News — book review

The Stone of Destiny – A Book Review

Posted by Steve Emecz on

The Stone of Destiny – A Book Review

“The mystery, with all of the twists and turns are amazing and funny at the same time. The way Holmes’ brain works is the most interesting thing I have ever read. Dr. Watson always seems to be a bit bumbling, but yet, he is just as intelligent as Holmes himself, just in a different way…All in all, I loved the book. It was funny, smart, and entertaining. That is all I ask for from a book, so this one succeeded brilliantly. Consequently, I award this book a full 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who loves...

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Publishers Weekly reviews The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part XIII 2019 Annual (1881-1890)

Posted by Steve Emecz on

“This outstanding anthology focuses on the early years of the Baker Street duo’s partnership. Sherlockians with a soft spot for Nigel Bruce’s buffoonish portrayal of Dr. Watson will appreciate S.F. Bennett’s homage to the Basil Rathbone movie series, “The Case of the Enthusiastic Amateur,” one of the volume’s many high points. In Bennett’s tale, an old acquaintance asks Watson for help when he suspects that an investment failed because of fraud; the doctor decides to undertake the inquiry himself, with hilarious consequences. The author successfully emulates the playful byplay between Watson and Holmes in the service of a clever mystery...

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Book Review - The Celtic Phoenix: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure

Posted by Steve Emecz on

Book Review - The Celtic Phoenix: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure

“Kim Krisco has captured Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s style in his novels about the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes. Rarely does a figure continue to live past the original writer’s time, but Krisco has managed a way to keep Holmes alive — much to the delight of this fan. In The Celtic Phoenix, Krisco treats us to an in-depth look into the lives of the ancient Celts and their intriguing ways, while at the same time entwining Holmes and Watson into the thick of things. An excellent read — an excellent author.” Reviewed by Catherine J. Moser The Celtic Phoenix: A Sherlock...

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Review of The Bird and The Buddha - A Before Watson Novel - Book Two

Posted by Steve Emecz on

”With eloquent, refined, and precise prose, this novel calls forth the ethos of the time and the nature of Sherlock’s mind. In A.S. Croyle’s The Bird and The Buddha, a young Sherlock Holmes stalks a serial killer with the aid of a lovely young doctor whose need to solve the mystery is almost as great as her passion for the romance-averse detective. In this, the second book in Croyle’s Sir Arthur Conan Doyle-inspired Before Watson series, questions arise that threaten to lead the sleuthing pair to some unsettling conclusions: is the killer someone whose goal is to end suffering, or...

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Philip K. Jones reviews The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part IV: 2016 Annual

Posted by Steve Emecz on

“This book is the fourth in a series of Sherlockian anthology volumes from MX Publications and the new title addition indicated that the publisher plan to continue this remarkable series.  All of the authors have donated their royalties for this publication to the support of Undershaw.  It includes twenty-two short stories and novellas as well as a poem. The poem is a “Toast to Mrs. Watson,” by Arlene Mantin Levy, written as a series of rhymed couplets.  “The Tale of the First Adventure” is a short story by Derrick Belanger that tells how Sherlock learned to restrict the details he...

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