This was a bit flat to start with and kind of rushed - I felt like it was hard to get to know Jem or Merinda in any meaningful way. Particularly because there are a million characters introduced in what is only a very short story. That said, I did like Jem and Merinda and feel like they'll be interesting characters to know. I'm particularly interested in finding out more of their backstory - how did they get into the detective game? The mystery itself was predictable but it was only a short story. The love interests seemed alright, although I think the novella could have been better for having not gone there. Too much was squeezed into this and I think everything suffered because of it. But it was enough to get me interested to find out more. 2 stars. ( )

November 1910 Toronto and what connects these missing items, a cat, a suffragette and a sister. Herringford and Watts investigate.
An enjoyable short novella. ( )

Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts aren't exactly a typical duo of women in Toronto in 1910: two single, female detectives with their own private investigation firm. Their latest, Christmastime case, to find a lady's missing cat, isn't the most exciting prospect. But add into the mix a notorious suffragette and young women who've been disappearing from a correctional facility, and Merinda and Jem suddenly have their hands full in A Singular and Whimsical Problem, a mystery short by author Rachel McMillan.

Okay, so, off the top of my head, aside from The Boxcar Children and Hank the Cowdog mysteries in my childhood, a good number of Nancy Drew novels and a brief Agatha Christie jaunt in my teens, and my recent trip with The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron, my experience with mystery/sleuth reads has been next to nil. Hence, I'm no mystery expert or anything, but I rather enjoyed this novella.

It's got entertaining dashes of humor, even as it doesn't make light of a serious human trafficking problem. There's a lot packed into this quick read, which I liked, though it does seem to lend itself to some choppiness and holes. Some of that may be because the story is a companion to a novel and an introduction to a series, but other minor pieces just might not make complete sense.

Still, the main characters are interesting, the unfolding case is intriguing, there are lovely whispers of romance in the story, and the ending becomes especially Christmassy. This nonexpert in mysteries plans on reading more about Herringford and Watts. ( )

Good mystery with some fiesty (albeit occasionally cross-dressing) female protaganists, and introduction to the series. ( )

Merinda's favorite catch phrase lost its charm quickly, but this was an utterly charming story for fans of whip smart women, tales of deep friendship, and fellow Sherlockians. And Toronto! Looking forward to more! ( )