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Sherlock Holmes and the Telephone Murder Mystery
A remote country estate. A gathering of strangers. A shocking murder. Watson is invited to visit an old rural home, along with a variety of other guests, connected by their interest in art and literature. As he is introduced to the guests one by one, Watson soon learns there is more about these men that meets the eye. The tension heightens when one of the guests is found dead in one of the rooms of the cavernous house. With no sign of intrusion, accusations and anger flare up among the strangers. Watson calls in Holmes to get to the bottom of this most mysterious murder. Sherlock Holmes and the Telephone Murder Mystery is the third of John Hall's Sherlockian pastiches and a brilliant addition to the Holmes and Watson casebooks. John Hall spent many years in the civil service before becoming a professional writer specialising in crime fiction. His book Death of a Collector won the Sherlock Magazine’s competition for the best new fictional detective. He is also the author of several other Sherlock mysteries.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 20, 2017
Not even remotely like Doyle's Holmes.The Holmes presented here just formulates absurd theories with a Watson ready to point out the mistakes.Hall's writing is really good but fails to create the real Sherlockian atmosphere.
February 9, 2019
Competently done, but without any real spark.
December 16, 2018
I like that so many have taken up Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's mantle to keep Sherlock Holmes alive and solving mysteries long after Doyle published his last Holmes piece in 1893. The entire premise of the great detective is so timeless the persona can be portrayed in most any time period from the Victorian Era right up to the 21st century. The character never seems to grow old or go stale.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE TELEPHONE MURDER MYSTERY takes us on holiday with Dr. John Watson who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery at a retreat for artists which, as the title suggests, boasts one of those new-fangled contraptions called a telephone, the merits of which are much discussed. Of course, the local constabulary is in need of help, and the Inspector assigned to the case has worked with Holmes and Watson previously. The stage is set. Murder, Holmes and Watson are soon all under one roof.
I found the story a bit more convoluted than many I have read, yet it remained engaging throughout. Hall does a laudable job of describing the mansion in which the murder occurs along with the surrounding countryside and village. The locale offers much in the way of bucolic serenity and quiet making the fact of murder all the more grotesque. The Holmes and Watson characters are rendered much as you would expect so the story fits quite well with the original canon.
If you count yourself to be among the Baker Street Irregulars, you will surely want to add this book to your library.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE TELEPHONE MURDER MYSTERY takes us on holiday with Dr. John Watson who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery at a retreat for artists which, as the title suggests, boasts one of those new-fangled contraptions called a telephone, the merits of which are much discussed. Of course, the local constabulary is in need of help, and the Inspector assigned to the case has worked with Holmes and Watson previously. The stage is set. Murder, Holmes and Watson are soon all under one roof.
I found the story a bit more convoluted than many I have read, yet it remained engaging throughout. Hall does a laudable job of describing the mansion in which the murder occurs along with the surrounding countryside and village. The locale offers much in the way of bucolic serenity and quiet making the fact of murder all the more grotesque. The Holmes and Watson characters are rendered much as you would expect so the story fits quite well with the original canon.
If you count yourself to be among the Baker Street Irregulars, you will surely want to add this book to your library.
January 22, 2019
It isn't a terrible book...
But, as an avid Conan Doyle fan this story wasn't great. The language was trying a bit too hard to imitate the original stories and is stilted as a result.
The characterisation again just wasn't as polished. It appeared that the logical flow of the story ran out of steam at the last moment, producing an ending which made nonsense of the whole of the rest of the story.
I felt I had to persevere to the end, but I'm actually glad I borrowed the book via Kindle Unlimited, because I would have been disappointed to have spent money buying it.
I did already have the next story queued up in anticipation of enjoying this one but now I'm not quite so keen to dive straight in.
The most positive thing I can say is that it is a valiant attempt at an homage to Holmes, but one which doesn't quite hit the mark.
But, as an avid Conan Doyle fan this story wasn't great. The language was trying a bit too hard to imitate the original stories and is stilted as a result.
The characterisation again just wasn't as polished. It appeared that the logical flow of the story ran out of steam at the last moment, producing an ending which made nonsense of the whole of the rest of the story.
I felt I had to persevere to the end, but I'm actually glad I borrowed the book via Kindle Unlimited, because I would have been disappointed to have spent money buying it.
I did already have the next story queued up in anticipation of enjoying this one but now I'm not quite so keen to dive straight in.
The most positive thing I can say is that it is a valiant attempt at an homage to Holmes, but one which doesn't quite hit the mark.
January 29, 2019
I love the original Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and have read many other books with Holmes and Watson by modern authors, but this one is the best! John Hall has captured the sentence structure and formal syntax of Sir Arthur.
The mystery itself involves that new and impossible invention - the telephone. At the start of the book, Holmes distrusts and dislikes it, but develops a liking for it as the story progresses.
Watson has gone to a "literary, art, music for men only" retreat at a mansion in the country. Before two days pass one of the other guests is murdered in the telephone 'porch.' At the request of the police Watson (naturally) sends for Holmes who after a series of misunderstanding and misdirections by others solves the mystery!
The mystery itself involves that new and impossible invention - the telephone. At the start of the book, Holmes distrusts and dislikes it, but develops a liking for it as the story progresses.
Watson has gone to a "literary, art, music for men only" retreat at a mansion in the country. Before two days pass one of the other guests is murdered in the telephone 'porch.' At the request of the police Watson (naturally) sends for Holmes who after a series of misunderstanding and misdirections by others solves the mystery!
January 3, 2024
Just completed this, short but satisfying tale by John Hall (my second by this author), nicely complicated and all the characters are rounded. Make sure you don't book the same holiday spot as Watson, as, in short, there a murder within hours of his arrival. Holmes is sent for at the request of the local constabulary, then, as usual the game is afoot to track down the culprit. To believe the last sub plot try to imagine Jude Law as Watson and Jeremy Brett as Holmes - believe me it helps immensity with the final lines of the mystery, which are a yo ho ho ending that reveal the blushes of Holmes.
September 22, 2020
Watson on holiday
Another good Holmes and Watson mystery from the pen of John Hall. Watson goes on holiday where a murder occurs. The investigation needs to be discreet so Holmes is Sent for. Good characterization and excellent descriptions of village life. Keeps you guessing until the end.
Another good Holmes and Watson mystery from the pen of John Hall. Watson goes on holiday where a murder occurs. The investigation needs to be discreet so Holmes is Sent for. Good characterization and excellent descriptions of village life. Keeps you guessing until the end.
September 9, 2023
Never have I come across a smarter Watson, one who thinks and objects, rather than just being the mouthpiece of admiration, respect and humility! And this is Holmes? This one smokes cigarettes!
No, this is a good puzzle, but it is not Holmes. But it has one unforgettable sentence:
“Madam, my best, my oldest friend has just divorced you, so will you have dinner with me?”
No, this is a good puzzle, but it is not Holmes. But it has one unforgettable sentence:
“Madam, my best, my oldest friend has just divorced you, so will you have dinner with me?”
December 27, 2025
I had heard some good things about this author being a Sherlockian scholar but this book did not meet my expectations. It is an English country house mystery with many suspects, but there was too much "investigating" (i.e. talking) and not enough action. The "voices" of Holmes and Watson were mostly (but not always) correct; perhaps this story was a bit too long.
January 22, 2019
A Good Tale with some Slow Moving Sections
A murder mystery that confounds until the very end. The final chapter should bring a smirk or a smile to all but the most prudish of readers. Enjoy!
A murder mystery that confounds until the very end. The final chapter should bring a smirk or a smile to all but the most prudish of readers. Enjoy!
June 6, 2019
Dull, almost stultifying. Action is about [and only about] who went thru what door and WHEN, also who was in what room and WHEN, and WHO, by all that is holy, was in the bloody garden...and WHEN. Crosses your eyes. Also the end is a downer.
June 11, 2019
Cracking good read !
One of the best modern Holmes stories I've had the pleasure to read , exquisitely created plot with many a twist and turn.
Can't wait to read more by the author .
One of the best modern Holmes stories I've had the pleasure to read , exquisitely created plot with many a twist and turn.
Can't wait to read more by the author .
May 13, 2023
Fun to read
Captures the feeling of the Sherlock Holmes stories well. I did not guess the murderer. The characters were well developed and had good stories of their own. I will read other books in the series.
Captures the feeling of the Sherlock Holmes stories well. I did not guess the murderer. The characters were well developed and had good stories of their own. I will read other books in the series.
May 7, 2024
Typical Holmes type mystery
Well written, Murder, and mystery among a small group of men on vacation at an established country house. Lots of what if he and what if they, along the way.
Well written, Murder, and mystery among a small group of men on vacation at an established country house. Lots of what if he and what if they, along the way.
March 29, 2017
Kindle Unlimited One of several Sherlock Holmes stories by an assorted group of authors, wanted to go through them all. Liked it, just didn't love it, sort of the right style and all but....
November 29, 2018
Very good
Well written, good atmosphere, had me guessing to the end, will definitely look at others by this author, doesn't disappoint
Well written, good atmosphere, had me guessing to the end, will definitely look at others by this author, doesn't disappoint
December 15, 2018
Sherlock
I am always mezmerized by the questions Sherlock asks. The author has a wonderful way with these questions. Sherlock is great!
I am always mezmerized by the questions Sherlock asks. The author has a wonderful way with these questions. Sherlock is great!
December 28, 2018
Interesting.
Twists and turns till the last. Nice to have an active Dr. Watson throughout the book in this good fast read.
Twists and turns till the last. Nice to have an active Dr. Watson throughout the book in this good fast read.
December 28, 2018
A well constructed read, excellent "turns of phrase" but failed to capture the essence of a Holmesian mystery.
January 7, 2019
Tedious
In this version Holmes is a slow-witted dolt that requires the same answer numerous times and dwells on details that seem obvious. Dull I'm afraid.
In this version Holmes is a slow-witted dolt that requires the same answer numerous times and dwells on details that seem obvious. Dull I'm afraid.
January 11, 2019
Not my favourite
Hard to get the real thing, but not bad. I prefer The originals. Not a waste of time either. Enjoy
Hard to get the real thing, but not bad. I prefer The originals. Not a waste of time either. Enjoy
February 10, 2019
Interesting piece. Not quite the style of Conan Doyle, but it does keep one's interest.
May 20, 2020
Enjoyable mystery
December 23, 2022
Not my favorite by this author- an unexpected clue or link seems to solve the mystery in this one- but as the reader I felt left out.
May 16, 2023
twists and turns
A short whodunnit! This book kept me on my toes to the very end. Looking forward to the next book
A short whodunnit! This book kept me on my toes to the very end. Looking forward to the next book
July 14, 2023
Boy, what a slog! I found it so tedious I did not enjoy a bit of it. I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 in recognition of decent construction.
May 9, 2024
1899. Dr Watson has decided to spend some time at the Belmont Country House for a rest. But soon one of the guests is murdered. Can Holmes be persuaded to investigate.
An enjoyable Holmes mystery.
An enjoyable Holmes mystery.
December 28, 2018
A nice book to read at bedtime--entertaining but nothing upsetting. I do appreciate the author carrying on the Holmes and Watson stories.
January 21, 2020
Unfortunately, this book started out slow and never improved. I struggled to get through it.
April 15, 2019
Dr, Watson goes on holiday only to have one of his fellow holidayers murdered in a phonebooth with a letter opener sticking out of him. The man discovering the body is an obvious suspect, but the police are stumped. Enter famous detective Sherlock Holmes...
As far as modern recreations of beloved characters go, this one is pretty good. Similar writing style to Conan Doyle. Good plotting.
As far as modern recreations of beloved characters go, this one is pretty good. Similar writing style to Conan Doyle. Good plotting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews