However, problems exist as someone has robbed sherry, watches, and tie-pins, etc. Charles accuses surly scout Ingram without any evidence. On top of that a coed Dianna Cahill informs Charles and his guests that she has received letters telling her to leave Oxford or else. The latest included a picture of her as a naked little girl taken by Charles years ago. When Charles finds Ingram murdered, the police and the university administration argue over jurisdiction. Everyone wonders whether Charles killed the servant he publicly fired. Arthur and Charles, with some help from Touie, investigate the homicide, the thefts, and the threat.

As with the first three novels in this engaging series, the mystery of THE PROBLEM OF THE SURLY SERVANT takes a back seat to the historical fiction, especially the insight into the two famous authors. The story line is fun to follow as readers see the human sides of Dodgson and Doyle as well as a chance to glimpse at Oxford and understand Touie. The mystery is cleverly designed, but Roberta Rogow's latest pairing is first and foremost a brilliant historical novel.

Harriet Klausner

In 1885 Portsmouth, retired sea captain Arkwright dies from what appears to be natural causes since the elderly gentleman was already deathly ill. However, Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle has some doubts as to the actual cause of death. The daughters of the deceased find Doyle's theories most interesting, and encouraged by their housekeeper, set up a seance to ask their father how he died.

Doyle and a visiting companion, Reverend Charles Dodgson feel as if they are wondering if they are looking through Alice's glasses because the housekeeper dies in the middle of the seance. As the duo works together to uncover a killer, they place themselves in potential danger of being the next victims. Still they strongly feel they must identify the murderer.

THE PROBLEM OF THE SPITEFUL SPIRITUALIST is a finely tuned, extremely original late Victorian mystery that readers of historical who-done-its, Holmes, and Carroll will immensely enjoy. The story line is complex and entertaining. However, the characters own this creative tale as readers gain an authentic feel for the era, especially through the minds of two of literature's superheavyweights. Roberta Rogow is quickly developing a following with her unique style that leaves an enjoyable aftertaste.

Harriet Klausner

Richard receives a note threatening the life of Alicia if he fails to withdraw his bill, one that will raise the age of consent in an attempt to end the horrid practice of child prostitution. When the kidnapped girl's nanny is soon found dead, the two famous English writers know they must work fast to save Alicia's life.

THE PROBLEM OF THE MISSING MISS is a fun to read historical mystery that deserves attention from fans of the genre because of the two writers who star in the book. Newcomer Roberta Rogow brilliantly develops the juxtaposition between the humorous exchanges of her two lead protagonists and the seriousness of child prostitution that is prevalent in Victorian society. However, it is the characterizations of Carroll and Doyle that are a delight and their jocular interplay turns the novel into a fabulous story. Readers will want more tales starring these two great authors.

Harriet Klausner

I also kept getting side-tracked by all the famous (or infamous)personalities that popped up all over the book. For example, in the first chapter Beatrix Potter is despatched from the offices of the Youth's Companion in tears by the boorish behaviour of the soon-to-be-dead editor, Samuel Bassett. And I found to my dismay that I was not really following the plot so much as keeping an eye out for further such personages to creep up!

What I truly liked about this book was the descriptions of London during the winter and the Trafalgar Square Riots of 1886. Ms Rogow not only described this event masterfully but she also provides the reader with an intelligent and informative background to the event. I also found the subtle manner in which she presented class distinctions -- the way in which she portrayed the impact of these riots and what it meant to different people of different classes -- admirable.

This was not a badly written book (especially from a historical point of view); it is just a pity that so many other things got in the way of a more interesting plot that could have saved the book.

However, his anger cools when someone kills Basset. The police feel the odious editor died due to Labour Riots that rock London. Dodgson thinks otherwise. Drafting Doyle to assist him, Dodgson begins to investigate the murder of the evil editor, especially when a second murder occurs and Wilde is the prime suspect.

THE PROBLEM OF THE EVIL EDITOR is an entertaining who-done-it due to the homage paid by Roberta Rogow to her heroes and other artistic giants of the late nineteenth century. Though lacking suspense, the story line remains fun because of the interplay and wit of the cast. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and fans of the two lead protagonists will enjoy the third Doyle-Dodgson collaboration (see THE PROBLEM OF THE MISSING MISS and THE PROBLEM OF THE SPITEFUL SPIRITUALIST).

Harriet Klausner