Sherlock Holmes and The Case of Sabina Hall [Mass Market Paperback]

L B Greenwood (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Greenwood's second borrowing from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tops her first, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Raleigh Legacy. As narrated by Watson, this is a more plausible and twisty tale, set off by a note from Holmes's university friend, Aubrey Tyson, which takes Watson and the detective to Sabina Hall, the home of Tyson's elderly, ailing Uncle Silas Andrews. The nephew wants a doctor to check on the old man, and Watson obliges, accompanied by Holmes whose antennae correctly alert him to intrigue. The miser Andrews dies of poison, and so does his sister-in-law and heir, Bertha Garth. Not until a third death occurs does the sleuthing genius separate the guilty from the innocent. Among the suspects: a cheeky maid incongruously far from her Cockney neighborhood; ingenuous young Agnes Meredith, Garth's companion; a clergyman, visibly relieved when Garth dies; and Old Neb, whose lucrative business Andrews had closed, throwing the villagers on the dole. The source of the poison, thujone, from the savin juniper, plays an interesting part in the solution of the case. Detective Book Club selection.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Pocket (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671659154
• ISBN-13: 978-0671659158
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,225,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Greenwood disappoints, September 7, 2006

By 

B. R. Leach (Loveland, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Sabina Hall (Paperback)

The plot drags with Holmes doing little but offering to "give much to know..." something or other. There is little of his deductive mind on display and to add to this, the setting is consistantly dreary and gray. Holmes catches no one in a lie, deduces nothing from their clothing, hands or dialect, learns little from research late in the game and watches three victims die. Your reward for sticking the book out is a subtle screed as to the hard life women had and why they need abortion on demand. Holmes ends by agreeing with Watson they're glad they're not women!

May I recommend Larry Millet for a superior Holmes character that stays true to his/A. Doyle's historic period.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Follow the Money, August 12, 2007

By 

Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Sabina Hall (Paperback)

L. B. Greenwood is a teacher who lives in British Columbia, Canada. Her book uses the famous fictional characters of Arthur Conan Doyle (the copyright expired in the 1970s). The style of language seems modern and not as veiled as in the original stories ("paramour"). The `Preface' says the case was too sensitive to be published in the lifetime of Holmes and Watson (p.8). The story begins when Holmes receives a letter asking him to recommend a "resident medical attendant" to a cantankerous and rich old man. Dr. John Watson accepts the job. Silas Andrews was a notorious for exploiting miners (p.21). The closing of the mine brought poverty to Stowe (p.23).

When they arrive they learn Silas Andrews had just died; his death is suspicious (poison). [The description of living conditions suggests a wealth that is exaggerated.] The conversations between Holmes and Watson discuss the possible suspects. Silas's will had a surprise in leaving it all to Belle Garth (Chapter 5). The conversations reveal the personalities of these people. The snowfall stopped the trains, Holmes decided to get information from London about the people at Sabina Hall (Chapter 7). He reads the results (Chapter 8). There is a surprise that changes things (Chapter 9). What is the motive (Chapter10)? Will Holmes and Watson face grave danger? Will another murder turn up? The murderer is found out and his plot explained . Holmes extracts rough justice. Chapter 12 reveals another kept secret about the local pastor, and an obsolete use for dried seaweed. [Would that parish really want him back?] This story seems dissimilar from Doyle's stories. I think Doyle would use the popular name, not the scientific name ("thujone").

[A revolver has its bullets in a cylinder not a magazine. A shot would have quickly aroused the household, leaving little time to play a game with that revolver (Chapter 11). This story would be more ironic if Silas' great wealth was an illusion, like that Maltese Falcon.]

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a nice pastiche, January 8, 2004

By 

Arthur Rozum (US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Sabina Hall (Hardcover)

As far as Sherlock Holmes pastiches go, I quite enjoyed this one. Yes, it is long - it is definitely not a short story - but it easily held my interest even at 2am.