jenniekathleen's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable
I liked this little nugget of Holmesian fiction. The story was engaging and the characters were both likable and intriguing
I liked this little nugget of Holmesian fiction. The story was engaging and the characters were both likable and intriguing
mistled's review
4.0
I'm a pretty big fan of Lyndsay Faye's Timothy Wilde series (though I tend to dislike Timothy? Go figure), so that I enjoy this isn't much of a surprise. It's a short 68 page story, written mostly in diary format, about a librarian's experiences concerning the mysterious Gospel of Sheba, an ancient mystical text that supposedly causes illness in those who read it while unworthy. Along the way we are also treated to letters from the protagonist's opera singer wife, who is currently travelling, and from their young daughter Grace, from time to time.
The writing is excellent, the story interesting, and the pacing good. All expected. What I didn't expect was for Sherlock Holmes and Watson to briefly appear. This is in no way their book, and while I normally have a healthy fear of Holmes in stories not by Doyle (he's a very difficult character to write), I was very happy with the treatment of both Holmes and Watson, and their interactions between each other. So much so that I am moving Faye's works that involve the pair higher on my to-read list.
My main caveat in recommending this has nothing to do with the story at all, but with the pricing. The Bibliomysteries is a special series of short works over at The Mysterious Bookstore. As such, they are fairly expensive for their length. So I would say that if you are new to Lyndsay Faye, start with the full length Gods of Gotham instead of this. Or pick this up during an ebook sale. But, if, like me, you're already a fan, and are just after another story by the author (perhaps even one of the signed limited edition copies if that's your bag), you won't be disappointed in The Gospel of Sheba.
Actually, scratch that whole last bit about pricing. Just realized that the ebook is only $2, and the paperback that is $6 actually comes signed. Mine just happens to not be signed because they sent it along with the lettered HC version so I would have a reading copy. So if your library doesn't have Gods of Gotham, the ebook of this is a good way to see if you enjoy the writing style without committing to her longer works.
The writing is excellent, the story interesting, and the pacing good. All expected. What I didn't expect was for Sherlock Holmes and Watson to briefly appear. This is in no way their book, and while I normally have a healthy fear of Holmes in stories not by Doyle (he's a very difficult character to write), I was very happy with the treatment of both Holmes and Watson, and their interactions between each other. So much so that I am moving Faye's works that involve the pair higher on my to-read list.
Actually, scratch that whole last bit about pricing. Just realized that the ebook is only $2, and the paperback that is $6 actually comes signed. Mine just happens to not be signed because they sent it along with the lettered HC version so I would have a reading copy. So if your library doesn't have Gods of Gotham, the ebook of this is a good way to see if you enjoy the writing style without committing to her longer works.
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