graff_fuller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really do love Sherlock Holmes stories. I used to pick them up as a kid and denour them. Nowadays, I read gender bent stories and NOW reading this series. Just love the template that lovers of Holmes-like stories love.
The author is definitely a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, for he captured them impeccably. He was passed the baton, carried it with care, then handed it off to the next author to tell a new story.
Loved this story, too. I'm not into the occult (obviously), but how he was able to write from their perspecitves...was genius.
Also, the use of real life persons, too...helped shape the worldbuilding and the storytelling that went to make this story realistic.
I loved the dynamic between Holmes and Watson, too. AND, I agree that giving Watson's wife the legit death, gave the ability for Watson to mourn for his love, which I appreciated.
From the very beginning, I was with Holmes, which was odd...for most of the time I am usually standing with Dr. Watson, BUT this time...I was cold to the demons, and held with the brutal facts of logic on this sorted tale.
I loved the reveal, too. So well done...and the way it culminated, made the previous pages feel earned.
Lastly, loved how the author pulled back the curtain (enough) to show what was real and what was fictional. Thank you...for trusting us to show us the trick. Again, thank you.
The author is definitely a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, for he captured them impeccably. He was passed the baton, carried it with care, then handed it off to the next author to tell a new story.
Loved this story, too. I'm not into the occult (obviously), but how he was able to write from their perspecitves...was genius.
Also, the use of real life persons, too...helped shape the worldbuilding and the storytelling that went to make this story realistic.
I loved the dynamic between Holmes and Watson, too. AND, I agree that giving Watson's wife the legit death, gave the ability for Watson to mourn for his love, which I appreciated.
From the very beginning, I was with Holmes, which was odd...for most of the time I am usually standing with Dr. Watson, BUT this time...I was cold to the demons, and held with the brutal facts of logic on this sorted tale.
I loved the reveal, too. So well done...and the way it culminated, made the previous pages feel earned.
Lastly, loved how the author pulled back the curtain (enough) to show what was real and what was fictional. Thank you...for trusting us to show us the trick. Again, thank you.
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rhiannonxgrace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was absolutely brilliant! A cleverly crafted mystery with a brilliant twist I didn’t see coming (but in hindsight realised the clues had been there all along. I really enjoyed the portrayal of Holmes and Watson in this, there were some really brilliant moments between the pair. I’m not overly squeamish when it comes to horror and gore in books, but there were a few moments in this that were written so vividly that I couldn’t help but feel it
prashiie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A Sherlock Holmes story with a supernatural twist.
Nothing against Guy Adams, his writing was on point. But this could have been a great mystery book without involving Sherlock Holmes!
After reading this book, I realised that I'm not a big fan of non-canonical Sherlock Holmes books.
Nothing against Guy Adams, his writing was on point. But this could have been a great mystery book without involving Sherlock Holmes!
Spoiler
Holmes does bring a "there's always a reasonable explanation for everything" vibe, but so could any well-written character!After reading this book, I realised that I'm not a big fan of non-canonical Sherlock Holmes books.
stewie's review against another edition
3.0
More of a Watson book than Holmes, but still has its moments.
You can read my full review at HorrorTalk.com.
You can read my full review at HorrorTalk.com.
sean67's review
2.0
About as memorable and lasting in impact as a fart in the ocean.
I just didn't get excited about this one at all.
I do have to say I have read a lot of Holmes stories and yet very little of the original source material, that is something I need to rectify!
I just didn't get excited about this one at all.
I do have to say I have read a lot of Holmes stories and yet very little of the original source material, that is something I need to rectify!
tarheel99's review against another edition
4.0
This one was a fun, very quick read, and not quick because it was only 240 pages, but quick because it read very easily. Wish the book was longer, and the story had some more depth to it, but all in all I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
smellbelle's review against another edition
4.0
On the whole I liked this. Adams' Holmes is one true to Conan Doyle's and one that I liked very much. He wasn't actually in this novel as much as I'd have liked, however Conan Doyle was prone to having Holmes disappear for good portions of a case, as he is really, a solitary sort of soul. The writing here however was effortless, funny and completely right for the period in which the novel is set.
The interspersing of what is termed the Supernatural in this is something that I thought was an interesting concept, and certainly one that would challenge Holmes. Adams here didn't go as far as I think he could have with Holmes' difficulty to accept things that are beyond explanation, the juxtaposition between rationality and the occult or supernatural could have been more pronounced. However, given Adams' clear desire to keep a little humour in the novel, I can understand why he didn't take it as far as he could have.
In sum, an enjoyable little read that is funny and original in plot, even if it does borrow here and there from characters that others originally wrote.
The interspersing of what is termed the Supernatural in this is something that I thought was an interesting concept, and certainly one that would challenge Holmes. Adams here didn't go as far as I think he could have with Holmes' difficulty to accept things that are beyond explanation, the juxtaposition between rationality and the occult or supernatural could have been more pronounced. However, given Adams' clear desire to keep a little humour in the novel, I can understand why he didn't take it as far as he could have.
In sum, an enjoyable little read that is funny and original in plot, even if it does borrow here and there from characters that others originally wrote.
queerbillydeluxe's review against another edition
4.0
I love this entire series! I have a bunch more to go, but I hope they keep publishing them!