I Will Find the Answer

by Kate Workman

Erik has returned and has brought an interesting character to Holmes's attention: Dr. Henry Jekyll. It appears Jekyll is experimenting on an unsanctioned patient in an effort to prove his theories concerning human nature correct. But who is the patient he's found? Is it his mentally ill father, shut away for years in an institution? Is it Simon Stride, the jealous former suitor of Jekyll's fianc e? Or could it be the mysterious, unsavoury murderer, Edward Hyde, with whom Jekyll seems to have intimate knowledge? Sherlock Holmes, along with Erik and Watson, investigates this bizarre case. Holmes uses a very unorthodox method that brings him to the brink of insanity as he delves into the mind of a man obsessively devoted to his work. Will Holmes's own mind crack under the strain of this case?

Genres: Mystery

180 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read the first book in this series and this fact might be affecting my capacity to be fair to the story. And, although I have read The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde I haven't see the musical and this seems to be the source of this crossover, not the book.

That said, the story is interesting and, some anachronisms aside, well-written. I'd have liked of the book had delved more deeply into the obvious conflict between Erik, who has been a monster, and Dr Jekyll, who has become one. But this may be just me, who always wants a bit of struggle between the characters.

Aaaaand... by now you all know that I adore Watson. I always found the partnership between Holmes and Watson one of the main attractions to their stories. And here, Watson seems to be relegated to the background (he doesn't even know Dr. Jekyll by name!) and Erik is taking his place. Having Holmes asking Erik to become his partner... well... not my cup of tea.

But if you don't have my hang-ups, I'm sure you'll be enjoying the story :)

[David Grossman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun, whether you're a Sherlock fan or a classic horror fan. Very engaging sequel to "Rendezvous at the Populaire," in which Holmes meets the Phantom of the Opera, and they find common ground.
Here, the Phantom, aka Erik, has become Holmes' colleague. I found the collaboration, with Watson as the clueless "everyman" with a medical degree, a really entertaining team up.
In this book, the team investigates what troubles Dr Jekyll.
I was fascinated by Holmes' exploration of a purloined sample of Jekyll's formula. I couldn't help waiting for a technical psychopharmacological explanation. Of course, there wasn't one. Likely attributable not only to the mortal limitations of Mr Stevenson and Ms Workman, but also potential copycat incidents and liability of existing pharmaceuticals.
The most drastic (SPOILER) event is hinted by the title, the consequences of which may persist in this version of the Holmes multiverse.
It kept me guessing, like Watson, what Holmes & Erik were up to throughout. Once I started (on time off) it was a guick read. I couldn't put it down.
Highly recommended.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted on my blog The Writer's Library.



It feels weird not putting this book under Project: Sherlock. This may take some getting used to.
So, to start off, I have to be honest. It's not as good as Populaire was, and I honestly didn't expect it to be. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy it, however. No, not at all. I just couldn't connect to the message the way I could the previous novel. It is a very important message and I feel that it was presented in the best way it could be, but I couldn't jump up and scream "YES!!!" the way I did with the previous work.
The voices need work still. Even in this novel, coming from Erik's, Watson's, and Holmes' perspectives, the sometimes switching of the voices without warning took a little adjusting to. At least it didn't feel jarring, though, so I'll give it that.
Despite this, I still feel that this was a fantastically gripping story. You know, the kind that you stay up until two in the morning to finish. I really enjoyed seeing Erik again, and this time seeing him as just Erik and not the Phantom. I love how he showed the somewhat volatile but lovable man beneath the mask, something we only got hints of before. I absolutely adored how he never left Holmes' side as the detective battled the evil within himself. I wish I could say the same for Watson, but I don't believe it would have fitted his character.
And it's got me wanting to reach for the next one (which, to my knowledge, isn't out yet), to find out what happens to Holmes as he recovers and what will happen with Moriarty, as we got hints of something coming with him.
I can't wait to read Workman's next one!