Sherlock Holmes and the Menacing Metropolis is a 2015 book by Allan Mitchell. I hesitate to call it a novel, though it is certainly book length, and it tells a story. The reason for my hesitation is the entire tale is told in verse. Rhyming couplets, no less. For instance:

With their frivilous banter put deftly aside,

Holmes and Watson, together, then had to decide

On a firm plan of action based only on fact

With no spurious rumours allowed to distract.

This story is a traditional Sherlock Holmes tale, told in an unusual way. The characters are all recognisable and well-described. The mystery, too, is worthy of Conan Doyle. Once you adjust to the rhymes, it’s a fine read.

A tale told in verse may some people appall, but as someone once said, you can’t please ’em all…

Sorry. Don’t know what I was thinking. It’s catching, this…