Tag Archives: book review

“A new ‘Sherlock Holmes’ novel has a lot to live up to. And frankly, I was not hopeful for this offering. As an avid Arthur Conan Doyle – and Holmes – fan, I was sceptical that anyone could match Conan Doyle’s intellect whilst matching his fast-paced and gripping style. I was wrong. Symonds story could be described as a gripping yarn, which captured the essence of both Holmes and Watson very well.

The story in short; Holmes and his faithful sidekick were contacted by the mysterious and duplicitous Prince Regnant of Bulgaria, following the theft of an ancient and sacred manuscript. Holmes is tasked with finding the manuscript, and by extension preventing war. The lives of millions are in his hands.

So, plot set, the trusty duo set off for Bulgaria, travelling through beautifully described landscapes. As one would expect, the story is not as simple as it at first appears, and what follows is a tale of murder, greed, and vampires.

There are the requisite unexpected twists and turns: A tale worthy of Holmes any day.

So, although I expected to be disappointed, I was not. The language Symonds employs is reminiscent of Conan Doyle, and really transports the reader on the journey. If I were to offer some small criticism, it would be that it feels as if the author is trying too hard to link the story to the earlier texts. But that would be all. And by halfway through this feeling is forgotten, as is the fact that this is not one of Conan Doyle’s original offerings – so good is the dialogue and story telling.

A good test for me is, when you turn the last page, how do you feel? Glad or disappointed. I was definitely disappointed, as I was enjoying it so much I didn’t want it to end.

I haven’t read Symonds first novel Sherlock Holmes and the Dead Boer at Scotney Castle. I will now, and very much hope Symonds keeps writing in this tradition, as this book is a worthy addition to the Holmes repertoire of tales.

I recommend it whole-heartedly to any Holmes fans.”

Reviewed by THE JOURNAL JURISPRUDENCE, Xanthe Mallett, University of New England, Armidale, Australia

Sherlock Holmes and The Case of The Bulgarian Codex is available from all good bookstores including in the USA Amazon, Barnes and Noble, in the UK Amazon,Waterstones,  and for everywhere else Book Depository who offer free worldwide delivery. In ebook format there is Kindle, Nook, iPad and Kobo.

“This is the fourth book in the author’s series featuring Jefferson Cody and Sebastian McCabe.  It also includes a short story as well as the title novel.  In fact, the short story precedes the novel in time of occurrence by a day or two, so they should be read in reverse order of inclusion.

As I said, this is the fourth book in this series, so it includes a number of familiar characters, both in person and mentioned in passing.  Those who enjoyed the first three books will also enjoy this one.  In fact, I found it more of a reading pleasure than the earlier books.  I was not really comfortable with the romance between Jeff Cody and Lynda Teal as presented in the first two books and I mislaid my copy of the third before getting a chance to read it.  I find them much more pleasant to deal with as newlyweds than I did as on again/off again sweethearts.  Further, the banter between Cody and McCabe seems more adult and more between equals than it did in earlier books.

The extra characters peculiar to this book also seem more real and interesting than those in the earlier books.  The police personnel and the ex-wives all seem to have more substance than similar, secondary characters in the earlier books.  Of course, it may simply be that the author is growing as a writer, but I enjoyed this book more than the earlier ones from the series that I have read.  In addition, I found the short story quite interesting.  The detective work in this tale is performed mostly by the new Mrs. Cody, Lynda Teal, and she makes a respectable detective in this case.

Any Sherlockian (“Holmesian” in Great Britain) will instantly recognize this story as one that parallels the similarly-named Untold Tale cited in “The Problem of Thor Bridge.”  This has been a popular story for would-be Doctor Watsons to attempt for years.  My database lists thirty six attempts to tell this tale, ranging from radio scripts and plays through a narrative pun, short stories and novellas up to full novels.

The mystery portion of this book is also well-crafted.  The villain is hard to discern and the motives involved are even more obscure.  In addition, the author manages to wave a number of plausible substitutes convincingly in the face of the reader.  All-in-all, this is a fun read in a series that keeps getting better with each new tale.  Editing is well-done, with Brits speaking the Queen’s English and Americans saying whatever comes to mind.  Even the spelling seems well in hand.”

The Disappearance of Mr James Phillimore is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Nook and Apple iBooks(iPad/iPhone).

“This is the second collection of novellas by Mr. Hogan.  The first collection had a basic Japanese theme and this collection carries a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta theme.

The first story, “One Little Maid from School,” tells of a missing schoolgirl with overly protective male relatives who have financial hopes from her inheritance.  The tale goes into the details of how budding debutantes were trained and constrained.  It also gives details of the evasive measures used by those young ladies to exercise some control over their own lives.

The second tale, “Murder at the Savoy,” introduces two murders during performances of “Ruddygore” (later “Ruddigore”) in its initial run.  Holmes is engaged by D’oyly Carte to clear the operetta of the superstitious stigma of “unlucky” or “cursed.”  Even worse, the two murder victims are baronets and the operetta is about two evil baronets, so the producer is in a panic.  Holmes uncovers the murderer and the methods, but justice is cheated.

The third story is “A Scandal in Tite Street” and it opens with Oscar Wilde issuing a dueling challenge to Holmes.  Several princes, including the Prince of Wales and his grandson become involved and the cause of the duel seems to be a packet of letters of which Holmes is unaware.  The duel takes place and honor is defended but nothing is as it seems to Dr. Watson.

The fourth tale is “Trial by Jury” and it opens with Holmes being arrested for the murder of Charles Augustus Millverton.  It ends with Holmes on trial for “Breech of Promise’ to one Miss Agatha Butterworth(?) , the maid of Mr. Millverton.  Holmes chooses to act in his own defense and refuses to engage a barrister.  His defense is odd, to say the least.

The final tale is “The Moving Finger Writes” and it involves high jinks at Buckingham Palace.  The Queen is getting messages from the deceased Prince Consort and from her deceased gillie, John Brown.  In addition, one of Moriarty’s minions is planning a “heist” that may involve the Palace.  The Palace servants are split into factions who are just short of openly at war and Palace management are on their way to mental and physical breakdowns.

This book is well-edited and the mysteries are all complex and puzzling.  There are a few anachronisms, but those are hard to avoid for 21^st Century writers.  The presentation of various Gilbert and Sullivan operetta throughout the entire book adds a definite charm to the volume. The stories are not so dark as those in his earlier collection, but not all outcomes are happy or emotionally satisfying.  On the other hand, neither is reality.”

Sherlock Holmes and The Murder at the Savoy and other Stories is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository .