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Sherlock Holmes #10
S.holmes And The Secret Seven
Sherlock Holmes receives a visit from a monk from Grimstone Priory who has a distressing tale to tell. Three members of the exclusive Secret Seven Order have received death warnings; two have already died. Holmes and Dr Watson disguise themselves as Brother Hive and Brother Healer and become temporary members of the Secret Seven in an attempt to solve the mystery at the Priory...
- GenresMystery
177 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
34 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Val Andrews
60 books16 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 30, 2017
Has the closest feel of Doyle's captivating and engrossing mystery works and brings back the reader to seeking more of such authors who can recreate the magic of the canon after the hiatus or rather disappointing copy cat stories produced in abundance.
Captivating story line and very much like the original . Brings back the joys of reading Doyle like analytical crime mystery solving .
Captivating story line and very much like the original . Brings back the joys of reading Doyle like analytical crime mystery solving .
April 28, 2025
Not recommended. Stupid, predictable and preachy.
I don't know who owns the rights to Sherlock Holmes but this story was a poor substitute for a Sir Conan Doyle story. I got this book for free but someone paid $13 for 120 pages. I particularly didn't appreciate the preachy discussion of the death penalty.
I don't know who owns the rights to Sherlock Holmes but this story was a poor substitute for a Sir Conan Doyle story. I got this book for free but someone paid $13 for 120 pages. I particularly didn't appreciate the preachy discussion of the death penalty.
May 19, 2021
Different type of Monks
I enjoyed this book I was surprised how everything fell into place making it a good reading so exact and detailed
I enjoyed this book I was surprised how everything fell into place making it a good reading so exact and detailed
February 15, 2022
very 'Doyle-esque"
as close to the real thing
as close to the real thing
November 30, 2024
This is the second Andrews Holmes tale I've read and, although serviceable, I just didn't get on with it.
November 12, 2024
Septimus Culthorpe needs the help of Holmes as two of his Secret Seven monks have died. Holmes and Watson join the community to investigate.
An enjpyable Holmes mystery
An enjpyable Holmes mystery
February 9, 2016
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Seven by Val Andrews
***Minor Spoilers***
Mr Septimus Culthorpe, also known as Brother Prior, is one of seven green robed monks who live in seclusion at Grimstone Priory in Sussex. The Secret Seven are not a religious order, but seven men who are bonded by wishing to live a life away from the eyes and influence of the modern world. Although not completely self sufficient, they do keep sheep, bees, an orchard, a garden, and a pond of carp.
Now two of their number have been stricken down in the last twenty days after receiving a letter sealed with red wax. Upon examination of one of the letters, Holmes discovers that the intent of the letter is to induce a reply to a non-existent address. It is through happenstance that Holmes discovers the men were actually killed by cyanide on the back of the stamp provided for the reply letter.
Holmes and Watson return to Grimstone Priory with Septimus Culthorpe as temporary members of the Secret Seven. Watson as a Doctor is perfect to replace one of the missing men as Brother Healer. Holmes is to take the other man’s place and keep the Priory bees as Brother Hive. A third Brother, Brother Shepherd received the same letter, but threw it into the fire with no plan to reply.
The Secret Seven are as follows, with notes that at various times some are referred to by other names:
Brother Prior, or Septimus Culthorpe
Brother Hive, Sherlock Holmes, later replaced by Izaak Tapforth
Brother Healer, Doctor Watson
Brother Shepherd, real name Campion, who takes care of the sheep
Brother Orchard, also Brother Reaper, who takes care of the garden and orchard
Brother Pisces, also Brother Carp who tends the carp in the pond
Brother Chef, the cook
Holmes is forced to return to London, and brings in Izaak Tapforth, a most unfriendly person, to take his place. He learns of the history of Grimstone Priory and of the battle fought on the grounds and the theft of jewelry from a tower of the Priory.
The Brothers go through a number of horrifying events before this case draws to a conclusion. The pace is sometimes almost frantic, and never slow. The mystery is well written and plays out nicely. The twists and turns of the plot are unlikely to be figured out early. The climatic reveal has at least one twist I did not see coming. Excellent!
I grant this novel five stars. I found it very enjoyable. Bravo, Val Andrews! Bravo!
Quoth the Raven…
***Minor Spoilers***
Mr Septimus Culthorpe, also known as Brother Prior, is one of seven green robed monks who live in seclusion at Grimstone Priory in Sussex. The Secret Seven are not a religious order, but seven men who are bonded by wishing to live a life away from the eyes and influence of the modern world. Although not completely self sufficient, they do keep sheep, bees, an orchard, a garden, and a pond of carp.
Now two of their number have been stricken down in the last twenty days after receiving a letter sealed with red wax. Upon examination of one of the letters, Holmes discovers that the intent of the letter is to induce a reply to a non-existent address. It is through happenstance that Holmes discovers the men were actually killed by cyanide on the back of the stamp provided for the reply letter.
Holmes and Watson return to Grimstone Priory with Septimus Culthorpe as temporary members of the Secret Seven. Watson as a Doctor is perfect to replace one of the missing men as Brother Healer. Holmes is to take the other man’s place and keep the Priory bees as Brother Hive. A third Brother, Brother Shepherd received the same letter, but threw it into the fire with no plan to reply.
The Secret Seven are as follows, with notes that at various times some are referred to by other names:
Brother Prior, or Septimus Culthorpe
Brother Hive, Sherlock Holmes, later replaced by Izaak Tapforth
Brother Healer, Doctor Watson
Brother Shepherd, real name Campion, who takes care of the sheep
Brother Orchard, also Brother Reaper, who takes care of the garden and orchard
Brother Pisces, also Brother Carp who tends the carp in the pond
Brother Chef, the cook
Holmes is forced to return to London, and brings in Izaak Tapforth, a most unfriendly person, to take his place. He learns of the history of Grimstone Priory and of the battle fought on the grounds and the theft of jewelry from a tower of the Priory.
The Brothers go through a number of horrifying events before this case draws to a conclusion. The pace is sometimes almost frantic, and never slow. The mystery is well written and plays out nicely. The twists and turns of the plot are unlikely to be figured out early. The climatic reveal has at least one twist I did not see coming. Excellent!
I grant this novel five stars. I found it very enjoyable. Bravo, Val Andrews! Bravo!
Quoth the Raven…
June 20, 2008
The story in a nutshell, without spoilers: The Secret Seven is the name of a group of non-religious monastics who live together in an old priory as a means of having some peace and quiet and getting away from the troubles of the world. It seems, however, that all is not blissful -- the founder of the group comes to 221 B with a puzzle: two of the seven died mysteriously after receiving strange letters. The leader fears for a third man's safety, as he has just received his letter. Before the seven completely disappear, the leader (Culthorpe) asks for Holmes and Watson's help -- and they oblige by becoming members of the group, seemingly replacing the two who have already died. Once tehy arrive, some very strange events happen that require Holmes & Watson to solve the case quickly...before someone else is murdered.
Not too bad...I wouldn't compare it to the originals by Conan Doyle, but it's a pretty good read on its own. It won't take long (it comes in at just over 120 pages) to read, and is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Fans of SH pastiches will enjoy this one; if you're thinking about trying a pastiche, this wouldn't be a bad one with which to do so.
Not too bad...I wouldn't compare it to the originals by Conan Doyle, but it's a pretty good read on its own. It won't take long (it comes in at just over 120 pages) to read, and is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Fans of SH pastiches will enjoy this one; if you're thinking about trying a pastiche, this wouldn't be a bad one with which to do so.
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July 10, 2016An entertaining story that reads almost like a lost adventure for Holmes and Watson. The author really captures the characters as written by Arthur Conan Doyle
March 29, 2017
Kindle Unlimited One of several Sherlock Holmes stories by an assorted group of authors, wanted to go through them all. Liked it, just didn't love it, sort of the right style and all but....
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews