Sherlock Holmes: Adventures for the Twelve Days of Christmas by Roger Riccard

Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas #1

by Roger Riccard

This third book by Roger Riccard brings forth a series of six short stories occurring during the Christmas seasons of Sherlock Holmes' career, with each title taking its name from the carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. In this first volume we meet The Seventh Swann, The Eighth Milkmaid, The Ninth Ladyship at the Dance, The Tenth Lord Leaping, The Eleven Pipe Problem and the Twelfth Drumming.

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Reviews

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was brilliant, a great addition to the Holmes canon of literature.
All six stories with a festive flavour we see Watson narrating many Christmas adventures with Sherlock.
From drug addled lords, suicides, missing heirs, illegitimate children, old friends in need of assistance, they all have that unique Sherlockian twist of deduction, a lot of fun and each chapter named after one of the Twelve days of Christmas carol this is perfect seasonal reading for whodunnits enthusiasts.
Looking forward to the companion volume containing the other six stories.

[KaroLin (Fiktion fetzt) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I enjoyed this collection of festive short stories very much! Granted, they don't feature very challenging mysteries. But with the great jokes, excellent Holmes-and-Watson-banter, Baker Street cosiness, festive settings and heartwarming revelations they make excellent sherlockian Christmas adventures!

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robust, well-plotted, original mysteries. Holmes felt somewhat blander than the original but he and Watson are generally true to form.
What lost a star are words and phrases that I believe are anachronistic or Americanisms: coffee table, clueless, lowest of the low, crime-fighting. And all the Christmas decorations! “Much to the chagrin of my roommate, Sherlock Holmes, Mrs. Hudson had festooned 221B Baker Street with holly, garlands and a large wreath on the door.” Much to my chagrin as well—they jarringly disturb the flow and atmosphere of the stories.
Still worth reading of you want some clever pastiches with unusual plots.

[John Geary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this collection of six pastich stories. They are all set during the Christmas season although in a few of them Christmas doesn’t play that big a role; that being said, the author has drawn from that popular Christmas carol for the titles and themes of each of the six stories and does a pretty good job.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a dear friend who knows I am a Sherlock Holmes fan. The titles were very clever to go along with the Christmas song. This volume started with the 7th day of Christmas through the 12th day of Christmas. The stories were so-so. They weren't the usual stories where Holmes goes in disguise and atrocious crimes were committed.
An okay read. Not a keeper on my shelf.

[Linda Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short stories with the wonderful Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Can't wait to read the other book.

[Marcie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roger Riccard's Sherlock Holmes: Adventures for the Twelve Days of Christmas is a fine collection of Holmesian pastiches, perfect reading for the Christmas season.