The Infernal Device and Others

Professor Moriarty #1,2,5

by Michael Kurland

Since their original appearanc more than two decades ago, Michael Kurland's two novels feature Professor James Moriarty--The Infernal Device and Death by Gaslight--have been among the most acclaimed of the works based on the characters first introduced by Authur Conan Doyle. In Doyle's original stories, Professor Moriarty is the bete noire of Sherlock Holmes, who deems the professor his mental equivalent and ethical opposite, declares him "the Napoleon of Crime, " and wrestles him seemingly to their mutual deaths at Reichenbach Falls. But indeed there are two sides to every story, and while Moriarty may not always tread strictly on the side of the law, he is also, in these novels, not quite about the person that Holmes and Watson made him out to be. In Kurland's fictions about Moriarty, the truth is finally

The Infernal Device --A dangerous adversary seeking to topple the British monarchy places Moriarty in mortal jeopardy, forcing him to collaborate with his nemesis Sherlock Holmes.

Death by Gaslight- -A serial killer is stalking the cream o England's aristocracy, baffling both the police and Sherlock Holmes and leaving the powers in charge to play one last desperate Professor Moriarty.

The Paradol Paradox --The first new Moriarty story in almost twenty years, it has never before appeared in print.

Brilliantly and vividly evoking late Victorian England in all its facets, this first-ever omnibus of the adventures of Proefssor James Moriarty will delight longtime fans as well as readers new to the milieu.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Detective, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller, Historical

528 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2001

About the author

aka Jennifer Plum

Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.

Reviews

[Colin MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is fun. It very much has the feel of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and it's an interesting reinterpretation of their world. By filling in Moriarty's backstory, and his shared history with Holmes, it makes him a much more complex and sympathetic character. We get to see him in the vast majority of his non-Holmes-related life as a scientist and humanitarian, and a modern perspective on British colonialism and Gilded Age capitalism turns on its head the morality of Moriarty's theft of their ill-gotten gains and plundered artifacts.

3.5 stars.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is one of many novels to parody the original Sherlock Holmes canon and pillage the characters, there is at least a fresh approach this time. Significantly this parody concerns Holmes' arch nemesis Moriarty. Also instead of trying to copy Arthur Conan Doyle and using Watson as the narrator, the story is told from the point of view of an entirely new character. Tonally there is nothing new, and the central mystery is not too difficult to follow, but we do get a well written escapist adventure.
One thing I enjoyed was how the writer gives little nods and references to the classic tales. From the boat with the moniker "Blue Carbuncle", to the mention of the events described in "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans".
My only real criticism would be the misjudged characterisation of Moriarty and Holmes. The premise of the book is not fully explored, there is little difference between Moriarty's character and Holmes' and indeed Sherlock could just as easily replace his arch enemy. Sherlock Holmes appears briefly, yet is incorrectly portrayed as a cantankerous and stubborn man. He seems to display a one dimensional and blinkered view of events. Blaming every misdeed on Moriarty and not keeping an open mind as he is want to do in the original stories. After all, was it not the great detective who once said "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
As an adventure piece, this book definitely ticks all the right boxes. Even an unlikely finale somehow passes muster. It's not perfect, but there is definite potential in the main premise, to keep you reading. This is a great starting point for the rest of the series and I will be seeking out the next instalment, as I am intrigued to see whether the ideas touched upon here are explored to their full potential.

[Dantanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic additions to the 'Holmes' canon, which also lightly pokes fun at Holmes himself.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Moriarty Saves the Day?

While Sherlock Holmes proclaims Professor James Moriarty to be "The Napoleon of Crime," author Michael Kurland offers an alternate take on the infamous mathematician and criminal mastermind, featuring a perspective from none other than Moriarty himself. While the professor doesn't always tread on the side of the law, he is not quite the nefarious villain that Holmes and his companion Dr. John Watson make him out to be. When approached by members of the Russian government, Moriarty denies the assertion that he is the head of the greatest criminal organization in Great Britain, wryly adding, "I sometimes describe myself as the world's first consulting criminal," who only indulges and assists in criminal pursuits to fund his scientific experiments in mathematics and astronomy.
In this omnibus containing the novels "The Infernal Device" and "Death by Gaslight," as well as the more recent short story "The Paradol Paradox," Moriarty is cast in the unlikely role of protagonist as he and his American journalist sidekick, Benjamin Barnett (whom Moriarty liberated from an unjust sentence in a Turkish prison), attempt to stop a monstrous plot to attack at the heart of the British monarchy, investigate the shadowy secrets of a gentleman's club, and track down a serial killer targeting members of the British aristocracy, all the while alternately confronting and collaborating with his greatest nemesis, Sherlock Holmes, who is convinced that the professor is behind every dark deed in London.
Kurland paints a vivid picture of Victorian England in the mid-1880s, with such colorful characters as Moriarty's ex-prizefighter turned butler Mr. Maws, his short-statured man-of-all-jobs and thief Mummer Tolliver, the formidable housekeeper Mrs. H., and Barnett's journalist colleague and romantic interest Cecily Perrine, as well as familiar figures such as the formidable Sherlock Holmes, whose fixation with Moriarty borders on obsession, Holmes' faithful friend Dr. Watson, Inspector Giles Lestrade and even Moriarty cohort Colonel Sebastian Moran.
Casting Moriarty as a reluctant hero is unorthodox, but great fun as Kurland is clearly a devoted fan of Sherlock Holmes, offering plenty of Easter eggs to delight any Sherlockian. Moriarty is easily Holmes' match in deductive powers as he and his team face some very dastardly villains. I'm certain that readers will not be bored in the least as they settle down to explore these exciting adventures. If they ever make any movies from the books, I vote for Bill Nighy as Moriarty, and Vinnie Jones or Idris Elba as Mr. Maws. Four out of five stars.

[Prp · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a bore!
Righf rom the beginning the author tells us he does not want to make a pastiche. Well, it is a pastiche.It lacks originality. Take Sherlock Holmes, change his name to Moriarty et voilà. Moriarty is practically an NGO, so good , so moral. Compare with the magnificent “Moriarty” by Anthony Horowitz.
There are many sequels to the Homes stories , the plots are good or bad but all of them keep in character. All except Kurland’s ; we find here a silly Holmes and an angelic Moriarty: had his own morality/ his activities, beyond the necessary to keep up his household, went into supporting his scientificexperiments/ had the highest intellectual and moral standards Barnett had ever known/ The treasure is being returned to thos from whom it was stolen spiritually.
Well, one characteristic of the original Moriarty is his amorality.
I rather not ennumerate the inconsistencies.
Of course, the author is free to create his characters as he wants. But to make Moriarty A BORE. I was particulartlly disapponted because I have read other books by Kurland and enjoyerd them.

[Mike Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking Book !!!

Beyond any doubt one of the most enjoyable books I've ever had the pleasure to read , simply exquisitely beautiful plots ,fiendishly cunning characters and very convincing villains.

I recommend this book .

[Yalonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for The Paradol Paradox. The best of the three in this book.

[Marfita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these. I can't think of anything to carp about. There was no annoying sex, but a bit of romance - which did not run smoothly. It isn't gut-wrenchingly funny, but there are nice little amusing bits. I appreciate the research and detail that went into them.

Kurland tells stories from the pro-Moriarty point of view. The professor has his interests, most of which have to do with astronomy but need money to continue. He therefore sells advice to anyone willing to pay. The Sherlock Holmes in these stories is still as capable as ever, but not as capable as his "archenemy" who just finds Holmes to be a nuisance. For Holmes, Moriarty's culpability in all things is an idée fixe. Moriarty just wants to be left alone to pursue his hobby.

In the first story, The Infernal Device, Moriarty is hired to find a Russian agent gone rogue. The agent is up to something, and something big, and must be stopped before he starts a war. Benjamin Barnett is and American journalist in Turkey to cover the story of the test of a new submersible craft, but after the failure of the test, he is accused of the murder of a British diplomat who befriended him. He finds himself in a Turkish prison ... until a mysterious benefactor springs him. It is Moriarty, who asks him in recompense to be an assistant for two years.

Barnett is not quite as bumbling a foil as Watson was to Holmes, but Moriarty still needs someone to explain things to. Other characters seem to be equally clever ... at noticing those little things Watson normally didn't. It's refreshing to read about a lot of clever people.

A short, not previously published story is interpolated between this and the next novel, The Paradol Paradox. Narrated in first person by Barnett, it is much more like a traditional Holmes story and a ready parallel could be raised here, but would probably spoil everything.

The next novel is Death By Gaslight where we are back to a third person narrator. There's a serial killer, bent on revenge. Can Moriarty solve the mystery before Barrett's love interest, plucky as she is, dies as well? Again, Holmes and Moriarty, starting by operating independently, come together in a tentative truce to save the lives of anyone who needs saving.

Will go on to read more. Ha! What's more, I have already devoured the next one.

[Redsteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection combines the the first book of Kurland's PROFESSOR MORIARTY series (THE INFERNAL DEVICE), and it's a fun, fast-paced mystery/adventure novel. The author portrays the "Napoleon of Crime" as a brilliant scientist and mathematician who finances his research as in independent consultant -sometimes (like Sherlock Holmes) solving crimes, and, other times, planning and/or committing crimes. While not nearly as evil as he is portrayed in Doyle's stories, Kurland's Moriarty clearly rejects Victorian morality, sticking to his own code of ethics, and is a bit of a misanthope as well. This novel takes place in London, Istanbul, and Odessa, and involves two competing branches of the Russian secret police, anarchists, criminals and, of course, Sherlock Holmes (who definitely comes off as being the less stable of the two). Much of the story is told from the point of view of American journalist Benjamin Barrett, who gets tangled up in the conspiracy pretty much immediately, being framed for murder and espionage, thrown into a Turkish prison, and forced to join Moriarty's organization.
In the middle is a short story ("The Paradol Paradox") where Moriarty us hired to solve a mysterious murder.
The third part is the 2nd book in the series (DEATH BY GASLIGHT) - an entertaining story where the question of who is the villain and who the hero is not especially clear cut. As in the other books of the series, Sherlock Holmes, while brilliant, allows his obsession with the "Napoleon of Crime" to cloud his judgement. Holmes is retained by the Home Office and and Moriarty by a newly created crime syndicate to solve the same series of murders - in addition the Professor is retained by an Indian secret society to steal back a fortune in artifacts taken by a former viceroy of India. 4 stars.

[Jonathan Palfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume contains two novels and a novelette, all of which are readable, entertaining, and seem thoroughly researched—I appreciate the details.

I’d say the second novel, Death by Gaslight, is the best of them, being a particularly complex and exciting story. It includes a revival of the Hellfire Club, which also featured in a 1966 television episode of The Avengers. And, come to think of it, the style of these stories is not too far removed from that of The Avengers: improbable villains commit improbable crimes, tackled by eccentric investigators in a rather light-hearted manner.

I admit that I haven’t read the original Sherlock Holmes stories (perhaps I’ll get around to them someday?), and it’s not at all essential to have done so: these stories can be read and enjoyed on their own. Furthermore, as I’m not a Holmes devotee, it doesn’t particularly bother me that Kurland makes Moriarty the hero, frequently outwitting Holmes, who suffers from an anti-Moriarty obsession.

I might give a higher rating if I were a particular fan of this kind of fiction. But I mostly read sf and fantasy, so this is not exactly my kind of thing.

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

The conceit of Moriarty as not simply a protagonist but as nearly a hero is intriguing, but while interesting elements are there, as a whole it's not working for me. I think "Infernal Device" is ripe for a film adaptation -- there are scads of colorful characters (a midget pickpocket! a boxer butler!), espionage, murder, balloons and fireworks. But for me there's something missing -- the characterization of Holmes as blindly bound by the strictures of law seems quite off, for one thing, and there's never a satisfying accounting for just how criminal Moriarty is willing to be for another.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Infernal Device is an interesting twist on Sherlock Holmes stories. In this novel we see a new side of Moriarty and see Moriarty, Holmes and Dr Watson actually working together to solve crimes. The story begins in the beautiful city of Constantinople where East meets West and where sea trials of a submarine are taking place and ends in London. I enjoyed this novel. It is an easy read and I look forward to reading more of Kurland's Moriarty novels.

[Ben Chenoweth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, incorporating two novels, was a good read. It presents Moriarty's perspective on Sherlock Holmes and it works quite well indeed. The plot in both novels was interesting, with "Death by Gaslight" being perhaps the better of the two.

[Cyn McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two novels, The Infernal Device (1978) and Death by Gaslight (1982), and a much newer short story The Paradol Paradox (2001). So glad I stumbled across this! Very well written, very believable, and Professor Moriarty becomes so much more than a one-dimensional villain.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made Moriarty boring. I mean, a serious mazel tov from all of us here at 'astounded central'

[Shala Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes Sherlock Holmes out to be a bit of a buffoon, but pleasant enough read anyway.

[Malkah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Holmesian pastiche. Great fun. Great collection.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, well written and fun.

[Amg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical gumshoe.