Lady Sherlock: Circle of the Smiling Dead: Volume 1 - Softcover

Wachtel, Brooks Arthur

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1614753695 ISBN 13: 9781614753698

Publisher: WordFire Press, 2016

Synopsis

LADY NATASHA (TASHA) DORRINGTON, an emancipated and brilliant detective in 1906 London, is drawn into a deadly mystery involving an ancient pagan curse and a diabolical scheme to plunge Europe into a devastating war. 

An Admiralty courier is murdered, and plans for the Dreadnought -- a new battleship that will upset the balance of naval power -- are stolen. All evidence implicates Great Britain’s international rival: Germany. Tasha is summoned to help solve the crime. She is thus observed by DEIRDRE, the Priestess of a malevolent cult intent on exacting vengeance on Western Civilization for the long-ago decimation of her religious sect. Cleverly leveraging the greed of giant armaments firms in England and Germany, Deirdre plans to frame Germany in an attack on the Dreadnought. In her arrogance, Deirdre decides to simultaneously engage Tasha in a contest of wits.

The story moves from fog-bound London to a desolate island off the coast of Scotland. Deirdre manipulates Tasha's overconfidence, crafting a mystery to lure her into a labyrinth of false leads, lethal traps, and an unexpected romance. As Tasha pieces together the puzzle, Deirdre plays her top card and strikes at Tasha's vulnerable heart by kidnapping her young daughter - left defenseless in her Mother's occupational absence.

It is an epic struggle between two formidable women: one madly intent on enslavement and revenge, the other fighting for a free and rational humanity—as well as the precious life of her only daughter.

"Sherlock Holmes fans will find much to enjoy in this intriguing addition to the literary canon inspired by Conan Doyle's iconic creation. Lady Natasha Dorrington, however, is a character strong enough to sustain the interest of readers who know nothing of the infamous resident of Baker Street. An ingenious and compelling plot provides this fascinating female detective with twists and turns aplenty. I very much look forward to further Lady Sherlock adventures in the future."—Max Kinnings, author of Hitman

About this title

About the Author

Lady Sherlock: Circle of the Smiling Dead may be Brooks Wachtel’s first novel, but he is no stranger to crafting stories, he is an Emmy Award-winning writer with a long resume in television and film. Mr. Wachtel spent his youth as a “Navy Brat” traveling the world. While attending Hollywood High and in college he produced several student films. One, a forty-five minute Sherlock Holmes spoof was the first film ever shot at Hollywood’s famed “Magic Castle.” Wachtel co-created, executive produced and co-wrote many episodes of the hit series DogFights for the History Channel. He also wrote and produced many History Channel documentaries, including episodes of Defending America: National Guard and The Coast Guard. Additionally, he has written The Great Ships, Search and Rescue, The Royal Navy and Fly Past, which won the Cine Golden Eagle Award. Wachtel also wrote and co-produced an independent documentary feature illustrating the history of his famous alma-mater, Hollywood High School. All rights and royalties were donated to Hollywood High to help fill the school’s scholarship funds. His latest documentary project, Silver Tsunami, which he co-wrote and co-produced, details the calamity of the massive and aging baby-boomer demographic. In addition, Wachtel has written more than 100 produced episodes of television fiction- with shows as diverse as Fox’s live-action Young Hercules (starring Ryan Gosling), to animated hits like PBS’ Liberty’s Kids, Tutenstein, Heavy Gear, Spider-Man, X-Men, Robo-Cop and Beast Machines: Transformers. For younger viewers, he has penned episodes of the pre-school hits, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Rainbow Fish. His script for Tutenstein won an Emmy Award. Wachtel has written several live-action features, including Goddess of Death, which he also directed. Other feature credits include Twin Princes, an American-Korean underwater Lord of the Rings-style epic, and The White Gauntlet, the story of a young lieutenant who matures during the crucible of the Second World War. Wachtel serves on the Steering Committee of the Animation Writers Caucus of the Writers Guild, as well as teaching screenwriting at UCLA Extension. He is a performing magician member of Hollywood’s Magic Caste.

Edition details

• Publisher: WordFire Press
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1614753695
• ISBN 13: 9781614753698
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 244