Sherlock Holmes and the Boulevard Assassin

by John Hall

Holmes and Watson travel to Paris to investigate the assassination of the French president. Disguising themselves as two Frenchmen, the duo journey overseas to the crime scene where they encounter a bizarre group of detectives and investigators. With their help, Holmes and Watson identify the culprits as dangerous anarchists whose ultimate goal is to outsmart each other and receive the biggest bonus from their leader, Monsieur Constantine. But as they draw closer to the inner circles of the faction, Holmes and Watson suddenly find themselves in mortal danger and forced to work for the enemy. They must use all their wit and deduction to escape the chains of the anarchists and bring them to justice. Sherlock Holmes and the Boulevard Assassin is the eighth 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.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 2 out of 5]

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....

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited provides the reader with many Sherlock Holmes stories, and I did get Hall’s Sherlock Holmes and the Boulevard Assassin” form it. I liked it ~ just didn't love it. Here we find that Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson embark on a mission to Paris after the French president is assassinated. Apparently, the problem here has something to do with Moriarty or by someone who was taught by Moriarty. They go undercover as Pierre LeBlanc and Henri Vert where they attend a meeting of a group of anarchists.

“Sherlock Holmes and the Boulevard Assassin” is a good, but not great mystery. I have read several of Hall’s pastiches, and they are all good – worth reading – but for one reason or another, kind of average. This one certainly could have been developed more; the plot could have been developed more and the action near the climax really needed to be drawn out. Regardless, I did enjoy the novel, but simply not as much as other modern day Sherlock novels.

[Christa Saccullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best not the worst

I really enjoyed the story's idea...
But I found the telling slightly convoluted and somewhat hurried in some places. Some scenes really held my attention, but some i had to read twice because it moved on before I realized what happened. And some of the dialogue felt kinda long.
The ending was fun, though.
Normally, this would be a three star story for me, but it earned another star for good idea, a few exceptional scenes, and good Holmes/Watson banter.

Christa

[Richard Brylczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holmes and Watson take their show across the channel to France. This is one of the better Watson stories around. He is not bumbling but also not perfect. The story evolves very quickly, almost like a tv script with a one hour time limit. Some characterization filler would have been appreciated. It remains one of the better Homes stories, post Conan Doyle.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the president of France is assassinated Holmes and Watson is one of their disguises decide to travel to Paris and investigate. With the help of a detective, an old friend, the duo infiltrate a gang of anarchists. Which leads ......
An interesting mystery, and an enjoyable read.

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am happy to read all of the new additions to the Sherlock Holmes canon, especially when they capture the flavor and language of the Conan Doyle originals.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE BOULEVARD ASSASSIN takes our hero to Paris to pursue a nemesis much like the Moriarty who died at Reichenbach Falls. It has all the requisite elements of misdirection, the fumbling finding of clues by Watson, and an ending worthy of the great detective.

As I was reading, I rather found it to be a commentary on our times. Although published last year, the story is apropos of the US elections held just yesterday in the United States, although it would have taken more than a great detective to prevent what happened here.

It is interesting how we read in the context of our own lives. I picked a book because I needed something to read. Sherlock Holmes is always a good diversion. Despite my immersion into the story, I could not help but overlay the events of the day upon the tale.

If you are an aficionado of Holmes and Watson, do pick up a copy of SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE BOULEVARD ASSASSIN. It is definitely a good read!

[Barbara Fusi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting Intrigue

A little different novel in that Holmes and Watson are visiting Paris and become involved in solving a political crime.

Very different from the other Sherlock Homes books I am used to reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

The characters were drawn according to the traditional mold. However the plot was primarily completed and explained in the last few paragraphs. The story could have been longer and the action drawn out to the end

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done! I was surprised by how good this book turned out to be.

[Haydn Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherlock wins again!

I enjoyed this novel, but not as much as other modern day Sherlock novels. A very good plot, but not enough 'elementary my dear Watson'!

[Rita M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another mystery.

Typical Sherlock story. I enjoyed the journey. A story that I could read without rushing. Storyline was simple to follow.

[Gordon Harris]

This has been a fun read, involving Holmes and Watson in a mystery set in France. Mysterious crooks and worse, political intrigue, common thievery and dealings with the gendarnes, everything you could expect in a Sherlock Holmes thriller are present. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes stories, I think you will enjoy this one.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the French president is assassinated Holmes and Watson travel there to investigate and mistaken identity, kidnappings, bank heists and devious plots abound as the pair run up against a nest of anarchists.
A fun and enjoyable Holmes story with a lot of the trademarks of the original stories.