This was a fairly average Sherlock Holmes pastiche. The mystery was easily solved but the motive was not clear. Once that was established all that was left was to resolve the love story. The book should and could have been 30 pages shorter.
I felt the writing was strong but a couple of swift mood changes seemed awkward, "that escalated quickly" moments. There was also a poorly placed scene of passion between Holmes' cousin and his wife that just came across as bizarre.
3 STARS