Dickens & Rumi

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Rafferty's Last Case

Larry Millett · 2022

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Rafferty's Last Case by Larry Millett. This book is content notes include Alcohol or drugs, Death of a character, Strong language; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 9 · Shadwell RaffertySource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsAlcohol or drugs 3/5 · Death of a character 3/5 · Strong language 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 3/5
Series positionBook 9 · Shadwell Rafferty
Recommendation3.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: alcohol or drugs.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: alcohol or drugs.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Alcohol or drugs 3/5
Recommendation 3.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
14Scored categories
14Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth14 scored categories14 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Alcohol or drugs3/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Strong language2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

  1. Book 1 · Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders
    Death of a character4/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  3. Book 3 · Sherlock Holmes and the Rune Stone Mystery
    Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  4. Book 4 · Sherlock Holmes and the secret alliance
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 5 · The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  6. Book 6 · The Magic Bullet
    Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Frightening scenes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 7 · Strongwood
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  8. Book 8 · Sherlock Holmes and the Eisendorf Enigma
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  9. Book 9 · Rafferty's Last Case
    Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Frightening scenes1/5Graphic injury1/5Romance1/5
    About the same

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What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

A murder or death drives the investigation, making death important to the plot, though graphic depiction and prolonged grief do not appear central.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Crime scenes and injuries may be mentioned, but graphic blood or bodily detail appears limited rather than central.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Period slang, insults, and occasional mild profanity may occur, without indication of frequent strong language or slurs.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Minor romantic or relationship elements may appear, but romance is not a major part of the story.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

The investigation creates suspense and occasional danger, but the tone is more mysterious than frightening.

Alcohol or drugs3/5
Why this rating?

Prohibition-era bootlegging and alcohol use are substantial background elements; drinking is part of the criminal setting rather than a child-focused endorsement.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Some physical confrontations and gunplay occur in a hardboiled mystery context, but violence is not the main focus and is not described as extreme.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist consistently shows bravery in facing dangerous criminal elements.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages analytical thinking and following complex deductive trails.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The available information suggests limited demographic diversity, but there is not enough detail to assess representation confidently.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into 1920s St. Paul history and the social dynamics of the Prohibition era.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Loyalty, cooperation, and professional ethics appear alongside the harder elements of detective fiction, but kindness is not the central theme.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Explores themes of justice, integrity, and the cost of uncovering truth.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Rafferty serves as a determined, principled detective standing against corruption.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How were alcohol or drugs portrayed, and what consequences did the story show?
  3. Which choice in Rafferty's Last Case would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Rafferty's Last Case, and what caused that change?
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