John R. King (2)

I have to admit up front that I've been friends with this author for nearly 20 years, so there's the potential for a bit of bias.

That said, I'm shocked by the low grades this book has on Goodreads reviewers; the bulk of the 2- or 1-star grades all seem to be linked to the fact that "it's not Sherlockian" enough or somesuch. If you were expecting this to be an imitation of Doyle, you're not reading the dust jacket and thus are coming to a chamber symphony expecting an opera (and will thus be confused or disappointed). Don't slam a book because it doesn't meet expectations that were never promised in the first place--judge a book on its own merits, not what you wish the author had written.

I've read a few Holmes stories but absorbed more through movies and whatnot. I'm a fan of Holmes via pop culture, not its canon. Thus, I really enjoyed this book. A fast-paced story that moves on a number of levels.

If you want a fun read that plays with the conventions of three major 19th century fictions, this is a great novel. Sherlock Holmes (and Moriarty), Carnacki the Ghost-Finder, and Jack the Ripper all in one = fun.

Steven
who laughed aloud at some of the hidden in-jokes among writer friends in this book… (més)