Customer Reviews

The Jewel of Covent Garden

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

 

 

In Worcester's previous Holmes novel, the Great Detective is offstage in catatonia, after being tortured by a maniac, for a large portion of the novel. Even when he recovers, he does little or nothing that is Holmesian and misses quite obvious clues.

Here Holmes is onstage throughout but again does little that is Holmesian. Nor does the plot make a particle of sense. A man plans to steal a priceless jewel, but first goes out of his way to attract the attention of Holmes, then has to waste time in a preposterously convoluted effort to destroy Holmes' reputation and frame him for a murder, so that he won't interfere in the jewel theft. Got that? As in the first novel, the identity of the main villain is obvious from his (or her) first appearance, so the only suspense is related to how Holmes and Watson will foil his plans and bring him to book.

The author's research into 1880s London is good, but used mainly in several Watsonian wanders through the city, in which Watson always views and reacts to things as would a man of the late 20th Century (instead of the late 19th).

Some of the characters are colorful and effective, and the plot keeps moving along. It's not a great addition to the currently huge list of Holmesian pastiches, because the Holmes of this novel is far more a 20th Century Action Hero than he is the world's first Consulting Detective.

While I admire Worcester's research abilities, I do not admire what he's done with our beloved Holmes. This Holmes is very verbal about his plans and feelings, which is extremely out of character.

Worcester also throws in many phrases and words which simply would not be known or used in the late 19th Century. The attitudes are also very modern and very American. While I imagine that Holmes would not dislike a small urchin such as Tommy, I do not think he would have allowed himself to get overly emotional with a client; after all, that's what Tommy was. At the same time, Watson performs many feats that would undoubtedly be extremely uncomfortable, if not impossible for a man his age. Yes, he was a rugby player--years and years before. Not to sound nitpicky, but this book just isn't the real deal.

It may be good enough of a plot and an engaging read for someone unfamiliar with the real Holmes or for someone who is not able to discern the difference between late 19th century British attitudes and late 20th century American attitudes, but it is not good enough for me.

In the 1880s, an eight-year old street urchin with an attitude crashes into the door of Sherlock Holmes' apartment. The lad Tommy insists his Uncle John Godey sent him to show a letter to the great detective. Holmes remembers using a series of lefts and rights to finally send John to prison for safecracking. Apparently, John served his time and is watching over his nephew, but Tommy says his uncle is ailing. The letter is an invitation for Tommy to attend a major social event that only the elite of the elite has been invited to attend.

A bored Holmes accepts the case of trying to learn why Tommy received an invitation. Accompanied by Watson, he visits the hostess Lady Armstrong, who is outright hostile. From her and her more amiable son, Holmes and Watson meet Jack Ryder, a nasty gambler. As Holes and Watson continue to find out what is afoot, they protect their client from harm without even knowing why.

The discovery of the second Watson manuscript, THE JEWEL OF CONVENT GARDEN, is a superb homage to Holmes and Watson. The story line works because the key duo feel as if Doyle wrote their dialogue as in a year 2000 discovery of an 1880s manuscript. The mystery is fun, but what makes Wayne Worcester's tale work is the Holmes-Watson relationship.

Harriet Klausner

This book is not quite Sherlockian. What it is is neatly constructed fun....If Sherlock Holmes and Watson had not existed, the world would never miss them because Mr. Worchester would have created an admirable substitute.

Wayne Worcester's first Sherlock Holmes novel was 1999's "The Monster of St. Marylebone"; in his second book, he gives loyal Holmes readers a much better treat in "The Jewel of Covent Garden". The plot is fast paced and very interesting--there is not a dull moment to be found in this book. The narrative propells the reader forward to find out just why a young boy was given an invitation to a party with those in London's high society; why someone wants Holmes thrown into prison; and what will become of the legendary "Blood of Punjab".