Holmes Away From Home launches a fresh, addictive historical mystery series featuring a heroine who is equal parts flawed, clever, and unexpectedly endearing. What begins as a tale of theft and deception quickly deepens into a story of identity, deduction, and reluctant partnership, all set against the elegant yet decaying backdrop of Twickenham Towers. This one surprised me in the best ways.
About the Book
Althea Adler, daughter of the infamous Irene Adler, receives a cryptic postcard containing four words: Holmes away from home. Interpreting it as a command, she breaks into Sherlock Holmes’s safe, only to uncover a shocking secret that sends her searching for answers about her past.
Still reeling, Althea accepts an invitation to Twickenham Towers, ancestral home of Lord Slough. When a murder occurs, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous investigation alongside William, the Marquess of Sheffield, a man who has already bested her once and now seems determined to match her wit for wit.
Together, they navigate clues, red herrings, and rising romantic tension as they attempt to catch a killer… and confront the secrets they each carry.
Book Review: Holems Away from Home
Althea Adler is not immediately easy to like, and that’s precisely what makes her such a compelling protagonist. When we first meet her, she’s in Holmes’s home as a guest under false pretenses. She's more than a snoop. She's a thief. What she finds leads her to a personal quest looking into who her father might be.
Her motives appear self-serving, even manipulative. But as the story unfolds, hindsight and new information reveal a young woman shaped by survival, longing, and a desire to break free from her mother’s shadow.
Her moral compass is complex: she shows remorse at times, yet can justify her actions when she believes the ends warrant the means. This subtle evolution is beautifully handled. By the halfway point, I found myself firmly in her corner.
The Holmes/Adler thread is foundational rather than dominant, a clever structural device that sets the stage without overshadowing the central mystery. The lingering question of whether Holmes might be her father adds emotional depth and promises intriguing developments in future installments.
Twickenham Towers is a standout setting: elegant on the surface, quietly decaying underneath, and filled with secrets. The lack of staff is both a clue and a source of tension. While the mansion provides atmosphere, it’s the characters who truly carry the story.
The mystery itself is richly constructed. The early hook at 221B Baker Street grabbed me immediately, and the Twickenham murder delivers a satisfying blend of historical suspense and classic deduction. Althea’s investigative style, part instinct, part logic, pairs perfectly with William’s more structured approach. Their differing perspectives allow the bigger picture to snap into place.
And then there’s the romance. Built on banter, respect, and shared danger, it begins as a reluctant alliance and grows into a slow burn with a spark. Their secrets deepen the tension, and while the attraction warms, it remains clean and emotionally grounded.
The pacing starts slow, then becomes brisk and steady once the mansion plot takes hold. The historical detail is immersive without ever feeling heavy. This is a strong start to a trilogy, one that left me eager to see where Althea’s search for identity and her relationship with William will lead.
BookHookUp Content Note
✅Clean fiction. ✅Violence is present but not graphic; readers see the aftermath, not the act. ✅Romantic tension includes desire but remains clean. ✅Themes include identity, trust, moral ambiguity, and personal growth.
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- 1 HARDCOVER copy of the book US only.
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Similar Books You May Enjoy
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn – A spirited Victorian adventure featuring a bold heroine and a reluctant partnership that blossoms amid danger and deduction.
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas – A clever gender‑flipped Holmes retelling where Charlotte Holmes uses her sharp mind to solve crimes in a restrictive society.
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I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours with no compensation, and all opinions are my own. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
About Author Samantha Larsen
Samantha writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen and historical romances under Samantha Hastings. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She’s the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. Learn more at: www.SamanthaHastings.com
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