Audio version - narrated by Kate Reading

MURDER ON COLD STREET is the latest in Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series. Inspector Treadles has collaborated on multiple cases with Charlotte Holmes. But this time, Charlotte must investigate the Inspector she normally works alongside. When Treadles is found in a room with his gun drawn and two dead men, Charlotte must sift facts from rumors and determine if both men’s death were conducted by Treadles.

Rumors and secrets are bountiful-was it rage, an affair, or an act to protect his wife. Both men worked in the factory that his wife recently inherited, and the overwhelming rumor is that Treadles killed to assist his wife.  Treadles isn’t talking so Charlotte is left to wade through the theories on her own. Luckily, she is assisted by Mrs. Watson, Lord Ingram, and others that don’t believe things are as they seem at first glance.

Sherry Thomas delivers more depth to these characters with each new book in this series. It is a delight to see Charlotte as a character continue to deepen emotionally, something I felt was lacking in the first couple of books. In addition to the murders, Charlotte must contend with her growing feelings for Lord Ingram- who has always been her friend but had recently been her lover. And Charlotte notices that Lord Ingram is acting differently- and shifts in feelings and actions are hard for Charlotte to interpret. Charlotte is no coward though and begins to enjoy the new feelings she has with each interaction with Lord Ingram.

Ingram is lighter in mind and freer in commitments since he filed for divorce, and he seems to have finally made up his mind about him and Charlotte. The thoughts that each of them has as they gaze at each other is a delight- as they must solve this mystery first but know that their relationship is changing and alight with possibilities.

The last couple of installments has also allowed the other characters of the series to deepen as well- Charlotte’s sister, Livia, has had her own adventures and relationship, and as she interacts with her family you get more understanding of why the Holmes girls are the way they are.

In true Sherlock fashion, the idea of Moriarty has also started to develop- as characters in that story line are starting to have more interaction with Charlotte Holmes, Lord Ingram, and Charlotte’s sister. The air of danger is there, and Charlotte senses it, but the true danger of Moriarty is something that is starting to loom over everyone.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series and can’t wait to see how these story lines develop- and hope the series continues for a while.

And it goes without saying--any woman who enjoys and thinks better while eating cake, is a character I want to know.