Customer Reviews

The Haunting of Torre Abbey

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

From the first time Holmes and Watson enter the ancient monastery, now family manor, you feel the chill that permeates the stone walls. Carole Bugge' has created an ambience that suits two of literature's most beloved fictional characters perfectly. She has given us a ghost, a seance, well defined mysterious characters and, certainly not least, Holmes and Watson together again. I found myself caught up in finding out what was "really" going on in the secretive family of Lord Charles Cary. I felt a part of the author's well described Victorian, dark abbey on the moors atmosphere. The characters are interesting and all have you looking at them for more answers than they are ready to divulge. I enjoyed Holmes and dear Watson as the author lovingly guides them from page to page.I did not purchase the book to compare Ms. Bugge's style of writing to Sir Arthur's. I will always know exactly where on my bookshelves I can find the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and can revisit them whenever I want. I wanted to read a new book that brought Holmes and Watson to the moors again and to an intriguing place called Torre Abbey, which possibly hosts a ghostly presence. I wanted to delight again as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find themselves in the midst of another case which, perhaps, was not as it seemed to be. I wanted to read a well executed and enjoyable mystery ....and, I did in The Haunting Of Torre Abbey!

The first book I read by Carole Bugge was "The Star of India", and I liked it so much that I was happy to see that she was coming out with another Holmes novel. "The Haunting of Torre Abbey" is great--suspenseful, full of intriguing characters, and it has a good plot. I read it all in one day, because I wanted to see what happened next. If you like her Holmes novels, you'll probably also like "Who Killed Blanche DuBois?", which I also recommend.

Imitating a famous author is risky: some fans always resent it.

I have read all of Sherlock Holmes, although I wouldn't consider myself to be a true devotee. I truly enjoyed this novel. I wouldn't take it for Arthur Conan Doyle, but it was good to be back in that ambiance.

The story was obviously inspired by the Hound of the Baskervilles, although the plot and characters are different enough to be pleasing. A young nobleman inherits only to find that his estate seems to be haunted by figures out of local legends. I was a little taken aback by Holmes' frequent comments, regarding the possible occult aspects of the story, along the lines of "there are more things in heaven and earth ... ". At first, it seems tactical, but he says it right up to the end, which would certainly be a switch. Holmes actually doesn't think that the ghosts are real and seeks a human perpetrator.

The reader who is tolerant of imitations and wants another story something like Holmes, may enjoy this. Others should probably reread the originals.

I am not altogether sure why this book has received theaccolades it has. While certainly not a horrible or wasted effort, andalthough it thankfully does not stray into non-Holmes territory (likeHolmes having a wife, or that sort of thing), the book just didn't do it for me.

As with many new Holmes stories, the "voice" of this book is too obviously set in the present day, rather than the turn of the century. Little things jar the reader out of the late 1800's. An English Lord telling the background history of a child born out of wedlock says "what horrible creatures we men can be," This does not strike me as a late 19th Century male perspective. While I can't totally disagree with the sentiment, it makes the story momentarily sound modern. While superior to Larry Millet's "Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders", the very same problem with the "voice" of that title shows itself here.

Also, like that book, Holmes is almost entirely at the mercy of events, as opposed to being able to define, predict, or control them. He runs around a lot, but that's about all. At least there are better examples of Holmes brand of deductive reasoning in Bugge's book.

The character of Holmes is much more defined here, and Bugge deserves credit for that. Even so, his character still seems rather off the mark, even more "touchy-feely" than you may be used to.

Another problem with this book is the constant abuse heaped upon poor old Watson! He's knocked out, he's deathly ill, he's falling off horses, and seemingly doomed to whatever disaster can be imagined. Why, I half expected he would accidentally shoot himself with his trusty service revolver!

The identity of the villain will be obvious to anyone who has read any Sherlockia with even a mild detachment. It was certainly no surprise to me, and I don't consider myself to be a master of Holmes and Watson lore, or Holmes' methods.

The book is okay, and kept me reading, but it is hardly an eclipse of the Master. If you want a present-day take on Sherlock Holmes, than this book will fit the bill. If you want an approach more akin to Doyle, you will no doubt find this book "nettlesome" to say the least.

Charles Cary sends Sherlock Holmes a note pleading with the detective and his associate Dr. John Watson to come to Torre Abbey as soon as possible. Charles insists that the fourteenth century ghost of an allegedly murdered monk is wandering the halls of the complex that was converted into a home over two centuries ago. Holmes finds the note interesting, but the follow-up telegram leaves Holmes worrying about the safety of the Cary family. Holmes and Watson travel to Devon to investigate the so-called spirit.

Almost upon arrival, Holmes concludes that the Cary family (Charles, his sister, and his widowed mother) and the help all hide secrets. He participates in a séance, but still believes that the happenings are more mortal than supernatural. Holmes wanders the moors that he knows from the Baskerville case, but soon finds himself investigating the more mundane, a murder.

As with her first Holmes novel (see THE STAR OF INDIA), Carole Bugge captures the essence of the era in her latest tale, THE HAUNTING OF TORRE ABBEY. The story line is enjoyable and fans of the great detective will relish a return to the famous moors. Though at times, Ms. Bugge allows her love for Watson and Holmes to permeate the tale, both charcaters are well designed and stay within Arthur Conan Doyle's blueprint. Readers who relish more novels starring Holmes and Watson will find Ms. Bugge's homage a triumph.

Harriet Klausner

This was the most refreshing pastiche I've come across in quite a long time. A haunting atmosphere, plenty of narrow squeaks with danger and ghosts alike, and most importantly a solid foundational glimpse into the Holmes & Watson relationship - all are components I like to see in a pastiche and they're all here.
It kept my attention in a very easy, light manner, and I loved it from beginning to end.

Given the current trend to imitate Doyle, I thought I'd give this book a chance. I was disappointed. I read all of Sherlock Holmes when I was 12. The writing was magical and the reader could not predict Holmes' thoughts or actions. With this book, I wasn't a third of the way through it before I knew who the villain was as well as the accomplice. The whole book did not have the feeling that Doyle gave to his characters. There are just some things that should be left alone. Doyle and Holmes are two of them.

I found this book thoroughly offensive. As another reviewer said here, the characters were obviously modern-day. Can you imagine anyone who really lived in Sherlock Holmes' England saying that he was going to "take a semester off from medical school?"!!!

How is it that this hack writer can get another book published? Her first effort was a pale imitation of the genuine article, and this second effort is more tripe from the same garbage can.

Disappointing throughout...A padded short story...Characters have silly actions and motives...Holmes milks a job so he can continue to eat for free.