Sherlock Holmes and the Kiss of Death [Paperback]

P. C. Shumway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Sherlock Holmes and 'The Kiss of Death' is a mystery/adventure with Sherlock Holmes, the world's greatest detective, contesting skills and nerves with the world's most clever magician. With Watson by his side the master of observation and deduction must solve the master of magic's greatest illusion in this macabre tale of misdirection and murder.

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419617672
• ISBN-13: 978-1419617676
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,905,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good page turner., January 27, 2006

By 

Dr. Fred R. Eichelman "arous" (Salem,, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Kiss of Death (Paperback)

I can forgive P. C. Shumway for not having Watson tell the story "Sherlock Holms and the Kiss of Death". While most of us prefer Watson telling the story as opposed to the third person, at least we didn't hear another tale about how a new undiscovered manuscript comes to life. I do wish authors would forget that old chestnut. Shumway was at least different. He is relating a story handed down from his grandfather who served with Watson in WW One to his father and finally to him. Isn't it amazing what memories for exact dialogue some people have.

Nonetheless, it is a rip roaring good tale with suspense, terror, and Holmes doing what he does best. He has a villain who is a magician and who catches Holmes off guard more than once. Even when you know who the villain is or may be early on, it is a splendid battle of wits. Very gory in places. A good read all around.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Murder and Magic, quite a mix!, January 10, 2006

By 

Darkendale "Raven" (VA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Kiss of Death (Paperback)

The reason for the one-star ding first of all: Always tell the story through Doctor Watson, never through a third party! That's a big no-no to all Holmes fans. Holmes stories are narrated by Watson!

Now the story. A mad magician out for revenge! People in high society involved in secret experiments gone wrong and covered up! The suspect a dead man! His calling card assorted pieces of a dead woman's body! The offical police don't want Holmes help! Holmes is refused access to newpaper morgues and must resort to stealing what he needs! A blowgun is involved! A femme fatale is involved! Holmes resorts to digging up the dead, vowing to give up practice if he is proven wrong-- and there is a body in the grave! Great stuff and well written, although, uh, (pst. Is an Australian Death Adder the infamous Taipan?)Quoth the Raven...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have been better, April 12, 2008

By 

kitjank "Guitar Goddess, artist, love of all ... (Hunt Valley, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sherlock Holmes and the Kiss of Death (Paperback)

From all the other reviews, I expected this book to be a little better. While I realize the daunting task of writing a story with a classic character a little more research into Holmes would have really made this a much better story.

What I liked about the book:

The plot, I thought it was interesting enough to keep me reading it and not grow bored.
some of the dialogue was clever, I smiled at some of it
The author designed the cover

What I didn't like:
setting part of the story in Dartmoor, on the Grimpen Mire. For me only one Holmes story could ever take place there and I almost quit the book when I read that.

the accents. Ok, we know MacDonald is Scottish. We were also told Garth was Swedish. that is enough info for the reader to understand they have accents. The author did a terrible job of trying to transfer the accents to paper. I like the character of MacDonald but was really annoyed with the way the author tried to convey his accent.

Finally Holmes himself. There were several places in the story where Holmes steps completely out of character and I found this really jarring when it occurred. Perhaps it was an attempt to make Holmes more compassionate, but it just didn't work for me.

I think this book could have been so much better than it was. But I give the author credit for taking on what must be daunting task of writing another Sherlock Holmes story.