Legendary detective Sherlock Holmes is forced to deal with a plague that threatens to engulf the whole country. Victorian London is besieged by a new and terrible kind of creature. Dripping with carnage, mayhem, and some of the worst haircuts in recorded history, see how the great sleuth defies death and deals it out. Will Watson avenge the cat? And can Victorian life ever recover ... "I may be wrong about this, but I think you've really got something with this Sherlock character of yours...Solving crimes, playing the violin, that schlubby Watson - where the hell did you get this idea?" Michael Gerber, author, Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Chris Wood writes so well that the reader must seek information before beginning his books to realize that he is a humorist of the highest order: his Sherlock Holmes series (this is his second after SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE UNDERPANTS OF DEATH) is a parody not only of the quintessential detective and his partner Dr. Watson, but also a roasting of Victorian conventions and even current UK government and present social mores.
The book contains four stories or novellas, the title of the book SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE FLYING ZOMBIE DEATH MONKEYS is the leading and most hilarious of the group. In addition to the title story the book contains A SCANDAL IN BURNLEY, THE PAIN OF THE PIANOFORTED PARTS, and THE MYSTERY OF THE SPECKLED WANG. Wood places Dr. Watson as the narrator and Wood's Watson is not always that respectful of his colleague! The title story finds Holmes and Watson led to the underground area of Parliament (where above them the politicians are described as 'The regular drone of issues being discussed was interrupted only by the steady hum of snoring and the occasional splutter of someone dying in their sleep.....I sat in the viewing gallery, overlooking the majesty of debate, taking in the finery of the scene. The grand robe sat well on many a distinguished shoulder, as the greatly advanced in years sat with senile precision on the issues of the day. This, I thought, is how weighty matters should be resolved - by ancient men far removed from the common folk, a majority of nearly one thousand ruling over our serene nation by dint of birth.' and meanwhile the underpinnings of the Parliament become ridden with zombies who fly about and feast on the brains of any available human and it is up to Holmes (and Watson) to squelch the horror and return peace to London.
In other stories characters appear such as 'Sir Kenneth Knackers, Minister of Foreigners Screwing Around', and a 'Mr. Sebastian Hotly-Soughtafter, Services to genteel ladies' with a 'Pelvis like an oiled Hinge'. Dialogue is filled with hilarious malapropisms disguised as Victoriana and the book is unafraid to poke fun at its own stories, as when Dr. Watson remarks "For God's sake, Holmes.' I yelled in some consternation. 'This is the Nineteenth Century. We don't use phrases like that for about another ninety years.' Though the humor and parody are rampant here, Wood does not forget his own teachings in writing (as in his highly successful book THE INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD THRILLER) and all four stories follow the rules of the orginal Sherlock Holmes formulaic writing - just with a tongue in cheek style that is completely ingratiating. Chris Wood is a talented writer (and respected journalist) and he most assuredly has found a new niche in writing parody. One wonders if he will continue along the lines of the greatest sleuth in literature - or just where is caustic and humorist eye and pen will land next! Grady Harp, January 11
The book contains four stories or novellas, the title of the book SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE FLYING ZOMBIE DEATH MONKEYS is the leading and most hilarious of the group. In addition to the title story the book contains A SCANDAL IN BURNLEY, THE PAIN OF THE PIANOFORTED PARTS, and THE MYSTERY OF THE SPECKLED WANG. Wood places Dr. Watson as the narrator and Wood's Watson is not always that respectful of his colleague! The title story finds Holmes and Watson led to the underground area of Parliament (where above them the politicians are described as 'The regular drone of issues being discussed was interrupted only by the steady hum of snoring and the occasional splutter of someone dying in their sleep.....I sat in the viewing gallery, overlooking the majesty of debate, taking in the finery of the scene. The grand robe sat well on many a distinguished shoulder, as the greatly advanced in years sat with senile precision on the issues of the day. This, I thought, is how weighty matters should be resolved - by ancient men far removed from the common folk, a majority of nearly one thousand ruling over our serene nation by dint of birth.' and meanwhile the underpinnings of the Parliament become ridden with zombies who fly about and feast on the brains of any available human and it is up to Holmes (and Watson) to squelch the horror and return peace to London.
In other stories characters appear such as 'Sir Kenneth Knackers, Minister of Foreigners Screwing Around', and a 'Mr. Sebastian Hotly-Soughtafter, Services to genteel ladies' with a 'Pelvis like an oiled Hinge'. Dialogue is filled with hilarious malapropisms disguised as Victoriana and the book is unafraid to poke fun at its own stories, as when Dr. Watson remarks "For God's sake, Holmes.' I yelled in some consternation. 'This is the Nineteenth Century. We don't use phrases like that for about another ninety years.' Though the humor and parody are rampant here, Wood does not forget his own teachings in writing (as in his highly successful book THE INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD THRILLER) and all four stories follow the rules of the orginal Sherlock Holmes formulaic writing - just with a tongue in cheek style that is completely ingratiating. Chris Wood is a talented writer (and respected journalist) and he most assuredly has found a new niche in writing parody. One wonders if he will continue along the lines of the greatest sleuth in literature - or just where is caustic and humorist eye and pen will land next! Grady Harp, January 11
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"The rule of our country now given over to resurrected, brain chewing, flying apes" observers the ever perceptive master of mystery in this little slice of literary parody. "I wonder if anyone will notice?" answers the ever-present and long-suffering sidekick and Sherlock Holmes biographer, Dr. Watson. "Sherlock Holmes and the Flying Zombie Death Monkeys" delivers on it's promise of undead airborne simian brain munchery and provides plenty more to laugh at aside from the alarmingly pleasing mental image of British Parliament (you can imagine it as Congress if you like) being torn limb from limb and devoured by feces-throwing apes. Be it fighting over who had the potential romance of a woman only seconds-ago ripped apart in truly gruesome form, or simply going with the flow of planted clues to stumble onto the cause of one of the four mysteries presented in this brief anthology of Holmes's lesser known escapades, this book is a guaranteed good time.
While Watson often points out his renowned partner's "eccentricities" (or has it is put here, "what a tw@+ Holmes is") at the start of a tale, in these dregs of the great detective's adventures, Watson's observations have devolved into outright loathing as he perceives Holmes to be a bumbling, greedy buffoon. His evidence seems rather airtight in this case. Thankfully, it turns out there are few problems that can't be solved with a well-placed bullet. The four stories are the title tale (which you may have already deduced touches upon the subject of winged lived dead of the primate variety), "A Scandal in Burnley", which involves a politician's unfortunate problems concerning a picture of his rear end with a lighter held to it, "The Pain of the Pianoforted Parts" regarding rival musicians who make music using their netherparts, and of course "The Mystery of the Speckled Wang" which brings death to those who see it. Now don't get upset. Although the Flying Zombie Death Monkeys only get the title of one story, rest assured their presence carries over into the other vignettes. Ever the brilliant intellectual, Holmes finds that the carnivorous reanimated apes can be evaded by feigning bad weather and can thus traverse the streets of London unmolested while the less genius are rent and devoured about him, but regardless author Chris Wood makes sure there are brutal aerial monkey slayings aplenty throughout out heroes' journeys.
The twisted narrative is further augmented by classic illustrations with less-than-classic captions to offer up some extra snickers. Watson's loathing, Holmes' Bono-level D-baggery, a cast of flustered Victorian characters, parody, satire, and of course, the monkeys. Those wacky flying zombie death monkeys. This is what I call a winning package. Sherlock Holmes and the Flying Zombie Death Monkeys is a short and easy read packed with amusement that is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for some off-color absurdist humor spoofing everybody's favorite non-cowled detective. Give it a shot.
While Watson often points out his renowned partner's "eccentricities" (or has it is put here, "what a tw@+ Holmes is") at the start of a tale, in these dregs of the great detective's adventures, Watson's observations have devolved into outright loathing as he perceives Holmes to be a bumbling, greedy buffoon. His evidence seems rather airtight in this case. Thankfully, it turns out there are few problems that can't be solved with a well-placed bullet. The four stories are the title tale (which you may have already deduced touches upon the subject of winged lived dead of the primate variety), "A Scandal in Burnley", which involves a politician's unfortunate problems concerning a picture of his rear end with a lighter held to it, "The Pain of the Pianoforted Parts" regarding rival musicians who make music using their netherparts, and of course "The Mystery of the Speckled Wang" which brings death to those who see it. Now don't get upset. Although the Flying Zombie Death Monkeys only get the title of one story, rest assured their presence carries over into the other vignettes. Ever the brilliant intellectual, Holmes finds that the carnivorous reanimated apes can be evaded by feigning bad weather and can thus traverse the streets of London unmolested while the less genius are rent and devoured about him, but regardless author Chris Wood makes sure there are brutal aerial monkey slayings aplenty throughout out heroes' journeys.
The twisted narrative is further augmented by classic illustrations with less-than-classic captions to offer up some extra snickers. Watson's loathing, Holmes' Bono-level D-baggery, a cast of flustered Victorian characters, parody, satire, and of course, the monkeys. Those wacky flying zombie death monkeys. This is what I call a winning package. Sherlock Holmes and the Flying Zombie Death Monkeys is a short and easy read packed with amusement that is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for some off-color absurdist humor spoofing everybody's favorite non-cowled detective. Give it a shot.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A gruesome tale -- that grew some more -- this book drips with simian zombies running amok in Victorian England.
In this, his second Sherlock Holmes parody, Wood uses his satirical, scatalogical talents to Monkey with the Undead. The result is a combination of wit and gore that will appeal to both Sherlock Holmes fans and zombie fans. Interestingly, although the book is heavy on graphic images, the accompanying black-and-white illustrations are conservatively Victorian. I suppose this echoes the book's style: Formal Victorian manners meet gutterspeak. "I eyed him with a modicum of pity, for those in direst need who rely on Holmes for assistance are, generally speaking, screwed."
In this, his second Sherlock Holmes parody, Wood uses his satirical, scatalogical talents to Monkey with the Undead. The result is a combination of wit and gore that will appeal to both Sherlock Holmes fans and zombie fans. Interestingly, although the book is heavy on graphic images, the accompanying black-and-white illustrations are conservatively Victorian. I suppose this echoes the book's style: Formal Victorian manners meet gutterspeak. "I eyed him with a modicum of pity, for those in direst need who rely on Holmes for assistance are, generally speaking, screwed."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sharp, witty and excellent modern British comic writings
A mixture of loony Goonery, Monty Pythonesque stances and stiff-upper-lip caricatures, Douglas Adam's wonderful "Hitchhiker" setups (but more akin to Dirk Gentley novel... Read more
Published 7 months ago by D.N.Wijewardane
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Comedic Take on Holes and Watson
I reviewed this a while back and still remember how enjoyable it is. I compare it favorably to Gideon Defoe's "The Pirates..." books in comedic style, though it is not a pastiche. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lorenzo
3.0 out of 5 stars
Flying Zombie Death Monkeys, indeed!
I've gotta admit, I have a very serious silly streak. This book, unfortunately, exacerbated my condition. It is truly silly. Clever AND silly. Read more
Published 22 months ago by mango™
4.0 out of 5 stars
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4:54
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Published on February 24, 2011 by G. Max Gooding
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not your mother's Sherlock Holmes
I was all set for a Sherlock Holmes type of story when I saw this book. I realized it wouldn't be a true Holmes story as it wasn't written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle but thought... Read more
Published on February 19, 2011 by Barbara Rhoades
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Gonzo Sherlock Holmes
"Sherlock Holmes and the Flying Zombie Death Monkeys" by Chris Wood can be a lot of things. Is it a novel with 4 chapters? Read more
Published on February 17, 2011 by Jym Cherry
3.0 out of 5 stars
Part parody, part mash-up, and the two conflict
This book tries to be two things at once.
The first is a parody. In Mr. Wood's rendition of Holmes, the detective is an idiot that Watson barely tolerates. Read more
The first is a parody. In Mr. Wood's rendition of Holmes, the detective is an idiot that Watson barely tolerates. Read more
Published on February 16, 2011 by Silea
4.0 out of 5 stars
"That's a blow. She was going to shag me when all this was finished."...
Have you ever watched "Airplane"? If you have, you know what slapstick is, which is similar to the type of humor primarily used in this parody of Sherlock Holmes stories. Read more
Published on February 13, 2011 by Misanthrope™
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr. Watson. He grew up, got sharper and a little bit meaner.
Like the originals, I found the 4 stories to be a quick read and without the need for there to be too thick a plot to get your feet tangled up in. Read more
Published on February 8, 2011 by B. T. Denyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this and have your funny bone well and truly tickled
Have just read this latest offering from the pen of Chris Wood of some of the (until now) untold adventures of the great detective and his faithful sidekick and biographer, Watson. Read more
Published on February 5, 2011 by Dave's Magic Codpiece
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