"I cannot recommend this series enough."—#1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood Charlotte Holmes finds herself in a dreadfully precarious position when she’s accused of murder—a crime she’s accustomed to solving as Sherlock Holmes—in this twisty Victorian mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of A Study in Scarlet Women . Charlotte’s success on the RMS Provence has afforded her a certain measure of time and assurance. Taking advantage of that, she has been busy, plotting to prise the man her sister loves from Moriarty’s iron grip. Disruption, however, comes from an unexpected quarter. Lord Bancroft Ashburton, disgraced and imprisoned as a result of Charlotte’s prior investigations, nevertheless manages to press Charlotte into service: Underwood, his most loyal henchman, is missing and Lord Bancroft wants Charlotte to find Underwood, dead or alive. But then Lord Bancroft himself turns up dead and Charlotte, more than anyone else, meets the trifecta criteria of motive, means, and opportunity. Never mind rescuing anyone else, with the law breathing down her neck, can Charlotte save herself from prosecution for murder? "Charlotte, like all of Sherry Thomas’s leads, is deliciously complex and utterly one of a kind. Unique and addictive, I guarantee you that if you pick up this masterpiece of a series you’ll be kicking your feet and biting your fist! I cannot recommend this series enough."-- #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood “I AM RIVETED. The Lady Sherlock series is so smart and clever and witty.”– Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series "Drama, intrigue, mayhem and murder…the new installment in Sherry Thomas’ beloved Lady Sherlock series delivers all this and more."-- Woman's World " A Ruse of Shadows is an unmissable high point of Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock, a joyfully original historical mystery series with a romantic twist.”-- BookPage "For fans of witty banter, gender-swapped Sherlock, and intricate mysteries!” -- Book Riot “Thomas’s intricate story is populated with complex and engaging secondary characters both new and returning.” -- Library Journal “The consistently well-drawn characters serve as an anchor, and the occasional glimpse of Charlotte’s love for her family and her lover, Lord Ingram Ashburton, adds a needed touch of warmth to the clever but clinical jigsaw structure of the mystery.” -- Kirkus "Thomas wields the English language with exquisite finesse and possesses remarkable gifts for dexterous plotting and populating her imagined world with nuanced and intriguing characters. A Ruse of Shadows is the witty and wonderful eighth entry in Thomas’ exemplary Lady Sherlock mysteries, a series definitely worth starting from the beginning.”"-- Booklist USA Today bestselling author Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed historical romance authors writing today and a two-time RITA Award winner. The interrogation August 1887 Before Inspector Robert Treadles had wanted to be Sherlock Holmes, he had wanted to be Chief Inspector John Talbot. The chief inspector had retired the year after Treadles had been promoted to detective sergeant, but Treadles had worked with him once. The senior officer had been patient and fair, interested not in producing likely-seeming culprits to prosecute but in chiseling away at a case until he had revealed everything about the crime and its participants. Under any other circumstances, Treadles would have been delighted to welcome the chief inspector out of retirement-and to observe the wise old policeman again in a professional capacity. Under any other circumstances. The parlor of the hotel suite in which he found himself boasted dark varnished wainscoting, scarlet velvet curtains, and a deep pile blue-and-gold Turkish carpet underfoot. The décor had been conceived to provide luxurious warmth during London's long and gloomy winter. But on this sultry day, the room closed in. Chief Inspector Talbot, his thick head of white hair combed back, his gaze kind yet penetrating, asked, "Young lady, may I inquire as to the nature of your association with the deceased?" The young lady in question, a woman in her mid-twenties, was attired in a full English garden. So many roses, foxgloves, and hydrangeas flourished upon her dress that it had taken a while for Treadles to discern that the garment was made of a light green muslin. And, of course, embroidered sprigs of lavender proliferated across the circumference of the hem. In contrast to the gaudy botanical excesses of her frock, her expression was solemn and blank. "Lord Bancroft Ashburton was the brother of my friend Lord Ingram Ashburton. Several years ago, Lord Bancroft asked for my hand in marriage. I did not believe we would suit and declined his proposal." She spoke with a calm detachment, as if she were fielding slightly intrusive questions at a tea party rather than inquiries stemming from a murder inve