The Angel of the Crows is a historical fantasy adaptation of Sherlock Holmes with a bit of an angelic twist. In this version of 1880's London, every public building is watched over by an angel who is named for that specific building. Werewolves and vampires are well known and have established a truce with humans that allow them to mingle among them. And the distant war in Afghanistan has introduced the terror of the Fallen, former angels who have turned into monsters and live only to kill. It is from that war that Doctor J.H. Doyle returns and in need of housing while healing from war wounds and PTSD, ends up sharing a flat with the infamous private detective, the Angel of the Crows.

There's an afterword for The Angel of the Crows which I feel like would have been better placed near the beginning to set expectations for this story. Addison mentions that this story began as Sherlock wingfic (a subgenre of fanfiction in which characters have wings) and developed from there. With that in mind, it is perhaps less surprising that The Angel of the Crows follows several very famous Sherlock cases, leaving them largely unchanged except with certain twists to fit this supernatural steampunk world. And interspersed between the mysteries are interludes where Crow and Doyle are trying to track the mystery of none other than Jack the Ripper. As someone who is fond of but only vaguely familiar with the different Sherlock Holmes mysteries, I found myself really enjoying the worldbuilding and not minding re-treading old ground with these new elements and characters.

I could see where someone who was more of a plot-driven reader might be frustrated that the story is largely Sherlock with the dressing of this alternate world. However, as a character-driven reader, I absolutely loved seeing the relationship develop between Crow and Doyle. The way that two rather awkward and reticent individuals learn to work with each other and trust each other with their lives was immensely appealing to me. Addison also uses this relationship and the world she creates to play with gender identity, social strictures and finding oneself in a way that I found very compelling. The depth of character and the intriguing way in which these supernatural creatures fit into this steampunk environment completely won me over.

I would recommend The Angel of the Crows to readers who don't mind an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes that feels both familiar and fantastical and that focuses more on the characters and their interactions. It's fast-paced, atmospheric and good both as a book and as an audiobook (despite the narrator's truly atrocious Irish accent for a few of the minor characters). If you're more of a plot-driven reader or are tired of hearing some of the more famous Sherlock mysteries, this one may not be your cup of tea.