It's hard to imagine that Russell and Holmes are now in their eighteenth book, but even harder to imagine the mystery world without them. On their way home from adventures in Transylvania (Castle Shade), they plan to stop and spend some time with Damian Adler, the son of Holmes and Irene Adler. After enduring far too long a train journey, they arrive to find Damian and his family have gone into hiding after a break-in and some other odd occurrences. True to form, Holmes sets out to track down his missing relatives. Russell has been sidelined by a sprained ankle and decides to search the house for clues - either to the location of Damian, or to the nature of the threat that caused his flight.
The lantern from the title is discovered in Damian's studio among some crates that seem to have belonged to one of the family's antecedents, the artist Horace Vernet. Puzzled why a child's toy such as this zoetrope with its dancing figures is included, Russell goes through each item in the crates searching for clarification. What she finds is an encrypted journal that captures her curiosity and has her working long hours to decipher it. Will it help solve the current mystery, or is it just an old riddle from the past?
The action of the story is a balance between the present as Holmes and Russell each search for answers in different ways and locations, and the past as the entries in the journal are slowly decoded. For fans who particularly enjoyed learning more about Russell's past in Locked Rooms, this may have the same fascination as pieces of her partner's family story are uncovered.
Coming out just in time for Valentine's Day - pick up a copy for your favorite mystery lover!
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