Stoker and Holmes

by Colleen Gleason
Stoker and Holmes cover
Good Books rating 3.85
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  • ID: 6931
  • Added: 2025-12-06
  • Updated: 2025-12-06
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
bookwyrmshoard.com · Unknown · 2025-12-14
excellent 4.50

The reviewer loved the Stoker & Holmes series, praising the strong female leads, Evaline and Mina, and the fun, engaging mysteries. They appreciated the steampunk setting and the chemistry between characters, especially Mina and Inspector Grayling. The reviewer found the books to be a thrilling and enjoyable read, with each book leading into the next, keeping them hooked.

The reviewer was immediately drawn to the Stoker & Holmes series, particularly the first book, 'Clockwork Scarab,' due to its unique blend of Sherlock Holmes, vampires, and strong female leads. They found the characters, Evaline and Mina, to be exceptional and relatable, each bringing their unique strengths to the table. Evaline, with her social charm and vampire-hunting skills, and Mina, with her intelligence and analytical mind, form a dynamic duo that solves crimes in a steampunk London. The reviewer enjoyed the chemistry between the characters, especially the tension between Mina and Inspector Grayling, and the complicated relationship between Evaline and Pix. The mysteries in each book are interconnected, creating a compelling narrative that keeps the reader engaged. The reviewer also appreciated the appearances of familiar characters from Sherlock Holmes and Bram Stoker's works, adding an extra layer of enjoyment. Overall, the series was a thrilling and enjoyable read, with the reviewer looking forward to the next installment.

Quick quotes

    Tonight, I ask, on behalf of Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales: will you do what no other young women are called to do, and place your lives and honor at the feet of your country?

    These books are steampunk books that took place in London 1890 so there are a couple difference like they fact that they don’t have electricity but it makes way for awesome outfits.

    Evaline and Mina are both such stronger female leads and I just want to protect them.

hiddeninpages.com · Unknown · 2013-10-02
entertaining 3.55

The Clockwork Scarab is an entertaining steampunk mystery that blends the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Bram Stoker. The alternating perspectives of Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker offer a unique take on historical fiction, though the world-building and character dynamics leave something to be desired.

The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason is a steampunk mystery that cleverly merges the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Bram Stoker. The story follows Mina Holmes, the niece of Sherlock, and Evaline Stoker, the sister of Bram, as they investigate the disappearance of two society girls. The alternating first-person perspectives of Mina and Evaline provide a fresh take on historical fiction, with Mina's logical approach to detective work contrasting with Evaline's more impulsive nature. However, the world-building is somewhat shaky, blending elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction in a way that doesn't always feel cohesive. The mystery itself is engaging, with moments of clever deduction, but some plot points are revealed too early or too late, leaving the resolution feeling unsatisfying. The romantic subplots are also a miss, with the characters' relationships feeling forced and the heavy use of cockney accent in one character's dialogue being distracting. The dynamic between Mina and Evaline starts off contentious but improves by the end, though the constant conflict between them adds unnecessary tension to an already complex story. Despite these flaws, the book is entertaining and leaves the reader eager for more, particularly hoping for a greater collision of the Holmes and Stoker worlds in future installments.

Quick quotes

    I was actually really entertained although not quite in the way I was hoping.

    The book was really Holmes-heavy with lots of sleuthing and detective work and honestly zero vampire involvement.

    The relationship between the girls was a bit… tiresome. They treated each other like nemeses when they first started working together on this case and it wasn’t really until the very end of the book that they started to realize they cared about each other as friends.

pagesplotsandpints.com · Unknown · 2013-09-11
good 3.50

The Clockwork Scarab is a fun and light steampunk read with entertaining characters and witty conversations. However, it lacks depth, world-building, and has a predictable plot. The reviewer enjoyed it but found it a bit silly and would recommend a more serious steampunk read like A Study in Silks.

The Clockwork Scarab is a light and entertaining steampunk novel that introduces readers to Mina Holmes, the niece of Sherlock Holmes, and Evaline Stoker, the sister of Bram Stoker. The story follows these two young women as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths involving a clockwork scarab. The characters are fun and witty, each with their own love triangles, but their voices are somewhat stereotypical. The plot is predictable and the time-traveling element feels contrived. While the book is enjoyable and quick to read, it lacks depth and significant world-building. The reviewer had a good time with it but would recommend it only to those who enjoy lighter, sillier steampunk reads. For a more serious and creative steampunk experience, they suggest reading A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway.

Quick quotes

    The book is told from two points of view... Both girls are contacted by mysterious means to look into a number of deaths of young women.

    This book is a very light steampunk read. It was fun and had a lot of interesting characters.

    The plot is predictable and a bit silly. I thought the whole time-traveling storyline was a bit awkward and contrived.

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