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Time for Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes wanted to retire . . . When Holmes gives up the adventurous life of a consulting detective and retires to the Sussex countryside to raise bees, little does he or his old friend Dr. John Watson realize that their greatest adventures lies ahead-an adventure spanning centuries and extending across the solar system . . . for nothing elss than human civilization lies at state as Sherlock Holmes finds himself moving inexorably toward the final and most terrible confrontation with his ancient enemy, the time-jumping Napoleon of crime, Professor Moriarty! "Delightfully preposterous . . . a lot of fun!" -- The Republic "Professor Moriarty, once reported dead, but now rejuventated by the Time Machine which Moriarty has swiped from H.G. Wells' time traveler . . . Doyle to H.G. Wells to Dvorkin . . . nice triple play!" -- The New York Times
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 22, 2017
I gave this a two because the science fiction parts are very inconsistent and not well explained within their own framework. Also, I see Holmes and Watson as the kind of people who would be far more active in their lives than sitting on the Sussex farm for years on end. Would they really have done nothing in WWII? What would be the point of being immortal if you don't actively live? That is not explained. There are years in which they simply do nothing, and I think this serves more to fit the author's time scheme than to provide continuity for the characters. Usually I read a Homes book in one sitting. This one I dragged out. I couldn't ignore a Holmes story, but neither could I read it straight through. Thank goodness I got it for $1 at the Friends of the Library sale.
February 13, 2012
I found this to be a rewarding read.
The premise is this: Sherlock Holmes has discovered the secret to eternal life (bees, of course), which he shares with his brother Mycroft, Mrs. Hudson, and, of course, John Watson. James Moriarty, on the other hand, has discovered -- and stolen -- H.G. Wells' time machine, grown increasingly unhinged, and is traveling through time to attempt to assassinate key world leaders.
I appreciated how Holmes remained fixed on finding and thwarting Moriarty over the decades and centuries, as the professor's efforts extended past Earth into the solar system. I liked how Watson attempted to have life and love and meaningful work, despite the overarching and long-term threat. (The secondary love story with Watson had some lovely, if somewhat predictable, turns.) It was fascinating to see glimpses of Dvorkin's predicted future as humankind moved beyond Earth. Most importantly, I found it very compelling to see how Holmes and Watson, even as their lives grew apart in certain ways, collaborated so successfully to fight Moriarty and offer the universe a future. Their partnership, their trust, felt very real and true to the Holmesian tradition.
This is one of the more imaginative and exotic pastiches I've read, and I applaud the author for daring to look so far into the future and project the great Holmes-Watson friendship (and the great Holmes-Moriarty rivalry) there. I've read and enjoyed more canon-centric works (usually my preference), but this never seemed wildly out of character to me, and it captured my interest and kept it until the final page. It's well worth reading for any Holmesian fan with a taste for science fiction.
Favorite quotes:
"The world, Watson," he said firmly, "is an ass."
"With all of time left in which to explore the works of Man, the mighty wonders he will perform in the distant future, we cannot, we must not, lose hope because of the meanness we see about us now."
"My oldest and dearest friend, the pastimes for us will be endless, infinite, and eternal."
The premise is this: Sherlock Holmes has discovered the secret to eternal life (bees, of course), which he shares with his brother Mycroft, Mrs. Hudson, and, of course, John Watson. James Moriarty, on the other hand, has discovered -- and stolen -- H.G. Wells' time machine, grown increasingly unhinged, and is traveling through time to attempt to assassinate key world leaders.
I appreciated how Holmes remained fixed on finding and thwarting Moriarty over the decades and centuries, as the professor's efforts extended past Earth into the solar system. I liked how Watson attempted to have life and love and meaningful work, despite the overarching and long-term threat. (The secondary love story with Watson had some lovely, if somewhat predictable, turns.) It was fascinating to see glimpses of Dvorkin's predicted future as humankind moved beyond Earth. Most importantly, I found it very compelling to see how Holmes and Watson, even as their lives grew apart in certain ways, collaborated so successfully to fight Moriarty and offer the universe a future. Their partnership, their trust, felt very real and true to the Holmesian tradition.
This is one of the more imaginative and exotic pastiches I've read, and I applaud the author for daring to look so far into the future and project the great Holmes-Watson friendship (and the great Holmes-Moriarty rivalry) there. I've read and enjoyed more canon-centric works (usually my preference), but this never seemed wildly out of character to me, and it captured my interest and kept it until the final page. It's well worth reading for any Holmesian fan with a taste for science fiction.
Favorite quotes:
"The world, Watson," he said firmly, "is an ass."
"With all of time left in which to explore the works of Man, the mighty wonders he will perform in the distant future, we cannot, we must not, lose hope because of the meanness we see about us now."
"My oldest and dearest friend, the pastimes for us will be endless, infinite, and eternal."
March 15, 2012
I thought this was very good, and a massively fun read overall. Holmes and Watson remain beautifully in character, and the author does some very interesting things with them. But I have to say I was put off by the fact that every time one of Moriarty's periodical time-traveling assassination "appointments" comes around, Watson seems completely by surprised by them even though he and Holmes have had them graphed out for decades. CARRY AN APPOINTMENT BOOK, FRIEND.
Also, I was taken aback by Lily's inability to process the fact that she had time-traveled, even though she knew perfectly well that that's what Moriarty's machine did. She must have taken a blow to the head along the way -- or had time-lag, a la Connie Willis's characters.
Oh! And one more thing: they live on a farm on the banks of the Thames all throughout World War II, looking for all the world like 20-somethings, and no one conscripts them? Nary a bomb falls near them? Really?
I know, I need to relax.
Also, I was taken aback by Lily's inability to process the fact that she had time-traveled, even though she knew perfectly well that that's what Moriarty's machine did. She must have taken a blow to the head along the way -- or had time-lag, a la Connie Willis's characters.
Oh! And one more thing: they live on a farm on the banks of the Thames all throughout World War II, looking for all the world like 20-somethings, and no one conscripts them? Nary a bomb falls near them? Really?
I know, I need to relax.
September 9, 2009
An odd little book, Holmes and Watson discover the secret of eternal youth (from Bees naturally), Moriarty gets caught up in a timewarp when he tries to nuke the US president's visit to California and keeps knocking off world leaders so its up to Holmes to stop him.
A bit of light fun reading, but you can see the twist in the plot about Watson's love interest coming a mile off
A bit of light fun reading, but you can see the twist in the plot about Watson's love interest coming a mile off
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews