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Image credit: M. K. Wiseman, author

Serier

Værker af M. K. Wiseman

The Bookminder (2016) 23 eksemplarer
Mechanized Masterpieces: A Steampunk Anthology (2013) — Forfatter — 15 eksemplarer
Magical Intelligence (M. I.) (2020) 9 eksemplarer
The Kithseeker (2018) 4 eksemplarer
Sherlock Holmes & the Silver Cord (2023) 4 eksemplarer
Legends and Lore: An Anthology of Mythic Proportions (2014) — Forfatter — 4 eksemplarer
Mechanized Masterpieces 2: An American Anthology (2015) — Forfatter — 4 eksemplarer

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As with other Sherlock Holmes tales by M. K. Wiseman, Holmes is his own chronicler. Not, this time, due to Watson's absence, but because this tale is about what's going on inside Holmes's head, as he recovers from the mental and emotional impact of the death of Moriarty, his own three-year absence, and his surprise return to London, 221B Baker Street, and Watson's life.

In the Reichenbach Falls adventure, Holmes always intended to kill Moriarty in their final confrontation, but he had expected to die himself. He saw no way of returning alive.

Holmes berated himself with guilt and self-contempt, for leaving Watson to believe him dead for three years, for perhaps being not much better than Moriarty for his willingness to kill, for blithely accepting Watson's willingness to return to 221B Baker Street and their partnership together after that three-year absence, and for devoting himself to the relatively minor undertaking of mopping of the mostly petty criminals that were what was left of Moriarty's crime empire.

Except, as we see, his feelings about Watson's acceptance of his return without reprimand or rejection are anything but blithe. Holmes feels guilt about that, and shame, and questions his very worth as a human being. In the midst of this, two cases come his way. One involves a widow, Mrs. Jones, who has received in the mail diary pages which are clearly in her hand, that she does not recall writing, which recount an a fair with a friend of her husband's, while her husband was still alive. The man's name is Percy Simmons.

The other case is brought to him by the head of the Theosophical Order of Odic Forces--one Mr. Percy Simmons. The same Percy Simmons, of course. The theosophists--there were and are a variety of theosophical groups--believe among other things that magic is real, and can be used for good or ill. Mr. Simmons informs Holmes that members of his group are being magically attacked by an enemy. Two have died already, and a third has sunk into a deep sleep, from which he has not awakened for nine days. He wants Holmes to find that enemy.

Over the course of the next days, Holmes and Watson search for evidence of the enemy, evidence that Simmons is a charlatan, and evidence that the two cases may be somehow connected.

Although Watson has some concern about what seems to be odd behavior from Holmes, he does not know what's going on inside his head--either his guilt and self-contempt, or the way Simmons's talk about theosophy and its ability to reveal both justice and evil. Holmes is strongly tempted by the idea that it may be the path out of his self-loathing and guilt.

But for it to do that for him, he has to know that it's not all a charlatan's fraud.

It's an interesting mystery, and it's also an interesting look inside Holmes's head.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from Rachel's Random Resources.

#blogtours
… (mere)
 
Markeret
LisCarey | Jul 31, 2023 |
With Sherlock Holmes recently deceased, Dr. John H. Watson has received a package left to him by his old friend. In that package he finds a story--Holmes' own account of an adventure he had before he ever met Watson. It involves high society, stage-door dandies, and a young woman wanting to know where the young man courting her has disappeared to.

Miss Eudora Frances Clarke grew up as neighbors and close friends with Mr. Tobias-Henry Price, until when they were twelve years old, his father died, and his uncle, whose heir he now was, took him away to his home. There was little contact, and then Tobias-Henry was sent abroad to oversee some business of his uncle's. Then he returned, proposed marriage, hinted at problems related to his business activities, and disappeared.

Except, as everyone assures her, Mr. Tobias-Henry Price is not missing. He's living the life of a cultivated gentleman in the London society which, due to being of far less prosperous family, Eudora has never been a part of. She contrives to encounter him leaving his club, and--the man is handsome, charming, altogether likeable, but he is not her Tobias-Henry. This man is a stranger. Everyone, including his Uncle, assures her she is wrong. But her Tobias-henry had a scar acquired in their childhood, which this man does not have.

What follows is a confusing adventure, with contradictory evidence everywhere. Who is the man Eudora is quite sure is an imposter, though the uncle and others insist he is not? Who is the man she is certain is the real Tobias-Henry, and why has he disappeared?

What Holmes learns, very quickly, is that at least one of the two men has very dangerous enemies, and that Eudoria's Tobias-Henry is involved with a criminal gang in London.

As Holmes pieces the clues together, and someone kills both the uncle and his servants, and the servants at the home of the cousin Eudora has been staying with, it becomes clear that everyone--Eudora, "her" Tobias-Henry, the generally-recognized Tobias-Henry, and the now-dead uncle, all have secrets.

This novella feels very much like the "real" Sherlock Holmes, telling his own story since he has not yet met Watson--and learning along the in this adventure that maybe it would not be a bad thing to have a few more people noticing when he's coming and going. Very enjoyable and satisfying. Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
… (mere)
 
Markeret
LisCarey | Sep 23, 2021 |
This is a really interesting Sherlock Holmes story, obviously not canon, but very well done.

It's nearly a year after Dr. John Watson married Mary Morstan, and moved out of the 221B Baker Street flat to his own home and his own medical practice. Holmes has found he really misses Watson, both his company, and his contributions to his investigations--because Watson has been even more absent than might be expected due to marriage and professional obligations, especially these last few months.

And something strange and disturbing is happening; what will become known as the Jack the Ripper killings have started. Watson, on one of his rare visits, has urged Holmes not to become involved, because it's such a disturbing case. But Lestrade also makes a visit to 221B Baker Street, and asks Holmes for his help on this case the police have not so far made any progress on, and Holmes says yes.

Very quickly he finds truly disturbing facts--personally disturbing, not just the disturbing nature of the killings.

This story is different from most Holmes stories, because in this case the villian is Jack the Ripper, and Dr. Watson is a very good fit for one profile of the Ripper. Holmes is acting as his own chronicler this time.

Holmes is appalled he's suspecting his friend at all. He's keeping secrets from Watson--and Watson is clearly keeping secrets from him. Watson, in his turn, is hurt and offended when he realizes Holmes perhaps suspects him of being the Ripper. His real secret, which he is also keeping from his wife, is heartbreaking and terrible, and inextricable from the case. This is really an interesting look at Holmes, Watson, and the complexities of their relationship.

It's worth noting that Wiseman has stuck as close as possible to the historical record, regarding the killings, the victims, and police and witnesses involved in the case. Holmes, Watson, Lestrade, and others are woven in to the real investigation--or the real investigation woven into the fictional one--in a fairly seamless way.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
… (mere)
 
Markeret
LisCarey | 1 anden anmeldelse | Oct 30, 2020 |
Another case for Sherlock Holmes, this one told in the voice of the great man himself instead of Dr Watson. It involves the infamous Jack the Ripper murders - is the killer actually someone closer to Sherlock’s heart?!

I found this mystery a little slow to start with but it does pick up pace towards the middle and becomes quite the chiller thriller. I think the author has done well in emulating Sherlock’s personality and the style of writing gives a good sense of time and place. I like the fact that there is some historical fact combined with the fiction. It made the book more interesting for me. Not much more I can say other than, all in all, it’s an enjoyable little read.… (mere)
½
 
Markeret
VanessaCW | 1 anden anmeldelse | Oct 19, 2020 |

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Værker
9
Medlemmer
96
Popularitet
#196,089
Vurdering
½ 4.3
Anmeldelser
9
ISBN
15

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