Recently found amongst some obscure papers of (surprisingly) H.P. Lovecraft, this new manuscript chronicles a complex and mysterious quest by Allan Quatermain deep into the deserts of Ethiopia in 1872 accompanied by his man-servant Hans and a host of the nineteenth century's most prodigious luminaries-among them explorer and linguist Sir Richard Burton, astronomer Maria Mitchell, and volcanologist Axel Lindenbrock. In the midst of all the danger faced, close calls, magnificent landscapes, wry humor, stern and practical questioning, and even a lost city, Quatermain documents several thrilling incidents, including his finding, no less than the very essence of the meaning of life, which he then-as he frequently did-discounts as a wizard's trick! And, and of course, along the way, Quatermain crosses paths with-not one but two of the greatest detectives of his era!
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
After a lengthy introduction that explains how the manuscript of the present tale came to light, the main narrative of Miller's curious pastiche details an expedition that H. Rider Haggard's great white hunter, Allan Quatermain, makes to Ethiopia in the 1870s. Accompanying him for a variety of political, anthropological and religious reasons are naturalist Thomas Huxley, explorer Richard Burton, Wilkie Collins's Sergeant Cuff and a young Sherlock Holmes (who's traveling under an alias). Holmes, alas, has little chance to show off his deductive skills, while the parallels with the last Indiana Jones film may be too close for some readers. Still, Miller can write well and may yet come up with a strong plot for a novel that blends classic fictional characters with true-life heroes. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thoughtful adventure,
By mcduck (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Great Detective at the Crucible of Life (Paperback)
This is more than an adventure novel; it is far more than just another untold chapter in the life of Sherlock Holmes. By mixing elements of Doyle, Haggard, Verne, Collins, Kipling, and others, Thos. Kent Miller has created a remarkable literary melting pot that will certainly appeal to fans of Alan Moore's "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" series or of Philip Jose Farmer's Wold Newton universe. By using a voice other than Watson's usual eye-witness account, Miller avoids the difficulties inherent in many pastiches; nothing in the writing style should distract the reader from enjoying the epic quest(s) the protagonists undertake in this tale. Their discoveries include both the physical and metaphysical, and Miller leaves the reader with new ideas that will linger for some time to come.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling story,
By
This review is from: The Great Detective at the Crucible of Life (Hardcover)
This story might be over the heads of some, but I found it fascinating. I think the reviewer that said it was convoluted must have read a different story than I did. I highly recommend this book, and am hoping the author will give us more of the same.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fine, Well Crafted Sherlock Holmes/Allen Quartermain Story,
By JWC "SEAL 76" (Atco, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Great Detective at the Crucible of Life (Paperback)
I thoroughly enjoyed Thomas Kent Miller's The Great Detective at the Crucible of Life.The characters were well developed and interesting. It took a different approach to Sherlock Holmes pastiches which made more interesting. I found it intriguing and stimulating. I couldn't wait to finish the book and at the same time not wanting it to end. I look forward to reading more of Miller's work.JWC SEAL 76
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Will Scott, Miss Mitchell, Maria Grazia, Professor Mitchell, Richard Holmes, Saint James, Red Sea, Santa Croce, Duke Stephen, Piero Lorenzina, Sergeant Cuff, Holy Mother, Holy of Holies, British Museum, Captain Endfield, Holy Grail, Maria Mitchell, Richard Burton, Erta Ale, Thomas Huxley, Big Baas, Captain Baker, Count of Mainz, Field-Marshal Lord Napier, Leonardo da Vinci New!
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Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Will Scott, Miss Mitchell, Maria Grazia, Professor Mitchell, Richard Holmes, Saint James, Red Sea, Santa Croce, Duke Stephen, Piero Lorenzina, Sergeant Cuff, Holy Mother, Holy of Holies, British Museum, Captain Endfield, Holy Grail, Maria Mitchell, Richard Burton, Erta Ale, Thomas Huxley, Big Baas, Captain Baker, Count of Mainz, Field-Marshal Lord Napier, Leonardo da Vinci New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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