Lady Sherlock shines!

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Murder on Cold Street (The Lady Sherlock #5)
by Sherry Thomas      

Well this is a complex mystery with all sorts of associations from Charlotte Holmes' past cases bubbling under the surface. Lord Ingram Ashburton and Mrs. Watson are of course up to their neck in the troubles. It's just prior to Christmas 1886.
Inspector Robert Treadles has been accused arrested for  of murder, having been found by police in a room locked from the inside. They'd forced the door and found Inspector Treadles "barricaded ... behind the bedstead, his service revolver pointed at them Nearer to the door were ... two dead men and a fair bit of blood.”
Lady Sherlock investigates and uncovers seemingly independent facts that need bringing together.
Mrs Treadle has been having trouble with the male board of her company, Cousins Manufacturing, and one of the dead men, Mr. John Longstead, a longtime of her father's had been helping her look into the company's finance dealings. The other, Mr. Ambrose Sullivan was an accountant and senior manager at Cousins, advising the Board.
Meanwhile Lord Ingham has reached a decision about Charlotte. I love the way he adores her outrageous individuality. His amused description of her Christmas frock is wonderful.
"He had become more or less inured to her taste in clothes...her gaudy wardrobe."
The investigative path is complex, particularly as no one is telling the whole truth, including Mrs Treadle. Time is against Charlotte, particularly as a rather cold and dogged Inspector is determined Treadle will be charged by Xmas Eve.
Then there's Charlotte's younger sister Livia trapped in a less than satisfactory life with their mother Lady Holmes in their country home, still heartbroken about Moriaty's son. (Another twist!) As Charlotte unravels the mystery, along with Mrs Watson and Lord Ingham there are certainly some surprising details that come to light, but where is the proof?
Another solid read in this addictive series from Sherry Thomas.

 A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change

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