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The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes #1
The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes
Dr. John Watson finally reopens the lid of his old tin box and discovers a veritable treasure trove of unpublished tales recounting the remarkable skills of his friend and colleague, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. With Holmes' consent, we now have the following The Hooded Man, The Adventure of the Connoisseur, The Missing Don Giovanni, The Old Grey Horse, The Mystery of Avalon, The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable, and The Adventures of the Dying Gaul. These accounts should satisfy every Sherlock Holmes devotee until Watson reopens his box of chronicles.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 9, 2021
Magnificent Pastiche!
Like many others who are legitimate devotees of Sherlock Holmes, I have ascertained the well-known authors of the pastiche. The writers who’ve explored the idea of re-creating Sherlock Holmes.
They are faithfully generating the stories of Holmes that would be written by Arthur Conan Doyle, if he was here to write them.
And many authors have been triumphantly composing exemplary tales that continue the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, in first-rate mythology.
Paul D. Gilbert is outstanding in his moods, persona, speech and mannerisms of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. I can easily believe that I am reading Arthur Conan Doyle!
This is the first book I’ve ever read in the formation of one of the kings of detectives. And I am definitely looking forward to continuing with the pastiche.
If you don’t believe me, then these five stars should undeniably assure you. ✨
Like many others who are legitimate devotees of Sherlock Holmes, I have ascertained the well-known authors of the pastiche. The writers who’ve explored the idea of re-creating Sherlock Holmes.
They are faithfully generating the stories of Holmes that would be written by Arthur Conan Doyle, if he was here to write them.
And many authors have been triumphantly composing exemplary tales that continue the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, in first-rate mythology.
Paul D. Gilbert is outstanding in his moods, persona, speech and mannerisms of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. I can easily believe that I am reading Arthur Conan Doyle!
This is the first book I’ve ever read in the formation of one of the kings of detectives. And I am definitely looking forward to continuing with the pastiche.
If you don’t believe me, then these five stars should undeniably assure you. ✨
April 22, 2020
1 - The Adventure of the Connoisseur - Holmes is approached by Nathaniel Graves of the reform and Connoisseur Club because he has suffered a theft of one of his paintings, a fairly worthless landscape painting. But one that he liked.
2 - The Mystery of Avalon - Colonel Geraint Masterson of Avalon Estae near Slaughter Bridge in Cornwall wishes to employ Holmes, recently there have been two attempts on the life of his wife and the local constabulary have failed in solving the case.
3 - The Missing Don Giovanni -Sir James Mowbray, the director of the RToyal Opera House needs the help of Holmes as the actor playing Don Giovanni has disappeared.
4 - The Hooded Man - After receiving a letter from Miss Lucy Hardcastle of the Cliff Court Lodge, Holmes and Watson are off to Kent. She believes that she is being watched by the blind Captain Dyson. But how and why.
5 - The Old Grey Horse - While Holmes is busy with one of Lestrades' informers, Benjamin Matthews visits Baker Street and Dr. Watson. Matthews tells the doctor of his concerns, The Old Grey Horse inn, the place of his current employment. Dr. Watson investigates.
6 - The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable - Inspector Lestrade and his team are involved in secret government business when one of his team disappear. Detective Constable Nicholas Parkes, is an exemplary officer so Lestrade is concerned when he is reported missing, to the extent he asks for Holmes' help.
7 - The Adventure of the Dying Gaul - 1898 - Holmes' help is asked by the Italian police when the statute of the Dying Gaul is stolen from the Capitoline museum. On the journey to Rome, Holmes informs Watson that he believes that Moriarty didn't die seven years previously but is behind the theft and other crimes in Europe.
An enjoyable group of well-written short mysteries
2 - The Mystery of Avalon - Colonel Geraint Masterson of Avalon Estae near Slaughter Bridge in Cornwall wishes to employ Holmes, recently there have been two attempts on the life of his wife and the local constabulary have failed in solving the case.
3 - The Missing Don Giovanni -Sir James Mowbray, the director of the RToyal Opera House needs the help of Holmes as the actor playing Don Giovanni has disappeared.
4 - The Hooded Man - After receiving a letter from Miss Lucy Hardcastle of the Cliff Court Lodge, Holmes and Watson are off to Kent. She believes that she is being watched by the blind Captain Dyson. But how and why.
5 - The Old Grey Horse - While Holmes is busy with one of Lestrades' informers, Benjamin Matthews visits Baker Street and Dr. Watson. Matthews tells the doctor of his concerns, The Old Grey Horse inn, the place of his current employment. Dr. Watson investigates.
6 - The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable - Inspector Lestrade and his team are involved in secret government business when one of his team disappear. Detective Constable Nicholas Parkes, is an exemplary officer so Lestrade is concerned when he is reported missing, to the extent he asks for Holmes' help.
7 - The Adventure of the Dying Gaul - 1898 - Holmes' help is asked by the Italian police when the statute of the Dying Gaul is stolen from the Capitoline museum. On the journey to Rome, Holmes informs Watson that he believes that Moriarty didn't die seven years previously but is behind the theft and other crimes in Europe.
An enjoyable group of well-written short mysteries
June 22, 2017
This book is appropriately names the Lost Files. Truly if you do not think that is appropriate then just try finding a copy of this book. I was luckily enough to get a second hand copy after a lot of searching, it was worth the effort. Paul Gilbert writing style is so close to Sir Author's I would not be surprised if this book was released from a lost manuscript from Sir Author. These stories are entertaining and addictive. This book is a must read for all Sherlockians. The thing that separates this books from other attempts at Sherlock Holmes is Paul's eye for details and most of all respect for the source materials (which I am sure is due to his years as a comic fan). Paul chooses the references to the case names and let his imagination go, but he does not contradict anything that has come before his work. His stories slip neatly into the slots Sir Author left open. An excellent book and excellent read.
December 9, 2017
A curate's egg of a piece of work.
This is the first in a series of works by Paul Gilbert that investigate the cases found in Dr Watson's notes that Conan Doyle didn't write up.
These read as if the authot was attempting to ape the Jeremy Brett defininitve take on the Great Detective and there is no problem with that. The stories are a mixed bag some are excellent, aothers are more mediocre. Gilbert's ability to write in the style of Doyle develops with each work and the latter stories are superior in "Holmes-ness" to the early ones. In the first story there is an example of Holmes show a self-deprecating sarcasm that is at odds with the Brett interpretation. Apparently the stories improve as you go along and there is certainly enough here to justify carrying on with the series
This is the first in a series of works by Paul Gilbert that investigate the cases found in Dr Watson's notes that Conan Doyle didn't write up.
These read as if the authot was attempting to ape the Jeremy Brett defininitve take on the Great Detective and there is no problem with that. The stories are a mixed bag some are excellent, aothers are more mediocre. Gilbert's ability to write in the style of Doyle develops with each work and the latter stories are superior in "Holmes-ness" to the early ones. In the first story there is an example of Holmes show a self-deprecating sarcasm that is at odds with the Brett interpretation. Apparently the stories improve as you go along and there is certainly enough here to justify carrying on with the series
November 20, 2012
My kids love card-shopping. Not because they enjoy finding the perfect pictures and sentiments to send to their loved ones. Nah. They just want to stand there and open up the “cards with sound,” the more annoying the better.
Well, imagine opening a card and hearing the rich, silky voice of Jeremy Brett.That’s what struck me when I started reading Paul Gilbert’s The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes. I opened it, and immediately heard Brett’s Holmes speaking. Of course, I may have been primed for this by the lovely cover, but it wasn’t just that. While many pastiche authors stress about achieving an authentic “Watson voice,” Gilbert’s Holmes captures Brett’s inflections so perfectly that, really, you can’t hear anyone else.
The Lost Files, contrary to their name, were never lost, buried under some unused indices or decades-old issues of The Evening Standard. No, they’ve been waiting in Watson’s tin dispatch box at the venerable Cox & Co., waiting until such time as he saw fit (or was permitted) to share them with the public. Often in these instances, we get some kind of mournful reference, but fortunately these stories have been released at Holmes’ own suggestion, now that enough time has passed (or, for all we know, Watson needs the income). There are seven stories in all, some of which are explicitly set shortly after Watson’s marriage to Mary Morstan, but only one of which is given a specific date (1898). Gilbert deftly avoids making those distracting canon or research errors by simply not referring to canon much at all.
Each of the chapters is a full serving of pure Sherlockian comfort food. It’s all there: cold nights and warm fires, pipes and breakfasts, sleepless chain-smoking nights and presumptive notes sent to a newlywed’s home. Sometimes, Gilbert might overdo it a tad. Holmes is more routinely dismissive of new clients than I think he typically was, meaning that Watson exclaims “Really, now, Holmes!” and “You’ve gone too far!” rather frequently. Watson, for his part, is a little on the sensitive side, and easily insulted, but for Granada fans, their interactions will be so familiar it’s as if they’ve turned on the television to find that their wishes have come true and Rebecca Eaton and Co. have discovered a secret stash of un-aired episodes.
The Files vary in their complexity. In the first offering, “The Adventure of the Connoisseur,” for example, the reader gets a fairly straightforward mystery, which includes an apparent nod to Rathbone and Bruce’s Dressed to Kill (1947). “The Missing Don Giovanni” is another puzzle the reader may figure out before Watson, but Holmes does a nice turn of deduction with a pair of trousers and his attitude towards a stricken woman contrasts nicely with the scorn he shows his arrogant client. “The Hooded Man” is creepy, with a Doylean rumination on sin coming home to roost. “The Old Grey Horse” takes us, not to the track but a tavern, and in it Gilbert touches on some of the horrors of London poverty–conditions which Holmes no doubt saw constantly, but which tend to go unmentioned in the canon.
These stories are all quite serviceable; however, as in any anthology, certain chapters stand out. Try as I might, I cannot think of a way to discuss “The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable” without giving away the twist, but if you’re a fan of Shinwell Johnson, disguises, and the London underworld, you’ll get your fix.
The collection’s final story, “The Adventure of the Dying Gaul” takes Holmes and Watson across the channel to Rome, where they help Inspector Gialli locate a missing statue. This is great, particularly for Gialli’s career and art lovers everywhere. However, the most important part of the story takes place on the train between Paris and Turin, in which Holmes shares with Watson the results of a disturbing chain of research and deduction that have convinced him that the events of 4th May, 1891, were not as final as they had long believed. Watson, of course, thinks his friend has come unhinged, and even wonders how much of this is due to the contents of little glass vials, but Holmes’ reasoning is impressive; it made me wish Doyle had used it himself, because if there’s anything the original stories need, it’s more Moriarty.
The Lost Files’ most interesting, and possibly most controversial story, however, is “The Mystery of Avalon.” It starts out typically enough, with a slightly boring Colonel braving a wintry journey from Cornwall to London to consult Holmes regarding two murderous attacks on his wife. Col. Masterson’s ancestral home lies close to Slaughter Bridge, where, according to legend, King Arthur fought his final battle, and as a result, his family has taken the Arthurian association to extremes. During Masterson’s story, Watson notes, to his amusement, that Holmes has never read Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. After their client leaves, however the detective decides to remedy this deficit, assuring his friend that the story will only reside in his brain-attic “temporarily.” It makes a stronger impression than he anticipated, however, because a page or so later, Holmes declares to Watson: "The parallel [between Arthur's Dark Ages and their own time] is now obvious, when you consider the darkness that our regular police force is constantly stumbling around in. Not quite barbaric in method, perhaps, and yet their ignorance and ineptitude is tantamount to barbarism! Yet in their darkness shines a tiny light. The light of reasoning, logic, observation, and method. This small room and my practice is the modern, judicial realm of Logres and I, of course, the guiding light of Arthur."
Holmes and Watson arrive in Cornwall to take care of what seems to be a standard (for them) case with a hint of the outré. Holmes has already begun his investigation by inquiring into Alice Masterson’s background, and a telegram is waiting for them upon their arrival. Typically, a wire means suspicions confirmed and a happy detective. This one, however, has a remarkable effect upon Holmes and he retreats to his room, telling the footman they’ll be leaving for London in the morning, and leaving Watson to deal with their client as best he can. When Watson, after enduring yet another strange outburst–this time from the Colonel– goes up later to check on his friend, Holmes, obviously under emotional duress, asks if, ”Perhaps it has occurred to you this [my] supposed abhorrence of both female kind and the idea of close attachment, is nothing less than a fear of the same.”
Pretty much no, says Watson. And then it dawns on him.
Just that little bit of self-disclosure, along with a bitter condemnation of the woman who is now Alice Masterson, seems to give Holmes new strength, and he decides to continue with the case after all, under the condition that the Colonel never learn he’s hired another of his wife’s dupes.
In the end, the array of lies spread out to view in this sordid episode is astounding. Watson’s agreement to conceal Holmes’ conflict of interest is perhaps the most benign, although upon reflection it, too, contributes to the tragic ending. In the end, we’re in the carriage with a dark, silent Holmes, a sweating, anxious client, and an oblivious Watson, on our way to fetch the Colonel’s faithless wife and bring her back home.
This is a dark little story. No doubt it will put off many readers who prefer to see Holmes as, first and foremost, a creature of logic who is able to consistently rise above any of the passions, should he feel them at all. Others, like myself, who are quite willing to let him have his “hidden fires,” may balk at the story's disturbing conclusion. Avalon, if you remember, was destroyed (in part) by adultery, as Guinevere cuckolded an adoring husband with his best friend. In at least one version of this story, Arthur, pressured to execute his wife for treason as required by law, begins the process with the desperate hope that Lancelot will come to save her (which he does). The pain is deep, but love and forgiveness between the three are there as well, elevating their story above the tawdry. Centuries later, in this Avalon, evil begets only pain and more evil, and when this Arthur has the chance to illuminate the darkness, he does not. While his friend looks the other way, we are forced to consider how even the best and wisest parts of us live together with our demons.
After a few days’ ruminating, I went from disliking “The Mystery of Avalon” to believing it the best story in the book. Still, many readers may find Holmes to be too far out of character for their tastes. If this describes you, never fear–The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes contains six other very traditional stories perfect for a blustery fall evening by the fireside.
Well, imagine opening a card and hearing the rich, silky voice of Jeremy Brett.That’s what struck me when I started reading Paul Gilbert’s The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes. I opened it, and immediately heard Brett’s Holmes speaking. Of course, I may have been primed for this by the lovely cover, but it wasn’t just that. While many pastiche authors stress about achieving an authentic “Watson voice,” Gilbert’s Holmes captures Brett’s inflections so perfectly that, really, you can’t hear anyone else.
The Lost Files, contrary to their name, were never lost, buried under some unused indices or decades-old issues of The Evening Standard. No, they’ve been waiting in Watson’s tin dispatch box at the venerable Cox & Co., waiting until such time as he saw fit (or was permitted) to share them with the public. Often in these instances, we get some kind of mournful reference, but fortunately these stories have been released at Holmes’ own suggestion, now that enough time has passed (or, for all we know, Watson needs the income). There are seven stories in all, some of which are explicitly set shortly after Watson’s marriage to Mary Morstan, but only one of which is given a specific date (1898). Gilbert deftly avoids making those distracting canon or research errors by simply not referring to canon much at all.
Each of the chapters is a full serving of pure Sherlockian comfort food. It’s all there: cold nights and warm fires, pipes and breakfasts, sleepless chain-smoking nights and presumptive notes sent to a newlywed’s home. Sometimes, Gilbert might overdo it a tad. Holmes is more routinely dismissive of new clients than I think he typically was, meaning that Watson exclaims “Really, now, Holmes!” and “You’ve gone too far!” rather frequently. Watson, for his part, is a little on the sensitive side, and easily insulted, but for Granada fans, their interactions will be so familiar it’s as if they’ve turned on the television to find that their wishes have come true and Rebecca Eaton and Co. have discovered a secret stash of un-aired episodes.
The Files vary in their complexity. In the first offering, “The Adventure of the Connoisseur,” for example, the reader gets a fairly straightforward mystery, which includes an apparent nod to Rathbone and Bruce’s Dressed to Kill (1947). “The Missing Don Giovanni” is another puzzle the reader may figure out before Watson, but Holmes does a nice turn of deduction with a pair of trousers and his attitude towards a stricken woman contrasts nicely with the scorn he shows his arrogant client. “The Hooded Man” is creepy, with a Doylean rumination on sin coming home to roost. “The Old Grey Horse” takes us, not to the track but a tavern, and in it Gilbert touches on some of the horrors of London poverty–conditions which Holmes no doubt saw constantly, but which tend to go unmentioned in the canon.
These stories are all quite serviceable; however, as in any anthology, certain chapters stand out. Try as I might, I cannot think of a way to discuss “The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable” without giving away the twist, but if you’re a fan of Shinwell Johnson, disguises, and the London underworld, you’ll get your fix.
The collection’s final story, “The Adventure of the Dying Gaul” takes Holmes and Watson across the channel to Rome, where they help Inspector Gialli locate a missing statue. This is great, particularly for Gialli’s career and art lovers everywhere. However, the most important part of the story takes place on the train between Paris and Turin, in which Holmes shares with Watson the results of a disturbing chain of research and deduction that have convinced him that the events of 4th May, 1891, were not as final as they had long believed. Watson, of course, thinks his friend has come unhinged, and even wonders how much of this is due to the contents of little glass vials, but Holmes’ reasoning is impressive; it made me wish Doyle had used it himself, because if there’s anything the original stories need, it’s more Moriarty.
The Lost Files’ most interesting, and possibly most controversial story, however, is “The Mystery of Avalon.” It starts out typically enough, with a slightly boring Colonel braving a wintry journey from Cornwall to London to consult Holmes regarding two murderous attacks on his wife. Col. Masterson’s ancestral home lies close to Slaughter Bridge, where, according to legend, King Arthur fought his final battle, and as a result, his family has taken the Arthurian association to extremes. During Masterson’s story, Watson notes, to his amusement, that Holmes has never read Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. After their client leaves, however the detective decides to remedy this deficit, assuring his friend that the story will only reside in his brain-attic “temporarily.” It makes a stronger impression than he anticipated, however, because a page or so later, Holmes declares to Watson: "The parallel [between Arthur's Dark Ages and their own time] is now obvious, when you consider the darkness that our regular police force is constantly stumbling around in. Not quite barbaric in method, perhaps, and yet their ignorance and ineptitude is tantamount to barbarism! Yet in their darkness shines a tiny light. The light of reasoning, logic, observation, and method. This small room and my practice is the modern, judicial realm of Logres and I, of course, the guiding light of Arthur."
Holmes and Watson arrive in Cornwall to take care of what seems to be a standard (for them) case with a hint of the outré. Holmes has already begun his investigation by inquiring into Alice Masterson’s background, and a telegram is waiting for them upon their arrival. Typically, a wire means suspicions confirmed and a happy detective. This one, however, has a remarkable effect upon Holmes and he retreats to his room, telling the footman they’ll be leaving for London in the morning, and leaving Watson to deal with their client as best he can. When Watson, after enduring yet another strange outburst–this time from the Colonel– goes up later to check on his friend, Holmes, obviously under emotional duress, asks if, ”Perhaps it has occurred to you this [my] supposed abhorrence of both female kind and the idea of close attachment, is nothing less than a fear of the same.”
Pretty much no, says Watson. And then it dawns on him.
Just that little bit of self-disclosure, along with a bitter condemnation of the woman who is now Alice Masterson, seems to give Holmes new strength, and he decides to continue with the case after all, under the condition that the Colonel never learn he’s hired another of his wife’s dupes.
In the end, the array of lies spread out to view in this sordid episode is astounding. Watson’s agreement to conceal Holmes’ conflict of interest is perhaps the most benign, although upon reflection it, too, contributes to the tragic ending. In the end, we’re in the carriage with a dark, silent Holmes, a sweating, anxious client, and an oblivious Watson, on our way to fetch the Colonel’s faithless wife and bring her back home.
This is a dark little story. No doubt it will put off many readers who prefer to see Holmes as, first and foremost, a creature of logic who is able to consistently rise above any of the passions, should he feel them at all. Others, like myself, who are quite willing to let him have his “hidden fires,” may balk at the story's disturbing conclusion. Avalon, if you remember, was destroyed (in part) by adultery, as Guinevere cuckolded an adoring husband with his best friend. In at least one version of this story, Arthur, pressured to execute his wife for treason as required by law, begins the process with the desperate hope that Lancelot will come to save her (which he does). The pain is deep, but love and forgiveness between the three are there as well, elevating their story above the tawdry. Centuries later, in this Avalon, evil begets only pain and more evil, and when this Arthur has the chance to illuminate the darkness, he does not. While his friend looks the other way, we are forced to consider how even the best and wisest parts of us live together with our demons.
After a few days’ ruminating, I went from disliking “The Mystery of Avalon” to believing it the best story in the book. Still, many readers may find Holmes to be too far out of character for their tastes. If this describes you, never fear–The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes contains six other very traditional stories perfect for a blustery fall evening by the fireside.
June 11, 2020
“Foiled Again!” Normally I prefer novels; however, this Holmes selection I made for my Kindle was a happy accident. Paul Gilbert’s “The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes” is generally a nice selection of delightful appetizers which will appease any Sherlockian fan. Certainly, some stories are better than others, but on the whole, Gilbert gives the reader an enjoyable Sherlockian snack. There are seven stories that investigate the cases found in Dr Watson's notes that Conan Doyle didn't write up earlier. Gilbert has done a good group of recreating Doyle's characters. In fact, most of his characters in this book are nicely developed. So many authors have tried to capture Watson’s narrative voice and failed; pleasantly, Gilbert has captured Doyle's voice well. I will be reading the other collections by Paul Gilbert soon; why not join me for an afternoon pint and a mystery?
July 7, 2021
Kindle unlimited
It was either 3 or 2, based on the Avalon story, and though a give great latitude to stories based on Sherlock holmes, never ever mess with cannon, if holmes was not meant to be non sexual, most cerebral, then Doyle would not have made him so, and never so driven by anything as to break the law especially not for not over or due to having feelings over a female, as to allow murder and miscarriage of justice. Doyle is rolling over in his grave, and I will read nothing else by someone who tries to copy holmes and fails so miserably in understanding the detective.
It was either 3 or 2, based on the Avalon story, and though a give great latitude to stories based on Sherlock holmes, never ever mess with cannon, if holmes was not meant to be non sexual, most cerebral, then Doyle would not have made him so, and never so driven by anything as to break the law especially not for not over or due to having feelings over a female, as to allow murder and miscarriage of justice. Doyle is rolling over in his grave, and I will read nothing else by someone who tries to copy holmes and fails so miserably in understanding the detective.
May 28, 2021
Written very much in the style of the Conan-Doyle Sherlock Holmes short stories, I enjoyed these except, for the huge number of commas, which drove me, quite crazy, at times. 🤪
There are references to the original stories and all are written from the perspective of Dr Watson, but in no particular time frame. Lots of leaving Baker St mid-breakfast to start a casein another party of the country, Mrs Hudson makes some minor appearances as does Lestrade. Ends with a Moriarty story, set in Rome.
There are references to the original stories and all are written from the perspective of Dr Watson, but in no particular time frame. Lots of leaving Baker St mid-breakfast to start a casein another party of the country, Mrs Hudson makes some minor appearances as does Lestrade. Ends with a Moriarty story, set in Rome.
April 10, 2020
Excellent as usual
Another great mystery from the files of Sherlock Holmes, not only are the stories well written and the mysteries awesome, the cast of characters are well written as well. Another great read from Paul D. Gilbert so go get this book, light your pipe and enjoy these great tales of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
Another great mystery from the files of Sherlock Holmes, not only are the stories well written and the mysteries awesome, the cast of characters are well written as well. Another great read from Paul D. Gilbert so go get this book, light your pipe and enjoy these great tales of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
March 20, 2020
Excellent Character Depictions of Our Two Favorite Detectives
Mr. Gilbert's portrayal of Holmes and Watson is "spot on"… Story-lines were interesting and believable... I'm sure I will continue to read his other volumes
Mr. Gilbert's portrayal of Holmes and Watson is "spot on"… Story-lines were interesting and believable... I'm sure I will continue to read his other volumes
March 22, 2020
Am not there
As noted before a Sherlock book no written by Doyle Chan only get a court rating. This one gel just a hair short. That shortfall came mainly because it was written in too modern aura! Otherwise quite good plots and stories but it just wasn't Doyle's
As noted before a Sherlock book no written by Doyle Chan only get a court rating. This one gel just a hair short. That shortfall came mainly because it was written in too modern aura! Otherwise quite good plots and stories but it just wasn't Doyle's
December 30, 2024
This style of pastiche is my preference as it's true to the Canon in time period and detail. Another really good collection of seven short Sherlock Holmes stories from this author. I felt that the last in the volume was a bit dodgy but acceptable.
January 12, 2020
Very good read
It kept my attention and got me thinking of various ways it could have happened and how holmes would have thought it been done
It kept my attention and got me thinking of various ways it could have happened and how holmes would have thought it been done
March 1, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes you will enjoy these stories. Written in the style of Conan Doyle. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes you will enjoy these stories. Written in the style of Conan Doyle. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
May 5, 2020
Generally, I think the stories feel a little rushed. Still worth reading
April 4, 2021
Brilliant! Loved it and am now reading book #2, The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes!
July 27, 2021
Wow. What an amazing read. Took me back to my much younger years of reading the late, great Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle. Paul's writing style has truly resurrected Sherlock Holmes. Fantastic.
November 21, 2022
Brilliant read
December 29, 2022
among the very worst as far as pastiches go. Not like Sherlock Holmes at all, some of the stories being on the soppy side, even
January 3, 2025
Could not stop; the stories were compelling and the resolutions of the problem are exciting and I wanted more!
October 31, 2019
7 stories, some better than others, but generally a good read.
February 27, 2022
Fun reading
Excellent entertaining reading of a very will written mystery. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story lines are complicated with lots of misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusions. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes. Enjoy reading 2020😊
Excellent entertaining reading of a very will written mystery. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story lines are complicated with lots of misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusions. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes. Enjoy reading 2020😊
October 29, 2019
Good stuff
Solid, very Sherlock Holmes tales, Gilbert really does a very good Doyle, well worth your time, I will be reading his other collections. Check it out.
Solid, very Sherlock Holmes tales, Gilbert really does a very good Doyle, well worth your time, I will be reading his other collections. Check it out.
January 30, 2014
Okay. I only read the first mystery, but it was a poor shade compared to the real deal. So I gave up. Poorly written, not enticing or exciting.
June 27, 2025
Pretty good collection of short stories, through the last one was focused on Moriarty. This can sometimes be a miss for me.
August 18, 2023
I enjoyed reading these Sherlock Holmes stories aloud to Christi!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews