8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Elementary attempt, my dear Watson., April 29, 2000
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders: From the American Chronicles of John H. Watson, M.D. (Paperback)
At first blush, this book has it all. Not only did the author do
copious amounts of research, but the very concept of a grand winter
"palace" constructed of ice is very intriguing. There is a
bizzare killing, worthy of Holmes and Watson, and even a radically
different location in which the "Deductive Duo" can be put
to the test.
With all the book has going for it, the wonder for me
is that the book goes nowhere at all.
Sadly, for all the wonderful
research the author has made into 19th Century St. Paul, ice palace
construction, and even a year in which Holmes would be available to
take the case, the book just does not deliver.
Not only is the
"voice" off the mark, but the process of investigation is
muddled at best. As with many modern versions of Holmes and Watson,
the "voice" is obviously present-day. In addition, writing
true Holmesian deduction is harder than adding lots of action and a
few trifling theories which are meant to pass for the great
detective's abilities.
In this book, Holmes is constantly at the
mercy of events, as opposed to being able to define, predict, and even
control events. There is also little or no evidence of the classic
Holmes methodology.
Holmes stories work best when the evidence is
right there in plain sight. However, where we (through Watson), can
see the stain on the carpet, the strand of hair, the placement of
furniture, the remains of cigar ash, and so on, only Holmes can put
the puzzle together because he has observed the importance of the
trivial.
In this book, all of the evidence is gathered by proxy; a
telegram, a letter, a courier, a phone call, whatever. Holmes does
little or no actual investigating or deducting, and what there is is
rather mundane.
The book has good action sequences, but the
"duductions" are really more of a point by point recap of a
given action sequence.
The Shadwell Rafferty character is okay, but
I wonder why the author simply did not do a series based on him rather
than Holmes and Watson. It would have made more sense, given the
author's obvious love for historic St. Paul.
There have been three
books (so far), in which the author spirits Holmes and Watson away
from the fog-enshrouded streets of Victorian London to Minnesota. One
or two trips I could see, but a whole series strains credibility for
me. After all, it isn't as if a trip from England to Minnesota was
particularly quick and easy in 1896, even compared with just a trip to
the harbors of New York or Boston.
The book also goes on way too
long, as if the author was simply did not want the story to end. The
ending is far too drawn out, and Holmes (not to give away anything),
gives a detailed account of the killer's actions without any regard to
one of the characters who will be most impacted by the grisly
details. And that character is seemingly not affected at all!
I am
not sorry I took the time, but I'm not looking forward to the other
two Holmes books by this author. All in all, I would say this was a
good read, but not great.
Perhaps the author's next effort would be
better spent on a Shadwell Rafferty series, now that he has
established the character. It would also allow him to indulge in his
love of historic St. Paul, Minnesota.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great History along with a Good Mystery, January 19, 2002
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders: From the American Chronicles of John H. Watson, M.D. (Paperback)
Larry Millett combines his knowledge of the history of the Twin Cities with a mystery involving Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. So how does it come off? This is one of the better Sherlock Holmes pastiche I have read, and believe me, I've read a LOT of them.
The history lessons I received from reading the book are a definite treat since I visit the Twin Cities several times a year and know the areas talked about. But even if you are not familiar with the Minnesota cities, a map and Millett's detailed descriptions help the reader visualize the cities at the turn of the century.
The Sherlock Holmes/Dr. Watson characterizations are very good; there are not too many instances where the reader would say "Oh, come on. Holmes would never do that." That is how I judge pastiches.
I thought this story the best of the first three Larry Millett/Sherlock Holmes endeavors.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great history, bad dialogue, February 12, 2001
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders: From the American Chronicles of John H. Watson, M.D. (Paperback)
This installment kept my interest with all of the historical details that Millet threw in. As a St Paul history lesson, the book could be no better. The mystery was also very tightly woven, and it had me guessing as to the killers identity (almost) to the very end. What the book lacks is the kind of interesting dialogue that is needed to keep the drama alive. Most of the dialogue is pure exposition, and drags on for page after rambling page. Nobody talks this way! Also, many of the characters hardly develop beyond stereotypical figures of the time (the wealthy tycoon, the busy newspaper man, the spoiled society brat). While these are all important flaws, the overall story is good and will keep you interested, just like Millets previous (and better) Holmes book, The Red Demon. I am sure I will eventually pick up the next installment, but I am in no real hurry after being slightly dissapointed by this one.
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