Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles

by John S. Fitzpatrick

For the first time, here are the long-lost records of four intriguing mysteries solved by the famous English detective Sherlock Holmes when he traveled to Montana in the late 1800's. Using his inimitable eye for clues, his astounding deductive reasoning, and - when necessary - clever subterfuge, Holmes solves a very public murder at the famous Opera House, a supernatural theft of gold at a mine near Georgetown Lake, the disturbing threats to Copper King Marcus Daly's most famous racehorse, and the sudden odd behavior of a miner's wife. As usual, these cases were recorded by Dr. John H Watson, Holmes' affable companion and chronicler, but Watson's accounts were lost for more than a century. They were recently discovered in an old safe in the Hearst Free Library in Anaconda by researcher John S Fitzpatrick, who edited the manuscripts for publication. Not only are the actual crimes unique and challenging, but the stories are filled with fascinating details of life in early-day Montana - details that amply illustrate Holmes' superb powers of observation. This immensely entertaining book is certain to delight all fans of detective stories, mysteries, and Sherlock Holmes.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't fully love any of the stories, I did have fun reading them, especially since I took this book along on vacation and read it while in Montana!

Of the four stories, I liked "The Mysterious Woman" best because it felt most like a story from the canon, with Holmes uncovering the reason behind a woman's sudden and inexplicable behavioral changes.

The places and many of the people in this book are historically accurate, which was nifty. The book contains lots of photos of locations from around the time the stories take place. However, the writing sometimes dragged because the author often hared off on tangents about how various bits of mining machinery and apparatus operated. Where one paragraph would have sufficed, we got a page or two, and so on. Great if you're fascinated by 1890s mining methods in Montana, I suppose, but I eventually began to skim them.

Also, the author repeatedly portrays Holmes as using cocaine to keep alert while on a stakeout, and I am pretty sure (though I admit it has been a few years since I read the whole canon) that he canonically only uses cocaine when he is between cases and suffering from extreme ennui, never while on a case. That bugged me.

So... it was a fun read, but not one I'll be rereading.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holmes and Watson are in Minnesota being employed by railroad baron James J. Hill. Upon completion of their task, they move westard to Rodgersburg, Montana at the request of a London friend to help his son accused of murder. The "chronicles" describe the 4 case Holmes solves while there: a public murder at the local Opera House, a supernatural theft of gold at a mine near Georgetown Lake, the threats to Copper King Marcus Daly’s famous racehorse; and the sudden odd behavior of a miner’s wife in stories filled with details of life in early-day Montana.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok takes with some info on 19th century Montana mining. Many times the writing wanders around discussing things that don't pertain to the story. The author also seems focused on making Dr. Watson a sharp detective which is a bit odd.

[Tobye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable mysteries. Having visited this area of Montana, I also enjoyed the history. I don’t necessarily agree with the author’s take on Dr. Watson’s character and mannerisms, but other than that, enjoyable read.

[Wendy Eley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had I been geographically more familiar with the setting, the book may have rated five stars.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light read that I bought as a souvenir in Montana. 4 'cases'. Interesting because a. Sherlock and b. it uses true local history as backdrop.

[Noel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out ok, then slowed. Dragged myself through the rest of it.

[Karen S. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Sherlock fan, and I loved this book. Very interesting read....

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Sherlock Holmes book that I could actually make it through. That’s because it wasn’t actually written by Dr. Watson, but taken from his notes and edited by John Fitzpatrick.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun read for any Sherlock fan

[Sharon Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had the potential to be a charming if somewhat simple addition to the repertoire of Holmes pastiche, but was weighed down with some serious flaws. An unnecessarily redundant iteration of pro-mining capitalist boosterism was tolerable at first as a Pollyannaish bias, but became insufferable and had no place in the fiction. In stories already quite short and a bit two-dimensional, the details of the mining industry felt like fatty padding and turned what could have been a genuinely intriguing historical expertise into an uncomfortable exercise in the inappropriate. Also, the author's portraits of women are actually less progressive and far less sympathetic overall than those of Conan-Doyle himself, and after a century we have the right to expect better, not worse. Good grief. Some hints of real Holmes atmosphere and character and an abiding expertise of the unique setting do make for good reading. Too bad it was so flawed otherwise.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Kimberly Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book on a recommendation and because I live in Montana. As a die-hard Sherlock Holmes fan from way back, I was skeptical and it sat in my "too read" pile for many weeks before a reading vacation finally convinced me it was time. It was not as bad as I was expecting. In the originals, Watson is not so in your face with his descriptions of Holmes' reactions, nor of his own habits. What I did find fascinating was the history. The historical accounts as related to the mining and the Copper Kings are fairly accurate and quite interesting.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun flight of fancy. Sherlock Holmes in Montana! If you are interested in the Anaconda mining industry of the late 1800s this was a neat way to learn about it.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly good, but definitely didn't get the feel of the characters or dialogue quite right. Still, the history of the area is quite interesting and the stories are fairly engaging.

[Batesharbuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed a little thin.

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

An entertaining venture into Montana mining history, but not particularly true to the Holmes canon in terms of style and characterization.