"Well, " announced Holmes, "either the country is on the brink of disaster or word of Mrs Hudson's kedgeree has spread to Mayfair. " From his position, cross- legged on the floor before the fire, he raised his head above the parapet of his tobacco-stained nest, a temporary blemish on the carpet built from newspaper personal columns and that morning's mail, and pointed towards the window. "Unless I'm mistaken..."

This is a Sherlock Holmes meets Dr; Moreau.

When three bodies are found near the Thames, ripped and torn to shreds, London is shaken with fear and questions as to what could have done it. Word on the street is that there’s a shark in the Thames, but what would an Australian Black Tip shark be doing in London? Immediately the question as to whether or not this is one of the infamous Dr. Moreau’s calling cards. Sherlock and Watson is on the case, seeing as the Crown is in danger and Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older brother, have no other option than to call in the best people to solve the mystery and get rid of the threat.

Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau is an extremely well-written novel that brings together some of literature’s most beloved books in order to create a fantastic plot. H.G. Wells‘ The Island of Dr. Moreau is incorporated into a story with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s beloved characters on the case, whilst bringing into account some of Jules Verne‘s characters from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth as well. Creatures from science-fiction comes to life, mysteries are solved and a homage to some of the best books ever written is given in what can only be deemed as a novel that would make the great authors of yesteryear proud. Guy Adams, the author of this exciting sci-fi mystery, has been able to keep the tongue-in-cheek humour that Doyle wrote the original Sherlock Holmes books with as well as put his own voice and individuality into it. If that’s not enough, Guy Adams brings into account the problems that modern society face with the vivisection dilemma in America, giving a voice to those who don’t have one and saying that it’s not right to “play God”…

It’s safe to say that this is a worthy piece of fan-fiction, though it would also be a worthy fan-written sequel to H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau too. Many people would look down on the term “fan-fiction” though, but Guy Adams has been able to give his own voice to the tale, incorporating the old with the new and still being able to show respect to the authors of the various books that he used as inspiration, instead of breaking them down.

To those who have never read classical literature, Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau, will definitely change your mind and give you the desire to find the original books. With the creatures that Guy Adams created as the “Army of Dr. Moreau”, you’ll want to pick up a copy of H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau, and just because Professor Lindenbrook – also present in the novel – is such an intriguing character (though he doesn’t get mentioned as often as I’d have liked), you’ll want to get your hands on a copy of A Journey to the Centre of the Earth. That being said, once you’ve finished those, you’ll delve into their other work and so on, and so forth. Guy Adams has written a catalyst novel that will give literature of yesteryear a second life and that alone is a fantastic achievement. However, there’s more. To those horror fanatics, you’ll find plenty of horror here as great descriptions are given and chilling tales are told. To sci-fi lovers, you have your out-of-this-world creatures that will give you plenty of nightmares and fantasies of the “what if’s”… Mystery enthusiasts have the opportunity to follow another new tale of the most distinguished P.I of all time, so what’s not to love?

All in all, this is a great book and anyone who is anyone will find joy out of reading Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau. It will inspire, give delightful pleasure as one tries to figure out the twists and turns and finally, you will giggle from time to time at the wit Sherlock displays. Definitely a must-have for any reader… Definitely a must-have on any bookshelf.

(Originally posted at http://www.killeraphrodite.com/2012/08/book-review-sherlock-holmes-army-dr-morea... ) ( )

Absolutely awesome. I think than I enjoyed it so much because I had read Doctor Moreau and a lot of Sherlock Holmes beforehand. Very readable, exciting, didn't want to put it down. ( )

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/09/sherlock-holmes-the-army-of-dr-moreau-by-gu...

Corpses are turning up in Rotherhithe, by all appearances the victims of animal attacks. However, the attacks are not attacks any animal that should be roaming around London (for example, a blacktip shark, common to the coasts of Australia), and one of the victim’s hands and feet were chained, which, of course speaks of human involvement. When Mycroft Holmes pays a visit to his brother Sherlock, and Dr. Watson, with a request for help looking into the mystery surrounding the nefarious Dr. Moreau and the events that took place on a South Pacific island, the detective is certainly intrigued. Dr. Moreau is supposedly dead, and the only man that survived the attacks on the island that resulted in his death has committed suicide by swallowing acid, so he’s definitely not talking. These deaths definitely seem connected to Dr. Moreau’s wicked experiments in altering humans and animals, but how? You can bet Holmes and Watson will soon find out!

This is my first of Titan’s series of new books about the escapades of Holmes and Watson, and I loved it! Told mostly from Watson’s point of view, it follows the dynamic duo as they attempt to infiltrate the lair of a man performing diabolical experiments in order to build his own army. The banter between Holmes and Watson is laugh out loud funny, and the author’s style stays quite true to their original exploits. Their investigation eventually takes them deep into the underground of London where they’re confronted with plenty of man-made beastly creatures. Things never get very deep, and some silliness does ensue, but who cares when a book is this entertaining? The writing is crisp, the dialogue sharp, and the pace unrelenting. If you love old fashioned adventure, and of course, Sherlock Holmes, I think you’ll find much to love about this one. ( )