Customer Reviews

A Soul of Steel: An Irene Adler Novel (Irene Adler Mysteries)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this book, but just wanted to warn you that this is a reissue of the book "Irene At Large" with a different title. I bought it under both titles before I realized it was the same book.

This is my second work on Irene Adler, solver of mysteries and antagonist of Sherlock Holmes. Here, we have a tale of treachery in the English war in Afghanistan in the 1880s. A spy, "Cobra" (born Quentin Stanhope), discovers a double cross by his superior, "Tiger." A battle is lost as a result. And the plot thickens when, after he is injured, a "Dr. Watson" treats him before being shot in the shoulder.

Move to Paris some years later. Irene Adler, now married to Godfrey Norton (and now Mrs. Norton), lives with her confederate Penelope "Nell" Huxleigh. She and Godfrey have been declared dead because their names were on the list of passengers of a train that was destroyed in an accident.

"Cobra" enters their life and, just as mysteriously, leaves, wishing to find someone to help save Dr. Watson's life. Irene, clever as always, deduces that this Watson might be Sherlock Holmes' associate. And we are off to another adventure in this series of books.

Irene does her usual job in deception. We see historical figures enter the narrative (e.g., Sarah Bernhardt). Irene, Godfrey, and Nell head to England to try to protect Watson and solve a mystery. Their efforts intertwine with those of Holmes himself. The end result features cobras, mongooses, deception, and treachery.

A nice addition to the series, but the allure of this series has begun to wear off for me. However, this volume will be enjoyable for those who like historical mysteries.

I really liked this series of books. Sherlock Holmes has always annoyed me a bit, and I like the idea of a woman outwitting him. Irene Alder is a strong heroine and is easy to like. Penelope Huxleigh, the narrator, is not as easy to sympathize with, but she can be funny. The mysteries are interesting, exciting, and, for the most part, believable.

This story sets a fabulous background for Conan Doyle's short story "the empty house" and also keeps crossing paths between Sherlock Holmes and "The woman" Irene Adler, although this last one far more advanced in investigation matters. A delicious reading for those in love with this two great characters, where mistery, romance and one or two laughs are not missing. Super recomendated. Me as Sherlock Holmes fan loved this story!!!

Carole Nelson Douglas' Irene Adler series is absolutely awesome! I was able to find all the books in this series, sadly I am on the last one. I wish she would write more for this series. If you start to read this series be prepared to not be able to put the books down. She pulls you in and keeps you in suspense from beginning to end. Each character is built so well that I picture each one as I read and it makes for such fun and exciting reading. If you like mystery, strong characters and historical fiction...buy these books, you won't be disappointed!

She loves this series and was so excited to begin this particular book. She really enjoyed it. She's quite hooked and has become the go to gift for her.