First of all, thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC for me to review. Second...I absolutely loved this book!

The story is basically a Sherlock Holmes tale for a younger demographic and aimed more at the girl side of things. While told in a classic mystery style, the main character, Dora, is a young woman. Though it takes place in Victorian London, Dora defies society's norms to help a fellow detective catch murderer. The style of the Holmes novels is kept throughout the story. Secret Letters keeps a slower pace than what most YA's are accustomed to, but it is definitely not lacking in suspense. Though I did have some of the clues worked out by the time I got to the big reveal, there were still a few surprises.

Both Dora and her friend, fellow detective Peter Cartwright, have secrets of their own they are desperate to keep while ferreting out others. Though Dora is ultimately on the trail to help her cousin out of a tight spot, what she does uncover is far wider than mere blackmail.

If you like mysteries—especially ones like Sherlock Holmes--you should pick up a copy of Secret Letters. I also noted that there were enough threads left dangling to hope that this is but the first in a series. I look forward to others should that come to pass. Most definitely recommended.