4.5 stars

When I first discovered that one of my favorite authors was going to do a retelling of Sherlock Holmes, I will admit that I let out a deep sigh of discontent. The reason for this was one of my advanced Literature classes when I was getting my degree was on Sherlock and I had to apply a variety of literary theories (Feminist, Marxism, Deconstructive, and Historical to name just a few) on various stories from this world. To say that I detested it by the end, was an understatement. Hence, the sigh of discontent. HOWEVER, let it be said here and now that IF this had been one of the stories that I got to play with then I would have appreciated it SOOOOOO much more because this author just created a version that I could have totally been on board with.

It is debauchery at its finest. Of course it would be because I am not sure that this author can write a sweet and clean romance to save her life. The kink in this one is on par with anything she writes. This is Dominance and Submission at its finest with punishments and scenes that will make your kindle and possibly yourself overheat. Again, nothing surprising there because she always manages to turn up the heat.

I am not sure I will ever fully be back as a fan of the typical Sherlock, but for this one I will always make an exception. ( )

There are going to be some Sherlock Holmes purists who are really, really, really going to hate this book. Sucks to be them, because they will be missing out. This is a really awesome story. It has all the Sherlockian touches, a good whack of steampunk, some Elder God worship, and lots and lots and lots of depraved and debauched sex. So, you know, all the good stuff, and all the fun.

Sherlock is kind of a jerk through a lot of this, but it works for him. I mean, I like Holmes, but he is pretty much a jerk, or worse, in pretty much every single iteration of him, so that fits. I like how the events of the book really color his opinion of himself. He goes through a real journey in this book, and frankly, I like him all the better for that journey.

Wilhelmina is a whole different kind of Moriarity, but she's just a smart as the original. Scratch that, I think that she is smarter. I think that she is exactly who Sherlock needs, and she's going to really keep him on his toes, and not just that, but keep him even more anchored than Watson ever would.

I would love so many more books about these two. There are surely all kinds of mysteries they can solve. ( )

"Come at once if convenient. If inconvenient, come all the same."

The quote above is from Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Creeping Man", but it would be right at home in this story.

This story is told in dual voices, that of Holmes and of Willa Moriarty, niece of Holmes' arch-nemesis. I'm accustomed to reading Sherlock written from Watson's perspective, but this story works well. I felt that Holmes as portrayed here is true to the written character without referencing any recent dramatic renditions, and this was a good thing.

Cari SIlverwood writes great sex and marvellous, angsty characters and she outdoes herself here. I felt for both protagonists and wanted things to work out for them.

This book is part of "The Dirty Heroes Collection" but is a complete stand-alone. The central plot idea for this series is that an event has corrupted some of history's greatest heroes. It is not necessary to have read any other book in the series prior to this one, nor does this story direct the reader to other books in the series. Having said that, I'd gladly read more about this version of Holmes, should another book come to light. Very Recommended. ( )