What do you think?
Rate this book
Sherlock Holmes in WWII #1
Estudio en carmesí
Mientras las bombas alemanas caen sobre Londres, la policía descubre que, además de los nazis, un nuevo terror se adueña de las calles de la capital. Hay un asesino en serie que está replicando con minuciosidad los violentos asesinatos que Jack el Destripador cometió en 1888. Ante la atrocidad de los crímenes y la falta de efectivos a casusa de la guerra, en Scotland Yard se ven obligados a recurrir al detective más famoso del Sherlock Holmes. Solo él, con la ayuda de su inestimable Watson, es capaz de evitar que el imitador del Destripador consiga completar su sangrienta serie.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2020
177 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Harris
41 books37 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Robert J. Harris (Bob) is a Scottish academic and author of children's fantasies and historical novels, best known for his collaborations with Jane Yolen. He also designed the fantasy board game Talisman. Recently Bob released his sequel to Talisman, Mythgardia. He lives in Scotland and is married to American author Deborah Turner Harris.
Robert J. Harris (Bob) is a Scottish academic and author of children's fantasies and historical novels, best known for his collaborations with Jane Yolen. He also designed the fantasy board game Talisman. Recently Bob released his sequel to Talisman, Mythgardia. He lives in Scotland and is married to American author Deborah Turner Harris.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
January 6, 2021
There are so many Sherlock Holmes stories around these days that it's hard to find the few good ones amongst the huge amount of rubbish. Thankfully, once in a while, I find one like A Study in Crimson that doesn't make me give up on it after two chapters.
Robert J Harris sets his novel in 1942 using the Basil Rathbone version of Holmes from the films & a very acceptable Watson, though not based on the bunglig Nigel Bruce screen creation. The first half of the story sets the scene with a Jack the Ripper style killer, but it's the second half where the story really livens up.
The World War 2 setting gives the reader a new slant on the literary Holmes & his background. London remains in balckout to prevent night time bombing raids & gives a perfect cover for the deranged killer to despatch his victims.
This novel may not be the best Holmes story ever, but it's a solidly entertaining start to my reading for 2021.
Robert J Harris sets his novel in 1942 using the Basil Rathbone version of Holmes from the films & a very acceptable Watson, though not based on the bunglig Nigel Bruce screen creation. The first half of the story sets the scene with a Jack the Ripper style killer, but it's the second half where the story really livens up.
The World War 2 setting gives the reader a new slant on the literary Holmes & his background. London remains in balckout to prevent night time bombing raids & gives a perfect cover for the deranged killer to despatch his victims.
This novel may not be the best Holmes story ever, but it's a solidly entertaining start to my reading for 2021.
June 21, 2021
Unlike most Sherlock Holmes pastiches, this version is based upon the actor Basil Rathbone who played Holmes in a series of films from 1939 to 1946 with Nigel Bruce as Dr Watson.
The story is set in wartime London with a blackout still in force to help prevent attacks by the Luftwaffe.
After returning from solving the mystery of a missing scientist in Scotland, Inspector Lestrade calls on Holmes with news of a murderer calling himself Crimson Jack.
Holmes and Watson are joined by a female American journalist, Gail Preston, as they hunt down the man responsible for murders similar to those carried out in 1888 by Britain's most infamous killer, Jack The Ripper.
Along the way, Holmes reveals the identity of Jack The Ripper one of whose descendants becomes a suspect in their current investigation and tells Watson of his time working for British Intelligence during the First World War.
There's even some romantic interest for Dr Watson as he falls for the charms of the feisty Gail Preston and Sherlock's brother Mycroft also makes an appearance, letting him know that the Government would not be upset if the case of Crimson Jack never reaches the courts.
Along the way there are stories within the main story and nods to the dozen films in which Basil Rathbone played Sherlock Holmes. All in all in all this is a fun read, but probably not for Conan Doyle purists.
The story is set in wartime London with a blackout still in force to help prevent attacks by the Luftwaffe.
After returning from solving the mystery of a missing scientist in Scotland, Inspector Lestrade calls on Holmes with news of a murderer calling himself Crimson Jack.
Holmes and Watson are joined by a female American journalist, Gail Preston, as they hunt down the man responsible for murders similar to those carried out in 1888 by Britain's most infamous killer, Jack The Ripper.
Along the way, Holmes reveals the identity of Jack The Ripper one of whose descendants becomes a suspect in their current investigation and tells Watson of his time working for British Intelligence during the First World War.
There's even some romantic interest for Dr Watson as he falls for the charms of the feisty Gail Preston and Sherlock's brother Mycroft also makes an appearance, letting him know that the Government would not be upset if the case of Crimson Jack never reaches the courts.
Along the way there are stories within the main story and nods to the dozen films in which Basil Rathbone played Sherlock Holmes. All in all in all this is a fun read, but probably not for Conan Doyle purists.
January 5, 2023
After reading this writers novel on Richard Hannay I discovered that he had also taken on the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Both men now , Hannay & Holmes are now placed in World War 2.
The writer actually did pick up on the movie series with Basil Rathbone whose brilliant b/w movie series did put Sherlock Holmes in WW2.
In this very enjoyable and readable we find Holmes & Watson living together once more and dr Watson being a widower by now.
Holmes still being a detective by choice and Watson doing his civic duty in hospitals in the year 1942 both men get called to a gruesome murder which is signed with blood and the name Crimson Jack. Lestrade needs their help as he seems up against the devil himself, Jack the Ripper.
This novel feels very much like a continuation of that excellent series of movies placed in WW2, please watch these they are a hoot and a half.
These Holmes & Watson come across as the real deal and the solution to the mystery feels well thought out as part of the last big war.
Very enjoyable and I will certainly look for the second installment of this series by Robert J. Harris.
The writer actually did pick up on the movie series with Basil Rathbone whose brilliant b/w movie series did put Sherlock Holmes in WW2.
In this very enjoyable and readable we find Holmes & Watson living together once more and dr Watson being a widower by now.
Holmes still being a detective by choice and Watson doing his civic duty in hospitals in the year 1942 both men get called to a gruesome murder which is signed with blood and the name Crimson Jack. Lestrade needs their help as he seems up against the devil himself, Jack the Ripper.
This novel feels very much like a continuation of that excellent series of movies placed in WW2, please watch these they are a hoot and a half.
These Holmes & Watson come across as the real deal and the solution to the mystery feels well thought out as part of the last big war.
Very enjoyable and I will certainly look for the second installment of this series by Robert J. Harris.
June 27, 2021
Sherlock Holmes has always fascinated every generation ever since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced us to his detective. Inspired by the films of so and so of the 40s era, Robert Harris has come up with a literary detective fiction involving Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson in a case set during the peak World War II era.
The novel opens up when Holmes is called to solve the case of a scientist disappeared mysteriously who’s been working on a top secret project involved with the war. Holmes is quick to solve the case and is on return journey. The story has been written from POV of Watson. A brief history of their life has been narrated briefly touching how Homes became a consulting detective which he he is at the time of the events of the story.
Upon their return to London, Holmes is asked to aide the investigation of two similar murders, which then turns out to be the work of a serial killer on the loose, who’s on a killing spree on the blacked out streets of London during WWII. It seems that a shadow from the last has emerged who’s up to these ghastly killings, but wasn’t he supposed to be dead? Or is someone impersonating this infamous personality of Jack the Ripper, whose notoriety shook London years ago with brutal killings on it’s streets at night.
I’ve found that there are a lot of novels based on Sherlock Holmes that churn out mysteries that seem boring to the reader. This book has chosen a premise that’ll intrigue the reader- the return of the heinous crimes in line with Jack the Ripper, during blackout in London during air raided in wwii. I liked the meaningful titles given to each chapter. This is a decent read but nothing compares to the original by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The novel opens up when Holmes is called to solve the case of a scientist disappeared mysteriously who’s been working on a top secret project involved with the war. Holmes is quick to solve the case and is on return journey. The story has been written from POV of Watson. A brief history of their life has been narrated briefly touching how Homes became a consulting detective which he he is at the time of the events of the story.
Upon their return to London, Holmes is asked to aide the investigation of two similar murders, which then turns out to be the work of a serial killer on the loose, who’s on a killing spree on the blacked out streets of London during WWII. It seems that a shadow from the last has emerged who’s up to these ghastly killings, but wasn’t he supposed to be dead? Or is someone impersonating this infamous personality of Jack the Ripper, whose notoriety shook London years ago with brutal killings on it’s streets at night.
I’ve found that there are a lot of novels based on Sherlock Holmes that churn out mysteries that seem boring to the reader. This book has chosen a premise that’ll intrigue the reader- the return of the heinous crimes in line with Jack the Ripper, during blackout in London during air raided in wwii. I liked the meaningful titles given to each chapter. This is a decent read but nothing compares to the original by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
August 6, 2021
Sherlock Holmes is the type of character who works well in any setting. The Victorian original will always be my favorite, but if you’re looking for a runner-up, you could do worse than World War II.
Robert J. Harris grew up on such adaptations. As he explains in the preface to his new book A Study in Crimson: Sherlock Holmes 1942, he’s following in the footsteps of a classic series of films that began by pitting “Holmes against Nazi saboteurs.” That premise is hard to resist on its own. But by setting his story in Blitz-era London, Harris also gets to show us the city on a wartime footing, with blackouts enforced at night to shroud the metropolis from German bombers, “tethered barrage balloons” floating in the air to intercept combustibles that were launched anyway, and buildings buttressed with sandbags while their “windows were taped over to secure them against the concussion of any nearby explosions.”
This period is also, as Inspector Lestrade—Holmes and Watson’s liaison to Scotland Yard—notes at one point, “booming times for crime.” “Yes,” Holmes agrees, “the shortages and deprivation lead to a thriving black market in all manner of goods … and with the blackout criminals can move virtually unseen.”
What a fabulous context for a new case. Yet instead of taking full advantage of the compelling circumstances he chose, Harris doubles back to the 1880s and resurrects the “bloodthirsty spectre of” Jack the Ripper, “returned to haunt” London in its “darkest hour.”
Not in the flesh. This isn’t the actual Whitechapel Murderer—just a copycat killing women in the same gruesome ways on the same calendar dates. But it’s still an odd contortion to fully transport Holmes and Watson (along with supporting characters like Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson) to the 1940s only to concern them with an echo of their primordial past. Yes, it’s a new spin on an old story; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle never had Holmes confront the Ripper. Matching the great detective against the great butcher—even if only by proxy—amidst the chaos of World War II also allows for some new wrinkles relating to espionage, technological advances, etc. That said, I think I would have preferred a story more grounded in the issues of the day.
I still enjoyed myself, though. The book moves at a brisk pace, and jumping forward a half-century updates Holmes and Watson’s backstories in interesting ways. (In this version, they both served during World War I, Watson as a doctor-soldier and Holmes as an intelligence agent, an experience that honed his abilities as a “master of disguise.”) And it’s difficult not to be drawn in by some theorizing about the Ripper’s identity, both that of the real villain and his imitator. The game, as Harris says in his preface, “is once more afoot”—and in fine fashion.
(For more reviews like this one, see www.nickwisseman.com)
Robert J. Harris grew up on such adaptations. As he explains in the preface to his new book A Study in Crimson: Sherlock Holmes 1942, he’s following in the footsteps of a classic series of films that began by pitting “Holmes against Nazi saboteurs.” That premise is hard to resist on its own. But by setting his story in Blitz-era London, Harris also gets to show us the city on a wartime footing, with blackouts enforced at night to shroud the metropolis from German bombers, “tethered barrage balloons” floating in the air to intercept combustibles that were launched anyway, and buildings buttressed with sandbags while their “windows were taped over to secure them against the concussion of any nearby explosions.”
This period is also, as Inspector Lestrade—Holmes and Watson’s liaison to Scotland Yard—notes at one point, “booming times for crime.” “Yes,” Holmes agrees, “the shortages and deprivation lead to a thriving black market in all manner of goods … and with the blackout criminals can move virtually unseen.”
What a fabulous context for a new case. Yet instead of taking full advantage of the compelling circumstances he chose, Harris doubles back to the 1880s and resurrects the “bloodthirsty spectre of” Jack the Ripper, “returned to haunt” London in its “darkest hour.”
Not in the flesh. This isn’t the actual Whitechapel Murderer—just a copycat killing women in the same gruesome ways on the same calendar dates. But it’s still an odd contortion to fully transport Holmes and Watson (along with supporting characters like Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson) to the 1940s only to concern them with an echo of their primordial past. Yes, it’s a new spin on an old story; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle never had Holmes confront the Ripper. Matching the great detective against the great butcher—even if only by proxy—amidst the chaos of World War II also allows for some new wrinkles relating to espionage, technological advances, etc. That said, I think I would have preferred a story more grounded in the issues of the day.
I still enjoyed myself, though. The book moves at a brisk pace, and jumping forward a half-century updates Holmes and Watson’s backstories in interesting ways. (In this version, they both served during World War I, Watson as a doctor-soldier and Holmes as an intelligence agent, an experience that honed his abilities as a “master of disguise.”) And it’s difficult not to be drawn in by some theorizing about the Ripper’s identity, both that of the real villain and his imitator. The game, as Harris says in his preface, “is once more afoot”—and in fine fashion.
(For more reviews like this one, see www.nickwisseman.com)
July 13, 2021
Like a dope, I thought this was written by the Robert Harris who wrote some of my favorite novels, like Fatherland, Enigma and An Officer and a Spy. Sure, it seemed a bit far afield from his usual, but he does write pretty broadly, and so many people have had a go with a Sherlock Holmes story. That’s my excuse, anyway.
Despite my mistake, I was happy to give the story a try. I read a lot of novels set in London during World War II, and I always liked the Basil Rathbone movies, which inspired this book.
It’s a little bit strange the way the story jumps around, starting with a very brief case in Scotland, then back to London for the new case, then a flashback of a sort as Holmes talks about the original Ripper cases and his decision as to who Jack the Ripper was, then another chapter describing Holmes’s experiences during World War I. It’s as if Harris had several ideas for a Sherlock Holmes novel and decided to use them all in the same book. Despite the disjointed segues, the story is entertaining, even though the identity of the perpetrator is easy to figure out.
If you’re in the mood for a quick, light Holmes story, this could hit the spot.
Despite my mistake, I was happy to give the story a try. I read a lot of novels set in London during World War II, and I always liked the Basil Rathbone movies, which inspired this book.
It’s a little bit strange the way the story jumps around, starting with a very brief case in Scotland, then back to London for the new case, then a flashback of a sort as Holmes talks about the original Ripper cases and his decision as to who Jack the Ripper was, then another chapter describing Holmes’s experiences during World War I. It’s as if Harris had several ideas for a Sherlock Holmes novel and decided to use them all in the same book. Despite the disjointed segues, the story is entertaining, even though the identity of the perpetrator is easy to figure out.
If you’re in the mood for a quick, light Holmes story, this could hit the spot.
September 6, 2021
4.5 stars!
A big thanks to Robert J. Harris and Pegasus Books for a free copy of A Study in Crimson in exchange for an honest review. I’ve always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson; I’ve read most of Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels and short stories, and have watched the Robert Downey Jr. movie adaptation and the Benedict Cumberbatch series. I haven’t, however, seen the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce movies (around which this book is primarily based) but those who have say that the tone and vibe of A Study in Crimson perfectly encapsulates their essence.
There a lot of Sherlock Holmes adaptations out there, in books, movies, and television. So does A Study in Crimson stand out as one of the better ones? Read on to know!
Genre:
Mystery, Crime
Length:
256 pages
Overall Rating:
9 out of 10
Plot:
9 out of 10
Characterization:
9 out of 10
Primary Element:
9 out of 10 for its mystery
Writing Style:
9 out of 10
Part of a Series:
No. But it is based around the films starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. I felt like there were references to some of those films and characters specific to them (not having seen any of them, I can’t say for sure), but you don’t feel lost at anytime and it doesn’t take anything away from the story.
Highlighted Takeaway:
With all the expected quirkiness of the main characters and the charm of the original author, Robert J. Harris’ A Study in Crimson will be an easy and enjoyable read for fans of Holmes and Watson.
What I Liked:
The story moves steadily and has no lulls, leaving you quite engrossed. The writing style is very reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work; adjusted for the change in period, but not having lost any of its charm. It’s also wonderfully descriptive, allowing you to really imagine what the city and settings look like. I also found that the (possible) references to the related movies were done perfectly so that someone who hasn’t seen them can still enjoy A Study in Crimson, with the right amount of depth to all the additional characters and enough detail to not leave you confused in the least. And if these weren’t references, they still came across as well-detailed, with all characters contributing immensely to the story.
What I Didn’t Like:
There was nothing to really dislike in Harris’ book – it moves along well and is a really good adaptation of some of the most popular characters in literature.
Who Should Read It:
Robert J. Harris’ A Study in Crimson can be enjoyed by readers who like:
- whodunits
- classic mysteries
- anything Sherlock Holmes-related
- stories based during World War II
Who Should Avoid:
If you prefer your mysteries to be based in modern times, full of forensic evidence, and bad-a** cops or detectives, A Study in Crimson might not be the perfect fit for you. (That is not to say that Sherlock Holmes isn’t bad-a** but that that this book might not be the best fit if you’re looking for more violent or action-filled cop/detective mysteries.)
Read It For:
The classic Sherlock Holmes de-mystifying you would expect (and love)!
A big thanks to Robert J. Harris and Pegasus Books for a free copy of A Study in Crimson in exchange for an honest review. I’ve always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson; I’ve read most of Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels and short stories, and have watched the Robert Downey Jr. movie adaptation and the Benedict Cumberbatch series. I haven’t, however, seen the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce movies (around which this book is primarily based) but those who have say that the tone and vibe of A Study in Crimson perfectly encapsulates their essence.
There a lot of Sherlock Holmes adaptations out there, in books, movies, and television. So does A Study in Crimson stand out as one of the better ones? Read on to know!
Genre:
Mystery, Crime
Length:
256 pages
Overall Rating:
9 out of 10
Plot:
9 out of 10
Characterization:
9 out of 10
Primary Element:
9 out of 10 for its mystery
Writing Style:
9 out of 10
Part of a Series:
No. But it is based around the films starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. I felt like there were references to some of those films and characters specific to them (not having seen any of them, I can’t say for sure), but you don’t feel lost at anytime and it doesn’t take anything away from the story.
Highlighted Takeaway:
With all the expected quirkiness of the main characters and the charm of the original author, Robert J. Harris’ A Study in Crimson will be an easy and enjoyable read for fans of Holmes and Watson.
What I Liked:
The story moves steadily and has no lulls, leaving you quite engrossed. The writing style is very reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work; adjusted for the change in period, but not having lost any of its charm. It’s also wonderfully descriptive, allowing you to really imagine what the city and settings look like. I also found that the (possible) references to the related movies were done perfectly so that someone who hasn’t seen them can still enjoy A Study in Crimson, with the right amount of depth to all the additional characters and enough detail to not leave you confused in the least. And if these weren’t references, they still came across as well-detailed, with all characters contributing immensely to the story.
What I Didn’t Like:
There was nothing to really dislike in Harris’ book – it moves along well and is a really good adaptation of some of the most popular characters in literature.
Who Should Read It:
Robert J. Harris’ A Study in Crimson can be enjoyed by readers who like:
- whodunits
- classic mysteries
- anything Sherlock Holmes-related
- stories based during World War II
Who Should Avoid:
If you prefer your mysteries to be based in modern times, full of forensic evidence, and bad-a** cops or detectives, A Study in Crimson might not be the perfect fit for you. (That is not to say that Sherlock Holmes isn’t bad-a** but that that this book might not be the best fit if you’re looking for more violent or action-filled cop/detective mysteries.)
Read It For:
The classic Sherlock Holmes de-mystifying you would expect (and love)!
July 21, 2022
I confess! The main reason I picked this book was that I was browsing the large print section of the library. I am neither a Sherlock Holmes devotee nor was I seeking this kind of diversion. Nor is my vision especially bad. Let's call it an impulse read.
That said, I have been nosing around Holmesiana these days, including the excellent "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective" game, the wonderful A Study in Emerald short story by Neil Gaiman, and the Dear Holmes mystery letter service, a pandemic diversion. Compared to those, A Study in Scarlet was: not bad!
What I liked: The prose felt Doyle-esque, and had some nice flourishes: "Mycroft emerged from behind his desk like a galleon leaving a harbour" made me laugh out loud. There were a couple of nice mini-mysteries and minor word puzzles, including an opening sequence that turned out to be largely irrelevant.
I also enjoyed the setting of the 1942's Blitz, and how it played a satisfying part in the plot.
For a dilettante like me, Harris provided a nice balance of bringing back a few beloved characters, without a constant stream of Easter Eggs. There were a few callbacks, but it wasn't overwhelming. I thought the Jack the Ripper sequences were deep enough for someone conversant, but not expert in Ripperology.
On the downside, none of the action or suspense was particularly gripping, and the plucky heroine of the story was two-dimensional. Once in a while the author would tackle some of the atmospheric elements all at once--like a jarring sequence in which a conversation drops about six or seven 1930's/1940's movie star names in the span of two pages --it felt like the author was going down a rabbit hole of his own in wikipedia.
Finally, the overall mystery doesn't quite hold up -- the villain chose a public, gruesome, and elaborate solution to a problem (or perhaps two separate problems), one of which didn't seem all that pressing. All that said, it was still: Not bad!
That said, I have been nosing around Holmesiana these days, including the excellent "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective" game, the wonderful A Study in Emerald short story by Neil Gaiman, and the Dear Holmes mystery letter service, a pandemic diversion. Compared to those, A Study in Scarlet was: not bad!
What I liked: The prose felt Doyle-esque, and had some nice flourishes: "Mycroft emerged from behind his desk like a galleon leaving a harbour" made me laugh out loud. There were a couple of nice mini-mysteries and minor word puzzles, including an opening sequence that turned out to be largely irrelevant.
I also enjoyed the setting of the 1942's Blitz, and how it played a satisfying part in the plot.
For a dilettante like me, Harris provided a nice balance of bringing back a few beloved characters, without a constant stream of Easter Eggs. There were a few callbacks, but it wasn't overwhelming. I thought the Jack the Ripper sequences were deep enough for someone conversant, but not expert in Ripperology.
On the downside, none of the action or suspense was particularly gripping, and the plucky heroine of the story was two-dimensional. Once in a while the author would tackle some of the atmospheric elements all at once--like a jarring sequence in which a conversation drops about six or seven 1930's/1940's movie star names in the span of two pages --it felt like the author was going down a rabbit hole of his own in wikipedia.
Finally, the overall mystery doesn't quite hold up -- the villain chose a public, gruesome, and elaborate solution to a problem (or perhaps two separate problems), one of which didn't seem all that pressing. All that said, it was still: Not bad!
December 14, 2021
Perhaps my expectations were too high. I saw this on the library display of new books and squealed quietly with delight: A new Sherlock Holmes mystery set amid WWII, two of my favorite story genres in one book! But egad, this was not very good. The story plodded; the description of how the war affected daily life was weak to nonexistent; and the story was mostly about Dr Watson, whereas Holmes played a somewhat insignificant role. The character Gail Preston is loud, arrogant, the epitome of a brash, pushy American. At one point she shows up in Lastrade’s office unannounced. Wasn’t there a constable at the front desk to vet visitors?
The first three chapters are a separate short story that has absolutely nothing to do with the larger story. Holmes’s brother Mycroft makes a brief, unnecessary appearance because his role in the story is tenuous.
This book also needed a final proofread before it went to print. I found at least 12 instances of missing/incorrect words and punctuation and one page on which each paragraph began with inconsistent indentation.
The first three chapters are a separate short story that has absolutely nothing to do with the larger story. Holmes’s brother Mycroft makes a brief, unnecessary appearance because his role in the story is tenuous.
This book also needed a final proofread before it went to print. I found at least 12 instances of missing/incorrect words and punctuation and one page on which each paragraph began with inconsistent indentation.
June 27, 2021
I enjoy Sherlock Holmes pastiches more than I do the original Doyle stories, and I love the Fox and Universal Holmes movies of the 30s and 40s, so I assumed I would like this book which, so the author claims, was inspired by the Universal films which had Holmes and Watson operating in the present, that is to say, the time in which they were filmed. Unfortunately, I was less than enthused about this novel. Aside from being set in London during WWII (and a handful of minor references to the movies), the Holmes and Watson here bear little resemblance to the characters played by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, and not even that much to the original characters. Several times in the films, Holmes is presented in disguise to fool both Watson and the audience; here, he dons disguises but we don't see him in them, we just hear that he did. This Holmes is not nearly as moody as Rathbone, and Watson is not a bumbling doofus like Nigel Bruce played him--which frankly is OK with me as Bruce does wear one on sometimes. In other words, if you're hoping for some Basil Rathbone fan-fiction sort of pastiche, you'll be disappointed.
The main story involves a Jack the Ripper copycat killer loose on the dark streets of blacked-out wartime London. The identity of the killer is fairly obvious, partly because there are so few real suspects, but the motive for the killings is surprisingly weak. The climactic fight is carried out well, and Watson is given a nearly-romantic female interest which is fun. Though the writing style is fine, the construction of the narrative feels almost amateurish, and the blackout atmosphere could be conjured up with more detail. I'm not sorry to have read it, but I doubt I would read more by this author.
The main story involves a Jack the Ripper copycat killer loose on the dark streets of blacked-out wartime London. The identity of the killer is fairly obvious, partly because there are so few real suspects, but the motive for the killings is surprisingly weak. The climactic fight is carried out well, and Watson is given a nearly-romantic female interest which is fun. Though the writing style is fine, the construction of the narrative feels almost amateurish, and the blackout atmosphere could be conjured up with more detail. I'm not sorry to have read it, but I doubt I would read more by this author.
January 16, 2023
Unlike the vast variety of Sherlock Holmes pastiches that are available, this one is loosely based on the old movies featuring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson. Therefore, it’s set during WWII in 1942, and the story expertly captures the grim atmosphere of life during wartime. Operating under the shadows of the war, Holmes and Watson pursue a serial killer whose methods pose an eerie resemblance to Jack the Ripper, though nearly sixty years have passed since his rampage.
While Sherlock Holmes purists may not appreciate the change in setting, this book otherwise remains true to the essence of Holmes’ and Watson’s characters in terms of Holmes’ arrogant brilliance and Watson’s dogged devotion. They are also assisted by the plucky reporter Gail Preston, who is a fun and able addition to the team. There’s never a dull moment in this engrossing thriller, and they uncover a conspiracy with wide-ranging consequences. Overall, this is a satisfying adaptation for Holmes’ fans.
While Sherlock Holmes purists may not appreciate the change in setting, this book otherwise remains true to the essence of Holmes’ and Watson’s characters in terms of Holmes’ arrogant brilliance and Watson’s dogged devotion. They are also assisted by the plucky reporter Gail Preston, who is a fun and able addition to the team. There’s never a dull moment in this engrossing thriller, and they uncover a conspiracy with wide-ranging consequences. Overall, this is a satisfying adaptation for Holmes’ fans.
June 6, 2021
“It is September 1942 and, in the blacked-out streets of London, the game is once more afoot.”—from A Study of Crimson
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s World War II version of Holmes and Watson return in an all new mystery. A scientist goes missing at a remote Scottish castle while working on a secret project for the British government. Holmes must find her before the Germans do. After solving that crime in record time, Jack the Ripper, or his copycat, has reappeared.
“Mr. Holmes, there is a word which, as a scientist, I hesitate to use, but this whole affair is—on the surface of it—quite impossible.”
I loved the WWII-era version of the famous duo, so I was looking forward to a new tale. And I wasn’t disappointed! The tone of the book is perfect. The descriptions set the scene as clearly as watching a movie. The characters’ voices sound so much like the movie that I actually heard them in my head speaking in Rathbone and Bruce’s accents while reading the book. The mystery was intriguing and kept my interest throughout.
If you are Holmes’ fan and are okay with the updating to the WWII years, I guarantee you will enjoy this book as much as I did. A Study in Crimson deserves 5 stars and is a favorite! Don’t miss it!
Thanks to Pegasus Crime and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s World War II version of Holmes and Watson return in an all new mystery. A scientist goes missing at a remote Scottish castle while working on a secret project for the British government. Holmes must find her before the Germans do. After solving that crime in record time, Jack the Ripper, or his copycat, has reappeared.
“Mr. Holmes, there is a word which, as a scientist, I hesitate to use, but this whole affair is—on the surface of it—quite impossible.”
I loved the WWII-era version of the famous duo, so I was looking forward to a new tale. And I wasn’t disappointed! The tone of the book is perfect. The descriptions set the scene as clearly as watching a movie. The characters’ voices sound so much like the movie that I actually heard them in my head speaking in Rathbone and Bruce’s accents while reading the book. The mystery was intriguing and kept my interest throughout.
If you are Holmes’ fan and are okay with the updating to the WWII years, I guarantee you will enjoy this book as much as I did. A Study in Crimson deserves 5 stars and is a favorite! Don’t miss it!
Thanks to Pegasus Crime and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 30, 2021
Really about a 3.7. I enjoyed this one in a way I don't enjoy a lot of the Holmes books. Partly that may be from the author's very clear take on the character: he wanted to do a book based not as much on the Holmes of Canon but the portrayal by Basil Rathbone. Specifically, he wanted a book based on the Holmes of WW II movies done by Rathbone. In this, I think he has succeeded admirably. It's just after the Blitz, but the streets are still in blackout, making it a prime hunting ground for one who seems to be taking his cues from Jack the Ripper. Can Holmes solve the case? Are we seriously asking that question? Of course not. Foregone conclusion it may be, but it was a fun ride. I hope we see another.
October 20, 2021
I really liked A Study in Crimson. This 1942 Sherlock Holmes mystery about a new incarnation of Jack the Ripper was a thrilling read. I loved the wartime London setting. I was totally duped and was surprised by the outcome. I enjoyed the character of Miss Gail Preston. A very enjoyable read. Looking to read more of this Authors work.
I give A Study in Crimson 4 stars for its thrilling read.
I would recommend this book to Mystery Fans.
I give A Study in Crimson 4 stars for its thrilling read.
I would recommend this book to Mystery Fans.
October 6, 2021
Interesting to a point.
Not impressive when I solved it, too.
Not impressive when I solved it, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2022
Holmes and Watson translate well to the WW II era.
November 12, 2023
3.5/5 I rounded up to 4 stars because it was an entertaining read with an intriguing plot and solid pacing. The conclusion was fairy simple but I enjoyed the Holmes and Watson repartee and their many scenes of deduction.
May 3, 2024
Absolutely nails Watson; struggles with Holmes.
December 24, 2023
Magnífica historia!!!
January 18, 2023
Pues me ha parecido un libro muy interesante. Es un pastiche bastante aceptable del personaje de Conan Doyle y me ha resultado muy entretenido.
July 4, 2022
“This was the true face of crime, not ingenious or fascinating, but brutish and repellent.”
June 21, 2021
Disappointing overall
This book is well written and has some interesting plot features and characters. Nevertheless, I found it rather less than exciting. It perhaps does resemble some of the old Basil Rathbone films — I have seen most of them, although none recently — but by the same token it reads almost like a film script turned to prose. It seems rather thin and shallow overall. As a confirmed Sherlockian and a student of the Canon, I was hoping for more. Holmes’ reasoning at several points in the case seems very unlike that of the original character. Also, if you’re looking for a mystery set in WW II London, there are better ones — some of the Inspector Troy books by John Lawton, for example. I note that several other reviewers enjoyed this book wholeheartedly, but if you’re looking for a cracking good Holmes story in the true spirit of the originals, this probably won’t satisfy you.
This book is well written and has some interesting plot features and characters. Nevertheless, I found it rather less than exciting. It perhaps does resemble some of the old Basil Rathbone films — I have seen most of them, although none recently — but by the same token it reads almost like a film script turned to prose. It seems rather thin and shallow overall. As a confirmed Sherlockian and a student of the Canon, I was hoping for more. Holmes’ reasoning at several points in the case seems very unlike that of the original character. Also, if you’re looking for a mystery set in WW II London, there are better ones — some of the Inspector Troy books by John Lawton, for example. I note that several other reviewers enjoyed this book wholeheartedly, but if you’re looking for a cracking good Holmes story in the true spirit of the originals, this probably won’t satisfy you.
April 22, 2021
Subtitled, Sherlock Holmes 1942, this puts Holmes in a Basil Rathbone homage, Holmes and Watson both early 50ish and survivors of WWI. The plot has a killer recreating the Jack the Ripper killings 50 years after the actual event and Holmes is tasked by his Government adviser brother, Mycroft, to find the murderer with Lestrade and others assisting or blundering. The solution when it comes is very Holmesian.
However, it wasn’t entirely convincing, the American reporter, Gail, for one, just feeling a little "off" as a character and the ease of certain conveniences during wartime, such as the ready availability of cabs, another aspect which didn't quite feel right but as pastiches go this was well-written and involving.
However, it wasn’t entirely convincing, the American reporter, Gail, for one, just feeling a little "off" as a character and the ease of certain conveniences during wartime, such as the ready availability of cabs, another aspect which didn't quite feel right but as pastiches go this was well-written and involving.
August 31, 2021
As a ten year old nerd living in East Aurora I spent my birthday money at Vidlers to purchase a still photo of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes in one of the 1940s films which gave rise to this novel. Clearly, this novel, clever and interesting, is an homage to those films in which Holmes and Watson battle Nazis and saboteurs. In this take Holmes investigates a Ripper style killer who is using the murders as part of a scheme against the government — it is up to Holmes and his always baffled sidekick to figure out the why and the who!
July 20, 2024
It was a fun read. But, it would have been more markedly more enjoyable without the inclusion of the female character.
July 30, 2024
-This extremely well plotted book begins with an example of Holmes’ prowess in his deductive reasoning in uncovering the truth from facts presented. He and Watson travel to Scotland at the behest of the government. A scientist working on a top secret project in a heavily guarded facility had simply vanished. Upon approaching the scene, the chief scientist, Professor Smithers, explained that he escorted the woman to her room and before he entered his own room down the hall on the 3rd floor, had heard a scream. He called security, and they broke down the locked door to find an empty room. The woman’s clothes were on the floor in front of the bathroom and the tub was being filled with water.
-Holmes instantly realized that the woman, who had done this as a prank to rile the stuffy Smithers, was a party to this supposed “abduction”. In the few seconds that Smithers walked down the hallway, there was no time for her to undress and start filling the tub (with the plug removed). He saw the shoes at the floor of her closet moved and then understood that in the time that security personnel came (who were part of the prank), she donned a security uniform that was hidden in her closet and appeared to be part of the security team who then left the premises.
-With that solved, Holmes returned to London, but was called on late at night by Lestrade who needed Holmes urgently. They went to the crime scene, where a young woman lay dead. Holmes saw that she was first choked to death, and after, her throat was deeply cut. Her stomach had been cut open and her intestines were removed and placed in her hand. On the wall nearby were scrawled the words, Crimson Jack. The worst part was that this crime was the second such killing with the same words written nearby. Holmes then brings up the issue of the dates. He explains that the first killing on August 31, followed by the next killing on September 9, were the same dates as the first two murders by Jack the Ripper.
-Holmes, rather than looking at the similarities of the murders, now looks at the differences. The first woman in her 40’s, would supplement her income by meeting men at night and met her fate that way. The second woman was a young pretty woman in her 20’s. She had an excellent work ethic and worked in a movie theatre. She had just helped to close for the night and was seen walking in the direction of her home but she was killed in the opposite direction so she must have been approached by someone she knew who asked for a late meal or something similar.
-Abigail Preston, a reporter, receives an envelope sent to her for her to forward to Scotland Yard. It contains a short, typed letter consisting of only 4 lines and signed Crimson Jack, with a similar handwriting as that on the walls next to the two victims. Part of the letter states that killing is a family business. Lestrade laments that they don’t know who Jack the Ripper was but Holmes reveals that he solved that and explains who he believes that madman was, which leads to a possible suspect.
-Abigail enters after and insists on being part of the investigation. The fact that she was sent the letter means that the killer has a connection to her and she feels that she can be useful. She’s a tough woman and, even though she’s a reporter, has promised to keep the investigation quiet, though she will do an expose on the story after the crimes are solved.
-Holmes and Watson are called in to sit with Holmes’ brother Mycroft, who holds a high government office. He brings out that the 1st letter of each line, ANRK, could refer to anarchy and this whole thing may be a plan by Hitler to push for lights on in the city to make it a better bombing target. Mycroft insists that one of his own joins Sherlock, a Commander Rayner, who worked with Holmes and Watson before.
-Now the group are tasked with discovering who this madman is. The clues are many, but conflicting, which has the investigation leading nowhere, and which leaves Holmes helpless. They’re under pressure to locate this madman before September 30, which is the night that Jack the Ripper claimed two victims. The public, thinking that it’s a hoax, ignores the stories about the killings, which makes it all the more difficult for Holmes and his group to locate and stop this madman.
-This is extremely well done, with many false leads which only heighten the frustration of the group until it dawns on Holmes what is really happening and why. That and the revelation as to the killer’s identity, is a total surprise but everything falls into place making this a highly well written thriller. The characters of Holmes, Watson and Lestrade are modeled after those made famous by the movies with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, who remain as the definitive Holmes and Watson.
-Holmes instantly realized that the woman, who had done this as a prank to rile the stuffy Smithers, was a party to this supposed “abduction”. In the few seconds that Smithers walked down the hallway, there was no time for her to undress and start filling the tub (with the plug removed). He saw the shoes at the floor of her closet moved and then understood that in the time that security personnel came (who were part of the prank), she donned a security uniform that was hidden in her closet and appeared to be part of the security team who then left the premises.
-With that solved, Holmes returned to London, but was called on late at night by Lestrade who needed Holmes urgently. They went to the crime scene, where a young woman lay dead. Holmes saw that she was first choked to death, and after, her throat was deeply cut. Her stomach had been cut open and her intestines were removed and placed in her hand. On the wall nearby were scrawled the words, Crimson Jack. The worst part was that this crime was the second such killing with the same words written nearby. Holmes then brings up the issue of the dates. He explains that the first killing on August 31, followed by the next killing on September 9, were the same dates as the first two murders by Jack the Ripper.
-Holmes, rather than looking at the similarities of the murders, now looks at the differences. The first woman in her 40’s, would supplement her income by meeting men at night and met her fate that way. The second woman was a young pretty woman in her 20’s. She had an excellent work ethic and worked in a movie theatre. She had just helped to close for the night and was seen walking in the direction of her home but she was killed in the opposite direction so she must have been approached by someone she knew who asked for a late meal or something similar.
-Abigail Preston, a reporter, receives an envelope sent to her for her to forward to Scotland Yard. It contains a short, typed letter consisting of only 4 lines and signed Crimson Jack, with a similar handwriting as that on the walls next to the two victims. Part of the letter states that killing is a family business. Lestrade laments that they don’t know who Jack the Ripper was but Holmes reveals that he solved that and explains who he believes that madman was, which leads to a possible suspect.
-Abigail enters after and insists on being part of the investigation. The fact that she was sent the letter means that the killer has a connection to her and she feels that she can be useful. She’s a tough woman and, even though she’s a reporter, has promised to keep the investigation quiet, though she will do an expose on the story after the crimes are solved.
-Holmes and Watson are called in to sit with Holmes’ brother Mycroft, who holds a high government office. He brings out that the 1st letter of each line, ANRK, could refer to anarchy and this whole thing may be a plan by Hitler to push for lights on in the city to make it a better bombing target. Mycroft insists that one of his own joins Sherlock, a Commander Rayner, who worked with Holmes and Watson before.
-Now the group are tasked with discovering who this madman is. The clues are many, but conflicting, which has the investigation leading nowhere, and which leaves Holmes helpless. They’re under pressure to locate this madman before September 30, which is the night that Jack the Ripper claimed two victims. The public, thinking that it’s a hoax, ignores the stories about the killings, which makes it all the more difficult for Holmes and his group to locate and stop this madman.
-This is extremely well done, with many false leads which only heighten the frustration of the group until it dawns on Holmes what is really happening and why. That and the revelation as to the killer’s identity, is a total surprise but everything falls into place making this a highly well written thriller. The characters of Holmes, Watson and Lestrade are modeled after those made famous by the movies with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, who remain as the definitive Holmes and Watson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2023
#49 - A Study In Crimson by Robert J. Harris. This is Harris' first book in a series about Sherlock Holmes in World War II. Specifically, this one is set in London in 1942. Harris, a prolific author, has written a fascinating story which should interest all Sherlock
Holmes fans as well as those fascinated by the unsolved Jack the Ripper movies. I decided to read the first and the second book in the series,Th e Devil's Blaze, to get a sense of the series quality and strengths.
A preface explains how this particular setting of World War II for Holmes came bout. Namely, after the success of the 1939 20th Century Fox release The Hound of the Baskerville, the studio then put out The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. While Fox did not con inue the series, the two lead actors - Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Brice as Dr. Watson - did a radio series together. When Universal Pictures stepped in to negotiate a new movie
deal with the Doyle Estate the decision was made to refresh the characters by transplanting them to the then modern era, the wartime London of 1942. This led to a 12-film series set during the war. "Inspired by that classic series, this novel further explores the world and adventures of its particular version of the great detective, confronting him with a deadly and cunning adversary. It is September 1942 and, in the blacked-out streets of London, the
game is once more afoot."
In the first book there is a killer who refers to himself as Crimson Jack who is stalking London, murdering women, mostly prostitutes, on the exact dates of the infamous Jack the Ripper killings of 1888. Police are stumped on the man's identity so Scotland Yard asks Sherlock Holmes to try to find and stop him. This leads investigators into various direction. But do they lead to Crimson Jack? This has many great twists and a satisfying conclusion.
In the second book, The Devil's Blaze, it is now 1943 and prominent figures in government and science are bursting into flames and being incinerated. The government, worried this is a new terror weapon devised and deployed by the German government, asks Sherlock to find who is behind this and stop that person.
Sherlock is forced into an alliance with Professor James Moriarty. While the nation knows Moriarty as a brilliant scientific genius, only Holmes know that he is also a criminal mastermind. Will they be able to work together to solve this mystery or is Moriarty setting up a duel to the death?
I always enjoy the company of Holmes and Watson and this is no exception in both of
these thrillers with some good new main characters joining the ones well established, and plenty of plot twists. I give both books an 8.
May 28, 2021
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the publisher through Edelwiess+, thank you so much!
A Study In Crimson takes place in 1942, in London in the middle of the blackout. This seems to be a perfect time for a grandiose crime to be committed, and committed it was. Following the same dates as Jack the Ripper, the mysterious Crimson Jack (hence, A Study In Crimson, a play on the title A Study In Scarlet) cuts his way through two innocent women. It’s up to Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and the American reporter Abigail Preston to figure out who’s behind the murders before he completes the set and disappears once again into the shadows of wartime London.
I really liked this setting for a Sherlock Holmes novel, and I absolutely loved how the author tied World War I, known in the novel as The Great War, into both Watson and Holmes’ backstories. Holmes working as a spy with his knack for disguises and ability to worm his way into situations felt perfect to me, and it even helped to humanise him. There was even the mention of a woman he fell for, something I’m usually very against as it’s usually just thrown in the story for romance reasons, but it did more for his character than I thought it would.
Following that, Holmes felt VERY human in this novel, acknowledging his own weaknesses and deferring to others when he knew they had more information than him about certain points. Some versions of Sherlock I’ve read are too perfect and all too willing to brush aside anything they don’t deem worthy at the time. This version of Holmes made sure to at least listen to everything before filtering out non essential bits of information.
Another thing I really liked was the twist, or, twists. First, being able to track down that it was a German spy, really the only explanation that made sense due to the circumstances, and then being one of the team that was trying to track down the murderer. Having the killer be a spy called back to Holmes’ own experiences, and connected him even more to the case, and the trope of the killer inserting himself in investigations is often talked about, but rarely used in my opinion.
All in all, I loved this book. It’s a 4.5 stars for me, and I highly encouraged everyone to give it a try as soon as possible. I think many people will be as delighted by Gail Preston as I was.
A Study In Crimson takes place in 1942, in London in the middle of the blackout. This seems to be a perfect time for a grandiose crime to be committed, and committed it was. Following the same dates as Jack the Ripper, the mysterious Crimson Jack (hence, A Study In Crimson, a play on the title A Study In Scarlet) cuts his way through two innocent women. It’s up to Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and the American reporter Abigail Preston to figure out who’s behind the murders before he completes the set and disappears once again into the shadows of wartime London.
I really liked this setting for a Sherlock Holmes novel, and I absolutely loved how the author tied World War I, known in the novel as The Great War, into both Watson and Holmes’ backstories. Holmes working as a spy with his knack for disguises and ability to worm his way into situations felt perfect to me, and it even helped to humanise him. There was even the mention of a woman he fell for, something I’m usually very against as it’s usually just thrown in the story for romance reasons, but it did more for his character than I thought it would.
Following that, Holmes felt VERY human in this novel, acknowledging his own weaknesses and deferring to others when he knew they had more information than him about certain points. Some versions of Sherlock I’ve read are too perfect and all too willing to brush aside anything they don’t deem worthy at the time. This version of Holmes made sure to at least listen to everything before filtering out non essential bits of information.
Another thing I really liked was the twist, or, twists. First, being able to track down that it was a German spy, really the only explanation that made sense due to the circumstances, and then being one of the team that was trying to track down the murderer. Having the killer be a spy called back to Holmes’ own experiences, and connected him even more to the case, and the trope of the killer inserting himself in investigations is often talked about, but rarely used in my opinion.
All in all, I loved this book. It’s a 4.5 stars for me, and I highly encouraged everyone to give it a try as soon as possible. I think many people will be as delighted by Gail Preston as I was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
I must admit I picked this book up thinking it might be another brilliant thriller by Robert Harris. It wasn't until I began to read it that I realized it was written by Robert J Harris, emphasis on "J". Having swallowed my initial disappointment, I began to read and quickly devoured the book.
Set in London during the London of the German air attacks and war time rationing, it is the Holmes of Sir Conan Doyle, or at least of the movies featuring Basil Rathbone. Holmes is vain, arrogant, and brilliant. His Doctor Watson is perhaps a little more admirable than in the movies, both because of his WWI experiences revealed and his ability to take Holmes' good with the bad. In fact what happens to Watson at the end is one of the nicest things about this book.
After a somewhat inapplicable introduction, Holmes's services are required by Scotland Yard, in what appears to be a copy cat serial murdered seeking to frighten London residents of the Blackout streets. For it looks like Jack the Ripper is back after the ~60 years or so since his initial victims were discovered.
Harris throws in some good red herrings, some honest detective work, and with a slight twist considers the psychological value of frightening a citenzry arguably tired of the black outs, material privations and after dealing with the appalling deaths in Europe, North Africa and Asia--now deaths in the streets of London.
Workmanlike and clever, the book nevertheless does not quite make the 3.51 needed for a fourth star, at least not for me. Some of the characters are two dimensional, the deductions made by Holmes seem fairly attenuated at times, and the premise of the murders maybe not quite as plausible. The newspaper nemesis is a little over the top nasty and without any principles, although given where journalists are these days, perhaps Harris is only guilty of importing 2023 standards into the 1942 time context.
While perfectly enjoyable, I would not say i will have retained anything lasting or positive from reading this book. Hence, three stars and a resolution to read more actual Conan Doyle.
Set in London during the London of the German air attacks and war time rationing, it is the Holmes of Sir Conan Doyle, or at least of the movies featuring Basil Rathbone. Holmes is vain, arrogant, and brilliant. His Doctor Watson is perhaps a little more admirable than in the movies, both because of his WWI experiences revealed and his ability to take Holmes' good with the bad. In fact what happens to Watson at the end is one of the nicest things about this book.
After a somewhat inapplicable introduction, Holmes's services are required by Scotland Yard, in what appears to be a copy cat serial murdered seeking to frighten London residents of the Blackout streets. For it looks like Jack the Ripper is back after the ~60 years or so since his initial victims were discovered.
Harris throws in some good red herrings, some honest detective work, and with a slight twist considers the psychological value of frightening a citenzry arguably tired of the black outs, material privations and after dealing with the appalling deaths in Europe, North Africa and Asia--now deaths in the streets of London.
Workmanlike and clever, the book nevertheless does not quite make the 3.51 needed for a fourth star, at least not for me. Some of the characters are two dimensional, the deductions made by Holmes seem fairly attenuated at times, and the premise of the murders maybe not quite as plausible. The newspaper nemesis is a little over the top nasty and without any principles, although given where journalists are these days, perhaps Harris is only guilty of importing 2023 standards into the 1942 time context.
While perfectly enjoyable, I would not say i will have retained anything lasting or positive from reading this book. Hence, three stars and a resolution to read more actual Conan Doyle.
June 14, 2021
In 1942 London, a killer known as "Crimson Jack" is copying the famous Jack The Ripper murders of 1888. Scotland Yard turns to Sherlock Holmes and his friend Watson to determine the identity of the killer before he kills again.
A Study in Crimson styles itself after the classic Holmes movies of the 1940s starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Imagine the classic Victorian stories transported to the '40s, you have the feel of this novel. Watson is still the one telling the story from his point of view, with accents written out and an initial mystery that Sherlock solves to "prove" once again how quickly he can solve crimes taking in the minor details that others miss as well as the acceptable social mores of the time. From the initial crime he solves, Sherlock returns to Baker Street and is drawn into the main story we're looking for.
The story progresses at a pace similar to that of Doyle's works, with some musing from Watson about his former married life, the war, how the destitute still need police protection, and that there is always a need for "more soldiers in the war against crime." Mycroft still works for the government, this time for the war effort, and shows off as much as Sherlock does in additional asides that are tangential to the main story. Transposing them all to the '40s is very well done, keeping the core of the characters the same and altering backgrounds just in the most minor of details. What seems at first to be asides that have nothing to do with the main story with Crimson Jack does ultimately give the details needed to solve the crime. Sherlock works well in this time period, using his knowledge of many subjects, proper behaviors expected of the English, and history to unravel the clues. Overall, it's a fun addition to the Holmes collective.
A Study in Crimson styles itself after the classic Holmes movies of the 1940s starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Imagine the classic Victorian stories transported to the '40s, you have the feel of this novel. Watson is still the one telling the story from his point of view, with accents written out and an initial mystery that Sherlock solves to "prove" once again how quickly he can solve crimes taking in the minor details that others miss as well as the acceptable social mores of the time. From the initial crime he solves, Sherlock returns to Baker Street and is drawn into the main story we're looking for.
The story progresses at a pace similar to that of Doyle's works, with some musing from Watson about his former married life, the war, how the destitute still need police protection, and that there is always a need for "more soldiers in the war against crime." Mycroft still works for the government, this time for the war effort, and shows off as much as Sherlock does in additional asides that are tangential to the main story. Transposing them all to the '40s is very well done, keeping the core of the characters the same and altering backgrounds just in the most minor of details. What seems at first to be asides that have nothing to do with the main story with Crimson Jack does ultimately give the details needed to solve the crime. Sherlock works well in this time period, using his knowledge of many subjects, proper behaviors expected of the English, and history to unravel the clues. Overall, it's a fun addition to the Holmes collective.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews