"A very fine mystery"
In 1889, New York based journalist Elizabeth Jane Cochrane
better known as Nellie Bly sends a wire to England to
American expatriate and pal Irene Adler Norton. Nellie
insists that someone wants to kill Irene's mother. Though
having some doubts, Irene worked the Ripper case with
Nellie who has some credibility with her. So she and her
companion, Nell Huxleigh, head back to her hometown in the
states. In New York City, Irene quickly realizes that someone is
killing people who know anything about her childhood. She
herself contains only vague memories, but wonders what she
has forgotten that has led to a series of murders. Soon
her rival Sherlock Holmes, who she has out-sleuthed, enters
the game in an effort to end a string of homicides tied
back to Irene. The latest Irene Adler tale, the woman who outwitted Holmes
in Doyle's A Scandal in Bohemia, is a tremendous late
Victorian mystery. The story line has an old world feel to
it yet flows fast with plenty of insights into the late
nineteenth century New York era and as a bonus, has loads
of action. For fans of the series, Carole Nelson Douglas
provides some tidbits about the former diva so that the
audience has increased knowledge of her past. Historical
mystery readers will appreciate FEMME FATALE and want to
obtain the previous six Adler novels as this is a strong
series. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted September 25, 2003
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