The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes (The Sherlock Holmes in Minnesota Series)

Sherlock Holmes in Minnesota #5

by Larry Millett, Steve Hendrickson (Reading)

SHERLOCK HOLMES DISAPPEARS, POLICE SUSPECT FAMED DETECTIVE IN KIDNAPPING AND MURDER reads a New York headline. So begins the fifth mystery in Larry Millett's series.

A letter, written in a secret cipher he recognizes all too well, reveals that an old foe of Holmes--a murderer he once captured after an incredible duel of wits--is back, has kidnapped his previous victim's widow, and is now impersonating Holmes himself. Holmes must once again match wits with a particularly cunning adversary, one whose hatred of Holmes has seemingly become the killer's single greatest obsession.

Chasing the kidnapper from London to New York to Chicago, Holmes and Watson race to keep up. Every move Holmes makes is expected; every trap proves elusive. Only with the assistance of his American cohort, the saloonkeeper Shadwell Rafferty, can Holmes hope to settle the score once and for all--or be framed for the crime himself.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Victorian

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Larry Millett has combined his interest in journalism, architectural history, and mystery fiction to create an unusual writing career. A native of Minneapolis, he attended school there and then went on to obtain a bachelor’s degrees in English from St. John’s University and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.

He began working as a general assignment reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 1972 and became the newspaper’s first architecture critic after a year of study on a fellowship to the University of Michigan.

Larry’s first book, The Curve of the Arch, appeared in 1985. Since then, he’s written eleven other works of nonfiction, including Lost Twin Cities, which has been in continuous print for more than twenty years.

Larry began writing mystery fiction in 1996 by bringing the world’s most famous consulting detective to Minnesota for The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon. He’s published six other novels featuring Holmes, Dr. Watson, and St. Paul saloonkeeper Shadwell Rafferty.

Larry lives in St. Paul’s historic West Seventh Street neighborhood with his wife and occasional writing partner, Jodie Ahern, who is also an accomplished painter and a freelance copy editor.

Reviews

[cypt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Biški sugrįžau prie holmsistikos, tas visada labai smagu. Bet šitas sugrįžimas toks atsitiktinis, serijos "Šerlokas Holmsas Minesotoje" priešpaskutinė knyga. Rašo, Milletto pirmos iš serijos geresnės, bandysiu ir jas surasti.

Holmso pastišai visada kažkaip pratęsia ir papildo kanoninį pasaulį, užpildo jo tarpus, jie ir rašomi, ir skaitomi iš to visiškai bazinio noro NORIU DAAAAR. Kaip ir bet kokie pastišai ir fanų kūryba. Labai faina, kai autorius/ė-sekėja/s sugeba atkurti tą pirminį pasaulį, vėl prikelti veikėjus, jų dialogus, iš tiesų kažką užpildyti, o ne imituoti. Šitoj knygoj su Holmsu taip nenutinka - priešingai, vietoj seno gero whodunit mes gaunam tokį bajavyką / wannabe Filipą Marlou, kur viskas palikta atsitiktinumui - oro sąlygoms, priešininkų durnumui, traukinio kryptelėjimui lemiamą akimirką. Pasaulis nebėra pavaldus Holmso visa reginčiam protui, pats Holmsas yra tik šalutinė figūra, kuri kažką gal ir padedukuoja, bet šiaip eterio laiku netgi nusileidžia mafukams.

ERROR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Knyga išplečia man vieną fainiausių Holmso novelių - "Šokančius žmogeliukus". Elzė Kubit, ta, kurią atvažiavo grobti Čikagos mafijozas, vėl pagrobiama, Holmsas važiuoja jos vaduot, jie kažkaip tipo vis bendrauja laiškais ir asmeniškai, BET nėra pora, NORS Elzė jį vis sutikus bučiuoja ir visi mėto užuominas apie vestuves, BET Holmsas jos neveda ir nėra aišku, rašo Vatsonas, ar jis iki šiol to nesigaili.

WTF!

O Elzės pagrobimą organizuoja kažkokia mistiška, labai svarbi amerikietė, kuri nori pakenkti ir Elzei, ir Holmsui, nes lyg myli Holmsą?? Aišku, tada pusę knygos lauki, kad jau tuoj pasirodys Airin Adler. Bet čia ne ji, o kažkokia no-name persona! Gal ir gerai, kad knygos gale ji eina gatve, susvyruoja, įkrenta į kanalą ir nuskęsta.

LOL.

Blogiausia - kad autorius bando perteikti, ką galvoja Holmsas. Tame ir esmė, kad tu negali žinoti, ką galvoja Holmsas! Jis turi likti figūra, mąstymo funkcija, pačiu mąstymu. Skaičiau ir negalėjau patikėti, koks įžūlumas:

Now, Holmes wondered whether he was on a similar sort of hunt. [...] Holmes could not be sure that he was being manipulated, however, for he had learned over the years never to underestimate the stupidity of even supposedly brilliant criminals [...]. (p. 69)

Kai bandai paaiškinti, ką galvoja Holmsas, tai pateiki save, savo balsą kaip žinantį daugiau nei Holmsas, kaip jį permatantį. O taip tiesiog iš principo negali būti.
Kita vertus, kai nebando paaiškinti, kaip mąsto ir ką dedukuoja Holmsas, išeina visai gerai, toks vis tiek mums neprieinamas įžvalgumas:

To Holmes, however, the situation was simple. Elsie Cubitt had come out of Chicago underworld, and now she was being pulled back into it, as surely as a ship being sucked into a giant whirpool. Symmetry had demanded it. (p. 92)

Ir apskritai - taip jaučiasi, kad knyga parašyta šiandien, kad tai ne 19 a pab dujinių lempų nušviestas pasaulis. Viena iš pagrindinių priemonių, kaip prieš Holmsą su Vatsonu kovoja jų priešininkė, - tai jų juodinimas spaudoje, propagandinių straipsnių, nukreiptų prieš juos, rašymas; staiga sujunda ir Anglija, ir Amerika, ir kiekvienas žino, kad Holmsas yra feikas, ir jį smerkia. Kuo ne Harry su Meghan?? Arba kuo ne BBC "Šerlokas" dar po 10 metų.

NOPE.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am happy to say that The Disappearence of Sherlock Holmes was a much better book than Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Alliance. There were still some things about it that I don't like - chunks of the story are told as regular historical fiction, rather than in Dr. Watson's distinctive victorian blog post style that characterizes the Holmsian canon and the story's premise has some believability issues - but overall the book is great. I especially like the elevation of and fleshing out of Elsie Cubitt (a canon character introduced in The Adventure of the Dancing Men) and her role in the story. I also like the author avoids giving Holmes a love/sexual interest, as so many treatments of Holmes have done (though usually with Irene Adler). I don't mind that later fanworks have altered the character and the Holmsian world to allow for Holmes to be something other than asexual and aromatic as long as it makes sense in the context of that fanwork (such as BBC's Sherlock ship teasing John and Sherlock), but he is in canon and it's nice to see that recognized. The Disappearence of Sherlock Holmes has redeemed the awful mess that was The Secret Alliance and I will go on to read the rest of the series.

[John Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific story, lots going on, some great characters (a lot of characters), Well written and well researched. A lot of work went into the authors notes which provide some great historical background and information. All in all, I found this a very entertaining story.

[Kirstin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't fundamentally alter an iconic character. Could not finish.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

My love for the Sherlock Holmes genre' has more to do with the cerebral aspect to his detection - I am not fond of a Sherlock mystery that has more action than thought. Gun battles in Chicago are just plain out of character for me... I would like to have enjoyed the book more as Larry Millett is a Minnesota author, but it could have been half as long and twice as pleasurable for me. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Nae-nae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay story. If you’re a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, you might like this. However, I was not a fan of how this author treated Watson in comparison to the new characters he added. This almost felt like a fan fiction where the author adds in their own character and elevates then to an unrealistic level and usurps the role/standing of a main character.

[Holly Ristau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. This adventure was extremely convoluted and the evil people were very evil!
Sherlock and Watson don't make it all the way to Minnesota this trip, but Minnesota's own Shadweel Rafferty makes the trip to Chicago to help to solve this intricate crime. (I listened to the audiobook, but that was not given as a choice of format...)

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elsie Cubitt, from ACD orginal short story "The Adventure of the Dancing Men", has been kidnapped. Sherlock Holmes is off to the resuce. Along the way, he is framed for several crimes. It is a well written Holmes pastiche full of twists and turns.

[Charlie Miksicek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for Sherlock Holmes fans. Sherlock in America.

[Sanjeev Chhabra · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an adventure less of a mystery. Too long drawn

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit convoluted but interesting.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting universe he is creating here

[Jess and Pluto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty average book, not bad but not anything special. Cool that my home state is involved and has gotten me interested in reading the actual Sherlock Holmes stories from Doyle.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A library find. June 2024.
Enjoyable.
Suspenseful.
Well written.
Engaging characters.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A la Doyle, the "Dancing Men" return in a well crafted mystery by Larry Millett, "The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes." If one enjoys "historical" fiction and a good mystery, this series, which begins with Millett's "Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon," is for you. I was unsure of a book which eventually put Holmes into an American setting; however, I was pleasantly surprised with this series. Millett develops his stories and his characters very well; his style seems to closely emulate Doyle. Moreover, he has done his research as each book is written with a very detailed set of end notes, which carefully provides his source information. Millett is an architectural critic for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and the author of several books on the history of architecture in Minnesota. His knowledge of history and architecture adds a great depth of reality to the local color of his books. If you have not read the series, I would certainly recommend reading them in order, although it is not really necessary, but for full enjoyment and understanding, I recommend it.

Over two years have passed since Holmes (in Doyle's "The Adventure of the Dancing Men") captured Abe Slaney, a Chicago gangster who murdered the husband of Elsie Cubitt, who was Slaney's childhood love. A letter, written in the secret cipher of the "dancing men" that Holmes recognizes all too well, reveals that the old foe of Holmes - a murderer he once captured after an incredible duel of wits - is back. Now, Elsie has been kidnapped, and clues suggest that Slaney - though reportedly dead - is behind the kidnapping. However, as the well crafted story progresses, clues seem to reveal that Holmes himself has actually done the kidnapping! Holmes soon discovers that someone - most likely Slaney himself - is now impersonating Holmes; of course, the police are convinced it is Holmes himself. Now, Holmes must once again match wits with a particularly cunning adversary, one whose hatred of Holmes has seemingly become the killer’s single greatest obsession. Chasing the kidnapper from London to New York to Chicago, Holmes and Watson race to keep up. Every move Holmes makes is expected; every move is countered with a new and clever trap. Even the police move against Holmes as he travels. Eventually, only with the assistance of several detectives with whom he has previously worked and especially his American cohort, the Minnesota saloonkeeper and detective Shadwell Rafferty (introduced early in the series), can Holmes hope to settle the score once and for all - or be framed for the crime himself. Things never quite seem as they appear, and a marvelous four-course mystery is served at the table of all mystery lovers for them to savor and to devour!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying the series, both as a Sherlock Holmes fan and as a Minnesotan. Slightly frustrating is how often Sherlock gets tricked repeatedly in a way that seems excessive for the great detective. It does, however, allow for various characters to have more equal chunks of "screen" time.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author and will not be my last. Millett does a most creditable job of portraying Sherlock Holmes. I wasn't sure about that when I found this novel but I intend to look in others of the series. (This is the second in a series of several novels which are well researched). The author includes notes at the novel's close, chapter by chapter, to help the reader follow his train of thought. A good historical mystery should be well documented along with a complex plot that keeps the reader flipping pages. This one does.

Millett does a rather nice job of following Arthur Conan Doyle's writing style. (I had the feeling that he must have read every one of his Sherlock Holmes novels.) Anyway, this is well done and one does wonder over and over what happened to Holmes when he vanishes. Of course, the novel is about finding Holmes and unraveling what happened and why. Well done.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Larry Millett's Sherlock Holmes series! I'm a sucker for a good mystery, and these books aren't your normal cheesy, half-baked spin-offs of a good classic. Millett did his research and these books closely follow Doyle's own writing style, plot lines, and character personalities. But I love that this series takes place in America, making the story easier to relate to, and giving it a modern twist. Regarding this book specifically, I feel the plot is gripping, the characters are intriguing, the premise is enigmatic... a bona fide page-turning mystery!

[Chris Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked this book up from the library, I though that I would be bored with it. I was sadly mistaken. This book portrays many things that the average mystery reader would find amusing. Somehow, Sherlock Holmes has disappeared while searching for the beautiful Elsie Cubitt. Read this book to find out what has happened.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific book! My book club chose this as our October read and I must confess I was dragging my feet getting started with it; reading 2 other novels instead and allowing our club meeting deadline to approach. However, once I got started with this book, I couldn't put it down. Well written, Mr. Millett!

[Vince · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first four in this series were good but this one is a stinker. Preposterous plot and continuity problems among the annoying issues. Should be titled 'Sherlock Holmes and the Wild Goose Chase' or 'The Case of the Missing Reader'. I got half way through and had to stop. I want my five hours back.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging mystery in the Holmes-ian fashion though with a little more transparency than Millett's other Holmes' works, this was a well-detailed and comprehensive novel with plenty of historical fact blended skillfully to make the novel worth more than the mystery alone.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series. Great characters with a nice, solvable mystery. I just thought the first part leading up to the disappearance was a bit belabored.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole, enjoyable. This is Millett's take on giving Holmes a love interest, and I didn't find his choice in a woman particularly successful. At least they don't get married at the end.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another decent Holmes pastiche by this author.

[Cc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery but sometimes a little slow because of so much description. Fun to have Sherlock in Minnesota.

[Joan Horkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Cleverly written.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

read SOMETIME in 2006

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millett's, Sherlock in America, stories are all quite good.