An Althea Adler Mystery: Book 1
Publication Date: October 6, 2026
Introducing Althea Adler, accomplished thief and daring heroine with a mysterious link to Sherlock Holmes.
A heart-racing game of wits, murder and romance is about to commence . . .
London, 1911. Althea Adler receives a mysterious postcard with just four words, ‘Holmes away from home.’ Surely her mother, notorious thief and opera star Irene Adler, is instructing her to break into Sherlock Holmes’s safe? But when she does, Althea makes a shocking discovery . . .
Still reeling from events at 221b Baker Street, Althea accepts an invitation to a party at Twickenham Towers, the ancestral home of Lord Slough, where a murder throws her into further turmoil―as does handsome fellow guest William, the Marquess of Sheffield, who has been tasked with staking out Slough by the British Government.
Althea and William form an unlikely alliance as they set about catching a killer. But can they trust each other when they both have something to hide?
An addictive new cozy mystery trilogy featuring a super smart, lively heroine, a dashing lord and a fiendishly good whodunnit, perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes’s classic mysteries, Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and Netflix’s The Residence.
When Althea Adler discovers an old photo of Irene in a safe, she begins to wonder if the infamous Sherlock Holmes could be her biological father in Samantha Larsen’s Holmes Away From Home.
While confused and questioning the possible discovery of her biological father, Althea joins a society weekend, only to be pulled into a murder mystery when the Earl of Tipton is discovered murdered in his study. Joining forces with fellow guest William, the handsome and captivating Marquess of Sheffield, the duo tries to outfox a killer.
Althea is the primary character, and I loved her vulnerability, strength, and that she was beautiful while also formidable. Like Irene, she’s intelligent and clever. While she had a difficult life, she was also funny and showed that lighter side.
William pulled at my heartstrings, and I admired his intelligence, wit, and respect for Althea’s abilities.
The way the author presented these two characters in the book, despite their dubious backgrounds, or what life has thrown at them, is that they are good underneath it all.
The writing is sharp and funny, and the story moves quickly. There are no slow parts, and the narrative flows well.
I liked how the secrets were revealed at the end, and I enjoyed the segue to the next installment of this series; I can hardly wait for it!
Whether a Sherlock Holmes lover or not, the mystery and characters are solid and make for a very entertaining read in Holmes Away From Home.
Samantha writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen and historical romances under Samantha Hastings. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She’s the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise.
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