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Sherlock Holmes #12
Sherlock Holmes and the Tomb of Terror
December 31st, 1899. As the 20th century dawns, Holmes and Watson hear a knock on the door. Their enigmatic guest is Abdul Faziel, an Arab man from the mysterious land of Marrafaze – a land only rumoured to exist. Son of the Sheik, Faziel is fleeing his homeland to seek help. His father has been turned against him by the connivance of his brother, Mustapha, and the Grand Wazir. Mustapha wishes to usurp the throne and dispose of anyone who gets in his way. The plot thickens when Sherlock visits his brother Mycroft. Mycroft insists that Sherlock journey to Marrafaze in order to make diplomatic contact with the Sheikdom, over the fate of a certain mineral that has been discovered there – a mineral that could be manipulated for warfare, and disastrous if in the wrong hands. But there is no map to Marrafaze, and Holmes and Watson must embark upon an arduous trek across the Sahara desert, voyaging through uncharted territory. Battling alone through the blistering heat, with food and water in short supply, it seems they’ll never be able to navigate a way out of the barren wilderness. When they finally make it to Marrafaze, ‘the end of the world’, they encounter a land ruled by religious superstition and the whims of the Grand Wazir. Isolated in strange and incomprehensible territory, Holmes and Watson find themselves in unimaginable danger. What kind of terrors will they encounter there? Will the famous duo make it out of the ‘end of the world’ alive? Val Andrews (15 February 1926 – 12 December 2006) was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1999
23 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Val Andrews
60 books17 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 21, 2024
As the new century start Holmes and Watson are sent on a diplomatic mission by Mycroft to the land of Marrafaze which may exist beyond the end of the world
An enjoyable Holmes adventure
An enjoyable Holmes adventure
Want to read
December 14, 2019Endeavor Medial Holmes Advent Calendar
May 1, 2023
A Big Minor Adventure
It is the turn of the century, and Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are pulled into service by Mycroft Holmes and ensuing circumstances to travel to a mythical land in Africa.
At first there's the classic feel of a foreign adventure, but this takes up most of the book causing the ending to be a little hurried.
Personally, I doubt Holmes would've undertaken this mission as it takes him away from Baker Street for an extended period of time.
Still a neat read for any Holmes fan.
Christa
It is the turn of the century, and Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are pulled into service by Mycroft Holmes and ensuing circumstances to travel to a mythical land in Africa.
At first there's the classic feel of a foreign adventure, but this takes up most of the book causing the ending to be a little hurried.
Personally, I doubt Holmes would've undertaken this mission as it takes him away from Baker Street for an extended period of time.
Still a neat read for any Holmes fan.
Christa
December 23, 2019
Good story but Sherlock Holmes wasn't quite the same
Very interesting story but I still didn't feel like I was reading a Sherlock Holmes tale. Watson was pretty good most of the time. The book is still worth the read. It was written by Val Andrews, who is a fantastic mystery writer.
Very interesting story but I still didn't feel like I was reading a Sherlock Holmes tale. Watson was pretty good most of the time. The book is still worth the read. It was written by Val Andrews, who is a fantastic mystery writer.
February 20, 2024
Quite probably one of the worst Sherlock Holmes tales authored by Val Andrews, unbelievable scenario with equally unbelievable situations - this effort deserves a raspberry.
February 10, 2016
Not as good as this author's later Holmes stories
Sherlock Holmes and the Tomb of Terror by Val Andrews
This is one of Val Andrews’ early Holmes stories and this one contains a “how I discovered this lost adventure” chapter, in which the case is discovered in a used book that belonged to John H Watson, MD.
***Minor Spoilers***
Sherlock Holmes is approached by Abdul Faziel, rightful heir to the Sheikdom of Marrafaze. The Sheikdom is in danger, for the Sheik is old and in poor health. Abdul’s brother, Mustapha, and the Grand Wazir plan to keep the Sheikdom in the dark ages. Already they have driven Abdul, who was educated at Cambridge, out of the country.
Holmes eventually agrees to take Abdul’s case. Then comes the shocker: Mycroft Holmes wishes Holmes and Watson to go to Marrafaze on a mission for Queen and Country. There is said to be a mineral in this country that most of the world think is a myth that could be used by the war department. The clouds of WWI are already on the horizon.
Holmes and Watson make the pilgrimage, even though they are on their own for much of the trip. The discovery of Marrafaze and how it has gone unnoticed to the world, I will not spoil.
Holmes and Watson reach the country and begin to deal with the Sheik. Thankfully, he has been taught English by Abdul. Holmes and Watson are actually made advisors to the Sheik.
The Sheik intends to keep them there for life. He also states that they will continue to do so in death. When the Sheik suddenly dies, Holmes and Watson learn their fate. They are to be walled up in the tomb of the Sheik alive!
The story is not as good as Val Andrews more recent Holmes stories. I will give it three stars.
Quoth the Raven…
Sherlock Holmes and the Tomb of Terror by Val Andrews
This is one of Val Andrews’ early Holmes stories and this one contains a “how I discovered this lost adventure” chapter, in which the case is discovered in a used book that belonged to John H Watson, MD.
***Minor Spoilers***
Sherlock Holmes is approached by Abdul Faziel, rightful heir to the Sheikdom of Marrafaze. The Sheikdom is in danger, for the Sheik is old and in poor health. Abdul’s brother, Mustapha, and the Grand Wazir plan to keep the Sheikdom in the dark ages. Already they have driven Abdul, who was educated at Cambridge, out of the country.
Holmes eventually agrees to take Abdul’s case. Then comes the shocker: Mycroft Holmes wishes Holmes and Watson to go to Marrafaze on a mission for Queen and Country. There is said to be a mineral in this country that most of the world think is a myth that could be used by the war department. The clouds of WWI are already on the horizon.
Holmes and Watson make the pilgrimage, even though they are on their own for much of the trip. The discovery of Marrafaze and how it has gone unnoticed to the world, I will not spoil.
Holmes and Watson reach the country and begin to deal with the Sheik. Thankfully, he has been taught English by Abdul. Holmes and Watson are actually made advisors to the Sheik.
The Sheik intends to keep them there for life. He also states that they will continue to do so in death. When the Sheik suddenly dies, Holmes and Watson learn their fate. They are to be walled up in the tomb of the Sheik alive!
The story is not as good as Val Andrews more recent Holmes stories. I will give it three stars.
Quoth the Raven…
June 29, 2008
finished: 6/27/2008
It's New Year's Eve and Watson in watching the city-wide fireworks festivities out the Baker Street window when he and Holmes get a visit from a strange man named Abdul, who turns out to be the heir to throne in the somewhat mythical kingdom of Marrafaze. It seems that things aren't going too well back in the old homestead and he's come seeking protection from agents of his brother Mustapha, who is scheming to take the throne with the help of his father's counselor, the Wazir. As it turns out, Marrafaze is a place of some interest to both the British and the German governments; Mycroft guilts Holmes into accepting a mission to Marrafaze. So off go Holmes & Watson into a desert adventure.
As far as I'm concerned, this is way off the map in the Holmes & Watson territory and the whole Sarahan trek was just not believable. It's just out of character for Sherlock Holmes so it was a tough read. My advice: if you're reading this group of books (the Breese books collection), you can actually skip this one.
It's New Year's Eve and Watson in watching the city-wide fireworks festivities out the Baker Street window when he and Holmes get a visit from a strange man named Abdul, who turns out to be the heir to throne in the somewhat mythical kingdom of Marrafaze. It seems that things aren't going too well back in the old homestead and he's come seeking protection from agents of his brother Mustapha, who is scheming to take the throne with the help of his father's counselor, the Wazir. As it turns out, Marrafaze is a place of some interest to both the British and the German governments; Mycroft guilts Holmes into accepting a mission to Marrafaze. So off go Holmes & Watson into a desert adventure.
As far as I'm concerned, this is way off the map in the Holmes & Watson territory and the whole Sarahan trek was just not believable. It's just out of character for Sherlock Holmes so it was a tough read. My advice: if you're reading this group of books (the Breese books collection), you can actually skip this one.
July 27, 2013
One of Andrews's many pointless Sherlock Holmes pastiches is a pleasant enough book. It is probably best not to write Sherlock Holmes pastiches. There is no point to a book that reads too much like Conan Doyle and anything too different violates that spirit of Holmes that fans hope the book will capture. This one fails plot-wise, or setting-wise, if you prefer. Conan Doyle would never have written this story. Given this gross violation, there are certainly things to like in the style and in the Holmes/Watson relationship, but the book fails the most important test of all: Does the world really need it? Resoundingly, no.
So why three stars? Am I not inflating? I am. It is a two and a half star book, but I lack a two and a half star option.
So why three stars? Am I not inflating? I am. It is a two and a half star book, but I lack a two and a half star option.
December 27, 2018
Holmes & Watson are sent on an adventure to a far away place involving long treks in the desert, dangerous descents, and frightening people and events. I'm not sure it is exactly like original SH, but it was entertaining to read.
May 3, 2016
read SOMETIME in 2002
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....
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews