What do you think?
Rate this book
Clockwork Sherlock
A thrilling new adventure featuring literature’s favourite detective like you’ve never seen him before. The first in a series, Clockwork Sherlock follows ex-soldier Captain Jo Barnes. The mysterious VR detective singles her out as his own Dr Watson, but he’s about to find out she’s no fawning sidekick.
When tech giant Robert Fairfield is found dead of a suspected drug overdose, fingers are pointed at the two women who stood most to gain from his death: his fiancée and leader of the New Ludds, Greta Blackstone, and Beth Fairchild, Robert’s ambitious daughter. But when Beth is found dead and the evidence shows she was killed before her father, the suspect is obvious. To everyone, that is, except Sherlock Holmes.
Using futuristic tech and good, old-fashioned sleuthing, Captain Barnes and the famed detective set out to find the killer. With rooftop pursuits, gangland bosses and plenty of action - this listen is sure to appeal to fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Paul Cornell and Jim Butcher.
When tech giant Robert Fairfield is found dead of a suspected drug overdose, fingers are pointed at the two women who stood most to gain from his death: his fiancée and leader of the New Ludds, Greta Blackstone, and Beth Fairchild, Robert’s ambitious daughter. But when Beth is found dead and the evidence shows she was killed before her father, the suspect is obvious. To everyone, that is, except Sherlock Holmes.
Using futuristic tech and good, old-fashioned sleuthing, Captain Barnes and the famed detective set out to find the killer. With rooftop pursuits, gangland bosses and plenty of action - this listen is sure to appeal to fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Paul Cornell and Jim Butcher.
Audible Audio
Published July 25, 2020
43 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Ian W. Sainsbury
28 books219 followersIan W Sainsbury is a musician, composer, writer, comedian and puppet wrangler (yes, that's a real job). Obviously, he doesn't know what to do when he grows up and - now that he's in his forties - he's resigned to the fact that he probably never will.
His first novel was published in 2016.
Subscribe at http://bit.ly/1VSg2tT for a copy of the unpublished prologue from The World Walker.
email Ian: ianwsainsbury@gmail.com
His first novel was published in 2016.
Subscribe at http://bit.ly/1VSg2tT for a copy of the unpublished prologue from The World Walker.
email Ian: ianwsainsbury@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 6, 2020
I’m going to be quite honest here and tell you that when I read the synopsis for Clockwork Sherlock I was excited, it sounded so different. Then just before I started listening I found I was a bit apprehensive, was it maybe too different to the Sherlock Holmes I’d grown to love? The answer was, it’s different but it’s good, in fact I can safely say I thoroughly enjoyed Clockwork Sherlock.
Jo Barnes is an ex-soldier, she’s in debt and when she wakes up to find herself in a room she doesn’t know she’s in for a shock when Sherlock Holmes appears calling her Watson. Pairing up to find out who killed tech giant Robert Fairfield, it was interesting to listen to the duo building their relationship and trying to work together to solve the mystery.
I really needn’t have worried about the futuristic aspect of this book because it really brings a whole new dimension to Sherlock Holmes. It was quite refreshing actually but there’s still the good old mystery to solve and one that I really enjoyed trying to piece together with Jo and Sherlock.
Ian Sainsbury really knows how to draw the reader in and I found myself finding more jobs to do so I could listen longer. It’s such a well written, well plotted story that I couldn’t help myself listening to one more chapter, then another and you get the drift.
With plenty of action and tension, Clockwork Sherlock is original, it holds your attention from the first word to the last and as it’s the first in a series so I’m super excited to see where we’ll be taken next.
I must also add the superb narration by Shvorne Marks, she does a wonderful job of really bringing the characters to life.
Jo Barnes is an ex-soldier, she’s in debt and when she wakes up to find herself in a room she doesn’t know she’s in for a shock when Sherlock Holmes appears calling her Watson. Pairing up to find out who killed tech giant Robert Fairfield, it was interesting to listen to the duo building their relationship and trying to work together to solve the mystery.
I really needn’t have worried about the futuristic aspect of this book because it really brings a whole new dimension to Sherlock Holmes. It was quite refreshing actually but there’s still the good old mystery to solve and one that I really enjoyed trying to piece together with Jo and Sherlock.
Ian Sainsbury really knows how to draw the reader in and I found myself finding more jobs to do so I could listen longer. It’s such a well written, well plotted story that I couldn’t help myself listening to one more chapter, then another and you get the drift.
With plenty of action and tension, Clockwork Sherlock is original, it holds your attention from the first word to the last and as it’s the first in a series so I’m super excited to see where we’ll be taken next.
I must also add the superb narration by Shvorne Marks, she does a wonderful job of really bringing the characters to life.
February 13, 2021
The next one can't come out soon enough! Even when the surly protagonist stops fighting and the action coasts along, the mystery kicks into high gear. I guessed the big twist at the end but the two before that one caught me completely off guard. From the start, I suspected the culprit but how they prove it was enthralling. This book has everything I love about the mystery genre. Haven't been this excited about a new series for a while and I can't wait to read what happens next.
March 29, 2023
Great fun, despite the title
While Ian Sainsbury’s Sherlock Holmes doesn’t merit the “Clockwork” title— the book isn’t faux-Victorian steampunk but science fiction revolving around virtual reality— it is a fun read, particularly for anyone who has read the Conan Doyle stories.
This Holmes exists only in virtual reality, through technology well ahead of our time (and at least five years ahead of his own). To work in the real world, he needs a Watson, a human to serve as his interface with reality during his work as a consulting detective.
He chooses Captain Jo Barnes, a PTSD-ridden British Army vet, whose unit was tortured and killed after being betrayed by a fellow soldier. She’s not so sure.
While I found the ending a bit facile, the characters of Jo and of Toby and Miss Poplar, Holmes’ assistants, make the story well worth reading.
[Although having an American cop say “Jeepers creepers” was a bit much, unless the cop was supposed to be 160 years old.]
While Ian Sainsbury’s Sherlock Holmes doesn’t merit the “Clockwork” title— the book isn’t faux-Victorian steampunk but science fiction revolving around virtual reality— it is a fun read, particularly for anyone who has read the Conan Doyle stories.
This Holmes exists only in virtual reality, through technology well ahead of our time (and at least five years ahead of his own). To work in the real world, he needs a Watson, a human to serve as his interface with reality during his work as a consulting detective.
He chooses Captain Jo Barnes, a PTSD-ridden British Army vet, whose unit was tortured and killed after being betrayed by a fellow soldier. She’s not so sure.
While I found the ending a bit facile, the characters of Jo and of Toby and Miss Poplar, Holmes’ assistants, make the story well worth reading.
[Although having an American cop say “Jeepers creepers” was a bit much, unless the cop was supposed to be 160 years old.]
February 20, 2021
Captivating
Ian's writing never ceases to amaze me. The range of characters he devises as diverse as could be possible. Ian maintains the ability to draw you into the characters, to submerge you into their world's and keep you there until the end of the book. Clockwork Sherlock is no exception and I look forward to future stories
Ian's writing never ceases to amaze me. The range of characters he devises as diverse as could be possible. Ian maintains the ability to draw you into the characters, to submerge you into their world's and keep you there until the end of the book. Clockwork Sherlock is no exception and I look forward to future stories
February 23, 2021
Wow just wow
I absolutely loved this, brilliantly written with quirky characters an amazing setting and with a splash of humour throughout. I am stunned with the quality and brilliance with which this has been written. I am sure that in times to come Ian will be known as one the greats.
I absolutely loved this, brilliantly written with quirky characters an amazing setting and with a splash of humour throughout. I am stunned with the quality and brilliance with which this has been written. I am sure that in times to come Ian will be known as one the greats.
February 27, 2021
Excellent twist on a crime fiction legend
THIS was an excellent story, thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.
Well written with some nice humerous moments, enjoyable characters, just a really good twist on a classic fictional character.
If you like Ian W Sainsburys other works your going to love this!
THIS was an excellent story, thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.
Well written with some nice humerous moments, enjoyable characters, just a really good twist on a classic fictional character.
If you like Ian W Sainsburys other works your going to love this!
March 3, 2021
Excellant, throughly entertaining. Took a couple of days to read the 1st half (real life interferes with my reading waytoo much), but then the hook was set and every available moment found me with Sherlock, Watson, Toby, and Poplar. Ian, I know you’re busy with the Bedlam series but please get back to Sherlock soon.
May 5, 2021
Took me a couple of sittings to get into, voices are important on Audiobooks, and I didn't engage with it at first.
Second time around, though, I quickly reached the point of not being able to put it down.
Good , original story and a clever riff on the Sherlock theme. I'm going to be disappointed if this doesn't turn into a series
Second time around, though, I quickly reached the point of not being able to put it down.
Good , original story and a clever riff on the Sherlock theme. I'm going to be disappointed if this doesn't turn into a series
July 17, 2021
Good fun. It’s definitely more than a 3, and as I read it quickly and kept finding I wanted to know more, I think it just hits a 4. I’d be interested in reading another in the series if any are written. I like Jo, Poplar and Toby. Some minor characters were interesting too (I.e. Jo’s dad and her landlord) but of course there is also Sherlock …
August 26, 2022
Wonderful listen on Audible. I have always loved Sherlock Holmes and Science Fiction and this is a wonderful mash up of the two. Following an ex-soldier as she seeks justice we meet Clockwork Sherlock with delightful references to the original books, future technology and plot twists. Captivated until the end.
February 11, 2021
Can't wait for the next one
I absolutely loved this book. It is such a good story which kept me gripped until the end. It was very funny, written with the unmistakable Sainsbury dry wit. I can't wait to read the the next one in what I hope will be a long series.
I absolutely loved this book. It is such a good story which kept me gripped until the end. It was very funny, written with the unmistakable Sainsbury dry wit. I can't wait to read the the next one in what I hope will be a long series.
March 12, 2021
Great book, modern Sherlock
Good story and mystery. Excellent clues and deductions. Really enjoyed it. Worth picking up. Will read more of his books
Good story and mystery. Excellent clues and deductions. Really enjoyed it. Worth picking up. Will read more of his books
March 19, 2021
Cannot wait for the next one. All Sherlock fans, sci Fi geeks and wanna be detectives this is for YOU!
March 23, 2021
Not your regular Sherlock. Very different and VERY entertaining. Waiting for the next in the series.
April 18, 2021
Great story
I really hope that there’s another book in this series on the way. What’s with all the female Watsons recently? What about a female Holmes? Anyways great read.
I really hope that there’s another book in this series on the way. What’s with all the female Watsons recently? What about a female Holmes? Anyways great read.
June 25, 2021
I love Sherlock Holmes and really enjoyed this different take on him. Look forward to the next installment when it's released.
July 22, 2021
If you like quirky or sci-fi Holmes stories, I highly recommend this one. I found it a really enjoyable ride.
March 14, 2021
I was a bit disappointed with this one. I’ve read all his other books and loved them all, but this one just didn’t engage me much.
August 20, 2020
I've just finished listening to this on Audible (read by Shvorne Marks) and I loved it. It brings Sherlock Holmes into the modern day and well beyond. Full of twists and turns, almost all of which took me by surprise, I found myself trying to squeeze a little bit of listening in every possible time. Even the revelations I saw coming, I was still taken by surprise by how they were revealed.
Despite 'reading' it in audio form, I found myself able to picture lots of the descriptions in the book, including some of the awesome technology described.
I definitely recommend this book and I'm going to be looking for more by this author.
Despite 'reading' it in audio form, I found myself able to picture lots of the descriptions in the book, including some of the awesome technology described.
I definitely recommend this book and I'm going to be looking for more by this author.
April 6, 2021
Book was ok. Interesting concept. Decent mystery. Narrator was pretty awful. Seriously, if you don’t know what a word is, ASK someone, don’t just mangle it and plough on regardless. Didn’t sound like she’d even read it before showing up for work.
August 11, 2020
A real interesting twist on a familiar story.
October 2, 2020
I absolutely loved this book.
I can't wait for the second one.
Not cliché at all, quite funny, love the main characters,
GREAT GREAT GREAT
I can't wait for the second one.
Not cliché at all, quite funny, love the main characters,
GREAT GREAT GREAT
January 15, 2021
Sherlock in the future. A good mystery with a bit of futuristic tech.
August 22, 2024
great read
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews