Book Review: A Study in Darkness

Author: Emma Jane Holloway
Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Del Rey
Series: The Baskerville Affair # 2

When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her Uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card.

Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe.

As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting ground of Jack the Ripper.

 Evelina didn’t want to sip tea and read letters. Questions needed answering, and there was danger afoot.

A bomb? Imogen froze in place, her eyes going wide. She’d been expecting bedroom scandal or maybe chat of a shady business deal, but this was serious. Eavesdropping had suddenly gone beyond an entertaining diversion.

“You’re still on about that Baskerville affair.”

Evelina’s story progress in the second book in this series, and the ending only made me hungry for more. I must say that while I am glad that this series is releasing really closely together, I am going to miss it when I am finished with it. Evelina’s journey continues in this book, and she is at an emotional turning point in her life. Evelina is drawn back into the life of intrigue and mystery as she works to solve the vicious murders that are occurring all around her. The politics continue to be an issue, as well as the power of black magic and its pull on Evelina’s life. Join Evelina as she goes undercover for her Uncle Sherlock on another racy adventure!

I think this book had everything that the one first book did and even more! The intrigue, steampunk characteristics, action, and romance only escalates and many more exceptional details of this fictional world are shared with readers in this book. Evelina is still what I consider to be a highly likeable female lead. She is riveting, brave, and extremely versatile. Evelina gets herself in a bit of trouble in this book, but it only makes for a more daring, mysterious adventure that she must go on.

I am very anxious for the next book in this series, and will be so sad to see them end! I highly recommend picking up this series, but I feel that you should definitely start with the first book which released in September!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Del Rey in exchange for my honest review***