Title: A Scandalous Affair (The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, #8)
Author: Leonard Goldberg
Rating: 3.5 ⭐
Format: Audiobook
Publication Date: 15th July 2025

**Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review.**

I usually reach for standalones over series, but a historical mystery starring the daughter of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler? Well, that was far too tempting to ignore. Even knowing I was jumping in at Book 8, I couldn’t resist. The premise had me from the start—cozy, clever, and full of that classic detective charm that I’ve loved since childhood.

The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries is my first experience with Leonard Goldberg’s writing, and A Scandalous Affair was an enjoyable entry point. Joanna—Holmes and Adler’s daughter—is now Mrs. Watson, married to John Watson’s son and solving mysteries in her father’s image. With Watson Jr. narrating (much like his father once did), it felt familiar in all the best ways.

The story is light, engaging, and very easy to get caught up in. There’s a certain comfort in how Goldberg leans into the Holmesian style, even as the series transitions into Edwardian London. Though the time period has shifted, the tone still feels rooted in that foggy, deductive atmosphere we associate with Holmes. Occasionally, the language feels more Victorian than Edwardian, which pulled me out just a bit—but not enough to dampen the experience.

As someone introduced to Holmes through my mum’s well-worn copies of Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories (lovingly left behind in her childhood bedroom at my grandparents’ home), this felt like a quiet nod to those formative reads I so much enjoyed growing up. In fact, the original Holmes stories were a huge part of how I learnt English as a child, so stepping into this world again, with new voices and a new generation, felt both nostalgic and fresh.

My only real critique is the resolution... it wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. Everything seemed to fall into place at once, and I found myself wishing for just a bit more tension or complexity in the reveal. But overall, this was a fun, well-paced listen, with a smart and capable heroine leading the way.

Steve West’s narration was a highlight. His performance perfectly captured the mood—measured, expressive, and full of just the right 'gravita' for a Holmes-style mystery. He was absolutely the right voice for this audiobook.

While I know I missed some character development by starting in the middle, it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment. I’m already planning to go back to The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes and start the series from the beginning. This is a cozy, clever mystery series that I am more than happy to add to my shelves!