Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas Narrator: Kate Reading
Series: Lady Sherlock #9
Published by Berkley, Penguin Audio on September 29, 2026
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 368
Length: 13 hours, 31 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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It’s been three years since Charlotte Holmes struck a decisive blow against Moriarty's operations in Britain, three years of relative calm and benign developments. In a buoyant mood, everyone gathers at Lord Ingram's seaside cottage in North Devon for what promises to be a perfect summer holiday. Until Mrs. Watson receives an invitation from Mrs. Carstairs, her long-estranged sister, to attend a house party nearby.
Mrs. Carstairs has married spectacularly well. She is the mistress of a great manor, a doyen of all domestic arts, and still an unforgettable beauty. Now she clamors for a reconciliation with her sister. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs's motives. Yet she cannot help but feel tremors of the old admiration for this once-beloved sister.
Then Mrs. Carstairs disappears without a trace. The next day a woman is discovered floating on the waves, her build and coloring matching those of Mrs. Carstairs. But her husband insists that the corpse fished out of the Bristol Channel cannot be his wife. So where is the real Mrs. Carstairs? Would she have purposely dragged Mrs. Watson into a murder investigation? Or was it Sherlock Holmes's involvement that she needed from the very beginning?
I continue to be obsessively supportive of the Lady Sherlock series. The characters are so well developed and the settings so intriguing, and the plots with enough detail and complexity with such clever methods by the characters to discern the facts. You will want to read these in order for the characters development.
The Vanished Sister builds out the history of Mrs. Watson and her family. We learn about her sister and how she ended up in a higher class situation. But as we learn more, it wasn’t all it appeared. Mrs. Watson may have suffered some challenges but has lived her life as to her own choices.
The sister, Justina, insists Mrs. Watson, Jo, come to a house party. They fear it is an effort to hurt her but while the whole event is strange, nothing happens to cause her trouble. They suspect a connection to Moriarty which is sad because they have been enjoying a reprieve after his takedown.
We get some information before and after the house party from Livia. She is Charlotte’s sister who acts as a companion to Mrs. Newell, whose daughter is engaged to Justina’s son. Jo and Livia both notice that some of the couples seem unhappy and others seem attached. Justina’s husband seems to be overly focused on Mrs. Albright. There are layers of relationships here with some seemingly wishing for different pairings.
When her sister, Justina, disappears at least Jo has Lord Ingram and Charlotte along with their allies, to search for what happened. Despite Justina’s efforts, they manage to trace her and the search causes them to uncover all the things she wanted to keep hidden.
It’s another excellent story where the truth is brought forth. It hurts some but overall makes it easier for most. They also have a chance to view past, present and future through alternative lens contemplating different choices than the ones made. I love how Charlotte and Ash are spending more time together. While Mrs. Watson has had the long fearsome threats relieved, and can go forward with her family and fiends.
Narration:
I love Kate Reading as the narrator for this series. The voices of different characters are distinct to me. I enjoy her voices for Ash and Charlotte. Both male and female voices seem appropriate, including their accents. I’m not an expert on regional accents so they may not be accurate. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Kate Reading
Kate Reading is an Audie Award–winning narrator with hundreds of titles in many genres. She has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, as well as being named Narrator of the Year, and Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Her narration has been recognized as Reader of the Year by Publishers Weekly, and by Booklist’s 2019 Top of the List, for the American Library Association. She and her husband, narrator Michael Kramer, record at their home studio in Maryland, Madison Productions.
About Sherry Thomas
Sherry Thomas writes both historical romance and young adult fantasy.
On the romance side, she is one of the most acclaimed authors working in the genre today, her books regularly receiving starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.
On the young adult fantasy side, there isn’t much to report yet, her debut book, THE BURNING SKY, book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy, has received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and been named to the Autumn ’13 Kids’ Indie Next List.
Sherry writes in her second language. She learned English by reading romance and science fiction–every word Isaac Asimov ever wrote, in fact. She is proud to say that her son is her biggest fanboy–for the YA fantasy, not the romances. At least, not yet..
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
I’m glad you’re still loving this series so much!
Thanks Tammy. It’s just got everything.
Nice to get some background revealed and to still enjoy the series at book 9!
yes! The relationships really had my focus in this one. But I did love the further background and mystery around Jo.
Good to see this series is still going strong. Look at lol your stars💜
Thanks Jonetta. It’s just so well done. I love the “Sherlock Holmes” smart deductions and investigations with romance threads.
I really loved getting more of Mrs. Watson’s backstory in this one and seeing everyone else so much more settled in their lives.
yes it is great when a series can move further on developing side characters and world building.
I really enjoyed learning more about Mrs. Watson. I worry about when Moriarty will return!
yes it’s always a worry that he will return.
Glad to see you enjoyed it as well.
Thank you. It’s always a pleasure.
Glad you continue to enjoy this series so much! I do like the cover and it sounds like a unique/original type of plot. Great review!
Thank you Lisa. It’s a favorite with excellent mysteries and romance.