Book review: Bonnie Macbird’s The Three Locks
The Three Locks
By Bonnie MacBird
Reviewed by Ardy
Having read and enjoyed Bonnie Macbird’s previous Holmes pastiches, I was excited to have this one arrive on my doorstep – and I wasn’t disappointed. I feel like Macbird gets more sure-footed with every book on many levels.
First off, there are not one, but three mysteries in this book: an intrigue between rival magicians; a young woman’s toying with several young men, and a mysterious box that arrives in Baker Street bearing Dr. Watson’s name and little else, and proves impossible to open even by the most determined (and devious) locksmith London has to offer. They link stage magic, romantic intrigues, and a glance into Dr. Watson’s personal past. An ambitious construction, for sure – but one which works and pays off beautifully and very movingly in the book’s final moments. The plethora of settings, from dressing rooms to Cambridge colleges to the seedy underworld inhabited by Holmes’ less-than-savoury associates, is well rendered such that I found myself wanting to spend more time in the various locations looking behind the curtains.
Just as in the previous books, there is no shortage of colourful characters here. The ones I enjoyed most personally were the larger-than-life stage magician Madame Borelli, who designs all her husband’s tricks and is done with never getting proper recognition and, at the polar opposite of the colour spectrum, Deacon Buttons – a character who blends into the wallpaper a little bit too much for the ears of an experience mystery reader to not prick up and wonder what the story is there.
The greatest enjoyment in following this series has been seeing Macbird become more and more comfortable with writing Holmes and Watson’s relationship both professional and domestic. Being, as many Holmesians, a person who loves a good mystery any day of the week but reaches for a Holmes pastiche for the “Three Garridebs moments”, I definitely got my money’s worth. From moments of comedy such as Holmes’ “wet shirt moment” towards the beginning, over them saving each other when in peril, to understated expressions of what is doubtlessly deeply held affection towards the end, their partnership feels real and solid.
What set this book apart from the others for me is how serious it is in its treatment of the social themes. It has a lot to say about class and about the position of women in Victorian society. Especially Odelia Wyndham, the young lady with all the beaus, is a highly complex character about whom I could write a whole post on this blog alone, but that’s for another time. Let me instead recommend you meet the young lady herself. If you enjoyed the other pastiches by Bonnie Macbird, you’re going to enjoy this one as well, but the books all stand up alone, so you can also dive straight in here if you feel like it. If you like your pastiches with social conscience, a dash of action, and a whole lot of heart, this is the book for you.
The Three Locks is published by Collins Crime Club. Find it at your local independent bookshop!
Ardy is thirtysomething. Librarian. Transplanted German. Anglophile. Lover of tea and scones (and, yes, jam. I also own ridiculous jumpers).