Rafferty's Last Case: A Minnesota Mystery featuring Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes in Minnesota #9

by Larry Millett

The ninth and final Minnesota mystery, in which Shadwell Rafferty, with the inimitable Sherlock Holmes, may have solved his own murder.

Like many mysteries, this one begins with a murder. But in this case, the victim happens to be the detective, on the verge of revealing the culprit in an earlier crime. Had Shadwell Rafferty identified his own murderer? When news of Rafferty's death reaches Sherlock Holmes, in Chicago on the last leg of an American speaking tour, the world's most famous detective and his redoubtable companion Watson rush to Minnesota to hunt for their friend's killer.

Set amid the glittering society and sordid underworld of 1928 St. Paul, Larry Millett's ninth and final Shadwell Rafferty mystery takes listeners through the serpentine twists of Rafferty's fatal investigation, even as Holmes, following in Rafferty's tracks, may be closing in on the answer to both cases. This ingenious double mystery takes us to every corner of St. Paul, from the city's most notorious speakeasy to a home for unwed mothers to the mansions of Summit Avenue, and at every turn, we find another suspect: an ambitious mayor and his devoted fixer-in-chief, a heartless blackmailer and a police detective mired in city hall connections, a poet-turned-mystery writer with a suspicious coterie, and a priest hiding a terrible secret.

A mysterious woman in Minneapolis who makes certain illicit arrangements and a young man in possession of incriminating documents provide Holmes with vital clues that lead to a final confrontation with an exceptionally devious murderer worthy of the exceptionally devious plot that brings the Minnesota mystery series to a fitting and powerful conclusion.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

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

[Holly Ristau · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This was an audiobook, not a book on cd. The format choice was not available.)

I was SO SAD to finish this book and this series! I've loved having Sherlock Holmes and Watson taking on Minnesota Villains! The book starts with the murder of Rafferty which you know is coming but it's still hard to believe. Of course, Sherlock has to come to the rescue. I just enjoyed the whole series of books that take place throughout Minnesota and include historical figures and buildings I recognized. I'm sorry it's over. I'll have to read them all again!

Thanks Larry Millett, for your imaginative idea and its excellent execution. Thanks to to Steve Hendrickson for the reading, even if you continue to pronounce Osakis incorrectly. I highly recommend this series to anybody who likes mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, Minnesota, St. Paul, or just some darn good storytelling.

[John Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Rafferty's Last Case" is a terrific end to Millett's Holmes (and Watson) and Rafferty series. While they can be read individually, I highly recommend the entire series-especially if you like Minnesota settings and history. Millett does a great job or researching his stories, blending fact and fiction so that you can't be sure which is which. And while not all the books may be 5 Stars, the series, as a whole, is most entertaining and every one of them is a pretty good whodunnit--especially this last one.

[Mike Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been many great pastiches based on Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories over the years. I can honestly say few have been as wonderful as those from Larry Millett. I was very happy to learn he had written a new installment in his marvelous Minnesota Mystery series. And, while I'm sad it is the last installment, it was an extremely satisfying conclusion. Rafferty's Last Case is, as the title states, the last case of Shadwell Rafferty. His death sets the stage for the return of Holmes and Watson to St. Paul, Minnesota. Millett deftly alternates between Rafferty's last investigation and the one conducted by Holmes. It is the type of thrilling tale we've come to expect from Millett. It is a masterful mystery. But, that's not a surprise when you have characters as legendary as Holmes, Watson, and Rafferty. Thank you to the University of Minnesota Press for the advanced reading copy! #RaffertysLastCase #NetGalley

[Jo Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is the first Rafferty book that I read. It started out very well. There were 5 suspicious people in the case Rafferty is solving. Then he is murdered!! His friends Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson step in to try to find the culprit.

I really wanted to love this book. I enjoy pastiches and Larry Millett has the right tone for depicting Holmes and Watson. Unfortunately, the pacing just dragged for me.

[Amy Hagberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes Heads North in a Clever Farewell to Minnesota’s Favorite Sleuth

I hadn’t heard of Larry Millett’s Shadwell Rafferty series before this book—which is funny, considering I live in Minnesota. Rafferty’s Last Case: A Minnesota Mystery Featuring Sherlock Holmes is the ninth and final installment, and it’s a smart, nostalgic sendoff to a beloved local detective.

The story kicks off with a shocker: St. Paul saloonkeeper and sleuth Shadwell Rafferty is found murdered just as he’s about to reveal a killer’s name. When word reaches Sherlock Holmes—who happens to be on a lecture tour in Chicago—he and Dr. Watson head north to investigate their friend’s death.

Set in 1928, the novel captures the grit and glamour of old St. Paul, from its smoky speakeasies to its shady political circles. Holmes methodically retraces Rafferty’s final steps, uncovering not one mystery but two, as he digs into a tangle of suspects that includes priests, poets, and politicians.

While the pacing occasionally drags with backstory, Millett’s attention to period detail and his sly, respectful nod to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle make this finale a treat. Fans of historical mysteries—or anyone who loves seeing Holmes in unexpected places—will find this one worth a toast.

Thanks to NetGalley and the University of Minnesota Press for a review copy. Opinions are my own.

[Kate Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricate, detailed, well drawn, easy to follow despite the tangle of lies and sins. The language used was sufficiently formal to relate back to Arthur Conan Doyle’s style yet it was modern enough not to feel stilted. Sherlock Holmes lives on. Received as a complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much, it really drew me into the story - it was interesting to read about an older Sherlock and Watson, and the characters really came to life.
It is set in America, and follows the murder of Rafferty and weaves it way thought four suspects and old wrongs to find the answer of the mystery. Very sad in some way -Glad things have changed for the better these days.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent holmesian pastiche: well written and well plotted, the characters are according to the Canon, the mystery kept me hooked and guessing.
I just discovered this excellent series and found this is the last book. Hope there will be more, I've got plenty of other to read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Brian Hopps · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time fan of Millett's Sherlock Holmes books,it was bittersweet to read Rafferty's Last Case. The book had all the twists of his earlier books and some great characters that he created. It kept me guessing until close to the end. I really enjoyed this book. If it is the last we read about Shadwell Rafferty, it ends with a first rate story.

[Lisa Horner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As a Minnesotan I enjoyed the local setting and Minnesota references. The story and writing honor the spirit of Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes tales. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. Recommended.

[Abby Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting end for Holmes and Watson's Minnesota adventures. Compelling writing, solid characters, and a tastefully sentimental ending make it worth the read. I skipped the middle few books of this series, but I enjoyed this one and I might go back and read the others just for fun.

[Kate Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricate, detailed, well drawn, easy to follow despite the tangle of lies and sins. The language used was sufficiently formal to relate back to Arthur Conan Doyle’s style yet it was modern enough not to feel stilted. Sherlock Holmes lives on.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fitting Finale

Very well done and a great conclusion to the Shadwell Rafferty / Sherlock Holmes stories set in Minnesota. Intricate plot, with threads of social issues that still persist today. Well done seekers of books but still wish there were more.

[Kevin Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not great entry into the series.

[Jay Hyvare · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading Larry Millett. I enjoyed his writing style.
Sherlock Holmes in St. Paul makes for a fun story.

[Darin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story and ending. I hate that there won't be any more stories about Rafferty and Holmes, but I did enjoy this one.