The moment I read what A Study in Silks was about I was interested. Evelina Cooper is the niece of one Sherlock Holmes. Her mother used to be part of the upper class, but fell from grace when she eloped with an army captain. She then fell ill and died of fever leaving Evelina to live with her father's family at the circus. She was taken from the circus by her Gandmamma Holmes in order to give her an education and hopes for a better life. 
 Now, after finishing school, Evelina resides as a guest in the home of her school friend Imogen Roth. However much Evelina has grown and changed in the last few years, she still harbors secrets of her own for she possesses magic. The country is run mainly by the steam barons, a group of men and women who control the electric in certain parts of the city. If you displease them, they will Disconnect you which has the dual purpose of disconnecting a family from both electric and society, for who wants to associate with someone who is Disconnected? If something like magic were to become well known the steam barons could and would lose a lot of money and credibility. For this reason, magic has been made to be feared, those who are thought to wield it being put to trial and usually death. So, Evelina keeps this secret close to her heart. But it also makes her feel as though she hovers somewhere in the middle where society is concerned. Like she can never truly fit in with the upper class, but now with her education she can't go back to her circus days either. 
 Evelina has plans of her own for the future. Knowning she will more than likely not get a season (not be presented to the Quenn therefore banning her from going to social events which would set her up with a husband), she want to furthur her education. She is also interested in science and the mechanics of automatons, something else she feels must be kept quiet. No sooner, in her mind, are her plans set than a servant is discovered murdered in the Roth house. 
 Evenlina wants to spare her friend and her friend's family any undue and negative attention because of the murder so Evelina vows to solve the case before the police get the chance. What she ends up finding is this murder was no simple act. It was the basis for other intrigues and Evelina doesn't know how far in she'll have to go. 
 I really liked Evelina's character. She knows her lot in life. While it may be sad, she doesn't despair about it. She has alternative plans, and she's very intelligent. There's no doubt she will land on her feet no matter the circumstances. She is nobody's fool. Not easily giving her trust, but not breaking from it once it is given. 
 While Evelina is the main character of the story, we are given other characters' points of view. I think this only enhances the plot, but still leaves the mystery and how everything fits together greatly intact. There is still a question of motive for why the crime was committed and what else may have been disturbed by the servant's murder. One thread leads to another which leads to another, until we find the answers only given by Sherlock Holmes himself. 
 Yes, Holmes does indeed get some page time, although he never overshadows Evelina. He only enhances what she's already uncovered working alongside her instead of ahead of her. It was very interesting to see their interactions and see a slightly different side than the classic Holmes we are all used to yet still retaining what we have come to expect of Sherlock Holmes' character. 
 There are still questions left unanswered at the end, and there are questions as to what paths certain characters will take when they are faced with the information uncovered. I do like that Evelina seems to get her own version of Moriarty in one Dr. Magnus. I'm very interested to see how it all plays out. I assume we'll get a continuation of the bigger storyline in the next book A Study in Darkness. I highley recommend this series and can't wait to continue on. 
 *Arc was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.