part in throughout her career tie in to it as well.

I thought the writing was well done. True, I was bored at times, but I'm not a nonfiction reader, so considering I was interested in the book at all is a huge plus. The first chapter didn't make much sense to me-- I don't think it is needed, especially since it almost lost my interest in the book. And the title, which is what interested me in the book, doesn't really seem to fit....

The ending does drag a bit, although I'm not sure if I should blame the writing or history. Life isn't fair to women, can turn on them in an instant, and it probably made writing this book difficult...

I'm glad I read it though and I do recommend it to people who enjoy historical novels and true crime.