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The Rachel Holmes series #2
Sherlock Holmes - Remarkable Power of Stimulus
Remarkable Power of Stimulus is the sequel to These Scattered Houses. Sherlock Holmes returns to London after three years away. Traveling from New York to Liverpool he faces death-defying challenges. He finds his city in the grip of a mass murderer and No. 221B Baker Street under siege. He reforms his partnership with Dr. John H. Watson in “The Adventure of the Empty House.” Miss Rachel Marcello and other characters from These Scattered Houses, a new young Inspector Chandra Das, the Baker Street Irregulars, and the usual London crew, plus a few surprizes, have their parts to play. We discover what Watson did during Holmes time away and how it made him even more the partner of Sherlock Holmes. Their solving of the heinous crimes involves these two gentlemen hurtling through the city, on both sides of the Thames, and to Oxford, in a dangerous chain of events better left unsaid.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2020
8 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Altabef
9 books12 followersAward-Winning author, Gretchen Altabef, publishes with MX, Sherlock Holmes Books.
FIVE MILES OF COUNTRY is Altabef’s smashing third novel in the Rachel Holmes series. Though murder mysteries, each is full of hope and the bonhomie of friendship. Holmes and Watson are called to Thomas Edison’s ‘Imagination Factory’ to solve the murder of a Vaudeville danseuse in the world’s first motion picture studio.
The first in the series is, THESE SCATTERED HOUSES, in Sherlock Holmes’s voice, it chronicles a unique conclusion to his ‘Great Hiatus’ travels. It was translated into Italian as LA CASA DEL MALE for Mondadori’s popular Sherlock Holmes Series.
In REMARKABLE POWER OF STIMULUS, Holmes finds London awash in murders, anarchists threatening Paris, and Irene Adler re-enters his life. Under surveillance by Moriarty’s henchmen, Holmes returns to Baker Street knowing he will find Watson’s friendship and unerring aim are as dependable as the British Rail.
THE KEYS OF DEATH is a stand-alone novel. Born during the Pandemic, it is a genesis story of the birth of No. 221B Baker Street and the solving of Mr Hudson’s murder.
FIVE MILES OF COUNTRY is Altabef’s smashing third novel in the Rachel Holmes series. Though murder mysteries, each is full of hope and the bonhomie of friendship. Holmes and Watson are called to Thomas Edison’s ‘Imagination Factory’ to solve the murder of a Vaudeville danseuse in the world’s first motion picture studio.
The first in the series is, THESE SCATTERED HOUSES, in Sherlock Holmes’s voice, it chronicles a unique conclusion to his ‘Great Hiatus’ travels. It was translated into Italian as LA CASA DEL MALE for Mondadori’s popular Sherlock Holmes Series.
In REMARKABLE POWER OF STIMULUS, Holmes finds London awash in murders, anarchists threatening Paris, and Irene Adler re-enters his life. Under surveillance by Moriarty’s henchmen, Holmes returns to Baker Street knowing he will find Watson’s friendship and unerring aim are as dependable as the British Rail.
THE KEYS OF DEATH is a stand-alone novel. Born during the Pandemic, it is a genesis story of the birth of No. 221B Baker Street and the solving of Mr Hudson’s murder.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 15, 2020
Remarkable Power of Stimulus is the long awaited sequel to These Scattered Houses. It is an intense and exciting adventure from the first chapter to its ending. After 3 years away from his beloved England Sherlock Holmes returns to London with his young charge Miss Rachel Marcello. From the moment they step foot on the ship headed for home they encounter many challenges, some humorous others deadly. The reader will enjoy the good company of No. 221B Baker Street and the hearty reunion of Watson, Holmes and Mrs. Hudson. With Holmes and Watson reunited they are immediately called to action in pursuit of a mass murderer! This is a fast paced mystery that will keep you thoroughly engaged. A great read!
November 12, 2020
Phenomenal book. The mystery is harrowing right to the very end. Just like reading Conan Doyle himself, the fight scenes are incredible and impeccably written. It was an absolute joy to read, definitely will return to again and again!
December 13, 2020
The Remarkable Power of Stimulus is a superb sequel to Ms. Altabef’s successful These Scattered Houses and second in a trilogy of pastiches that take place following “The Great Hiatus”.
The novel begins with an audacious assassination attempt on Sherlock Holmes. The incident takes place on the gangplank of the steamship Lucania, which he is taking from New York to London. He manages to subdue the man using his single stick and boxing prowess. This dramatic prologue sets the tone and pace of the turbulent story that is to come.
Holmes then discovers on board the ship that he has been followed by the 12 year old prodigy, Miss Rachel Marcello, he met in New York. Necessity requires that they travel together and assume the roles of father and daughter.
Moriarty may be dead but his minions are undeterred from pursuing Holmes and re-establishing Moriarty’s criminal enterprises. Additionally two women’s bodies are discovered murdered in a gruesome Ripper-style manner. Elements of surprise and suspense occur throughout the riveting story. The suffragist movement’s radical and non-violent factions are presented in stark contrast as anti-suffrage forces battle violently and murderously against them.
The characterizations in this book are one of its greatest strengths. The depictions are fully realized, complex and compelling. Both new and established characters are included. Ms. Altabef delves into the personality aspects of Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, Inspector Lestrade, Mycroft and Holmes in a manner that provides sensitive insight into their motivations and actions.
The author, once again, deftly creates the type of tension that has the impact of thrillers. Her well-documented research provides authenticity and atmosphere to the story as a whole.
Ms. Altabef takes to heart Conan Doyle’s response to William Gillette’s query regarding the latitude he may take with the character of Sherlock Holmes, “You may marry him, murder him or do anything you like to him.” Thus her pastiches have a refreshing but very respectful link to the Canon. Hopefully work on the third book of the trilogy is already underway. I await its completion with great anticipation
The novel begins with an audacious assassination attempt on Sherlock Holmes. The incident takes place on the gangplank of the steamship Lucania, which he is taking from New York to London. He manages to subdue the man using his single stick and boxing prowess. This dramatic prologue sets the tone and pace of the turbulent story that is to come.
Holmes then discovers on board the ship that he has been followed by the 12 year old prodigy, Miss Rachel Marcello, he met in New York. Necessity requires that they travel together and assume the roles of father and daughter.
Moriarty may be dead but his minions are undeterred from pursuing Holmes and re-establishing Moriarty’s criminal enterprises. Additionally two women’s bodies are discovered murdered in a gruesome Ripper-style manner. Elements of surprise and suspense occur throughout the riveting story. The suffragist movement’s radical and non-violent factions are presented in stark contrast as anti-suffrage forces battle violently and murderously against them.
The characterizations in this book are one of its greatest strengths. The depictions are fully realized, complex and compelling. Both new and established characters are included. Ms. Altabef delves into the personality aspects of Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, Inspector Lestrade, Mycroft and Holmes in a manner that provides sensitive insight into their motivations and actions.
The author, once again, deftly creates the type of tension that has the impact of thrillers. Her well-documented research provides authenticity and atmosphere to the story as a whole.
Ms. Altabef takes to heart Conan Doyle’s response to William Gillette’s query regarding the latitude he may take with the character of Sherlock Holmes, “You may marry him, murder him or do anything you like to him.” Thus her pastiches have a refreshing but very respectful link to the Canon. Hopefully work on the third book of the trilogy is already underway. I await its completion with great anticipation
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews