Castle Shade: A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

Following right on the heels of Riviera Gold, Castle Shade finds Mary and Sherlock in Romania at the behest of none other than Queen Marie herself. A plague of folkloric fiction come to life seems to follow in the queen’s wake, and there have been threats against her daughter Ileana. Much to her disgruntled amusement, Sherlock has Russell accompany him partly to gain insight into the world of young women. She doesn’t get to partake in that so much with the princess, as the queen didn’t allow Ileana to return to Castle Bran, but Russell does grow close to castle staff who are Ileana’s friends. With increasing evidence of strigoi, witchcraft, and other dark dealings piling up, time is running out for the pair to solve this most curious case.

Castle Shade has become my third favorite of Mary’s memoirs, behind Justice Hall and Island of the Mad. This pair are the epitome of “curious cats.” This story, unlike the last, had more of Holmes and Russell together, and Holmes is changing. Admitting to flaws must be so hard for the man. But it’s a good change. I look forward to seeing it continue.