the last sherlock holmes story michael dibdin

The Smith family welcomed a pair of twins, and an expert claimed one a lucky star and the other a curse. He predicted that the lucky twin would become the top scholar in eighteen years. Their grandmother, valuing boys over girls, was certain that the elder brother, Joel Smith, was the fortunate one and tried to kill his sister. A kind maid, Ivy Lake, saved Zoe Smith, who was then raised as a servant in her own home. Years later, both siblings make three wishes, and soon, the Smith family becomes the richest in Halton. Their faith in Joel deepens, and Zoe suffers even harsher treatment—until the scholar's plaque arrives. To everyone's shock, the so-called cursed girl, Zoe Smith, is actually the real top scholar!

Plump heiress Juliet Jenner accidentally saves Emperor Luka Holmes, who, enchanted by her curves, names her his consort within three days. At home, her slim, scheming cousin had led her to overindulge, and her fiancé abandoned and humiliated her for that cousin.Days later, at a royal banquet, the very couple who mocked her are stunned: the emperor’s new consort is none other than Juliet.

On the day of Valeria Castle's engagement, her mother, Marilyn Castle, arrives at the banquet disguised as a cleaner, only to face humiliation from the Hardy family. A wealthy woman fights her over a parking spot, her future mother-in-law enforces strict household rules, and her fiancé demands an outrageous betrothal gift. But Marilyn soon reveals her true identity. Wayne Cuddy, Aaron Shaw, and Basil Brady step in with a billion-dollar dowry, instantly turning the tide. From that moment on, she proves her strength time and again, expertly resolving the crisis at Price Corp. In the end, as foreign capital threatens their empire, she takes Valeria abroad—ready for the next battle.

Sue went missing in her childhood but was later brought back by her biological parents to the Spears family, where she was bullied to death by the family's adopted daughter, Ruby. After being reborn, Sue used her memories from her past life to accumulate wealth by buying property and gold, winning a competition with her original songs, and successfully creating a short video platform. Subsequently, she fought back against the Spears family's malicious targeting, exposing Ruby's schemes, and severed ties with the Spears family, leaving them filled with regret.

On the day of Valeria Castle's engagement, her mother, Marilyn Castle, arrives at the banquet disguised as a cleaner, only to face humiliation from the Hardy family. A wealthy woman fights her over a parking spot, her future mother-in-law enforces strict household rules, and her fiancé demands an outrageous betrothal gift. But Marilyn soon reveals her true identity. Wayne Cuddy, Aaron Shaw, and Basil Brady step in with a billion-dollar dowry, instantly turning the tide. From that moment on, she proves her strength time and again, expertly resolving the crisis at Price Corp. In the end, as foreign capital threatens their empire, she takes Valeria abroad—ready for the next battle.

As the only daughter of the Merrick family, Kirsty Merrick bears the responsibility of marrying into the prestigious Bartley family to lead the Merrick family to new heights, as carefully orchestrated by her mother Evanna Taylor. Kirsty successfully secures a betrothal with Morgan Bartley, the playboy son of the Bartley family's second heir. Unknown to Kirsty, Morgan has been secretly involved with Jess Merrick, Kirsty's only friend who grew up with her in an orphanage. Years later, when brought back to the Merrick family, the kindhearted Kirsty could not bear to abandon Jess, and thus pleaded with her parents to take Jess in as well. Now, Jess has begun an affair with Kirsty's fiance Morgan. To get back at Morgan, Kirsty designs a plan to seduce and intoxicate Nicolai Bartley, the young CEO of the Bartley Group, leading to the start of a dangerous "underground affair."

After Jane Michael married the rich scum Kirk Jones, she suffered endless abuse from him and his family. One day, her sister Judy stabbed her to death. When she was at her last breath, Judy coldly said, "It's all your fault I'm this miserable." When Jane woke up, she was sent back three years, to the day her family held the husband selection for her and her sister. She realized fate had given her a second chance. At life's crossroads once more, just as Jane was ready to avoid Kirk, her sister snatched him, securing the marriage. But Jane made a choice no one expected. She pointed to a young man in servant's clothes, and said, "I have decided to marry this man."

After being separated from her sister Shirley in childhood, Daisy never gave up searching. With a successful career, she founded DS Group, becoming the wealthiest. Revealing "Shirley" as Cindy, she falls under false pretenses. Eventually unmasked by Michael, Daisy regains DS Group from Scott and saves Shirley. Tasked with finding the true Shirley, Daisy, with Michael's help, uncovers Cindy's deceit and reclaims her sister.

Six years ago, singer Emma Hadley developed a kidney disease after childbirth, was abandoned by her boyfriend Tyler, and was told that her daughter had died. In reality, Tyler saved her by donating his kidney, but because he borrowed money for the surgery from Michael, a popular singer who had a crush on Emma, he was forced to leave with their daughter. Six years later,Emma became a renowned superstar in the music industry, still haunted by thoughts of her daughter. Her daughter Lily, singing on the street to raise money for her father Tyler's surgery,accidentally encountered Emma...

Master thief Mia disguises herself as an ugly duckling to rob wealthy men on dating apps. But one stolen watch lands her in an underground brothel, where desperate millionaire Michael offers her a deal: help him secure a dangerous business partnership and he'll set her free. Their target? John Stevenson - the psychotic husband of Mia who she ran away from. Stevenson murdered her parents and thinks she's dead. Now Mia must choose between running forever or finally fighting back against the monster who destroyed her life.

Menard Group's heiress Nerissa gave up everything for love. After her boyfriend Brian Shaffer lost his hearing and speech in a car accident, she walked out on her wealthy family, faked being mute, and spent three years by his side. But once he regained his voice, he turned his back on her. Ashamed of his past and the "mute" girlfriend who stood by him, Brian drifted into the arms of another. Betrayed and heartbroken, Nerissa finally walked away. She was reclaiming her life, her name, and her future. With Michael Yeager by her side, she was done being silent. It was her time to speak, love, and rise.

In Megan Yates's last life, she failed to give her love to the right person, causing disaster to her family and herself, even to her death at last! Luckily, she got a chance to start her life again. This time, she decided to protect her parents and cherish herself more. Yet somehow, she messed with a big shot. A sex-for-vengeance relationship should turn into true love at last...

Frank Collins is invincible inside the Starter Village but helpless outside. After escaping with a temporary buff, his high-level teammates misread his kindness as genius and clear all enemies for him. When a bully attacks his level-one character in public, the system binding to him finally delivers an Invincibility Trial Card at the last second.

In the 262nd year of the Dragova Era, melting polar glaciers and rising seas swallow countless nations. Ancient sea beasts awaken, invading human lands. On January 1 of year 263, the Rank-10 beasts strike humanity’s last territory, Taelsky. Led by General Alaric Thorne, the elite Dragova Squad fights bravely—but by March 12, they are all annihilated.

He is the supreme Grand Duke, a powerful leader with the world at his command. With his return to the South Valley, he has taken up the mantle of bodyguard to the gorgeous company President. Watch as he conjures miraculous wealth while stomping through all the nobodies that dare stand in his way. There's a new sheriff in town — let's see who gets the last laugh!

I'm Sam Archer. Reborn today, I've decided to live differently. In my last life, I was weak and stepped on.This time, I'll be a villain. From restaurant waiter to underground kingpin, I crush my bullies and outsmart even my father-in-law, the mob boss. One rule: my people are untouchable. Stop backing down, and the world makes way for you.

Elena endures seven years of a loveless marriage with Nicholas, who remains obsessed with his first love, Olivia. After their daughter Lily is hurt time and again, Elena draws up an agreement giving Nicholas three final chances. He wastes every last one, forcing Elena to walk away—only for Nicholas to finally realize his true feelings, much too late.

I'm Sam Archer. Reborn today, I've decided to live differently. In my last life, I was weak and stepped on.This time, I'll be a villain. From restaurant waiter to underground kingpin, I crush my bullies and outsmart even my father-in-law, the mob boss. One rule: my people are untouchable. Stop backing down, and the world makes way for you.