3.8 Stars

One Liner: Breezy and light cozy mystery collection.

The Return of Hester Lynton is a collection of ten cases Hester solved during her time as a detective. Ivy is her assistant and the author of the book (yep, a lady Watson to the lady Holmes).

The cases are all different from one another and keep the interest sustained. Some are dangerous, while others are easy to deal with. The clientele includes people from all strata of society, ranging from a school teacher to a military head.

Most cases are straightforward and don’t have any unexpected twists. This works for some and makes a couple of too bland. Still, the overall result is above average. I went with minimum expectations, and that helped me enjoy this book a lot more. I could guess a few cases, but that’s fine too. I like to solve cases on my own.

My top three cases from the book:

The Case of the Fanshaw Inheritance: Who doesn’t like cryptic codes?

The Mystery of the Locked Room: I’ll admit I like women who can handle a gun with ease. ;)

The Puzzle of the Whitby Housemaid: Nothing like a grumpy doctor and a mysterious house to create interest.

To conclude, The Return of Hester Lynton is a lighthearted cozy mystery from the Victorian era and a nice tribute to Holmes. Hester isn’t Holmes, though. Remember that, and you’ll like the book even more (personal experience).

Thank you, NetGalley and Lume Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

#TheReturnofHesterLynton #NetGalley

*****

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