Review - A Study in Darkness (The Baskerville Affair #2) by Emma Jane Holloway

Title: A Study in Darkness

Author: Emma Jane Holloway

Series: 2nd (A Study in Silks)

Pages: 513

Published: October 29th 2013 by Del Rey 

ISBN: 9780345537195

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her Uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card. Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe. As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting ground of Jack the Ripper.

I Give This ...

I'm so glad that I decided to stick with this series.  There was something in the first book that made me want to continue on despite my 3 rating.  I was right!

Evelina is really beginning to grow on me as our main character.  She's got a very unique background with her connections to the aristocracy, the lower class, and then there's her uncle the infamous Sherlock Holmes.  But, she really holds her own in this story.  She may naive enough to take the bait to be the Gold King's spy, but I can't imagine anyone else for the job.  She manages to integrate herself in place that others can't.  Plus, she learns things about her magic that likely wouldn't have happened.  I imagine that will become more key as the story progresses.

I feel the love triangle is kind of up and down this time around.  I don't necessarily think Evelina's feeling for Tobias were misplaced.  He just didn't seem to think about the repercussions their actions might have on Evelina.  Plus, he's too easily swayed by a pretty face.  Niccolo's affection seem to be much more genuine.  He would do anything for her, including walk away.  I'm hoping that Evelina will stick to what seems to be a clear cut choice.  Who knows though!

I'm really enjoying the little bit we see of Sherlock in this series.  He's an character that could easily take center stage, but he stays in the background.  He may be part of the bigger picture, but he's not the one maneuvering the pieces.   I'm curious as to what his final role will be in this series.  And I LOVED the inclusion of Jack the Ripper in this story.  This serial killer has fascinated me for years, and I loved how it played out in the story.  It stuck with the details of the original crimes and lead to the allure of how it remained unsolved.   It worked beautifully here.

I'm excited to tackle the next book in the series.  I'm not sure if it the final one, but I will savor it and hope the story has a satisfying conclusion if it is!