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THE STORY: It is 1920. Violet Sheridan, a young sculptress, is summoned to meet Sherlock Holmes, who is now retired and keeping bees in Sussex. Violet hopes that the great man has invited her in order to commission a bust of himself, but instead he reveals to her that they have a close family connection. Leaving out a crucial piece of the puzzle of her mysterious origins, Holmes abruptly asks Violet to collaborate with him on an unsettling blackmail case that has disturbed his retirement. But rather than join the aging sleuth, Violet embarks on her own investigation in search of her true identity. Holmes, famous for his ability to reveal truths, employs all his waning strength to conceal the facts of Violet’s heritage. Her keen, intuitive sleuthing brings her in contact with several elusive and fascinating women—all of whom seem to have been intimately involved with the great detective. Consulting a medium, at a seance Violet learns some distressing information concerning her birthright, while at the same time, Holmes’ blackmail, and now murder, case becomes intertwined with Violet’s search for her elusive lineage. The conclusion of the mysteries finds Holmes the super-hero forced to confront Holmes the flawed, mortal man, and his dynamic young apprentice is thrust into a situation in which she discovers her true self as she rescues her lost parents from danger.
What secret could be so dark, so deadly, as to rouse the indomitable Sherlock Holmes from his peaceful retirement in Sussex? A secret leading to blackmail and murder and one which brings Holmes and the young Violet Sheridan together. And what do the old detective and young sculptress have in common that they should work together on this case?