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Sebastian McCabe-Jeff Cody #1
No Police Like Holmes
Fully revised 2nd edition - The Investigating Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes Colloquium and donation of the third largest private collection of Sherlockiana in the world were supposed to produce a weekend of great publicity for tiny St. Benignus College in Erin, Ohio. But when theft and murder come to campus, college public relations director Jeff Cody finds himself knee-deep in Sherlockian suspects, besieged by an aggressive reporter he loves but no longer dates, and competing with his eccentric brother-in-law, Sebastian McCabe, to solve the crimes first. The mess worsens when Jeff and his ex-girlfriend, Lynda Teal, themselves fall under suspicion of murder - and with good reason, for they have something to hide. This satirical romp takes Sherlock Holmes seriously, but not Holmesians. A witty and engaging spoof sure to delight not only the deerstalker set but mystery fans in general.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
About the author
Dan Andriacco
54 books57 followersDan Andriacco discovered Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes stories at about the age of nine. Not long after, he became acquainted with such greats of the Golden Age of detective fiction as Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, Rex Stout, John Dickson Carr, Erle Stanley Gardner, and many more.
His earliest career goal was to become a mystery writer. He eventually did, while holding down day jobs at The Cincinnati Post as a reporter and editor (1973-1997) and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as communications director (1997-present). From 1977 to 1982, he wrote a monthly mystery review column for The Post. He also taught non-credit classes in mystery fiction and mystery writing.
He has been a member of the Tankerville Club, a Cincinnati-based scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars, since 1981. That connection is reflected in many ways in his book Baker Street Beat: An Eclectic Collection of Sherlockian Scribblings. He is also a member of the Illustrious Clients and the John H. Watson Society.
Andriacco's Sebastian McCabe - Jeff Cody mystery series, set in a small town in Ohio, is very much in the tradition of his Golden Age favorites.
"McCabe is a great detective in the classic mode," Andriacco said. "By that I mean he is a polymath amateur sleuth. He's a college professor at at small Catholic college, but he's also a mystery writer, a magician, and a linguist. I would love to meet the man, but I'm not sure I'd want to be his best friend.
"His 'Watson,' Jeff Cody is not only his best friend, but also his brother-in-law and the public relations director for the college where Mac teachers. These multiple relationships carry multiple tensions, which I hope is a source of humor. These books are supposed to be fun and funny. Judging by reviewers, they seem to hit that mark for most readers."
With co-author Kieran McMullen, Dan also writes the Enoch Hale series of historical mysteries set in London the in 1920s.
Andriacco, known to friends as "Doctor Dan," holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Georgia. He was born in 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lives with his wife, Ann. They have three adult children and five grandchildren.
His earliest career goal was to become a mystery writer. He eventually did, while holding down day jobs at The Cincinnati Post as a reporter and editor (1973-1997) and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as communications director (1997-present). From 1977 to 1982, he wrote a monthly mystery review column for The Post. He also taught non-credit classes in mystery fiction and mystery writing.
He has been a member of the Tankerville Club, a Cincinnati-based scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars, since 1981. That connection is reflected in many ways in his book Baker Street Beat: An Eclectic Collection of Sherlockian Scribblings. He is also a member of the Illustrious Clients and the John H. Watson Society.
Andriacco's Sebastian McCabe - Jeff Cody mystery series, set in a small town in Ohio, is very much in the tradition of his Golden Age favorites.
"McCabe is a great detective in the classic mode," Andriacco said. "By that I mean he is a polymath amateur sleuth. He's a college professor at at small Catholic college, but he's also a mystery writer, a magician, and a linguist. I would love to meet the man, but I'm not sure I'd want to be his best friend.
"His 'Watson,' Jeff Cody is not only his best friend, but also his brother-in-law and the public relations director for the college where Mac teachers. These multiple relationships carry multiple tensions, which I hope is a source of humor. These books are supposed to be fun and funny. Judging by reviewers, they seem to hit that mark for most readers."
With co-author Kieran McMullen, Dan also writes the Enoch Hale series of historical mysteries set in London the in 1920s.
Andriacco, known to friends as "Doctor Dan," holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Georgia. He was born in 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lives with his wife, Ann. They have three adult children and five grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 5, 2013
Sherlock Holmes is one of my most favorite things in the world. So you can imagine anything related will catch my attention.
Mr. Andriacco does a very good job with pace, the general 'readability' of the book, and with clearly creating the characters and plot. My fave kind of mystery is when the sleuths are amateurs, so Jeff Cody as the detective worked well for me.
I did, however, have two main issues. One is the way Jeff sees and mocks the Sherlockian fans at the Colloquim at his college. Every group has their extremes (and I live in the Sherlockian universe...believe me, we have them too), but Jeff seemed to paint them all with the same 'nutcase' brush. It was a bit too much and made me dislike Jeff to a point. The second issue is his view of his brother-in-law, Sebastian. True, Sebastian comes across a bit like the typical know-it-all, but I just didn't see the justification for Jeff's feelings. Another thing to bring down my opinion of Jeff, and if I can't like the star of the show...
The mystery is well thought-out. The final solution logical and logically explained. I do have the next book in the series and will be giving my review on it very soon.
Mr. Andriacco does a very good job with pace, the general 'readability' of the book, and with clearly creating the characters and plot. My fave kind of mystery is when the sleuths are amateurs, so Jeff Cody as the detective worked well for me.
I did, however, have two main issues. One is the way Jeff sees and mocks the Sherlockian fans at the Colloquim at his college. Every group has their extremes (and I live in the Sherlockian universe...believe me, we have them too), but Jeff seemed to paint them all with the same 'nutcase' brush. It was a bit too much and made me dislike Jeff to a point. The second issue is his view of his brother-in-law, Sebastian. True, Sebastian comes across a bit like the typical know-it-all, but I just didn't see the justification for Jeff's feelings. Another thing to bring down my opinion of Jeff, and if I can't like the star of the show...
The mystery is well thought-out. The final solution logical and logically explained. I do have the next book in the series and will be giving my review on it very soon.
September 30, 2020
Terrible audio track.
Narration nearly killed this one for me. The linguist was careless with the text, at times missing entire sentences and severely mispronouncing many words. His accent, which I hope is fake, was very hard to stomach. The story itself however was intriguing and I did enjoy that.
Narration nearly killed this one for me. The linguist was careless with the text, at times missing entire sentences and severely mispronouncing many words. His accent, which I hope is fake, was very hard to stomach. The story itself however was intriguing and I did enjoy that.
September 8, 2021
I struggled with finishing this book. There is nothing bad about it but there is nothing that caught my attention enough to keep me interested. I am a big fan of Sherlock Holmes maybe I was expecting to much. So all in all it was okay for me.
September 17, 2012
Some Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts take life very, very seriously. Author Dan Andriacco is not one of these people. His novel No Police Like Holmes is a wickedly funny satire of the modern Sherlockian world and an engaging mystery as well.
The story opens with a hilariously motley collection of Holmes-obsessed individuals who can’t wait for a glimpse of rare Holmesian artifacts, and it goes on to romp through theft, murder, and irrepressible Sherlockian humor.
Andriacco’s characterizations are particularly charming, and his two sleuths—the cynical Jeff Cody and expansively gregarious Sebastian McCabe—are both the odd couple and oddly suited to each other, as different as Holmes and Watson, but in the end, just as essential to each another.
No Police Like Holmes is a chocolate bar of a novel—delicious, addictive, and leaves a craving for more. Holmesians of all tastes and ages will recognize themselves in Andriacco’s characters and enjoy his fast-paced plot. Thankfully, the series continues, and fans can satiate their desire for more with Andriacco’s next novel, Holmes Sweet Holmes.
--Amy Thomas, The Baker Street Babes
The story opens with a hilariously motley collection of Holmes-obsessed individuals who can’t wait for a glimpse of rare Holmesian artifacts, and it goes on to romp through theft, murder, and irrepressible Sherlockian humor.
Andriacco’s characterizations are particularly charming, and his two sleuths—the cynical Jeff Cody and expansively gregarious Sebastian McCabe—are both the odd couple and oddly suited to each other, as different as Holmes and Watson, but in the end, just as essential to each another.
No Police Like Holmes is a chocolate bar of a novel—delicious, addictive, and leaves a craving for more. Holmesians of all tastes and ages will recognize themselves in Andriacco’s characters and enjoy his fast-paced plot. Thankfully, the series continues, and fans can satiate their desire for more with Andriacco’s next novel, Holmes Sweet Holmes.
--Amy Thomas, The Baker Street Babes
June 17, 2021
Oh dear, this book didn't really get going did it. Well at least not for me. This was an american group of sherlock holmes fans attending a colloquium (no, me neither). (Is that the right spelling?). It began with a dead body and some expensive holmes items going missing. Not good for a society which prides itself in its holmes-like abilities. The ending is there right at the beginning.
It was mildly amusing.
It was mildly amusing.
April 11, 2021
Mystery
Well, this is a normal 200 pages mystery novel i guess. Quite bored and I skimmed a lot of parts in the middle to the end.
Well, this is a normal 200 pages mystery novel i guess. Quite bored and I skimmed a lot of parts in the middle to the end.
July 30, 2021
Simplistic and derivative
Not as good as hoped
Characters were unsurprising
Plot was scattershot
McCabe was Mycroft
More surprises were expected but not delivered
Not as good as hoped
Characters were unsurprising
Plot was scattershot
McCabe was Mycroft
More surprises were expected but not delivered
February 2, 2023
Narrator was so bad, I quit reading.
June 25, 2021
Well, I managed to get the second book in this series before reading this one, but I must say that it didn't damp my enjoyment of either of them one bit.
What can I say? I find Jeff a delightful character: a true underdog, with his heart broken by his former girlfriend, his brother in law publishing his mysteries with no fuss while he can't find a publisher, a very stressful job (mostly because of his overly sensitive boss) and if having to deal with a Sherlockian colloquium wasn't enough, there is also great robbery and murder *laughs*
I really like Jeff and McCabe's relationship, the way in which they taunt each other while is plain to see how much they really enjoy their banter and rivalry.
And the mystery was very interesting, and I was more in Jeff' side of it: totally clueless.
I will be reading this series, it's great :D
What can I say? I find Jeff a delightful character: a true underdog, with his heart broken by his former girlfriend, his brother in law publishing his mysteries with no fuss while he can't find a publisher, a very stressful job (mostly because of his overly sensitive boss) and if having to deal with a Sherlockian colloquium wasn't enough, there is also great robbery and murder *laughs*
I really like Jeff and McCabe's relationship, the way in which they taunt each other while is plain to see how much they really enjoy their banter and rivalry.
And the mystery was very interesting, and I was more in Jeff' side of it: totally clueless.
I will be reading this series, it's great :D
November 13, 2018
My first "Andriacco"...Certainly not my last!
Finally got to read one of Mr. Andriacco's fine mysteries and am so happy to have done so... While I'm still becoming more familiar with the art of mystery writing, I continue to enjoy the many, many excellent masters of the craft. While Doyle still remains my favorite, I confess that I haven't spent enough time reading more current authors; Patterson, Ludlum, etc.
This will change and I am eager to read more of the adventures of Mac and Jeff in the very near future.
Finally got to read one of Mr. Andriacco's fine mysteries and am so happy to have done so... While I'm still becoming more familiar with the art of mystery writing, I continue to enjoy the many, many excellent masters of the craft. While Doyle still remains my favorite, I confess that I haven't spent enough time reading more current authors; Patterson, Ludlum, etc.
This will change and I am eager to read more of the adventures of Mac and Jeff in the very near future.
November 26, 2018
Decent story. An little cliched at times, but not bad. A bit of mild language. I might have enjoyed it a little better if the narrator had been good. This has to be the worst narrated audio book I've ever listened to. He had such odd intonation and emphasis on such weird places in sentences. It was really hard to get into the story. But since I already paid for it I decided to push through and finish it.
November 27, 2018
Great read with a real twist at the end
The author has certainly researched Holmes and his adventures and integrates them well into this story along with references to a number of other famous detective pairs. Sebastian McCabe is Nero Wolf without the orchards. The two competing approaches to solving the case without involving the local police would make Sherlock proud.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first volume and look forward to the others in the series.
The author has certainly researched Holmes and his adventures and integrates them well into this story along with references to a number of other famous detective pairs. Sebastian McCabe is Nero Wolf without the orchards. The two competing approaches to solving the case without involving the local police would make Sherlock proud.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first volume and look forward to the others in the series.
January 4, 2019
Enjoyed it!
Which is more than I can say for numerous recent downloads. An amusing concept including a variety of Holmesian Easter Eggs in the recipe. Generally well written with distinctive characters that gave life to the tale... even if, once clear there was no Butler, it was a tad obvious whodunit! :) Would read more of Andriacco's books which is more than I can say for 90 percent of many over-productive but lesser talented literary brethren!
Which is more than I can say for numerous recent downloads. An amusing concept including a variety of Holmesian Easter Eggs in the recipe. Generally well written with distinctive characters that gave life to the tale... even if, once clear there was no Butler, it was a tad obvious whodunit! :) Would read more of Andriacco's books which is more than I can say for 90 percent of many over-productive but lesser talented literary brethren!
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September 20, 2019Love Sherlock Holmes
This is one of the best plotted storyline, I have ever read. One, I loved the schedule of the Colloquium, it helps the plot, helps you know where the characters are supposed to be, gives time to the story. Brilliant devise, I also like that the schedule wasn't given all at once, rather it was broken up in appropriate time fragments. My one questionable aside is, don't all insurance companies have 24/7 hotlines? Especially for theft? Read and enjoy!
This is one of the best plotted storyline, I have ever read. One, I loved the schedule of the Colloquium, it helps the plot, helps you know where the characters are supposed to be, gives time to the story. Brilliant devise, I also like that the schedule wasn't given all at once, rather it was broken up in appropriate time fragments. My one questionable aside is, don't all insurance companies have 24/7 hotlines? Especially for theft? Read and enjoy!
September 21, 2021
I picked up this book as it involved a colloquium about Sherlock Holmes, one of my favourite detectives of all time. The characters didn’t grab me though they seemed nice enough there didn’t seem to be much substance to them. The characters seems to be a combination of Nero Wolf and his side kick as well as a Holmes and Watson, throw in Lois lane and inspecter Lastrade and you have it covered. The mystery plot was ok.
October 3, 2024
Good fun Sherlockian mystery
A good fun mystery with an entertaining plot and inventive situation. A man is killed during a Sherlock Holmes festival. I liked the storyline which borrows from a lot of the Holmes stories naturally. The characters are mostly a bit eccentric which make it a fun listen. Narration is generally excellent.
A good fun mystery with an entertaining plot and inventive situation. A man is killed during a Sherlock Holmes festival. I liked the storyline which borrows from a lot of the Holmes stories naturally. The characters are mostly a bit eccentric which make it a fun listen. Narration is generally excellent.
December 31, 2025
Expected a lot from this book.
A murder takes place at a Sherlockian convention in the states.
It drags and drags. One of the biggest problems is the number of characters you have to process. I’m the first 30’pages you have Jeff , Renata , Sebastian, Kate , Bob , Al , Noah , Woolcroff , Gene , Decker , Ralph , Silverstein , and then there are plenty more added.
A murder takes place at a Sherlockian convention in the states.
It drags and drags. One of the biggest problems is the number of characters you have to process. I’m the first 30’pages you have Jeff , Renata , Sebastian, Kate , Bob , Al , Noah , Woolcroff , Gene , Decker , Ralph , Silverstein , and then there are plenty more added.
October 29, 2018
Modern day story taking place at a college, with a Sherlock Holmes colloquium. The town of Erin has a lot of quirky people, and professor to add to this story. Interesting to read, it was witty, a lot of names we are familiar with. Thought well done, with his modern touch to Sherlock.
May 17, 2019
Very slow start but,don't give up!
After I started reading this book (No Police Like Holmes), I nearly have up because it was so boring. The second half of the plot started to improve but not to the point I will buy a subsequent episode. Not the best ....…......
After I started reading this book (No Police Like Holmes), I nearly have up because it was so boring. The second half of the plot started to improve but not to the point I will buy a subsequent episode. Not the best ....…......
December 18, 2025
Boring 😞
Way too much Blah Blah Blah pointless conversations... I couldn't careless about the Sherlock Holmes part of this Book which is over half of the Book.
Really I completely lost interest because this Book is Boring.
Way too much Blah Blah Blah pointless conversations... I couldn't careless about the Sherlock Holmes part of this Book which is over half of the Book.
Really I completely lost interest because this Book is Boring.
April 1, 2026
An excellent novel
A very good read if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes or love murder mysteries.
A convention of people coming to see the best collection of Holmes memorable that is being donated to a college. Great characters, multiple suspects, a few twists.
A very good read if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes or love murder mysteries.
A convention of people coming to see the best collection of Holmes memorable that is being donated to a college. Great characters, multiple suspects, a few twists.
January 5, 2019
Was an excellent mystery. I liked the characters quite a bit.
January 12, 2019
Terrific who done it
Terrific story.I have also been a Holmes since a young age after watching Basil Rathbone. This story had many twists and turns. This is a definite must read.
Terrific story.I have also been a Holmes since a young age after watching Basil Rathbone. This story had many twists and turns. This is a definite must read.
June 18, 2019
Caught me looking!
I loved the book. All the twists of Conan Doyle with the fun Ellery Queen. Wish I could afford the whole series.
I loved the book. All the twists of Conan Doyle with the fun Ellery Queen. Wish I could afford the whole series.
April 29, 2020
This was a quick and easy read with enjoyable characters. I really liked Sebastian McCabe and Jeff Cody, his brother in law and Watson in the books. This is how you kick off a new series.
May 22, 2024
fun mystery
April 11, 2025
The first McCabe and Cody book finds our protagonists trying to solve a murder while hosting a Sherlock Holmes conference at the college where they both work. Delightful!
March 26, 2021
I actually read this on my nook, given that I don't own a Kindle. The reason I mention that is because I never would have discovered Andriacco's McCabe and Cody series if this hadn't been offered for free on nook as part of a Barnes & Noble promotion.
I went back and forth on rating this mystery novel. I struggled to get into the book at first, so for the first quarter of it I was expecting to give it two stars. But as the book went on, I began to warm to the characters and plot. As always, I won't go into plot depth to avoid spoilers. I'll just say it involves the theft of rare Sherlock Holmes/Arthur Conan Doyle memorabilia and a subsequent murder during a Sherlock Holmes colloquium at tiny St. Benignus College in Erin, Ohio
Sebastian McCabe is a professor at the college and a successful mystery author, while his brother-in-law (Jeff Cody) is the PR Director at St. Benignus. He's also an UNsuccessful mystery author and ultimately serves as Watson to McCabe's Holmes in this series
Like many first books in detective series, "No Police Like Holmes" is inconsistent at times. Andriacco obviously hadn't completely developed the characters' personalities and voices yet. But by the end of the novel, I was intrigued enough to purchase the second entry in the series ("Holmes Sweet Holmes"). If I enjoy that one, I'll continue on. (There are 9 books in the series.)
Anyway...this was a fast, fun read, one I'm glad I stumbled on. And who knows? I may ultimately enjoy the entire series.
I went back and forth on rating this mystery novel. I struggled to get into the book at first, so for the first quarter of it I was expecting to give it two stars. But as the book went on, I began to warm to the characters and plot. As always, I won't go into plot depth to avoid spoilers. I'll just say it involves the theft of rare Sherlock Holmes/Arthur Conan Doyle memorabilia and a subsequent murder during a Sherlock Holmes colloquium at tiny St. Benignus College in Erin, Ohio
Sebastian McCabe is a professor at the college and a successful mystery author, while his brother-in-law (Jeff Cody) is the PR Director at St. Benignus. He's also an UNsuccessful mystery author and ultimately serves as Watson to McCabe's Holmes in this series
Like many first books in detective series, "No Police Like Holmes" is inconsistent at times. Andriacco obviously hadn't completely developed the characters' personalities and voices yet. But by the end of the novel, I was intrigued enough to purchase the second entry in the series ("Holmes Sweet Holmes"). If I enjoy that one, I'll continue on. (There are 9 books in the series.)
Anyway...this was a fast, fun read, one I'm glad I stumbled on. And who knows? I may ultimately enjoy the entire series.
August 14, 2016
An enjoyable read, and of course Sherlock Holmes is just a pretext. Dan Andriacco must have followed some pretty good creative writing courses, for its writing is very good, albeit far from perfect. Unfortunately for me, the story was only too transparent, so I knew all along who did what, and why. This makes the last 2-3 chapter pointless, and the main character visibly dumb. Still, commendable for a summer reading; also, later novels by the same author hopefully have a more twisted plot.
EDIT: It's also the only book I've read so far where "my iPhone" (twice) and "the iPhone" are matched by "pulled/pulling out her Android" and "Lynda's Android." Quite funny.
EDIT: It's also the only book I've read so far where "my iPhone" (twice) and "the iPhone" are matched by "pulled/pulling out her Android" and "Lynda's Android." Quite funny.
January 24, 2019
"Entertaining read"
As a young man one of the first books I bought was an omnibus edition of the Sherlock Holmes stories. I was never as fanatical as some of the characters in this book but it's fair to say Holmes & Watson set me on the path to a life of crime (thrillers that is!). This convention-based caper was entertaining, easy to read and a stand alone (thank goodness). For a debut novel it was way better than average. Great fun.
As a young man one of the first books I bought was an omnibus edition of the Sherlock Holmes stories. I was never as fanatical as some of the characters in this book but it's fair to say Holmes & Watson set me on the path to a life of crime (thrillers that is!). This convention-based caper was entertaining, easy to read and a stand alone (thank goodness). For a debut novel it was way better than average. Great fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews