Written by Leonard Goldberg
SUMMARY:
In 2019, Minotaur Books released this 306-page title in hardcover. Set in November 1915, a dark and stormy London night finds distraught physician Dr. Alexander Verner arriving at 221b Baker Street to consult his friend, Dr. John H. Watson, Sr., his same-namedson, and Watson, Sr.’s famous daughter-in-law, private detective Joanna Blalock.
Note: Courtesy of Watson Jr.’s published accounts of his wife’s acclaimed sleuthing, it has become public knowledge that Joanna is the daughter of the late Sherlock Holmes. Joanna now gladly announces herself as such. Outside the Watson family, presumably, it is not divulged that her biological mother is the late Irene Adler.
Verner describes how, earlier that night, he was suspiciously tricked into treating a seemingly mute patient beset by abdominal pain and then ominously warned to say nothing of the incident. Joanna’s advice to Verner about a means of protecting himself from the wrath of suspected German agents soon tragically goes awry.
With the British war effort at stake, it is up to the Watson clan to now rescue a captive British cryptographer and avenge the cold-blooded homicide of their family friend. Among their trusted allies are British Secret Intelligence’s Lt. Dunn; the second-generation Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard; the canine Toby Two; and Joanna’s young son and prodigy: Johnnie Blalock – the late Sherlock Holmes’ lookalike grandson.
Their formidable opposition is a cell of ruthless German spies, who will not hesitate to kill any impediment to their scheme. Joanna and the Watsons sense that British coding specialist Alistair Ainsworth’s abduction by the enemy is likely an inside job. Yet, even if they decipher the shadowy culprit’s identity, can they still rescue a tortured Ainsworth in time?
Note: This title is available in multiple formats, including paperback, digital, and audiobook.
REVIEW:
Despite its built-in contrivances (i.e. the duplication between father-and-son Watsons, plus Johnnie Blalock as the Sherlock-in-training and other eye-rolling second-generation duplicates of Conan Doyle’s original cast) and an assortment of genre plot clichés, this third historical mystery is still well-played. Author Leonard Goldberg’s deft touch ensures Joanna Blalock’s deductive reasoning makes good sense throughout this espionage whodunnit.
For fans of the two prior books, they will not likely be disappointed probing The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
