James Moriarty, Consulting Criminal

by Andy Weir, Graeme Malcolm (Reading)

His razor-sharp intellect, uncanny powers of deduction, and knowledge of the criminal underground are legendary throughout London. He solves cases with the able assistance of his close friend and confidant. And, one day, he will become the arch enemy of Sherlock Holmes.

Meet Professor James Moriarty - consulting criminal.

In these three original tales - collected for the first time - Andy Weir brings to life a Moriarty worthy of the Great Detective himself.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Short Stories, Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller

79 pages, Audio CD

First published January 6, 2017

About the author

ANDY WEIR built a career as a software engineer until the success of his first published novel, THE MARTIAN, allowed him to live out his dream of writing fulltime. He is a lifelong space nerd and a devoted hobbyist of subjects such as relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned spaceflight. He also mixes a mean cocktail. He lives in California. Andy’s next book, ARTEMIS, is available now.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably better suited for Sherlock Holmes fans. I've seen movies but never read any books and don't remember this villain. I'm again doing this backward (don't ask me why) I also got Sherlock Holmes audio set read by Stephen Fry downloaded and ready to go. Totally got this one because of Andy Weir.

[PattyMacDotComma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4★
“I did not sleep well, for you see Moriarty was more than an occasional consultant. I viewed him as an important ally in the underworld and even, dare I say, a friend, as much as one can have a friend in our way of life.”

These are three clever short stories about ‘the’ Moriarty, the infamous professor who was the only person to get the best (or did he?) of Sherlock Holmes. The narrator is an underworld figure himself, which makes for an interesting viewpoint.

The first is The Adventure of the Dishonor Among Thieves , from which I have quoted the following to give you a good idea of the tone and style Weir has adopted. I think he’s done an excellent job.

“On a cold windy night in the winter of 1871, I went about my many tasks as the head of the Straight-razor Ruffians. Temporary leave from the army had led me to graduate from pilfering military supplies to directly overseeing a small syndicate. I was by no means an influential crime lord in the city but I was beginning to make a name for myself and earn the respect of my peers. Only recently I had been called upon to personally see to a rival gang’s leader who did not show proper decorum in relation to territorial boundaries. The police did eventually find his body but made little in the way of inquiries as his identification was rendered impossible by the lack of a head.”

Of course, today’s forensics would probably make short work of a headless body, but not so back then. The narrator’s brothel business, which moves nightly, is raided, which should have been impossible, unless…

“I was forced to face the unfortunate realisation that someone in my employ must have tipped off the police, not only to whereabouts of the brothel but also as to the list of policemen who could not be trusted with information concerning the raid. One cannot slit throats willy-nilly in a situation such as this.”

The engagement of Professor Moriarty begins an interesting partnership.

“The Adventure of the Unscrupulous Assassin” is the second story, where our narrator fears for his daughter’s safety. She has been protected from his life and well-educated, with good manners polished at a finishing school.

She is now back in England and has been moved into a safe house, but it seems someone is trying to burn down the family home and the safe house as well.

Story number three is The Adventure of the Sealed Room.

Moriarty is on one end of a bidding war for a dilapidated tenement property. His opponent is having trouble getting a permit, so kills the permit officer. This is a bit of a turn-around. Moriarty calls in a favour from our narrator.

“The irony is palpable when an evil man is arrested on suspicion of a crime he did not, in fact, commit. It is a frustrating thing. Deep down there is a strong sense of justice in all of us, even those who have a predilection toward a perverse dissociation with the law. I am wont to believe that if the law is going to catch me it will be something of which I am actually guilty. You can imagine my surprise when I received a missive sent by Moriarty from the police lockup.”

This is the situation in which the narrator commented above that he considers Moriarty more than a consultant or an ally – he has become a friend, although he’s not a friend you’d want to cross. I was reminded of how we may all be okay with being caught for our misdeeds but how absolutely infuriating it is to be unfairly punished when you know you never touched the cake!

I didn’t realise Andy Weir wrote this kind of thing, and I’m delighted to say I enjoyed all three stories. I think he and Graeme Malcolm, the audio narrator did a great job placing the stories and setting into the world of Sherlock Holmes.

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Moriarty- A fascinating look at the early years with 3 different tales of how Moriarty became the man you know; a brilliant, yet evil, criminal mastermind well versed in the underworld. He gathers for himself powerful allies, all the while being a paid criminal consultant. He is evil and devoid of any moral compass.

He is a MASTER criminal with a brilliant mind, but soon to become acquainted with a young university student also of unparalleled mental brilliance, specializing in the field of chemistry, who has a particular interest in criminology. This young student just disproved a court case that Moriarty orchestrated to point a finger of guilt at another. Thus…..the paths of these 2 men have just begun to intertwine.

Very enjoyable audiobook - fully recommended for fans of Sherlock Holmes.

[Theo Logos · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this devilishly clever pastiche, Andy Weir flips the Sherlock Holmes universe on its head. Instead of Holmes, the world’s first consulting detective, Weir gives us Holmes’ villain, Master Criminal James Moriarty as consulting criminal. He uses all of the conventions of the Holmes stories, but in a mirror universe where professional criminals go to the master, Moriarty, to untangle their criminal conundrums. Skillfully done, down to the authentic sounding criminal argot of the less sophisticated crime lords who bring their problems to the Consulting Criminal. It’s a fast and fun read.

[Valerie Book Valkyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Fast Fun Stars
After reading, and loving, Project Hail Mary I was interested in finding other novels by Andy Weir. I then found that GR friend Panda read this audiobook rating it 4stars with a positive review. I prefer to read hardback books so searched for a paper copy, only to find that this publication (released 2017) is ONLY available as an audiobook!

1hr 10min long, am comfortably listening at 1.2x speed.
I listened to it just now while eating a late lunch. Beautifully narrated by Graeme Malcolm.
The author does a good job of preserving the style, tone, and ambiance of a true Sherlock Holmes Mystery throughout the narrative. I just wasn't that satisfied, not sure why, maybe the last minute "reveal" at the end that allowed the mystery to be solved seemed just a little contrived.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not disclose the fact that I have difficulty listening to audiobooks. To say I prefer full size hard cover versions of any story would be a gross understatement.
That being said I do recommend this audiobook for those who relish a Sherlock Holmes style mystery and also enjoy reading audiobooks 🙋🏼 🧚‍♀️.

[Taz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this a lot!

I love how it mirrored the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, but showed the villains' side instead of the heroes, without losing the mystery. Also love that Moran is the narrator, because there is not enough Moran in my life.

Quick, easy listen (I did the audiobook), and written very well.

4.5 stars!

[Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook (1 hour 10 minutes) narrated by Graeme Malcolm

Very good narration and audio, without distortion, erroneous noise, or obvious edits.

James Moriarty, Consulting Criminal is an unexpected style by Andy Weir. A Sherlock Holmes short story that was perfect for a before bed break from the books in progress on my shelf.

The feel of the story and character was fantastic.

My only criticism is that it wasn't longer.

Recommend.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Evil Sherlock.

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought Andy Weir could write anything other than science fiction. But he does this well. Written in the style of Sherlock Holmes books, the anti-hero James Moriarty solves some mysteries.

[gee ☽ (IG: momoxshi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginnings of James Moriarty, cleverly written in the style of Conan Doyle's own Sherlock Holmes. I was expecting the twist for the last short story but it was great nonetheless. I appreciate the cameo of Lestrade too.

My only complaint - it's too short.

[Suhasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant!

Me wants more!! Unfortunately Andy mentioned in his site that he's not sure he'll continue and this was about a decade ago. So we'll have to be satisfied with the clever ending in this one.

P.S: Look out for a soon-to-be-famous Chemistry student's cameo.

[Nick Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want a sequel and/or a much longer book.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

This Sherlock pastiche written by the guy who wrote The Martian is actually pretty good, even without space travel.

Free on Audible to subscribers (your results may vary)

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three interesting stories. I must be burnt out on SH and PM. Even Andy Weir can’t get me excited about the “role reversals”.
Fine audiobook narration by Graeme Malcolm. I liked the last one the least.

[Kristin Scearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Remo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tres historias cortas "de Sherlock Holmes", con la particularidad de que el protagonista es Moriarty, que comienza en sus años mozos, y su Watson es el narrador, un exmilitar que tras dejar de robar suministros militares se dedica a liderar una banda de segundo orden de los bajos fondos de Londres. A Moriarty le requieren para resolver casos criminales que no pueden ser llevados ante la policía por razones evidentes, y tras su resolución los que son hallados culpables no son presentados ante un juez precisamente. El ambiente y la construcción de los casos me han encantado. Se parece a La aventura del abrigo amarillo, de la ínclita Daurmith, pero mientras Daurmith intenta seguir el guión (con gran éxito), Weir le da una vuelta de tuerca, haciendo incluso que al final de la tercera historia aparezca en escena un estudiante de química que le desbarata parcialmente un caso a Moriarty. Estudiante de química que según el narrador "nos daría más de un quebradero de cabeza". Muy entretenidas, Te hacen seguir y seguir leyendo, tienen giros buenos hacia el final. Me han encantado.

[Girish · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw this book was written by Andy Weir, my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to indulge myself in reading about Moriarty. This is relevant because I am not a Sherlock Holmes devotee and hence do not know all the minor plot details (except that I also watched Sherlock and loved it).

We see James Moriarty does to the criminal world what Sherlock Holmes does to the cops. He aids them in solving issues through deduction that will fulfill the purpose of furthering the criminal empire. Three cases which were intelligently told by an underworld lord who serves as the sidekick in his adventures. I especially loved the third case where Moriarty is solving a murder where he is arrested.

Andy Weir's writing is very different and there is no distinctive mannerisms that will bring back any of his other works. For all I know, Anthony Horowitz could have written this with little difference.

Fun Quick read.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well done twist on typical Sherlock Holmes short stories, starring Holmes' amoral arch-nemesis instead. Would love to read more of them.

[Graeme Newell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick, intriguing read that offers a fresh take on the classic Sherlock Holmes narrative. At just over a hundred pages, it's a compact novella that manages to pack quite a punch. While there are some aspects of the book that didn't quite meet my expectations, I can appreciate the author's attempt to flip the script on a well-known story.

Let's start with the positives. Weir's reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes universe is undoubtedly the highlight of the book. Turning the tables and making Moriarty the central character, as opposed to Holmes, is a bold, fascinating move. It's as if we've entered an alternate reality where the brilliant mind is used for sinister purposes rather than solving crimes. This twist adds a wonderful layer of complexity to the story.

We're all familiar with Holmes as the brilliant detective using his exceptional abilities for good, but Weir's Moriarty is equally gifted, only he uses his talents for nefarious purposes. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the potential dark side of genius. We see Moriarty's intellect and cunning in action as he orchestrates his criminal endeavors with precision.

Despite its brevity, Weir manages to construct a convincing and intricate case. The narrative flows smoothly, and the clues are carefully placed, inviting readers to try and solve the puzzle alongside Moriarty. It's impressive how the author can build a well-structured mystery in such a short format. The pacing keeps you engaged from start to finish, and the twists and turns keep you guessing until the final reveal.

However, there are a few shortcomings in this book. First, the brevity of the novella works both as an advantage and a drawback. While the concise storytelling keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace, it also leaves some character development and depth lacking. I wished for more insight into Moriarty's motivations and backstory, which would have added a richer layer to the narrative.

Additionally, the book occasionally leans too heavily on Sherlock Holmes tropes, which can feel a bit derivative. The character dynamics and interactions between Moriarty and his adversaries are reminiscent of the original stories, which might leave some readers craving more originality.

This book is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Weir's ability to construct a compelling case in a short format and create an evil counterpart to Holmes is ingenious. If you're a fan of classic Sherlock mysteries with a modern twist, this novella is well worth your time.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is written as 3 even shorter stories, which was interesting.

- The first story is how the narrator came to be familiar with James Moriarty.

- The second story is the narrator investigating a murder attempt with James Moriarty.

- The third has the narrator finding out James Moriarty is in jail, accused of murder.

3.5 stars rounded up. As usual, Weir's writing is impeccable. It had an old-timey feel to it, which was good since it was set in the time of Sherlock Holmes (obviously). It was a little too short in my opinion, and the three different stories made it seem even shorter, which is why I didn't give it a higher rating (though I still saw fit to round up rather than down).

[Dave Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cheeky romp for Sherlock holmes fans
Andy weir writes puzzle books. You'd think that would make him a great mystery writer, not exaclty but his stuff is very fun to read.
This is a fast paced book, but it's very short -the audiobook is an hour ten minuets.
The style is a faithful imitation of the Sherlock Holmes format, but cleverly inverted to have Professor Moriarty as the focus. The mysteries are... adequate? They are loving little tributes to the cannon but at the end of each "case" I'm not sure the clues all add up. That's not exactly the point here. and that's to have fun standing the edifice on it's head.
I would definitely read more of these.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe this one was free to read on audible... but maybe you need an account.

Enjoyed it!

[Rodica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun take on Sherlock Holmes from the opposite side of the law. 3 short stories told from the perspective of an upcoming mastermind criminal. This would be amazing as an HBO/Netflix series, I bet.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of The Martian provides a flip of the coin look at Sherlock Holmes’ arch nemesis, Dr. James Moriarty. Well written and engaging, the ultimate villain becomes their hero among his kind, a point of view not often explored. A fun read for fans of the great detective.

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

♟️ THE MATHEMATICS OF MALICE: A BRILLIANTLY CALCULATED REVERSAL ♟️



Andy Weir trades the red sands of Mars for the fog-choked streets of Victorian London, delivering a hyper-intellectual, deeply cynical crime procedural that turns the Sherlock Holmes mythos entirely on its head through the eyes of the world's first consulting criminal.





“Sherlock Holmes looks at a drop of water and deduces the Atlantic. I look at a drop of blood and calculate the exact cost of the cleanup.”





🎩 The Vibe Check:

If the hard-sci-fi, problem-solving genius of The Martian was injected into the cynical, cutthroat underworld of Peaky Blinders, all viewed through the cold, deductive lens of a Victorian House of Cards, you would get this book. It is analytical, fiercely clever, and delightfully amoral.





📖 The Detailed Narrative Canvas:

In this standalone historical crime thriller, Andy Weir explores a simple, fascinating premise: what if the greatest criminal mastermind in literature didn't win his battles through vague, theatrical villainy, but through pure, hard mathematics, logistical optimization, and systematic problem-solving?





The narrative introduces us to Professor James Moriarty not as a shadowy, cackling villain, but as a hyper-rational "consulting criminal"—an underworld architect who doesn't commit petty crimes, but sells flawless, airtight criminal blueprints to London’s gangs for a premium fee. When a highly sophisticated, multi-million-pound heist goes catastrophically wrong, threatening to trigger a massive police crackdown that would dismantle his entire underground network, Moriarty is forced to step into the field.





To find the saboteur within his ranks, he must apply the exact same rigorous scientific method Weir gave to Mark Watney on Mars, treating crime scenes, forensic data, and human psychology as strict mathematical variables to be solved before a certain high-functioning detective from Baker Street closes the net.







🧠 Deep-Dive Detailed Plot Analysis:

1. The Hard-Sci-Fi Architecture of Victorian Crime:

The absolute structural triumph of Weir's plot is how he applies his signature hard-science problem-solving loop to the 1890s. Traditionally, Holmes stories rely on retro-deduction (looking backward at a clue to build a theory). Weir flips the script into an optimization plot loop (looking forward at a system to predict and control its outcomes). Moriarty evaluates the London underworld as a giant, complex thermodynamic engine. Every heist is analyzed by its mechanical efficiency, supply chains, escape vectors, and probability matrices. The plot doesn't advance through random narrative convenience; it advances through Moriarty systematically isolating variables, running risk-benefit analyses, and treating human behavior as a predictable system.





2. The "Baker Street" Blind Spot and Narrative Tension:

Weir crafts an incredibly unique tension loop by keeping Sherlock Holmes entirely off-page for the majority of the book. Holmes functions not as an active character, but as an environmental hazard—a predictable, yet terrifyingly acute force of nature, much like the Martian sandstorm. The plot operates on a beautiful dual-narrative clock: Moriarty is desperately racing to solve a murder and patch a security leak in his syndicate, all while knowing that every clue he leaves behind is a data point that Holmes will inevitably decipher. This creates a claustrophobic, ticking-clock structure where the reader is hyper-aware that Moriarty's calculations must be flawless, because his opponent plays by the exact same intellectual rules.





3. The Anatomy of the Underworld Chess Match:

The mid-section of the plot shifts into a high-stakes, multi-front tactical campaign. Moriarty has to navigate three competing syndicates, corrupt Scotland Yard inspectors, and an internal betrayal. Weir’s plotting here is incredibly tight; each mini-arc functions like a mathematical proof. Moriarty solves a crisis not by using physical violence or cartoonish villain gadgets, but by manipulating economic incentives, exploiting systemic bureaucratic flaws in Victorian law enforcement, and using game theory to force his rivals into destroying one another. It is a masterclass in fair-play plotting, where the reader is given all the financial ledgers, railway timetables, and logistical constraints upfront, allowing us to watch the genius engineer build his trap in real time.





✨ What Hit the Mark:


The Voice of the Professor: Moriarty’s narrative voice is spectacular. He is arrogant, emotionally detached, and utterly pragmatic, yet his obsession with logic, efficiency, and intellectual rigor makes him a deeply charismatic and engaging protagonist.

Fascinating Historical Logistics: Weir’s extensive research into the actual day-to-day logistics of Victorian London—from the mechanics of the subterranean mail rail system to the economics of coal distribution—is seamlessly integrated into the plot.

The Ultimate Fair-Play Climax: The final act, where Moriarty’s grand calculation finally collides with the investigation, is an absolute masterpiece of plotting that re-contextualizes the entire book, delivering a spectacular, jaw-dropping payoff.





⚠️ Critical Critiques (The Lows):


An Emotional Void: Because both the protagonist and the narrative structure are completely driven by cold logic and systemic efficiency, the book lacks a traditional emotional or moral center. If you require relatable human vulnerability or a redemption arc to enjoy a book, the icy pragmatism here might feel alienating.

Dialogue Modernism: At times, Weir's trademark snappy, colloquial dialogue can slip through the Victorian setting. Moriarty and his close associates occasionally speak with a dry, modern cadence that can briefly break the atmospheric immersion of the late 19th-century setting.







⭐️ THE VERDICT:

James Moriarty, Consulting Criminal is a brilliant, highly intellectual triumph of speculative crime fiction. Andy Weir proves that his genius for technical problem-solving and airtight plotting translates just as effectively to the foggy streets of Victorian London as it does to the vacuum of space. It is a sharp, witty, and completely unforgettable chess match of a book that no mystery fan should miss.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨(4.0/5 Stars – A Calculated Masterpiece)

[OldGuyWalking · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I love the concept of Sherlock Holmes, and all of the universes where he, and many of his incarnations reside. That includes those whom are blessed with Sherlockian talents but do not necessarily go by the name Sherlock Holmes. Given that Sherlock Holmes attributed Professor Moriarty with an intellect and skills that rivaled Sherlocks own gifts, I've included James Moriarty included in thet list.

However, while Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock was brilliant, Moriarty, to me, never really felt like a peer of Sherlock's. More like a shadowy character that was talked about but never really given a chance to be developed into the villain he could have been.

With this small collection of short stories, Moriarty is given a genuine chance to be the sociopathic genius he was meant to be.

The good...
1. Action and dialog moved at a brisk pace. No long expositions or unnecessary filler. Never boring.
2. Murder and significant physical violence was carried out by both Moran and Moriarty. But the manner in which it was described by Captain Moran, he could have been describing the process for sweeping a floor. That is a good thing since it made it clear the characters had little or no consideration for the life of anyone who either crossed them or who they simply needed taken out of the picture to meet some goal.
3. Some might have guessed who dunnit... (not hard considering the short stories are primarily about two criminals). But there were some twists that occurred that I don't think anyone (other than psychics or the author) could possibly have guessed in advance. Each story was concluded in a satisfactory manner, with the evil genius completly in control.

The gray...
I've read other stories featuring stories about Moriarty and there are even a few comic books that have Moriarty as the central character. While I don't want to see a Moriarty as a psychotic spree killer who kills for the enjoyment of it I also understand that if a Moriarty did exist, he would be a sociopath who would kill when needed whenever it suited his goals and purposes. Now, what's interesting in these 3 stories, 3 who are killed are in no way innocents. The chances of that happening on a regular basis would be pretty low.

I gave this 4 stars because the charaters were perfect, the story clicked along nicely, and the solutions to the mysteries were believable. Also, the voice actor who read the book did an excellent job. In my opinion, a good voice actor can take a middle of the road book and make it enjoyable and a good book great.

No complaints from me about the fact this was 3 short stories. I knew that before I picked it up.

I'd like to see additional Morarty stories from the author. The Moriarty character in these stories exists, with one exception, before Sherlock Holmes appears. There is some backstory as described by Captain Moran. More stories would be appreciated and welcome.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t have time for my morning read so I dusted off my Audible shelf and found this in my Unfinished pile. It’s a nice, short piece for a grocery run, but I feel like having limited experience with the source material hampered my enjoyment. This mostly reads like a “What if Sherlock was evil?” fanfiction. Not entirely bad, but I’m not sure I would want to commit to longer or subsequent stories with any regularity, or at least not without first familiarizing myself with Doyle’s work.

[Vakaris the Nosferatu · Rating 4 out of 5]

all reviews in one place: night mode reading ; skaitom nakties rezimu

My Opinion: Highly amusing and very fun book on a few more unusual jobs James Moriarty picked up. From finding criminals, to helping criminals, to, even, almost helping the law. Almost. Told from the perspective of a colleague, to avoid knowing the plot ahead of time, it makes for some very good reading time. Highly recommend it to everyone who loves a good villain. Maybe a bit too short, and thus – underdeveloped, but worth the time, very much so.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Consulting Criminal, James Moriarty. If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes you will probably enjoy this. Instead of following a detective using wits and deductions to solve crimes, you follow a criminal who uses them to create crimes. It really is a Sherlock Holmes but if he was bad. The book follows Holmes’ arch rival in three short stories. Not a lot of meat to the story but still very well done and very fun.

[Trin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine, especially the last, cameo-heavy story. I wish Moriarty and Moran had popped more as characters beyond being "evil Holmes and Watson." At some point I think the problem becomes that I have of course already read A Study in Emerald, and this cannot top that in its approach to this concept.