Customer Reviews

Sherlock Holmes and The Case of Sabina Hall

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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.

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.]

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.