The Serpent Under
Treachery, Twists and Terror in Baker Street
Published on 1. January 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-00-838092-2 (ISBN)
Description
Holmes and Watson face treachery and danger in the latest full-length thriller by Bonnie MacBird, author of the bestselling Sherlock Holmes novel Art in the Blood.
Murder, jealousy, and deceit underscore three interlocking mysteries as Holmes and Watson take on a high profile case at Windsor Castle, a boy drowned in the Serpentine, and a crusading women's rights activist who suspects a traitor in her organization. The cases send them into danger into locales as varied as the Palace itself, a dockland cannery, an arts and crafts atelier, and a Gypsy encampment. But is there peril underfoot as well - right at 221B Baker Street?
The twisting, breathlessly plotted conjoined mysteries that Bonnie MacBird is known for provide a thrill ride that will delight Sherlockians worldwide.
Murder, jealousy, and deceit underscore three interlocking mysteries as Holmes and Watson take on a high profile case at Windsor Castle, a boy drowned in the Serpentine, and a crusading women's rights activist who suspects a traitor in her organization. The cases send them into danger into locales as varied as the Palace itself, a dockland cannery, an arts and crafts atelier, and a Gypsy encampment. But is there peril underfoot as well - right at 221B Baker Street?
The twisting, breathlessly plotted conjoined mysteries that Bonnie MacBird is known for provide a thrill ride that will delight Sherlockians worldwide.
Reviews / Votes
"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
"Perfectly captures the essence of Conan Doyle's fiction."-Independent
"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
"A clever re-imagining of our old friend, and very, very readable.' -Fully Booked
"The author's latest Sherlock Holmes Adventure is filled with thrills, drama and twists to make it one of the best ones of the series to date." -Love London Love Culture
"One of the all-time great Holmesian pastiche writers delivers a masterful, twist-filled adventure that flawlessly captures Watson's narrative voice. A must-read." -Sherlock Holmes Magazine
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
194 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-838092-2 (9780008380922)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2025
Collins Crime Club
€6.99
Available for download
Person
Bonnie MacBird is passionate about Victorian London and Sherlock Holmes. She lives in an 1890 building right off Baker Street, and fell in love with Holmes as a schoolgirl in her native California. After many years in the entertainment industry as a film executive, Emmy winning producer and screenwriter, she now writes the critically acclaimed Sherlock Holmes Adventure Series for HarperCollins, bringing the much loved detective back, traditional style, in full-length adventures. Meticulous research, a flair for deductions and a decided sense of humour have turned these into fan favourites. ART IN THE BLOOD was translated into seventeen languages and was followed by UNQUIET SPIRITS, THE DEVIL'S DUE and the upcoming THE THREE LOCKS.