Customer Reviews

His Last Bow

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

 

 

I did download this book as part of my compilation of a Sherlock Holmes Collection (which I intend to revisit in the Order written, starting with A Study in Scarlet). I discovered that this edition does not contain all the short stories (such as The Adventure(s) of Wisteria Lodge, The Adventure of the Red Circle, etc).

It is only the epilogue re WWI and Sherlock Holmes - a short story entitled His Last Bow. I won't review the story itself at this time, since I am still collecting.

While it may suit many to download a paid sample, and search for each Short Story here - I have downloaded a sample I plan on purchasing: His Last Bow (mobi). Readers can also download this sample, and collect the individual stories as described above.

So, while the story itself rates 4 stars or more, the misleading title and lack of product description forces me to a 2 star rating.

"Honour is a medieval concept"

This story starts off rather strangely for a Sherlock Holmes tale. Usually we enter the scene at Holmes's study, 221 B Baker Street. Holmes usually already has his nose on the scent of a crime and we are pulled along for the adventure.

This story starts with a study, but it is very clearly not Holmes who is the center of attention. In this very short story, Holmes has come out of retirment as a bee-keeper and has gone undercover to pose as a traitor to the British government, willing to sell secrets during WWII. In a classic double-cross, Holmes reveals his hand at the last minute to trap a German spy.

Since we only get to see Homes at the very end of the crime, we don't get to see any deductive powers in action, which is what makes Holmes so great. This story is a very typical WWII British tale with a lot of anti-German sentiment. If you've never read Holmes, don't start with this one. If you're a Holmes-phile, you might enjoy knowing he retired briefly to keep bees. Who knew?

This Holmes story was written at the onset of WWI. It is an incredible look at an author who is rooting for the home team, and using the intrepid Holmes to fashion at least a fictional victory. Holmes' final, hopeful view of the Great War didn't pan out, alas. It's not a great short story, although it's certainly a highly competent one. However it's a great window into the hopeful hearts of the British as they began their bloody slog through WWI.