Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Dead Rabbits Society [Paperback]

Philip J. Carraher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2001

'With great disbelief Cornelius J. Watson, a descendent of Doctor John H. Watson and his wife, Mary, nee Marsden, held the yellowed, dog-eared manuscript in his hands.'Thus we are introduced to one of the greatest finds of the new millennium, the discovery of a manuscript of Doctor Watson's; the finding of a previously lost adventure of the greatest detective ever to exist, Mr. Sherlock Holmes.All Holmes' fans can rejoice in the discovery. The Adventure of the Dead Rabbits Society is Holmes at his best.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759605130
• ISBN-13: 978-0759605138
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,511,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Philip Carraher was born in Manhattan and continues to live in New York. He is the author of many well-received novels of various genres including the Sherlock Holmes in New York mystery series, suspense books such as "The Killing League" and "Nightside", as well as fantasy and horror novels. He is also the author of one memoir/romance novel ("Wind and Shadow") and one non-fiction theological/philosophical book for tweens and teens ("God vs. The Infinite Monkeys"). At various times in his life, he was an officer in a major financial institution on Wall Street, received a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S Army Special Forces Group, has been an artist and illustrator, a fair rhythm guitar player and song writer, and received a small note of appreciation from Mr. Joe DiMaggio (jotted on a photo) which hangs on the wall of his writing room to this day. He remains a Yankees fan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short and More Than Satisfactory, April 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Dead Rabbits Society (Paperback)

I liked this book very much. I don't normally write comments on the web, but reading Marc Ruby's review I just felt I had to remark on a couple of things he said.

1. He says (asks) why would Holmes help the police and solve crimes when in hiding (from Moriarty's gang? That, to me, is like asking why doesn't Holmes stop breathing while hiding? Holmes must be Holmes. It is second nature to him. I think any fan of the "canon" would agree. This thus strikes me as a frivolous criticism.

2. Marc says the ending (unique to say the least)is "unlike Holmes". Here I think he is totally off the mark. Any reader of the Doyle stories knows that Holmes is not afraid to act "outside" the law when he deems it necessary. Far from being "unlike Holmes" I thought the ending was something Holmes would very likely do. Although the morality of it is worth a discussion or two. It certainly makes Doctor Watson's eyebrows go up when Holmes tells him of it. Although in the end he (Watson) agrees it was the right thing to do.

3. He says it's a bit easy to "get ahead" of Carraher. I'm not certain what this means. Does it means it is possible to figure out (guess) who the killer is prior to the end? Perhaps. But this too is not a true criticism. I certainly did not "get ahead" of Carraher in terms of the twists and turns of the plot and the killing of at least two of the people came initially as a surprise. Anyway, Holmes stories are not really about "hiding" who the "bad person" is (Anyone read "The Speckled Band" and not know right off?) but rather about the logic and display of observation that Doyle (and now Carraher) offers the reader. Holmes mysteries are not about the cliche of having the killer be "the one you suspect the least". Rather they are about the manner in which Holmes solves crimes, the way he "sees" things that others (the police) don't see, and strings together inferences from the smallest detail. That is what (I think)defines a true Holmes story and this is what Carraher's book truly offers. I notice that Marc Ruby does say in his review that the book allows "our detective to once again reveal his scintillating analytical abilities, which barely stop short of estimating the brothers' respective bank balances." I agree with Marc on this point. In fact, that really is the joy of the book (besides the excellent writing) for Carraher does allow Holmes to "reveal his scintillating" abilities, not just once but throughout the book. Holmes is the detective "magician" with the "eyes in back of his head" and that is the Holmes that many other "Holmes" writers ultimately fail to give us but which Carraher offers us in abundance. This book is a must-read for any Holmes fan.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs a Bit More Hare, February 2, 2002

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Dead Rabbits Society (Paperback)

This tale finds Sherlock Holmes ensconced in the Dead Rabbit's Society a brasher version of the British gentleman's club. 'Dead Rabbit,' in turn of the century New York patois, means 'best opponent.' I admit it is an odd name for what is supposed to be a fashionable establishment. Although, given the description of the food, the name may be apt for a different reason. Lest I forget, Holmes is only occasionally Holmes in this story. He is on that infinitely long hegira that lasted from Reichenbach Falls to his eventual reappearance in England, and has chosen Simon Hawkes as his nom de detection.

The story opens dramatically with a woman's suicidal plunge into the Hudson and then switches abruptly to the public rooms of the Dead Rabbit's Society. There we find Holmes/Hawkes discussing the recent death with George Hammond, a Rabbit of long standing. Their conversation is interrupted by a brief confrontation between Franklin and Charles Dunmore that enables our detective to once again reveal his scintillating analytical abilities, which barely stop short of estimating the brothers' respective bank balances. Hammond is appropriately awestruck. Little does Holmes realize that, in short order, Franklin Dunmore is about to become a client.

A week later, attempts on Franklin's life suddenly begin. He turns to Hammond for help, fearing that these efforts are from his brother's hand. Hammond, in turn, recommends that Franklin seek help from Holmes. Despite being busy saving the Police Commissioner from blackmail, Holmes has a flash of inspiration and generously offers to help. While Holmes discovers much, he is unprepared for the swiftness of events. Death comes early in this case and proceeds with nightmarish violence. Holmes finds himself at his wit's end.

Phillip Carraher is a promising writer, but I found the story a bit unsatisfactory. As indicated earlier, Holmes, disguised as Hawkes, and without Watson, never seems to settle completely into his role. He behaves atypically, both in the nature of his disguise and in an unusual tendency to reveal more than he should. If he is attempting concealment from the remains of Moriarty's gang, why he would then intentionally make a point of aiding the police. After all, his modus operandi is well known on both continents. If the gang was really intent on getting even with Holmes he would be singularly easy to come across.

Less tolerable, the plot devices chosen to move the action along are too tranparent, and diffuse most of the mystery. The plot is thin, and it is too easy for the reader to get ahead of Holmes. The ending so is unlike Holmes that Carraher actually has Watson remark on it to Holmes on its retelling. Characterization, however, is quite good, and the writer does a good if slightly over-dramatic imitation of Watson as narrator after the fact.

If you like fairly traditional Holmesian fare (a la Val Andrews), I think that you will find the Dead Rabbits Society a journeymanlike tale, short but satisfactory. If your tastes run to more ambitious additions to the canon I would suggest first looking to Larry Millett and Laurie R. King.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes! You will like this book., October 9, 2007

By 

The Professor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Dead Rabbits Society (Paperback)

I will be succinct in this review.

If you ever wanted to see Holmes in a different setting, being Holmes around a different circle of acquaintenances, living in a different city, different country, different living quarters, working with a different, yet, oft times clueless police department, but STILL solving perplexing crimes...then the ALIAS SIMON HAWKES (The Adventure of the Dead Rabbit Society, The Adventure of the New York Ripper, and Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in New York) series is for you! These three works are excellent and I suggest that every Sherlock Holmes fan buy and read all three!