A review by jonathanpalfrey
The Infernal Device and Others by Michael Kurland
3.0
This volume contains two novels and a novelette, all of which are readable, entertaining, and seem thoroughly researched—I appreciate the details.
I'd say the second novel, "Death by Gaslight", is the best of them, being a particularly complex and exciting story. I might give it four stars on its own. However, any rating is provisional, because so far I've read the whole volume only once, and I don't know how rereadable these stories will prove to be.
"Death by Gaslight" includes a revival of the Hellfire Club, which also featured in a 1966 television episode of "The Avengers". And, come to think of it, the style of these stories is not too far removed from that of "The Avengers": improbable villains commit improbable crimes, tackled by eccentric investigators in a rather light-hearted manner.
I admit that I haven't read the original Sherlock Holmes stories (perhaps I'll get around to them someday?), and I'd say it's not at all essential to have done so: these stories can be read and enjoyed on their own. Furthermore, as I'm not a Holmes devotee, it doesn't particularly bother me that Kurland makes Moriarty the hero and Holmes the victim of an anti-Moriarty obsession.
I'd say the second novel, "Death by Gaslight", is the best of them, being a particularly complex and exciting story. I might give it four stars on its own. However, any rating is provisional, because so far I've read the whole volume only once, and I don't know how rereadable these stories will prove to be.
"Death by Gaslight" includes a revival of the Hellfire Club, which also featured in a 1966 television episode of "The Avengers". And, come to think of it, the style of these stories is not too far removed from that of "The Avengers": improbable villains commit improbable crimes, tackled by eccentric investigators in a rather light-hearted manner.
I admit that I haven't read the original Sherlock Holmes stories (perhaps I'll get around to them someday?), and I'd say it's not at all essential to have done so: these stories can be read and enjoyed on their own. Furthermore, as I'm not a Holmes devotee, it doesn't particularly bother me that Kurland makes Moriarty the hero and Holmes the victim of an anti-Moriarty obsession.