Sherlock Holmes and the Rule of Nine

by Barrie Roberts

When a series of accidents befall small shopkeepers who have recently taken precautions to protect their premises, Sherlock Holmes is the first to discern a pattern, to the befuddlement of his most loyal friend. It seems someone is running a protection racket, and murder is involved, so Holmes is determined to get to the bottom of the Rule of Nine.

Genres: Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a frustrating case for Holmes. Watson describes him as frowning something like ten times. That aside it's a really engaging read. Most memorable scene has to do with the Thames river rising and filling the basement of a warehouse where an ally of Holmes has been beaten and chained. A nail biter of a rescue involving a few of the Irregulars. This adventure also features intrigue having to do with the Catholic Church and an Italian Crime syndicate.

[Clint Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert: Sherlock Solves the mystery!

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some Sherlock Holmes pastiches that are so close to the spirit and style of Arthur Conan Doyle that you wind up wishing that they were part of the Canon. This is one such book.

(Cannon = Sherlock Holmes stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle and no one else. Canon is not meant to be a pun on Conan. I think.)



Roberts has a very good handle on just why Sherlock Holmes is so popular. His Holmes is clearly recognizable as Holmes and not someone with a floppy hat and pipe fetish. Roberts also uses elements that are clearly recognizable from the Canon.



I wish I'd written this book.

[Timothy Musser]

Good book. Barrie Roberts takes the Arthur Conan Doyles method of writing as Dr. John Watson, and does a splendid job. I felt as though I were reading a new story, straight from Conan Doyle's desk. A must read for any Sherlock Holmes fan.