USA Today-bestselling author Sherry Thomas decided years ago that her goal in life is to write every kind of book she enjoys reading. Thus far she has published romance, fantasy (young adult), mystery, science fiction, and three wuxia-inspired titles, including a YA Mulan retelling. Her books regularly receive starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications, including such outlets as the New York Times and National Public Radio.
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A Study in Scarlet Women, A Conspiracy in Belgravia, and The Hollow of Fear, the first three entries in her gender-bending Lady Sherlock historical mystery series, are all NPR best books of the year.
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Sherry emigrated from China at age 13 and English is her second language.
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Acknowledgments
Kerry Donovan, who has been a dream editor. Jessica Mangicaro, Tara O’Connor, and Mary Baker at Penguin Random House, for their always excellent work. And to the production team, members of whom I have never met, for putting up with my messy page proofs year after year—you are heroes!
Kristin Nelson, my incomparable agent, who is just superior day in and day out.
Janine Ballard, who gives incredibly detailed and guided critiques. Even if I am the one groaning under the weight of 500 comments, I am still amazed by my good fortune at every turn.
Kate Reading, the perfect narrator for these books.
My family, for being such great people.
My brain, which held up for this book too—to be sure there were moments when I thought it would implode.
And you, if you are reading this, thank you. Thank you for everything.
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Miss Moriarty, I Presume? © 2021 by Sherry Thomas
Cover design © Frauke Spanuth of Croco Designs
All rights reserved. Where such permission is sufficient, the author grants the right to strip any DRM which may be applied to this work.
Contents
Introduction
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
The Magnolia Sword: A Ballad of Mulan—An Excerpt
Chapter 1
More Books by Sherry Thomas
About the Author
Acknowledgments