Transylvania fears!

Castle Shade (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #17) by Laurie R. King     

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Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes leave the Côte d’Azur (see Riviera Gold) and forge onward to Roumania, “a place where the maps have ‘Here be dragons.’” Actually they are heading for a village near to Brasov and Queen Marie’s favourite castle. ”Castle Bran in the Transylvania hills [that] has everything one could wish, including it seems witches, vampires and things that go bump in the night.” They’ve come at the bequest of Queen Marie, a granddaughter of Victoria.

It also appears that Sherlock had been this way when he’d been absent during Mary’s time in the Riviera. Both journies enabled by Mycroft to ensure that the Queen is not being targeted by groups determined to be rid of her. (Interestingly by now May and Sherlock have come to the decision that Mycroft needs to stop interfering with their lives. I sense a thoughtfulness from Sherlock about Mary as his wife and what that means that I haven’t detected before.)

Dangers are apparent. People have seen strange happenings, witches and shadowy figures are whispered about. The locals are hanging garlic and sharpening wooden stakes. When one of the Queen’s maids disappears and rumours start up about the Queen maintaining her youthfulness by drinking the blood of virgins, quick and decisive action is needed. All very tricky and Bram Stocker.

Another fascinating episode in the lives of Russell and Sherlock.

A Random - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley 

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change