Doctor Watson's Charge

The Doctor Watson Adventures #2

by Patrick Mercer

The enigmatic army officer Captain JAC Smethwick is a veteran of the The Charge of the Light Brigade.

But when he visits Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson he has more on his mind than the conflict in the Crimea.

There is a mystery surrounding the death of his former employer, Lord Cardigan.

Smethwick believes that the man responsible for his death is none other than the former Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli.

Holmes sends Watson off to Deene Park, Lord Cardigan's estate, to investigate and question the victim's widow - the colourful and flirtatious Adeline de Horsey.

But Watson starts to uncover an altogether more sinister and complex conspiracy.

And rather than unmask the murderer, Watson may become his next victim.

The game's afoot - but who is the hunter and who will be the prey?

Genres: Mystery, Victorian, Historical Fiction

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2013

About the author

Born in 1956, Patrick Mercer read History at Oxford University before joining the Army. He commanded his battalion in Bosnia and Canada. Previously receiving a gallantry commendation, he was awarded the OBE in 1997. In 1999, Patrick Mercer accepted a post as the Defence Reporter for the Today Programme. In the 2001 election, he won the Tory seat in Newark. A respected historian, he has already published a non-fiction account of the Inkerman battle during the Crimean War.

Reviews

[Jason Arbuckle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book 161 - Patrick Mercer - Doctor Watson’s Charge

I always think it must be very hard writing a good mystery and even harder when following in the giant footsteps of Doyle.

Anthony Horowitz is one writer who can do it…Jonathan Barnes for Big Finish is another…Patrick Mercer is not.

Some nonsense about former PM Benjamin Disraeli being a murderer that is linked to the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’…

Dull…no interesting characters…and a plot so dull and ridiculous that the only positive note was that it is short…oh…and by the way…you’ll never guess who the bad guy is in a ‘Sherlock Holmes’ mystery…lol

Yawn…

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this little book and will read the others in the series. It's fun to see the Watson & Holmes relationship in this light. Watson is a fun character with a past and a distinct POV separate for from Holmes and as more than just a side kick. Good fun that does a nice job of staying in the universe that Doyle created.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

22 Unhappily, I finished the reading year with this one. Boring, pretentious and just silly. Apologies. Maybe I will get in better with the next ine.

[John Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Patrick Mercer's 'Doctor Watson' series, of which this is the third. This time its Watson and his companion Bowler against a rather nasty character who had fought with Cardigan in the famous charge of the Light Brigade. Maybe he killed Cardigan or was it an accident? Even Sherlock Holmes get involved, but it's really Watson's and Bowler's story that is told here.

Can't wait for the next installment