The Lantern’s Dance A novel of suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

A National Bestseller that pulls you straight into the fog-shrouded world of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes—this time, with secrets that hit closer to home than ever before.

What begins as a peaceful retreat to the French countryside quickly unravels into something far more mysterious. When Russell and Holmes arrive to visit Holmes’ son, the renowned artist Damian Adler, they find the house abandoned and the family vanished. While Holmes races after his son, Russell—recovering from injury—stays behind to piece together the puzzle left in Damian’s studio.

What she discovers is mesmerizing: a tarnished silver lantern fitted with dancing images, and an elaborately coded journal that slowly reveals the story of a young Indian woman and a child stolen away. Each decoded entry deepens the mystery, weaving past and present into an intricate web that may connect to Holmes’ own hidden history.

Laurie R. King masterfully interlaces cryptography, art history, and family secrets in this sophisticated addition to her beloved series. The Washington Post praises King for “deftly interlacing present and past” while “delivering an intriguing mystery” that offers “fascinating insights into Holmes’s family.”

Perfect for fans of historical mysteries and intelligent suspense, The Lantern’s Dance proves that even the great detective may have blind spots when it comes to his own past. A must-read for anyone who loves clever plotting, richly drawn characters, and the satisfying click of a puzzle falling into place.

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