Caffeinated Reviewer

The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas is the ninth audiobook narrated by Kate Reading in the Lady Sherlock historical mystery series. Sherlock puzzles out a missing persons case when Mrs. Watson’s long-estranged sister goes missing. Another addictive tale in this beloved series.

Charlotte Holmes—aka Sherlock Holmes—becomes entangled in a puzzling missing person case that hits close to home for her beloved Mrs. Watson in this Victorian-set mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of A Ruse of Shadows.

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?

While each audiobook contains a mystery, I recommend starting the Lady Sherlock series from the beginning. Particularly if character relationships and spoilers are important to you. In The Vanished Sister, we get to know more about Mrs. Watson, her family, and niece.

Three years have passed since events of the previous book, and Charlotte is at Lord Ingram’s seaside cottage in North Devon along with Mrs. Watson and her niece, enjoying a summer holiday. While on a boat, Mrs. Watson is taken aback when she notices her estranged sister, Justina, on the shoreline. Later that day she arrived at Ash’s summer home and invited Mrs. Watson and her niece to attend a dinner at her summer home.

We learn the backstory surrounding the sister’s relationships and the daughter Mrs. Watson has been forced to not claim. Hoping to mend fences, they attend along with Ash and Charlotte. Mrs. Watson does not trust Mrs. Carstairs’s motives, but at one time she adored her sister. That changes when Justina disappears without a trace. All hope seemed lost when a body washed up on the shore, but Mr. Carstairs is certain the body is not that of his wife.

Naturally, Charlotte investigates, and the tale hooked me and never let go. Thomas is a masterful storyteller and her mysteries superb and unique. Mix in the slow-burning romance between Ash and Charlotte and the tight-knit group, and you cannot help but be drawn in.

An absolutely addictive tale; I cannot recommend The Vanished Sister enough. Kate Reading narrates the series and gives voice to each of these characters. She captures the tone of the tale and the characteristics of each character perfectly. I cannot imagine not listening to this series. It has become one I look forward to each year.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Sherry Thomas

Sherry Thomas is one of the most acclaimed historical romance authors writing today, winning the RITA Award two years running, and appearing on innumerable "Best of the Year" lists, including those of Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Dear Author, and All About Romance. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and sons.

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About Kate Reading

Kate Reading is an Audie Award–winning narrator who has recorded hundreds of titles in many genres. She has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, in addition to being named Narrator of the Year and Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. She has been recognized as Reader of the Year by Publishers Weekly and has appeared on 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.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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