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Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes on the Western Front
It is 1916 and the allies are losing the Great War. It had been a terrible two years; opening with that note of 'over by Christmas' optimism. Mycroft Holmes enlists the aid of his brother Sherlock, 'You owe it to your country, ' says Mycroft who desperately needs Sherlock to investigate a female spy who is travelling too frequently between France and Germany.Holmes and Watson take off for the Western Front disguised as army officers but no matter the action they take, the spy always eludes them. Holmes and Watson parachute into enemy territory only to discover that they are almost too late.
- GenresMystery
106 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1999
23 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Val Andrews
60 books16 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 8, 2015
I grabbed this from the local 'need a book, take a book' shelf at the train station, which I had seeded with some stuff a couple weeks ago. Apparently, Mr. Andrews wrote quite a pile of Holmes Pastiches.
This one features Mycroft dragging Holmes and Watson out of retirement to foil some British spies during the Great War. The feel of the characters is there, and the sense that Holmes is older, and perhaps a bit out of practice, but still Holmes, works well.
There's quite a few fun moments.. at one point Holmes and Watson pretend to be spies pretending to be Holmes and Watson, and at another Watson opines how the Germans aren't such bad chaps once the War is over.
My main complaint is probably not the writers fault. The story sets up with Holems and Watson having been retired for many years, and not having seen much of each other.. yet there's no reminisincing at all on Watson's part.. which seems entirely out of character. I can imagine that wouldn't really make for a good narrative, though.
Then there's the one nitpick that drove me nuts.... Holmes mentions Irene Adler by name, right in the beginning! Luckily, I got over it and still read the book... I'd definitely read other Holmes adventures by Andrews if I came across them.
This one features Mycroft dragging Holmes and Watson out of retirement to foil some British spies during the Great War. The feel of the characters is there, and the sense that Holmes is older, and perhaps a bit out of practice, but still Holmes, works well.
There's quite a few fun moments.. at one point Holmes and Watson pretend to be spies pretending to be Holmes and Watson, and at another Watson opines how the Germans aren't such bad chaps once the War is over.
My main complaint is probably not the writers fault. The story sets up with Holems and Watson having been retired for many years, and not having seen much of each other.. yet there's no reminisincing at all on Watson's part.. which seems entirely out of character. I can imagine that wouldn't really make for a good narrative, though.
Then there's the one nitpick that drove me nuts.... Holmes mentions Irene Adler by name, right in the beginning! Luckily, I got over it and still read the book... I'd definitely read other Holmes adventures by Andrews if I came across them.
August 17, 2019
3 STARS
Want to read
December 6, 2019Endeavor Press Sherlock Holmes Advent Calendar 99
November 23, 2024
1916 How are the Germans intercepting the British communication system. Holmes and Watson are recruited to find out.
An enjoyable Holmes mystery
An enjoyable Holmes mystery
February 28, 2016
Sherlock Holmes on the Western Front by Val Andrews
The year is 1916 and the Great War is raging in Europe. Doctor Watson is strolling in St James’s Park, on his way to a command visit to the Diogenes Club. There Mycroft informs him that Sherlock Holmes has refused to aid in the war effort, and that Watson must persuade Holmes to acquiesce to undertaking a mission for the Crown.
Holmes finally agrees. He and Watson are to go to the Western Front disguised as musicians. Holmes will play violin and Watson the piano to entertain the troops at Salisbury. They are joined by a Mr. and Mrs. Brand, who perform a marionette show. Part of their show is assisted by Sergeant Johnson’s manipulation of a spotlight to make the marionette skeleton look even more realistic.
At Stonehenge, Holmes and Watson are startled by a German airplane which swoops over the monument and turns back across the channel. A stone is discovered which is daubed with florescent paint. It has obvious signs of being moved. The pattern of marks in the earth is a match for the position of strategic villages on the coast.
Holmes discovers that messages are being passed in this way to the low flying plane. He sets a trap to expose the traitor that is helping the Germans. But his work will not been finished for some time.
The story is a nice historical fiction piece. The exposures of the traitors and the discovery of the German war strategy is well written. I give the book four stars.
Quoth the Raven…
The year is 1916 and the Great War is raging in Europe. Doctor Watson is strolling in St James’s Park, on his way to a command visit to the Diogenes Club. There Mycroft informs him that Sherlock Holmes has refused to aid in the war effort, and that Watson must persuade Holmes to acquiesce to undertaking a mission for the Crown.
Holmes finally agrees. He and Watson are to go to the Western Front disguised as musicians. Holmes will play violin and Watson the piano to entertain the troops at Salisbury. They are joined by a Mr. and Mrs. Brand, who perform a marionette show. Part of their show is assisted by Sergeant Johnson’s manipulation of a spotlight to make the marionette skeleton look even more realistic.
At Stonehenge, Holmes and Watson are startled by a German airplane which swoops over the monument and turns back across the channel. A stone is discovered which is daubed with florescent paint. It has obvious signs of being moved. The pattern of marks in the earth is a match for the position of strategic villages on the coast.
Holmes discovers that messages are being passed in this way to the low flying plane. He sets a trap to expose the traitor that is helping the Germans. But his work will not been finished for some time.
The story is a nice historical fiction piece. The exposures of the traitors and the discovery of the German war strategy is well written. I give the book four stars.
Quoth the Raven…
February 19, 2024
Yet another short Sherlock Holmes and Watson tale from Val Andrews. This one is an espionage WW1 tale for the duo beginning with Holmes (on violin) and Watson (on piano) entertaining the troops on Salisbury Plain whilst they try to identify the German spies. After some adventures they end up in Paris with Mycroft where their daring do saves the day. Another good one for the collection.
May 13, 2018
An excellent read.
May 1, 2015
Really enjoyed
I thought this was a very respectable Sherlock story. Enjoyable characters and interesting plot. With K.U. it cost me nothing so what's not to like about that?
I thought this was a very respectable Sherlock story. Enjoyable characters and interesting plot. With K.U. it cost me nothing so what's not to like about that?
February 11, 2024
Great Escape
Very good reading. Good story. Sherlock at his best. His aid Dr. Watson gave as good as he got from Holmes.
Very good reading. Good story. Sherlock at his best. His aid Dr. Watson gave as good as he got from Holmes.
March 29, 2017
Kindle Unlimited One of several Sherlock Holmes stories by an assorted group of authors, wanted to go through them all. Liked it, just didn't love it, sort of the right style and all but....
April 26, 2017
Not a full 4, but well beyond a motley 3.
Andrews never gets into too much detail, but this storyline is a solid one. A solid, quick read.
Andrews never gets into too much detail, but this storyline is a solid one. A solid, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews