Customer Reviews

Sherlock Holmes and the Kiss of Death

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

This is a typical Sherlock Holmes story line, but it is very easy to read, and suspenseful to the end.

this is an excellent book. it is well written and almost catches sherlock holmes the way mr. doyle did. i would recommend this book to anybody that as read sherlock holmes or even to those that would like to take the first step into the world of sherlock holmes and dr. watson

A well-imagined suspenseful tale of Sherlock Holmes matching wits with a creative adversary. The story twists and turns with an inventive plot leading to a thrilling conclusion. The author's imagery pulls the reader into the story and the narrative is as significant a dimension of this book as is the mystery.

Good pastiche, although for the length of this softcover, it is definitely over priced. Enjoyable and worth the read. Just a bit dear.