The Art of Deception was well-played and aptly named. I had decided that this was the year to venture out to read other genres that I don't usually read, such as mystery. I am glad that I did. As a result of how interesting this book was, I hope to go back and read the other books in this series. I will also pass this on to my dad as a good read for him!

The Holmes clan has a mystery to solve. Who is the art gallery thief? How doe he or they keep getting away with repeated vandalism? This book will teach you a lot about paintings and art if you don't already have a background. It will also show you how intelligent criminals can be when trying to rip off highly valued and expensive items.

I liked the background provided, as well. The time period was when many people died of cholera. Now, I highly recommend that if you are reading this book during Covid, which I did, that you might want to take it slowly, only read a few chapters at a time, and not too close to bedtime. I was already anxious when I started this book, and a lot of the similarities between two major worldwide diseases almost became too much for me to handle. But, this is only a small part of the book, and just keep going, as it will be all right.

The character I enjoyed most in the book was Joanna. Very intelligent, detailed, ready for action, and I laughed at how she got the best of one of the characters toward the end of the story. Also, she is a durable character, had suffered a lot of hardships, but was moving forward. I so very much identified with her. However, she was not the narrator. Read to find out who was! ( )

When a vandal wreaks havoc by slicing open valuable paintings, the details lead not only to violence and murder but a possible new masterpiece if the Watsons can solve the case before the vandal goes free.

This competent mystery is the fourth in the series. While it can be read as a standalone book, the series is best read in order.

The mystery in this book is who is vandalizing paintings of women. Of course, Joanna is called on to help find the slasher. The author plays fair and gives the readers the clues Joanna gets. I had a gut feeling about the vandal but no firm reasons for my suspicion until the case was solved.

The more interesting part was the cholera epidemic in the story's background. The book was published in June 2020, so the parallels to the Covid-19 pandemic were likely intended.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as its predecessors. It was good, but not brilliant. I'd suggest it for fans of the series. ( )

In the west end of London, an apparently crazed individual is on the loose, breaking into art galleries and private homes to slash valuable paintings of women. Despite Scotland Yard’s best efforts, the criminal remains at large and continues on his destructive path.

When Joanna and the Watsons are called in to solve the mystery, they soon discover that although the canvases have been slashed, their backings remain pristine, with no cuts or scratches.

The criminal, it seems, is no mere vandal—he's searching for something hidden behind the portraits

Suspicion soon falls on two skilled art restorers who previously worked at the gallery where all the vandalized art was purchased. When Joanna finds the body of one in a bricked off fireplace at the gallery, the other is left as the prime suspect

But then he's discovered dead as well.

Luckily, Joanna has a plan for ensnaring the criminal once and for all. But it must not fail, or more paintings—and lives—will be lost.

Thank you Goodreads and Minotaur Books for a chance to read The Art of Deception #4 in The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries by Leonard Goldberg!

I honestly think this is the first book I have ever read about Sherlock Holmes. I can't remember reading one at least. I have a little bit of mixed feelings about this book. And for the most part I think it's because of Joanna. It's not her whole character, it’s the times she comes across as a know it all. But to be fair I haven’t read the other books in the series. So maybe because I don’t have the back story that is why she comes off like that to me. Other than that, I found the book interesting. It was an easy read. Its was easy staying interested in the story line. The way that the characters go about solving the crime is interesting in its self. Happy reading everyone! ( )

Another good entry in this quite good series. Goldberg knows his Holmes and nicely extrapolates that knowledge into this very readable Sherlockian pastiche. His points of view can be disconcerting but interest is well sustained in this Old Masters focused mystery. We learn something about painters, their history and relationships as well as the arts and skills of restoration. Mysteries abound, but Joanna and her team related and otherwise, figure it out. ( )