Who Thinks Evil: A Professor Moriarty Novel

Professor Moriarty #5

by Michael Kurland

In London, 1892, a well-guarded young nobleman goes missing under distressing circumstances. The nobleman, one Baron Renfrew, is actually Prince Albert Victor, eldest grandson of Queen Victoria. He disappeared while he was visiting a house of ill repute, with bodyguards both inside and outside the building―with his inside bodyguard rendered unconscious and the trussed-up corpse of a brutally murdered young woman left behind. Hoping to find the missing Prince and to clear him of the murder, the royal family is looking for a brilliant―and, more importantly, discreet―investigator. Sherlock Holmes, alas, is out of the country so, at the suggestion of his brother Mycroft, they turn to the only man who just might be more brilliant―Dr. James Moriarty. Moriarty, at the time, is up on charges of murder, awaiting retrial after his first jury was hung. In exchange for his release and the murder charges (of which he's innocent), the so-called "Napoleon of Crime" will use all his resources to track down the missing prince and find out who is behind his disappearance and the brutal murders left in his wake. He soon finds that someone out there is laying a trail, setting up Moriarty himself to take the fall for the crimes. If the real Moriarty doesn't manage to unravel and foil this plot soon, he may never again draw another free breath. Who Thinks Evil is the fifth Professor Moriarty novel from Michael Kurland.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Thriller, 19th Century, Adult Fiction, Crime

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2014

About the author

aka Jennifer Plum

Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favourite whore of Prince Albert Victor has been slaughtered and the prince has gone missing from the brothel. Is the prince really a killer, or is there something even more sinister going on?

Sherlock Holmes is out of the country and Professor James Moriarty is standing trial for a series of house breakings that he did not commit (or even advise on).

Mycroft needs someone intelligent and capable to find the Prince, so Moriarty is bailed out to assist the British Government.

Moriarty as detective works really well. The character has an acidic sense of humour and the plot is intricate and interesting.

Highly recommended for all Sherlockians and anyone interested in historical crime.

[Al Stoess · Rating 2 out of 5]

An anti-Sherlock Holmes novel although Holmes is a good guy. Kurland makes Moriarity into a good guy in this series. Interesting but really a take-off on Arthur Conan Doyle.

[Victoria Cuffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

Are we to take the evaluation of Sherlock Holmes, who categorized Moriarty as London's most evil criminal, at face value? The author of this series puts that in doubt.

While Moriarty is not your usual upstanding, law-abiding citizen, neither is he precisely the archfiend of Holmes description.

In this episode (and I can recommend the others in this series as well), as a result of Holmes' accusations and extremely thin evidence, Moriarty is facing a second trial after a hung jury. But a dire threat faces the government, and with true irony, who but Holmes' brother Mtcroft has recommended to avert it but Moriarty! And over the objections of the great detective himself....

Do take the time to relax with this enjoyable book.

[Sarah Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood and gore (a lot) largely occluded. This may be relative to the last book I read, but the book is a police procedural, told from the point of view of Moriarty rather than Holmes. Evil actors trying to frame Queen Victoria’s grandson by making it seem he is responsible for Jack-the-ripper style killings in high-end whore houses. I am pretty sure that the author is the same man who wrote “The Unicorn Girl” in the sixties, despite the difference in genre, if only for the spoof of “all resemblance to” etc at the beginning of the novel.

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid addition to the Professor Moriarty series. Kurland bases the plot on the old rumors that Prince Albert Victor was really the Whitechapel killer. It quickly becomes clear that he isn't responsible for this new series of grisly murders, but that someone (or someones) are trying very hard to make it look like he is. Not the best of the series, but well done. For once, Sherlock Holmes doesn't immediately suspect the Professor of being behind the crimes. 3.5 stars.

[Michael D Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a good story. Enjoyed it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for Sherlock fans.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable enough detective type novel concerning a plot to rock Victoria's monarchy through slurring her family name through homicide being placed at the feet of Prince Albert Victor.
This book certainly used in parts the 'Prince Eddy' ripper theory as the basis of the plot ..certainly rumours surrounding the monarchy and the Whitechapel murders form part of the conspiracy.
Moriarty himself is a interesting character being involved with locating the missing Prince to defer his own legal troubles..unlike Holmes in a lot of these type books Moriarty doesn't look too large over proceedings..Yes he is a fixture but he retains some mystique allowing the plot to unfurl around him.
The interplay between Holmes and Moriarty is explored at times mainly I think to create the vision that not only is Moriarty worthy nemesis of Holmes but very alike the great detective too.
All in all I enjoyed this book it wasn't overtly taxing but neither was it too throwaway ..in fact in many ways the pace was about right.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a disturbing series of murders reveals a conspiracy to overthrow the throne, who does England call...normally Sherlock Holmes, but at the moment he is incommunicado, so the government must turn to that most infamous criminal-mastermind, Moriarty, in his stead. Kurland doesn't do enough to distinguish this brilliant man from Holmes. Surely he is more social, and composed, but he basically uses the same methods, has his own loyal associates, and is followed by his own ineffectual cop. His role as the "Napoleon of Crime" is played down. The fact that he doesn't think of himself as "evil" isn't the problem, it's that the author acknowledges his questionable acts, but hardly makes this character use his unique resources. Moriarty's brilliance is instead forced on us through irrelevant tangents, rather than flowing naturally from his actions. However, nitpicking aside, the mystery is a interesting one, and there are actually two in this story. Tangents, dialogue, and the overall organization can be stiff, but at the crucial moments they are quite the opposite; like when Holmes shows up, and when the political underpinnings are explained. The cases unfold plainly, apparently Moriarty has less interest in theatrics than Holmes, so he reveals his thoughts as they come. Interesting concept, could have been better executed, but still worth reading.

[Cyn McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Kurland's universe, Moriarty isn't the Napoleon of crime of Holmes' imagination, and he sometimes does a job or two for the British government. In Who Thinks Evil, he's accused of masterminding a series of burglaries (he's innocent) and is offered a pardon if he'll turn his talents, and his underworld connections, to locating a missing person who may be committing a series of Ripper-like atrocities. The clues are almost non-existent and lead from London to Paris and back, from upper-class brothels to upper-class mansions, and from the secret meeting rooms of the Most Secret Service to the occasional yew hedge.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rivetting thriller that begins dramatically, remains bloody and suspenseful till almost the end, and allows Professor Moriarty to be the hero that we expect him to be in these novels. Unfortunately, the story remained so dark & tragic, that the usual fun & banter couldn't make their presence felt. Nevertheless, quite a readable piece indeed, for those who prefer their Holmes light, and the Professor heavy.

[Julie Maioriello Horner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading from the view of Moriarty on this mystery. Also enjoyed how the author includes Sherlock as well. Moriarty and Sherlock are ever at odds with each other, however, the author does a nice job in putting them together to solve a crime and to admit that they are both highly intelligible; not only to the reader but to each other.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly interesting but far fetched premise. It got a bit ridiculous towards the end. I thought the author might make both Moriarty and Holmes more interesting characters and the the rivalry more intense and devious, but it just did not deliver.

[Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Good period piece but takes away something other threatening nature of the Professor.

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Can't get enough

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! Great idea to expand on the Professor!