The Torment of Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes #16

by Val Andrews

Sherlock Holmes is suffering from a dangerous malady… Excessive indulgence in his ‘addictions’ and the strain of over-work have led to him sinking into a deep depression. He is unable to sleep or eat, and has wasted away to become a shadow of his former self. Watson is desperately concerned for his friend’s welfare, fearing his sanity and even his life may be at stake… Desperate to help his friend regain his joie de vivre, Holmes seizes on an opportunity presented to him when a widow, shrouded in black, drops a left-luggage ticket by his feet… Instead of handing the ticket in to the proper authorities, Watson puts his friend’s welfare before his love of propriety, and collects the luggage himself. The luggage takes the form of a hat box, but with a heavy object inside – could this be the clue Holmes needs to revive him from his torpor? At first, Watson’s tale does nothing to arouse Holmes’s interest, but when the hat box reveals a blood-stained dress and butcher’s knife, he finally stirs from his listlessness to correct Watson’s false deductions, showing far more than a flicker of his old self… Despite being weak, Holmes recovers at a remarkable rate once his interest has been captured by the unusual and intriguing case… Examining the facts with careful logic, Holmes deduces from a hidden bridge toll ticket that their search for the mysterious Black Widow, and the owner of the blood-stained dress, must take them to the South Coast. The two friends take the train the following morning, but only after Holmes has been fortified by one of Mrs Hudson’s hearty meals. Holmes and Watson put up at an inn called the Jolly Smugglers, and soon learn from talking to the landlord of some strange tenants living across the way, in a rented bungalow called Mon Repos – a husband and wife, who look very similar and who have never been seen in the same room together… Is this mysterious couple connected to the apparent murder of a woman? Will this case restore Holmes to his previous state of health? And can Holmes and Watson avoid incrimination themselves, once they finally reveal the facts of the case to the proper authorities? The Torment of Sherlock Holmes is a case with many twists and turns, that will keep readers guessing right up until its exciting conclusion. 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.

Genres: Mystery

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Spoilers*

So... as someone who prefers Sherlock pastiches to follow the original stories, I found that this one fell short. Not only was Mycroft far too involved (and of his own volition) and far too mobile, Irene Adler made no sense to me. At the end of ASIB, she got married. It was never explained why she's not in this story. Also, ASIB makes it clear that Sherlock and Irene only met one time. This story has the two being very close friends and a slight love triangle even emerges between John, Irene and Sherlock.

The language didn't seem to fit the time period or setting. For example, John refers to Sherlock going on "vacation" and it appears to be normal for John and Sherlock to refer to Irene by her first name.

Irene's characterization is weird, too. She's the one woman to ever "defeat" Sherlock and yet, she doesn't find anything weird or suspicious about finding a bloodied knife and clothing? And because she was chatty with a drunkard, she is somehow credited with solving the entire mystery.

Overall, it wasn't awful, but it could have been so much better.

[Gus Scholtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book. Liked the parts where Watson would lay out his analysis of what was going on. They made perfect sense until Sherlock would completely destroy them. Fun book. Good mystery. Nice relationship between Watson and Holmes.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Torment of Sherlock Holmes by Val Andrews

It is 1897 and Sherlock Holmes is in bad shape. Starting with an illness brought on by over-work, he has fallen into a dark place. He has fallen into a pit of despair and his old bad habits arise. He will take no cases and seems to care little if he lives or dies.

He even thrusts Watson away, saying he wants no company but his own. Watson goes on a walk and a strange woman in Widow’s Weeds drops a receipt for luggage at the Victorian Station. Watson claims the luggage which consists of a hatbox with very strange contents.

There is a well-made dress that is covered with blood, and a kitchen knife also coated in blood. It seems obvious that a murder has been committed.

Holmes and Watson take a cab that is manned by Watson’s friend Corporal Murray, whom readers may remember saved Watson’s life in Afghanistan. The trail takes them to a small island of Dolphin Spine, also known as Shack Island, on the English coast. There a strange couple has rented a cottage. The couple, Dale and Iris Reiner, has both been seen, but never at the same time. This leads Holmes to believe them one and the same.

It seems the murder was committed in that same cottage, named Mon Repos. And Holmes has a new case on his hands. However; the local detective, Inspector Cummings, is unimpressed with Holmes. He even suggests that Mycroft Holmes is a very shady character!

This story is full of interesting twists! I give it five stars.

Quoth the Raven…

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, Sherlock Holmes is suffering from a terrible depression and has been for weeks. Dr. Watson, feeling that he should do something to help his friend, is out one day and watches a woman dressed in widow's clothing drop a claims ticket at Victoria station. He picks it up, but the woman is long gone by the time he looks around to find her. He goes back to Holmes with the ticket, thinking this might be something that would interest him. The article at the station which is the subject of the claims ticket turns out to be a hatbox, in which is stuffed a bloody dress and a knife. This tugs at Holmes' curiosity enough to want to follow the case, and thus begins this adventure.

The book was okay. As usual, it was a pretty interesting and fun read but needed a little more oomph. The mystery was interesting, but not up to an original Conan Doyle's greatness as far as Sherlock's deductive capabilities. Otherwise, if you like Sherlock Holmes pastiches, you may enjoy this one, but I've read better.

[Kati · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was spoiled for the appearance of Irene Adler by a very inconsiderate reviewer who used her name in the very first line he/she wrote - and that pretty undermined any pleasure I could've taken from the book, I freely admit it, since her involvement was a part of the mystery.

This book takes place right after "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot", if I'm not mistaken. Not heeding his doctor's orders, Holmes returns to London only to suffer a mental breakdown soon after. I really liked how Watson was worried about his friend and how he tried his best to help him.

Yet. Later on, Watson was made dumber than usual to allow Irene Adler to shine. Holmes was almost fawning over Irene yet he was downright belittling Watson, his stupidity and his gluttony. A very unappealing portrayal of their friendship. The one time that Holmes defended Watson didn't really ring true because the Inspector who insulted them was so over the top unlikable he was almost a caricature.

And the case was pretty lame too, to be honest. All the discoveries were way too accidental for my liking.

[Howard N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy successor to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

A brilliant yet sorrowful beginning. Placing Watson, Irene Adler and Mycroft as co-conspirators was brilliant, albeit Watson did not know.

An intriguing plot with an email unexpected ending. I highly recommend this book to all fans of His Holmes and Watson.

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Sherlockian pastiche, like the earlier Egyptian Hall adventure, is a fun, nicely assembled tale set in late Victorian times. I enjoyed it enough to look forward to reading the third one which I already have in my personal Holmes library. I will dig it of my tin dispatch box in the near future. If I get a kick out of that one as well, I may look into Mr. Andrews other stories.

[joseph w clouser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy read

Well worth the attention of any Sherlock Holmes fan . Val Andrews captures the spirit and methods of Holmes and Watson almost perfectly. Add in the presence of THE woman and it becomes the perfect book for a relaxing , enjoyable read .

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1897 To activate Holmes interest, and help him from his depression, Watson on discovering a lost luggage ticket, decides to retrieve the item. Can this help revive Holmes.
Another interesting historical mystery

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough read.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read two 'new' Sherlock stories by modern writer's as well as some of Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle. I don't think I will ever read anything that isn't the original anymore because my experiences with both of the modern hasn't been at all as shocking or magical.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Still trying to figure out why the title has absolutely nothing to do with the book's contents.

[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....