Reviews

The Brothers of Baker Street by Michael Robertson

ellamarieedel's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this book. While I can't say I loved it, or would have to reread it, it was definitely a fun read and had enough going on to keep me entertained and interested. The whole series makes a lot more sense if you start at the beginning, as there are quite a few references to the first book.

My favorite thing about this series is the writing. It's just really good. I also enjoy the plot of all of Robertson's books – it's fast paced and complex, which makes you want to read the whole book in one sitting. I enjoy the characters as well, though I feel at times Reggie is hard to relate to, but is overall fairly likeable.

Check out the rest of this review and others at my blog: www.thisgirlwritesprose.blogspot.com

crimsonpermanentassurance's review against another edition

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3.0

Fun, quick read. A bit weak on the "mystery" and the writing got a bit messy near the end, but strong on atmosphere.

bookcraft's review against another edition

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2.0

Not really a fan of the mentally ill villain trope.

snowbenton's review against another edition

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1.0

This was so bad it's legitimately hilarious. It feels like Robertson wanted to write a noir without ever having read one. One character in this modern, cell-phone-filled book, legitimately asks another character if you can change the font before printing something out. Another gaffe is when a character can't dial the emergency number from a locked phone; as far as I know, all phones can do that for safety reasons.

The mystery was outrageous and stupid; the denouement outrageous and disappointing.

This was the second in the series. I have not and will not read the first. Thankfully, since not one of these characters has the personality that god gave a square of singly ply toilet paper, I didn't feel like I missed anything.

mpetruce's review against another edition

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3.0

The second in a series of books about two lawyer brothers who have offices at 221 B Baker Street in London, famed address of Sherlock Holmes. As I mentioned in the review of the first book, the author is a Boilermaker, so I am "reading local" or whatever you want to call it.

I enjoyed this one more than the first. Like the first, I don't think the chain of events would stand up to the way the law really works, but still, reading these is like watching a fun detective show on television. They are quick reads and I heartily recommend them as good books-to-read-when-you're-in-between-books reads.

This installment finds the Heath brothers back in London, with Reggie going back into criminal law to defend a cab driver accused of murder. All the while, he is still getting letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes (because he's at the address), with one coming from a vengeful "descendent" of Professor Moriarty.

One note, I was hoping to find that the name of a character would be an anagram of a famous Holmes character, and it comes so close, but not quite. It would have been a nice touch.

The narration is by the terrific Simon Vance, which I credit a good portion of my enjoyment of this book to. You really can't go wrong with an audio book narrated by Vance.

jennl's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5

dannb's review against another edition

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2.0

Light read...but not as billed. I didn't find it Holmesian at all...and as a mystery too much is left out to figure it out yourself.

After I started reading, I noticed it's a "second", but too much of it refers to the first. If the reader hadn't read the first (like me) there were continuing references that made no sense...kind of like when you have a conversation with someone who thinks you already know what they are talking about.

sara_h's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

acinthedc's review against another edition

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3.0

The second in a series that has a great premise. Letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes must be answered by the second floor tenant of a building on Baker Street. Reggie Heath a barrister finds the letters to be an annoyance and passes them on to his brother, Nigel, to answer.

Unfortunately, Robertson isn't quite able to deliver a story on par with Arthur Conan Doyle. This second entry in the series does come the closest, with a threat made in a letter from Moriarty, a series of crimes connected to the black cabs that roam the streets of London, and lots of red herrings. I still found this book to be somewhat predictable, although there was a little more character development,

bookishbird's review against another edition

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4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although I enjoyed The Baker Street Letters, the first book in this series as well, I found The Brothers of Baker Street to be much more exciting and engaging.