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lavins's review against another edition
3.0
The book is interesting, the plot has some good twists. The ending is good, nicely explained. I feel that the book could have been a bit shorter.
aruned's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
breadandmushrooms's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
maeva_xena's review against another edition
I unfortunately didn’t connect with the story even though I love this Victorian period, the writing especially was not for me😕
karenholmes's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while since I read a Sherlock story (at least a year, maybe more) but Horowitz has done it so right that I could feel Doyle writing it almost everywhere. There are more modern parts, I know. And there are reflections the original Watson doesn't think. Like what he thinks of Mrs. Hudson or humanizing Lestrade.
But all in all, a great and enjoyable read. The mystery is not a big one, but it is very fitting to a Holmes story.
Nice and smooth read. A bit longer than the originals. There are some parts that didn't need to be. But all in all no regret and a nice read.
But all in all, a great and enjoyable read. The mystery is not a big one, but it is very fitting to a Holmes story.
Nice and smooth read. A bit longer than the originals. There are some parts that didn't need to be. But all in all no regret and a nice read.
fiddler76's review against another edition
4.0
I started this one wondering why there was so much more hype to this latest Sherlock novel, when there had been quite a few others (including by Arthur's son). In the initial few chapters, i couldnt help but compare this book with [b:The Final Solution|16696|The Final Solution|Michael Chabon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166740674s/16696.jpg|818664] which i had read recently and liked a lot. In that book, Michael Chabon writes in his own style, not trying to mimic anything from the original Sherlock Holmes stories, other than of course the characteristics retained by a much older Sherlock.
Again, at first even the plot seemed to be something straight out of some of the original stories, and I felt that this was going to turn out as just another attempt at duplicating what worked for Sir AC Doyle at the end of the 19th century. Will it really work in the 21st? As a new novel, for an audience used to a much changed styles and themes?
But gradually, i did get absorbed into the book. I could see that Anthony Horowitz was being true to the stlye of Sir Arthur, but there were some things which were new and by the time the mystery is revealed, it feels very right for both the time when the story is set and also the time when it is being read. Its a fast-paced story, absorbingly convoluted, and definitely more complex than any of the original stories and novels. The conclusion is extremely satisfying in the way it brings all the threads together, and packs in a good wallop of surprise! There is an afterword by the author (which should be read as just that - an afterword), and it really goes to explain some of his decisions regarding styles and themes he has used, and it convinced me that he made the right decisions. Unfortunately, it also says that this is the only Sherlock Holmes novel he has been commissioned to write by the AC Doyle estate.
Very good book, this should be a must-read for any Sherlock fan!
Again, at first even the plot seemed to be something straight out of some of the original stories, and I felt that this was going to turn out as just another attempt at duplicating what worked for Sir AC Doyle at the end of the 19th century. Will it really work in the 21st? As a new novel, for an audience used to a much changed styles and themes?
But gradually, i did get absorbed into the book. I could see that Anthony Horowitz was being true to the stlye of Sir Arthur, but there were some things which were new and by the time the mystery is revealed, it feels very right for both the time when the story is set and also the time when it is being read. Its a fast-paced story, absorbingly convoluted, and definitely more complex than any of the original stories and novels. The conclusion is extremely satisfying in the way it brings all the threads together, and packs in a good wallop of surprise! There is an afterword by the author (which should be read as just that - an afterword), and it really goes to explain some of his decisions regarding styles and themes he has used, and it convinced me that he made the right decisions. Unfortunately, it also says that this is the only Sherlock Holmes novel he has been commissioned to write by the AC Doyle estate.
Very good book, this should be a must-read for any Sherlock fan!
harmonictempest's review
4.0
Pretty good! Definitely scratches the Holmes itch, though there’s a certain amount of updated tone and style that I think was unavoidable.
Having it “written by Watson at the end of his life” gives the author some leeway for more commentary on Victorian society, which was generally good, though it did serve to make me conscious over and over that this wasn’t an original Holmes story.
Ultimately, this fell short of 5 stars because he didn’t manage to duplicate Holmes’ voice or logic. He has a few scenes that exactly duplicate the trope of Holmes telling someone all about their life 30 seconds after meeting them, but the overall way he pursued the mystery and made decisions that were always purely logical just didn’t match Arthur Conan Doyle.
Still, a satisfying mystery.
Having it “written by Watson at the end of his life” gives the author some leeway for more commentary on Victorian society, which was generally good, though it did serve to make me conscious over and over that this wasn’t an original Holmes story.
Ultimately, this fell short of 5 stars because he didn’t manage to duplicate Holmes’ voice or logic. He has a few scenes that exactly duplicate the trope of Holmes telling someone all about their life 30 seconds after meeting them, but the overall way he pursued the mystery and made decisions that were always purely logical just didn’t match Arthur Conan Doyle.
Still, a satisfying mystery.
queenie_beanie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I've only read two or three Sherlock stories so I'm far from being a superfan, but the tone, writing, and characters all felt very true to the spirit of the originals. Best of all, there were numerous turns in the plot that I didn't guess which made the mystery really engaging. The subject matter at the core of the story is very dark, but the descriptions are vague and not explicit in the least.
claire_dobson's review against another edition
4.0
A very well written and engaging novel. A must read for all Sherlock Holmes fans.
acastor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0