Sherlock Holmes and the Duel with the Devil

by Roger Jaynes

As a series of bizarre, seemingly unconnected, cases unfold around Europe, Holmes and Watson must use all their skills and expertise to connect and solve these three puzzling cases, which have been devilishly orchestrated by the world’s greatest criminal mastermind, Professor Moriarty. The case begins, as usual, at 221B Baker Street when Jonathan Thatcher, brother of acclaimed Mathematics professor, Aubrey Thatcher, reports that his brother has been missing for three days following the announcement of his engagement. The plot thickens when Jonathan reveals his brother is also embroiled in the murder of a clerk from the university. Holmes and Watson travel to Durham in search of Professor Thatcher, who withdrew five thousand pounds before his disappearance, perhaps to the Americas, and who also, after arriving in Durham, is found to have the murder weapon in his lodgings. In the second case a representative of the allusive Henri Victoire approaches the solicitor, Howard Montclair. Mr Montclair is instructed to deliver a sealed envelope to the Royal Hotel in Bristol by five o’clock for the faceless Victoire. After delivering the envelope to the hotel and meeting nobody, Montclair returns to London. Upon arriving back it is reported that the Brereton Emerald has been stolen from Rome. Rome, being the city where Montclair’s brother was stationed whilst working for the diplomatic corps. Only Sherlock Holmes can connect the delivery of a letter in Bristol to the robbery of one of the world’s largest jewels. In the final case, Holmes and Watson are called upon by Lestrade to help take down the Crimson Vandals who have been adorning British monarchs with lashings of red paint, leaving an undecipherable code in their wake. Holmes begins to make tracks, but not quickly enough as an attempt is made upon his life by the most unlikely of people – Dr John Watson. Roger Jaynes’ Sherlock A Duel with the Devil is an exhilarating tale that pits two of the greatest minds against one another in a battle of intellectual wit – the game is afoot! Roger Jaynes has spent his entire life writing about a multitude of subjects in a variety of ways. As an award-winning sportswriter for the Miami Herald, Gannett News Service and the Milwaukee Journal, he was recipient of over 45 national writing awards including his being chosen as top ‘Sports News Writer of The Year’ in the United States by the Associated Press Sports Editors Association in 1977. After leaving journalism in 1988, Jaynes served as Director of Public Relations at Road America.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Amazon

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three short stories about Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and their encounters with Professor Moriarty. The stories are fairly entertaining, however, there is a noticeable mistake in the second story about the courier. It refers to a Sir William Morrison and his wife, however, she is called Mrs. Abigail Morrison. Surely that should be Lady Morrison? The third story is probably the best because it does show the close relationship between Holmes and Watson, something some authors tend to forget. 3.5 stars

[Bonnye Reed]

Endeavor Press Sherlock Holmes Advent Calendar 99

[Christa Saccullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Enough Stars!!

I LOVED this one!!!!
This is three short stories in one...And I was a goner in the last story!!
Definitely one if the best I've come across!!!
Every Sherlock Holmes fan needs this one in their collection.
The battle between good and evil rages, but we also get to see the rewards of true friendship.
Well done, Roger Jaynes!!
I'm totally reading this again!

Christa

[Kdwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of Sherlock Holmes stories

I am an avid reader of Sherlock Holmes stories. I have read Arthur Conan Doyle's works, as well as several other authors' works. I found this collection to be extremely well written and in keeping with ACD's characters. Thoroughly entertaining!

[Cheryl Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Watson walked into the room drew his service hand gun and shot at Sherlock point blank.

Now the game is on! Moriarty is closer to killing Sherlock and Dr Watson than ever.
I enjoyed this author bringing these chacters alive. I can believe having tea and toast with them by a roaring fire! Great read.

[Mabji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drei sehr interessante Fälle in dieser kleinen Sammlung zusammengefasst.
Es war sehr spannend zu lesen, wie dieser Autor die gefährlichkeit Moriartys weiter ausführt.
Und auch die Beschreibung von Holmes und Watsons Beziehung ist einfach nur schön.
Kann ich nur empfehlen!

[Summer Hurst · Rating 2 out of 5]

Duel

Would have given it a three but in the third story post hypnotic suggestion is used as true but no one especially Watson would go against their moral fiber the rest would have been decent

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1888 and three seemingly unrelated cases, one by one, confront Holmes and Watson. Can Holmes link them and come to the solution before the final result is acted out. But by whom?
The story is covered by two short stories and a short novella.
An enjoyable well-written mystery

[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....

[Phil Ellenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

This is another good Sherlock pastiche There is a rather neat twist on the writing ,at least to me, and it is left to the next reader to see if I am correct.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The devil in the persona of Moriarty. Seems he's evil for the purpose of being evil. A good enough read.

[Denise Hurd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written Sherlock Holmes apocrypha. Jaynes got the feel of Doyle’s characters and 19th century England right. I enjoyed reading it.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually do not like Holmes stories by other authors, but this is the best I have read. Holmes seems more like himself - flaws and alls. Interesting stories.

[Richard Brylczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty fair collection of Holmes stories with Moriarty as the villain. Presented is a view of Moriarty when he still had a 'straight' job as Mathematics professor in Scotland. The Homes obsession with him was already intense.

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have gadgets to do just about everything for us. We carry powerful communications in the palm of our hand. There are machines that analyze blood and any other sample that might be found at a crime scene. So why, after 129 years, does Sherlock Holmes continue to hold sway in the world of crime and detection?

The first Holmes tale, "A Study in Scarlet," published in 1887 continues to be read to this day. Holmes has been a staple in the movies with more than 70 actors playing the title role in more than 200 films. Those of us who just can't get enough Holmes watch "Elementary" faithfully, accepting Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in the roles of Sherlock and Dr. Watson. Baffling!

I read the Conan Doyle canon as a child. I marveled at Holmes' ability to sniff a bit of ash and be able to tell just what variety of tobacco produced it. My image of Holmes was derived from the movies, first Basil Rathbone who was stiff and proper, then Jeremy Brett on the BBC who added action to the character and now Robert Downey, Jr. who has added humor. I must also mention Benedict Cumberbatch who, as a modern Sherlock, uses some of the aforementioned gadgets but still relies on his formidable brain to solve the case.

Writers have taken up pen, typewriter, word processor and computer to continue the legacy of a fictional character that is larger than life and who refuses to die. This has apparently been going on since 1893.

We all know that Holmes and Watson are paired, as are so many things, but without the great villain they might have been a mere ink spot in literary history. Roger Jaynes has produced, with the help of John Watson, of course, three cases heretofore unknown about the diabolical Moriarty. These tales were held back to keep those involved and those in their circle from becoming Moriarty's prey.

If you are a fan of the great detective, as I am, you might just want to add this well written collection to your library.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sherlock Holmes: A Duel with the Devil" by Roger Jaynes is in reality three short stories. (Sometimes, I read too quickly when getting a Holmes book for my Kindle.) I have nothing against short stories; I was just expecting a novel. However, these three stories were good! The Devil here is, of course, the classic nemesis for Holmes: Professor Moriarty. The events take place shortly after Professor Moriarty was expelled from his University position. So the reader does get a good view of those early years of Holmes and The Professor.

Jaynes captures the atmosphere of Victorian London; his ability to create local color through place, sounds, and language is excellent. Jaynes' writing is good; his plots are well crafted and are filled with intrigue, twists and Holmes' faultless logic. Each story draws the reader in and thus reads quickly. The stories are all entertaining; however, the second story is a little weaker. I personally loved the third story because it develops and shows the close friendship between Holmes and Watson, something that is often not cultivated in other books. If you are a Holmes fan, I do recommend this book and its stories to you!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book combines three tales involving Sherlock Holmes and crimes involving Professor Moriarty and his henchmen. It concludes with a direct clash between Holmes and Moriarty. The author does a wonderful job of writing in the style of Conan Doyle. It almost feels like you are reading tales by the master himself. The only reason that I give it four stars rather than five is that I did guess the mystery in the first two stories. But that did not take away from my enjoyment of the book. I would recommend this to any Sherlock Holmes fan.

[Alp Mortal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this 4 stars but the third story, in my opinion, let it down
nevertheless, well-crafted plots and pretty good characterization, even if Watson does come across as a tad wooden

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little choppy in the final section but otherwise satisfactorily adequate...

[Raine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good ....I'm sure Doyle would have approved.

[Vinnie Batiste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Superb!

This book was totally and absolutely absorbing! I love the adventure as well as the intrigue. I will definitely be looking to read more books by this author.

[William E. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Crime-perfect Detective

I thought I was reading A. Conan Doyle himself. Marvelous tale with many twists and turns. A must read for Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts.

[Sballest · Rating 5 out of 5]

True to Sir Arthur

I could not tell if I was reading today's version or that of the past. Well done. A great easy read.

[Margaret Fast · Rating 3 out of 5]

3
Not bad as these Sherlock Holmes "spin-offs" go. Formulaic and sometimes contrived. Interesting enough plot.