What Child is This? Book 5 cover art

What Child is This? Book 5

A Sherlock Holmes Christmas Adventure

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About this listen

It’s the season of peace and goodwill, but a Victorian Christmas is no holiday for the world’s most popular detective in this new book from Bonnie MacBird, author of the bestselling Sherlock Holmes novel Art in the Blood.

It’s Christmastime in London, and Sherlock Holmes takes on two cases. The angelic three-year-old child of a wealthy couple is the target of a vicious kidnapper, and a country aristocrat worries that his handsome, favourite son has mysteriously vanished from his London pied à terre. Holmes and Watson, aided by the colourful Heffie O’Malley, slip slide in the ice to ensure a merry Christmas is had by nearly everybody . . .

Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Historical Mystery Police Procedurals Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Winter Christmas Sherlock Holmes England

Critic reviews

“What could be a better present this season than a new Christmas case for Sherlock Holmes? Bonnie MacBird’s worthy pastiche takes us back to 221B Baker Street in a snowy Victorian December.” —The Wall Street Journal

“The brilliant MacBird manages to produce a tale which is both authentic and original, yet pays homage to the genius of Arthur Conan Doyle.”
Dundee Courier

“Neatly emulates the style and tone of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories … If you’re in the mood for light seasonal entertainment, albeit with a serious underlay, look no further.”
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post

“MacBird's series grows stronger with each book and she remains the best and most faithful pastiche writer out there today – bar none.”—The Doyleockian

“As long as there are writers as skilful and observant as Bonnie MacBird to keep the Holmes flame alight, I will be warming myself in its glow.”—FullyBooked2017

“Victorian London comes alive in this enthralling Christmas mystery, written with intelligence, style, and lovely period detail.”
—Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author

What Child Is This? is the most charming, entertaining Holmesian yarn I've read in years… A must read for Holmesians—and others!”
— Matt Witten, author of The Necklace

“Bonnie MacBird’s What Child is This? stimulates the mind while it warms the heart. It confirms what we long believed: Not only is Sherlock Holmes the Great Detective, he is a great man.”—Leslie S. Klinger

“A tender, beautifully fashioned homage to Holmes and Watson, and the power of love.”—Nancy Holder, author of The Wicked Saga

“No one can surpass Conan Doyle at his best, but a select few pastiche writers get close enough that they can almost reach out and touch the master. Bonnie MacBird is one of those writers that achieves this consistently. If you need a Holmes story for Christmas (and who doesn't?) get hold of this immediately.”—The Doyleockian

All stars
Most relevant
I have now listened to all of MacBird’s Holmes adventures. This interval novella has been a charming interlude and I can’t wait for the next one.

If you haven’t already, listen to the series. Darwen is an incredible narrator and brings all characters to life, in a wonderful way.

MacBird has done it again!

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I love this new addition to the series. Not only has Bonnie kept it true to holmes and Watson and the era they had lived in but included modern day problems. another fantastic listen and would recommend to everyone!

outstanding!!

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Wonderful. Love Sherlock and Watson.. A great Christmas adventure. Really enjoyed the characterization and Sherlock's spirit.

a great Christmas story

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BM’s Sherlock stories are always excellent. The narration is wonderful, which makes his mispronunciations all the more baffling…. August - NOT pronounced like the month, but with the emphasis on the second syllable, and Nee is Nay, not nee (just as two confusing examples). But overall finely done…

Always good

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Holmes and Watson in name only. Again everything happens too conveniently. Boring plots. Pointless story. very predictable. listened on x2 most of it.

they just get worse.

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