The Jubilee Plot

Sherlock Holmes & Young Winston #2

by Mike Hogan

June 1887. As the climax of her Golden Jubilee celebrations, Queen Victoria will join more than fifty foreign monarchs and heads of state, her peers of the realm and her ministers in a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey. Spymasters in the newly created Special (Irish) Branch of Scotland Yard inform the Prime Minister that blood-oath Irish Republican fanatics vow to wipe out the Queen and her family; Fenian assassins will throw bombs of terrible potency using the new explosive, dynamite. Sherlock Holmes and his companions Doctor Watson and young Winston Churchill are called in not only to prevent a dynamite outrage against the Queen, but to avert a catastrophic war that might bring down the Empire. As the plot unravels, they find it harder and harder to determine who they can trust even at the highest levels of the government. Who is spying on whom?

Genres: Mystery, Crime

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2013

About the author

I've lived most of my life in Africa, Asia and the Far East manufacturing handicrafts and teaching. I decided to quit regular work and write. There wasn't really a plan, just an instinct that I could write in different historical and contemporary settings.

I completed a Sherlock Holmes novel trilogy in which Winston Churchill, aged twelve, joins Sherlock and Watson at 221B Baker Street. All are available on Amazon.
My semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel, Hamlet and Me is on on Kindle and soon in paperback. A boy learns about life as he moonlights at the Old Vic theatre in London during the rehearsals for the O'Toole Hamlet in 1963.
Two collections of Sherlock Holmes short stories are also on Kindle and paperback, and another novel, Sherlock Holmes - The Scottish Question, are published, and I will make Hamlet and Me and a book set in Ancient Rome in 475 AD available on paperback in 2016.
My comedy on the aftermath of the crazy 2016 US presidential elections on Kindle and in paperback.
Have a look at my blog for other stories.

Reviews

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was, in a word, tedious.

The constant effort at snark and sarcasm for humour quickly bored, and detracted from the reading.

Although maybe better detractions would have helped this convoluted story.

And sadly young 'Winston' was barely a bit player, no more prominant than Lestrade is most SH tales, which makes him hardly worth a book title mention.

Disappointing book after the solid first book in three from this author.

[robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall enjoyable, BUT given the overal realism of these plots (relatively speaking, anyway) there was an element of slapstick to the Springfoot Jack incident that felt plain ridiculous. That aside, the sheer detailed involvement of the plot is as entertaining as ever, and Churchill makes a surprisingly great addition to the normal duo.

[Luke Kuhns · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee but festive celebrations are not the only thing afoot in this riveting and exciting read by Mike Hogan.

I couldn't help by find myself thoroughly engaged throughout this novel. I enjoyed that Mike didn’t just make use of the classic canonical characters such as Mycroft and Lestrade, he also makes use of characters from the Greek Interpreter along with his insertion of historical figures.

Mike keeps true to Doyle’s style and the characteristics of Doyle’s characters. I enjoyed the relationship between Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson, and young Winston Churchill. The three play off each other very well. Mike’s grasp on historical events as well as Victorian London is something to be admired.

Fans of Sherlock Holmes won’t be disappointed with this instalment in the Sherlock Holmes and Young Winston series. New comers to Holmes, or for those simply looking for a thrilling Victorian crime will greatly enjoy this book.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is every bit as good as the first one! I love how in the beginning you aren't sure whether Holmes, Watson, and young Winston looking for anarchists bent on killing Queen Victoria during her Jubilee celebration, or is it a robbery of a Maharajah's jewels. This all takes place in my favorite time period with lots of history, mixed with chases, bombs,another visit from Buffalo Bill and his Indians, a great green tricycle, and a quick unpleasant trip to Paris ( well at least for Dr. Watson!) Lots of fun.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually 2.5 stars. A little to long and drawn out. I did enjoy the Irish issue information and the actual Jubilee action that was based in fact. And Young Winston had more of a key role in this outing.