The Empress of India

Professor Moriarty #4

by Michael Kurland

In the late Victorian days, a large amount of gold is arriving unannounced on the cargo ship The Empress of India. Yet the impossible happens--the shipment of gold disappears en route. Sherlock Holmes, brought in by Her Majesty's Government, knows that only one man is both diabolical and clever enough to pull off such an outlandish, daring, and, yes, theoretically impossible Professor James Moriarty. Moriarty, however, had nothing to do with the crime and yet finds himself under siege from all sides. To regain his peace, Professor Moriarty undertakes to locate the missing gold. But the gold is only the exposed tip of the iceberg and he soon finds himself matching wits with a mind as nimble--perhaps even more so--than his own.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, 19th Century

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2006

About the author

aka Jennifer Plum

Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.

Reviews

[Redsteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now THIS installment in the Professor Moriarty series IS about crime (rather than political conspiracy or international terrorism). A fortune in gold is being transported from India to the Bank of London. The Bank hires Sherlock Holmes, who promptly disappears under mysterious (and possibly sinister) circumstances. Note to self: If Sherlock Holmes disappears, ALWAYS try to figure out which character is ACTUALLY Holmes in disguise. A syndicate of British criminals conspires to steal the shipment, but jump to the conclusion that Moriarty is planning on committing the same crime. Except that he isn’t; he’s been retained by Col. Sebastian Moran to commit a DIFFERENT crime – is you can apply the term “crime” to an operation where the two are forbidden to break any laws or commit any violent acts (that latter being quite the challenge for Moran). I have noticed that a certain number of these books have plots (or at least complications) resulting from people making incorrect assumptions about the Professor – or at least assumptions about his interest in their business. In this installment, Kurland is in top form with witty banter between characters. Also, the book has thuggee and piracy on the high seas. This is, as far as I know, the only book of the series that doesn't include Benjamin Barnett (an American journalist associate, and later friend, of the Professor).

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for fans of sherlock Holmes

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I enjoy reading additional stories told in the style of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, this one just didn't do it for me. Admittedly, this was not a 'Sherlock Holmes' adventure but that of Professor James Moriarty with Holmes only appearing in the beginning and toward the end.

Basic premise being that a large shipment of gold was being transferred from India to the Bank of England in London in exchange for paper currency. Even as Holmes disappears down a sewer line - really - and Watson and crew investigate Moriarty's cunning removal of his arch rival - he was clueless about it - the underground criminal mastermind of Dr. Pin Dok Low is making plans to snatch the gold.

The background information about Raj India, the British actions, the Thuggee sect and more was interesting. All the shifting between focusing on Moriarty and Colonel Moran with Dr. Pin and his allies seemed to provide intellectual foils for their differing interests in the gold. As well as Margaret St. Ives and her suitor who just seemed to appear to provide outside viewpoints as well as a romantic aspect for those not totally into the mystery.

I must admit that by midpoint in the novel, I had pretty much figured out where Holmes had disappeared to and how the gold was going to be stolen although it's new location did elude me. Bravo on that part as well as part of the thieving group.

Not a fabulous story but certainly good enough to make me want to investigate more of Kurland's series.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the ridiculing of Sherlock that happens in this book. A good addition to the series even if a bit riduculous plot with some racist stereotypes.

[Bruce Lahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise

Delightful surprise. Author’s knowledge of period enhanced the read. Felt I was there. I was floored by the solution of where the gold was

[Doris Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK I PRAY ONE DAY I CAN GO TO INDIA.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another stylishly written and impeccably researched rollicking yarn from Kurland.

[Siddhesh Kabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was amazing!!
Michael Kurland brings Moriarity in such a detail that you often pause and wonder, if only Sherlock Holmes had these details in the original.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this novel and seriously considered not finishing it. That is until the plot revved up and the humor kicked in. Kurland came up with a fantastic plot involving the Empress of India and a large shipment of gold bars headed for the Bank of England. The main character is James Moriarty, nemesis of Sherlock Holmes who has been hired to protect the gold. The year is 1890 and the setting is Calcutta, India where the gold is loaded on the voyage to England. Holmes disappears and Moriarty rushes to Calcutta where he buys passage on the Empress. On board, a mysterious man known as Pin Dok Low of the London underworld assembles a team with the goal of stealing the shipment of gold. Moriarty with the help of Colonel Moran agrees to undertake the security of the gold and they find themselves in the midst of a diabolic plot that threatens the lives of everyone aboard. The humor is laugh-out-loud hilarious and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are taken from great literature which assures my devotion immediately. I ended up loving this novel and can't wait to read more from this author.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Involving quite a few logical loopholes and substantial no. of occasions where the reader is practically requested to suspend his/her disbelief, the story races ahead, nevertheless, to its climax. The best parts are those where our heroine (oh yes, we do have one) is allowed to display her wit & strength, combined with similar traits displayed by other charming characters (no shortage there either, believe me). The Professor is of course there, and so is Holmes (at his annoying best). But the novel is readable because of the other characters and their actions.

Recommended, as a nice break from the series that was otherwise becoming too dark and intrigue-oriented.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another one of those Holmes spinoffs that for some reason I am drawn to. The difference here is that the main character is Moriarty, not Holmes, with the premise being that maybe Moriarty is not quite the demon Holmes thinks he is. This was heading for a 4 star rating from me (well written, good puzzles to solve, etc.) until a plot twist at the end I found ridiculous. Still enjoyable, however.

[Robert Manners · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read with an entertaining plot and rather good prose, but I had some difficulties: the dialogue was funny but contrived, and all the characters seem to have had the same sense of humor; two major mistakes in British forms of address that didn't make any difference to the story but grated on me like nails on a chalkboard; and one of the most unbelievable and clichéd plot-points I've ever encountered plunked right in the middle of a really good climax.

[Cyn McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A large cargo of gold is being shipped from Calcutta to London on The Empress of India. Sherlock Holmes is hired to guard it, but he disappears before he can travel to India. Who is after the gold, and how does he hope to steal it? Professor Moriarty, Colonel Moran, and Holmes join forces to protect the gold and solve the impossible crime.

[Kristina Silverbears · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, if simple, mystery. A few points seemed rather obvious, although, as a reader who enjoys solving the mystery before the detective, it was not without its rewards.I really enjoy the character descriptions and witty dialogue provided by the author.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable "who did it?" novel set on the high seas.

[Amanda Brenner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good summer read. Language, setting, and characters reminded me of the Sherlock series. Exquisite artwork on the dust jacket of the hard copy--and he answers his own e-mail.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun twist on Sherlock Holmes. Michael Kurland has a much less serious approach to Holmes then Doyle does!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. I liked the part where Watson went to see Holmes and Holmes knew Watson had recovered from his recent illness.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good light read. Not the best in the series.

[Cedric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A turnabout - Prof Moriarty as the detective and Holmes as the criminal (well almost, nothing is as it seems). There are more in the series too!

[Alicia]

So far it's really authentic and enjoyable. It's even funny.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good.