Holmes and Watson visit Lady Armstrong and are met with hostility. They also meet her milder mannered son, David, and his friend, Jane Ryder, who introduces the famed duo to her brother, a conniving gambler. Shortly after this meeting, notices begin appearing in the daily paper, signed by Holmes. The notices, while they appear to be holiday greetings, make Holmes suspicious that someone is in danger, especially since he did not take them out.

An explosion at the tenement house where Tommy and his uncle live leaves someone dead on Boxing Day and Holmes’ calling card is found on the scene. Holmes and Watson suspect all these events are connected to the famed ruby, The Blood of Punjab and work quickly to assemble all the players, learn what is planned and save Holmes’ reputation.

The Jewel of Covent Garden is a mystery with many strains. So many, that it is often difficult to keep track of them, nevermind try to fit them all together. Yet, Wayne Worcester neatly ties all the ends up so they make sense, even adding one last twist the great Sherlock Holmes may not have thought of.

The Victorian London setting is very detailed, sometimes too detailed. The dialects are differentiated between the more educated men and the vegetable sellers and the distinction does not detract from smooth reading. Holmes and Watson are interesting characters, and Tommy, who may make future appearances, is a charming addition. The other members of the small cast are rarely seen and are very cut and dry.

The novel is presented as part of the lost journals of Watson, though the prologue set in modern times seems unnecessary and the story belongs to a very smug Sherlock Holmes. Fans of the famed sleuth will be pleased to have more adventures featuring the pair, written in the tradition of the original mysteries.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry