London. A snowy December, 1888. Sherlock Holmes, 34, is languishing and back on cocaine after a disastrous Ripper investigation. Watson can neither comfort nor rouse his friend – until a strangely encoded letter arrives from Paris.Mlle La Victoire, a beautiful French cabaret star writes that her illegitimate son by an English lord has disappeared, and she has been attacked in the streets of … streets of Montmartre.
Racing to Paris with Watson at his side, Holmes discovers the missing child is only the tip of the iceberg of a much larger problem. The most valuable statue since the Winged Victory has been violently stolen in Marseilles, and several children from a silk mill in Lancashire have been found murdered. The clues in all three cases point to a single, untouchable man.
Will Holmes recover in time to find the missing boy and stop a rising tide of murders? To do so he must stay one step ahead of a dangerous French rival and the threatening interference of his own brother, Mycroft.
This latest adventure, in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, sends the iconic duo from London to Paris and the icy wilds of Lancashire in a case which tests Watson’s friendship and the fragility and gifts of Sherlock Holmes’ own artistic nature to the limits.
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Shortly after his marriage, Dr. John Watson is summoned back to 221B Baker Street where his friend is in a black state. While there, an encoded letter arrives and takes both men to Paris on a case to find a cabaret star’s missing son. But the missing child is just the tip of an iceberg of a larger, more sinister conspiracy, one that will test Holmes and Watson.
The author does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s writing. Holmes did come across as a bit more…manic that I think was hinted at in the original stories, but other than that the author captures the detective and Dr. Watson fairly well. I especially liked the friendship they had.
It was the author’s portrayal of Mycroft Holmes that rubbed me the wrong way. I did not like how maliciously manipulative he was in this story. Perhaps the author took inspiration from the BBC’s portrayal of the character in Sherlock, but this made one of my favorite characters unlikeable.
The mystery itself was alright. I guessed the solution when a certain character was introduced. The plot also takes a dark turn towards the end, and those who are sensitive to child abuse might want to avoid this one.
Readers who don’t mind darker tones to their mystery and are looking for a Sherlock Holmes pastiche might enjoy this one.
I have found that I am very picky when it comes to Sherlockian stories. If 2020 taught me anything that is it. I have gone through many and only liked a few. Most of them were never finished. I am soo happy to say that this one does not disappoint.
I was pulled into this story from the beginning. I loved the writing in this story it mimics Doyle’s well and it made me feel like I am really reading additional stories. The pacing was spot on I did not feel the story lag at any point.
If you enjoy Sherlockian stories then I highly suggest you picking this one up.
I can not wait to pick up the next book in this series!
Loved the way the author recreated the voice of Arthur Conan Doyle. It was a great mystery also.
Interesting take on sherlock
Not to miss if you are interested in Sherlock Holmes
Thi is very true to the old Sherlock books. Good storytelling!
Readable rendition of a Sherlock Holmes story.
Nice to read a well crafted book similar to the original.
This was a terrific book……in my mind anyway! The writing was wonderfully readable and I kept wondering what was going to happen next. I kept seeing Jeremy Brett as Sherlock……….cannot recommend this highly enough! It’s a keeper.
Written like classic Doyle
Perhaps best Holmes novel since Seven Percent Solution.
I have read most of the books Sherlock / Mary Russell books by Laurie R. King and the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas and think this book is a great contender into the Sherlock adaptations.
I will certainly look forward to reading the next books and the continuing stories.
True to Doyal’s style.
I have read it twice and find it very well done for a Sherlock Holmes story. I enjoyed it!
Great read – an unpredictable, easy-to-read Sherlock Holmes mystery!