Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

SPOILERS begin: Widow and head housekeeper of the Larchbanks estate Mrs. Charlotte Dodson has an unfavorable first impression of new leaser "Mr. Sigerson." She thinks him aloof, terse, and condescending. Later, she would learn of his reclusive tendencies and of his peculiar sedentary habit of bee-watching. Meanwhile, things are hopping in the normally staid countryside of Sussex Downs. Rumors of vampire activity are running rampant; these rumors give way to mass hysteria upon discovery of the vicar's murdered sister, whose corpse displays two puncture wounds on her throat. This bit of news is sensational enough to warrant an invading mob of newspaper reporters, as well as a certain sinister figure skulking in the corners whom only Charlotte seems to notice. Then there's the puzzle of the missing gem the Orb of Kezir, which several folks are furiously trying to unearth, by fair and foul means.

But the biggest mystery may be the one surrounding Charlotte's strange tenant, who keeps odd hours and persists in going around in disguise. Things get too close to Charlotte when a second murder occurs, this time at Larchbanks itself. Now, with danger looming and threatening her household, Charlotte finds herself combining her own keen insights and resourcefulness with her tenant's peerless deductive powers in an attempt to ferret out the murderer(s)lurking in their midst.

This is a pretty nifty premise: what if the Great Detective is in dire need of a place to hide out and happens upon the unassuming Larchbanks domicile? What if the Larchbanks household is head-staffed by a woman whose spirit, intellect and wit match his own? What might be the results of that chance encounter? Will the confirmed bachelor and eternal misogynist find himself tempted? What if you throw in a classic archcriminal like Colonel Sebastian Moran ("The Adventure of the Empty House"), as well as a few unexpected villains and other surprises, into the mix? SPOILERS end.

I thought nothing could top Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series, in the sub-genre of the Sherlock Holmes pastiche. But Lora Roberts's The Affair of the Incognito Tenant is just as good, and maybe even slightly better. Charlotte shares the same high level of intellect as the younger scholarly Mary Russell, but is more earthy and, in my opinion, more likable. Both are equally feisty and don't gladly suffer fools and their condescension. Lora Roberts' Holmes is more physically robust, only in his mid-forties, whereas King's more gristled version of the Great Detective traipses about in full arthritical glory in the 1920s. Both Roberts and King, by the way, have done right by A. Conan Doyle, as the world's first consulting detective is portrayed by both authors in the same spirit as Doyle had originally envisioned him, albeit in new scenarios.

This is the first book I've read by Lora Roberts and I must say I greatly enjoyed her writing style. Her characters are quaint and interesting: I particularly like the brawny cook Mrs. Clithoe, who has a tendency to go into Spasms, "usually brought on by the perfidies of men." Roberts weaves her story with details pertinent to the Edwardian times but does it breezily enough that it doesn't feel like a weighty historical tome. I tore thru this book in one sitting. I really got into the strong lead character of Charlotte Dodson, who narrates the tale from a first person point of view. I get a big kick out of the author pitting her heroine's considerable deductive prowess against the detecting world's vaunted gold standard.

This book is easily good enough to spawn a sequel or three. Maybe, the next time, "Mr. Sigerson" could meet Charlotte's young son Stubby (or Max). That'd be fun. Recommended also are the Laurie R. King's Mary Russell (Mrs. Sherlock Holmes) series and Nancy Springer's young adult book The Case of the Missing Marquess (starring Holmes' much younger sister, Enola Holmes). Hmm, this isn't in the same "vein," but may I also suggest Loren D. Estleman's The Adventure of the Sanguinary Count? That's the one where Holmes goes up against Dracula.

Well written, well thought out, logical mystery. Charlotte Dodson is the housekeeper at Larchbanks, which has been rented to a mysterious Mr. Sigerson (does anyone not see what's coming?). Better than many, I actually preferred this one to Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series; Mrs. Dodson is a much more believable character. And while Holmes does appear to fall in love with her, nothing comes of it.

One problem - the book is set in 1903. Moran has been in prison for fourteen years. 1903 - 14 = 1889. Ummm.... The Adventure of the Empty House, where Moran is arrested after trying to kill Holmes is set in 1894. How tough would that bit of research been?

How cleverly Lora Roberts uses the tasks of our Victorian housekeeper protagonist to make this mystery work! Charlotte Dodson is a wonderful character, and the book is rich with period detail. The mysterious tenant, the Orb of Kezir gem, the suspicious curate, the death of the vicar's sister--all keep the plot racing along. But the true joy of this book is the immersion in the Larchbanks household with Charlotte's intrepid character guiding the way.

In 1903 in Sussex Downs Victorian widow and single parent of a preadolescent Charlotte Dodson does a great job managing the household staff for her employer, retired military officer Major Sir Arthur Fallowes, However, when Fallowes dies, Charlotte realizes how tenuous her satiation is as she prays that the new owner keeps her and the staff on at Larchbanks Manor.

The new resident, Mr. Sigerson keeps Charlotte on at least temporarily. Charlotte finds her new boss weird as he uses the library to work with bees for a book he's authoring on the insects. Meanwhile Charlotte learns from her deceased former boss's solicitor William Bagshaw that Fallowes left her with the Orb of Kezir, a valuable gem that is missing somewhere in the house. While she trusts no one fearing theft, someone kills the vicar's sister Miss Evaline Hanover. The only clues are the time of death occurred just after she returned home from a visit to Larchbanks and that her neck has two vampire-like bite marks. While rumors abound about a bloodsucker, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the case though Charlotte is wary of the famous sleuth walking off with her jewel.

Though Holmes, the who-done-it, and the missing gem take a support role, fans of Victorian tales will appreciate this vividly delightful charmer in which Charlotte and her woes play the prime role. The story line contains several subplots that nicely blend together. The cast is strong even without Mr. Holmes, but adding Sherlock and his compatriot makes more fun for the audience as the ensemble brings out a bygone age intermingled with the sleuthing.

Harriet Klausner

I really enjoyed Lora Roberts new mystery with Sherlock Holmes. It was well done, with twists here and there in the plot. All of the characters were delightful, especially the cook. I do hope that more stories will continue with all of the characters involved. Sherlock was never a romantic, but this story puts a new light on him, and would suit him well to partner with someone as crafty as he is.

I loved this book. Comparisons are indeed inevitable between this and the Laurie King series, and I found this heroine much more engaging (and believeable in the Edwardian setting). In addition, King's Holmes takes a back seat after the first offering (and feels rather one dimensional, to boot) ,but in THE INCOGNITO TENANT, Roberts crafts a Holmes that not only feels extremely RIGHT, but his growing fascination and relationship with Charlotte is as much a part of the plot as the 'mystery' itself. I dearly hope Ms. Roberts will grant us another adventure soon, as I am dying to know what Holmes's reply will be! ;-)

A good story despite some obvious faults such as: If Holmes is going 'incognito' why take his bees along ? Why voice his observations in that manner which is so well known to the readers of Watsons stories ? Except for a beard and moustache he fails to change his appearance or manner at all.
The storytelling and dialog are spot on however and the overall book is well worth the read.

***SPOILER ALERT***
The apparent 'feelings' Holmes develops for Charlotte Dodson are certainly out of character for the Holmes of the canon. However, as Holmes may be reaching the age of what today is called 'mid-life crisis' this may be a result of his examination of his life and his appreciation for an intelligent and observant woman.