What do you think?
Rate this book
Holmes: The Darlington Substitution
“The best novella I have ever read.”
Sherlock Holmes at his irreverent, baffling and wise-cracking best.
With Watson's literary career going from strength to strength, he secures a slot on local radio to publicise his new book. When his interview isn’t aired, he disregards this snub to his confidence as a peculiar but unimportant bend in the path of his literary career.
Sherlock Holmes is not so dismissive. He seizes upon the event and the two set off on another adventure that sees Holmes at the height of his wisecracking, foulmouthed, law disregarding deductive brilliance.
The Darlington Substitution is a retrospective account, occurring during the same time as the adventures chronicled in Holmes Volume 2.
“Fluent, engaging, and with a well-judged balance of wit and humour set against the investigation of a mystery, Small has incorporated the best aspects of Sherlock Holmes while adding his own imaginative twist.” - Bibliomanic
“I giggled from start to finish with the dry humour that rolled off of each page.” - Books from Dusk till Dawn (Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
“As an editor, I’m a tough crowd but was soon won over… Rating: 5 out of 5” - Morgen Bailey
“An engaging, humorous and cleverly written mystery.” - Books Life and Everything
“Melvyn Small’s writing is superb.” - Whispering Stories (Amazon Top 500 Reviewer)
Sherlock Holmes at his irreverent, baffling and wise-cracking best.
With Watson's literary career going from strength to strength, he secures a slot on local radio to publicise his new book. When his interview isn’t aired, he disregards this snub to his confidence as a peculiar but unimportant bend in the path of his literary career.
Sherlock Holmes is not so dismissive. He seizes upon the event and the two set off on another adventure that sees Holmes at the height of his wisecracking, foulmouthed, law disregarding deductive brilliance.
The Darlington Substitution is a retrospective account, occurring during the same time as the adventures chronicled in Holmes Volume 2.
“Fluent, engaging, and with a well-judged balance of wit and humour set against the investigation of a mystery, Small has incorporated the best aspects of Sherlock Holmes while adding his own imaginative twist.” - Bibliomanic
“I giggled from start to finish with the dry humour that rolled off of each page.” - Books from Dusk till Dawn (Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer)
“As an editor, I’m a tough crowd but was soon won over… Rating: 5 out of 5” - Morgen Bailey
“An engaging, humorous and cleverly written mystery.” - Books Life and Everything
“Melvyn Small’s writing is superb.” - Whispering Stories (Amazon Top 500 Reviewer)
97 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2018
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Melvyn Small
7 books4 followersBorn in Stockton-on-Tees in the North East of England and raised in nearby Billingham, Mel left school at 16 to train as a civil engineering technician within the engineering department of the local authority, Cleveland County Council. Continuing his education he gained certificates in a number of civil engineering qualifications including a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Structural Engineering. After 14 years Mel drew a finally draughted line under the world of hydraulic modelling and roundabout design and undertook a Master of Science degree in information processing, before commencing a career in information technology.
It is perhaps Mel’s technical upbringing and his drafting of countless technical reports and specifications that give him a succinct and efficient writing style that lends itself to the fast-paced short stories he has had published to date. This layered with the gin-dry humour, garnered from a Teesside upbringing, provides a thoroughly entertaining read.
His latest book Holmes Volume 1 provides a twist on eponymous Sherlock Holmes in a series of short stories that place the famous character in modern-day Middlesbrough. In these comical escapades Sherlock Holmes is a working class Teessider who swears, drinks beer and solves the most puzzling of mysteries as he and Doctor Watson wend their way around the North East of England.
It is perhaps Mel’s technical upbringing and his drafting of countless technical reports and specifications that give him a succinct and efficient writing style that lends itself to the fast-paced short stories he has had published to date. This layered with the gin-dry humour, garnered from a Teesside upbringing, provides a thoroughly entertaining read.
His latest book Holmes Volume 1 provides a twist on eponymous Sherlock Holmes in a series of short stories that place the famous character in modern-day Middlesbrough. In these comical escapades Sherlock Holmes is a working class Teessider who swears, drinks beer and solves the most puzzling of mysteries as he and Doctor Watson wend their way around the North East of England.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 7, 2018
I thought Mel Small's Holmes Volume 1 could not be bettered but I was wrong. This novella is simply magnificent; it's a page turning mystery filled with the dry wit we have come to expect from Boro's very own Sherlock Holmes.
Mel Small shows his knowledge of the original Sherlock Holmes by naming his book The Darlington Substitution which is the scandal on which Arthur Conan Doyle's son, Adrian, based his short story: The Adventures of the Wax Gamblers. This isn't a retelling of the tale, though. It's a fresh, new, modern interpretation of a case that only Sherlock Holmes could solve.
The Darlington Substitution is a brilliant mystery story. It is based around Dr John Watson who has written about about his escapades with Sherlock Holmes. Watson is invited to do a radio interview about his new book with DJ Charles Darlington. Watson, Holmes and friends are all huddled around the radio in their local pub, The Twisted Lip, to listen to the interview, only to find that Watson has been substituted with another author. Holmes concludes that Watson must have said something in his interview that someone doesn't want broadcast. Either that or Watson's interview was shit (Sherlock's words, not mine!).
It only takes about an hour to read this novella and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I quite agree that this is the best Boro Sherlock Holmes story to date, not only that but I also think that it is the best novella I have ever read. I usually feel unsatisfied by short stories but this one is just perfect. It had me crying with laughter at Holmes' sharp, cutting and dry humour but I was also completely captivated by this latest mystery. No dithering over the amount of stars to award here: 5 stars without doubt. An excellent book!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Mel Small shows his knowledge of the original Sherlock Holmes by naming his book The Darlington Substitution which is the scandal on which Arthur Conan Doyle's son, Adrian, based his short story: The Adventures of the Wax Gamblers. This isn't a retelling of the tale, though. It's a fresh, new, modern interpretation of a case that only Sherlock Holmes could solve.
The Darlington Substitution is a brilliant mystery story. It is based around Dr John Watson who has written about about his escapades with Sherlock Holmes. Watson is invited to do a radio interview about his new book with DJ Charles Darlington. Watson, Holmes and friends are all huddled around the radio in their local pub, The Twisted Lip, to listen to the interview, only to find that Watson has been substituted with another author. Holmes concludes that Watson must have said something in his interview that someone doesn't want broadcast. Either that or Watson's interview was shit (Sherlock's words, not mine!).
It only takes about an hour to read this novella and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I quite agree that this is the best Boro Sherlock Holmes story to date, not only that but I also think that it is the best novella I have ever read. I usually feel unsatisfied by short stories but this one is just perfect. It had me crying with laughter at Holmes' sharp, cutting and dry humour but I was also completely captivated by this latest mystery. No dithering over the amount of stars to award here: 5 stars without doubt. An excellent book!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
September 20, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I really enjoyed this book, it is very easy to read and flows really well.
It is not a long book but it is a great novella and it really packs a punch for its length and the content of the story is great for the limited page numbers!
I was delighted when I was contacted and asked if I wanted to get a sneak peak at the book and take part in the blog tour – four stars from me – a quick read that is certainly very enjoyable!
I really enjoyed this book, it is very easy to read and flows really well.
It is not a long book but it is a great novella and it really packs a punch for its length and the content of the story is great for the limited page numbers!
I was delighted when I was contacted and asked if I wanted to get a sneak peak at the book and take part in the blog tour – four stars from me – a quick read that is certainly very enjoyable!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews