The Affair of the Incognito Tenant: A Mystery with Sherlock Holmes [Paperback]

Lora Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2004

In 1903, widow Charlotte Dodson’s livelihood is threatened by sinister events that converge on the small Sussex village where she is housekeeper at a mysterious manor. At the center of a black conspiracy, the only man she can trust emerges as Sherlock Holmes. As the plot thickens:

* credulous villagers whisper that a vampire is on the loose

* a dangerous prisoner escapes from Dartmoor

* the legendary jewel, Orb of Kezir, goes missing

The story is told in the voice of a passionate young widow, with whom Sherlock Holmes falls in loveùas much as his cold, self-absorbed nature will allow him to love. She is an intellectual sparring partner for him, and his match in deduction; and excels in the domestic arts: she foils more than one villain using common household objects and toolsùmuch to the amazement of Scotland Yard and to the gratitude of Shelock Holmes, whose life she saves.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lora Roberts has written numerous books and articles, including six Liz Sullivan mysteries and two Bridget Montrose mysteries. A long-time Sherlock Holmes fan, she lives in Palo Alto, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Daniel & Daniel Publishers (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880284677
• ISBN-13: 978-1880284674
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,445,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bees and Bonnets, September 16, 2004

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Affair of the Incognito Tenant: A Mystery with Sherlock Holmes (Paperback)

Additions to the Sherlock Holmes canon are always to be viewed with a jaundiced eye. Each represents a modification to an imagined history. Questions of its fit and characterization often completely outweigh the simple requirements of being a good story. I didn't realize the Affair of the Incognito Tenant was going to conflict with Laurie R, King's own invention of Holmes latter day life until I took it out of its parcel. Once discovered, Lora Roberts' tale was doomed to be measured with a sharp yardstick.

After this inauspicious start, I discovered that my forebodings were unjustified. This story, while narrated by Charlotte Dodson, a housekeeper, rather than the ubiquitous Watson manages to hold its own prettily. Threatened by the newly escaped Sebastian Moran, Holmes has decided to take himself and his bees undercover to Sussex. There, as Mr. Sigerson once again, he sets up shop at Larchbanks, which has recently lost its master. Charlotte Dodson runs the establishment while awaiting the final settlement of the estate.

What Holme's doesn't expect is to find himself in the midst of vampire attacks, hidden jewels and contentious heirs. Before he and Mrs. Dodson are able to prevent it, the mystery becomes the talk of the town, newspaper writers descend from everywhere, and, of course, Colonel Moran makes his inevitable appearance.

For all its use of a strong female character, the story is very much a traditional story, especially in the case of pacing and characterization. Those who are uncomfortable with King's Holmes may find themselves much happier with this tale, although I found Holmes just a bit too distant. Still, I would willingly read a sequel should one appear (and I hope it does). Roberts shows herself as a skilled writer in a different genre than her usual cozy, and we are the beneficiaries of the experiment.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun, Great Book, May 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Affair of the Incognito Tenant: A Mystery with Sherlock Holmes (Paperback)

Upstairs, Downstairs meets Miss Marple. The Affair of the Incognito Tenant is a delightful book with a great character in Charlotte Dodson, who manages the household staff of the estate Sherlock Holmes has temporarily leased, and a wonderfully realistic sense of the time period. There is mystery and intrigue aplenty, but for me it was immersing myself in the world of the book and chuckling over Homles's and Dodson's exchanges that was the real draw. Highly recommended whether you are a Holmes fan or not.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Holmes pastiche in a while... at least until the end, June 28, 2004

By 

W. Rosenblatt "[e-mail]" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Affair of the Incognito Tenant: A Mystery with Sherlock Holmes (Paperback)

This debut Holmes pastiche, as told through the voice of the housemaid Charlotte Dodson, is one of the best in the genre to come along in some time: a richly drawn character, evocative vignettes of small-town life in Sussex, and Holmes's character absolutely *nailed* (as is Watson's, in his brief appearance). That is, until the end, when he falls for her romantically and a known Holmesian villain appears with a hokey secret weapon. Still, a fun and rewarding read for Holmes enthusiasts. Let's hope for a sequel.