The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Giant Rat of Sumatra

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes #11

by Richard L. Boyer

Everyone’s favorite detective finds himself embroiled in two related investigations—one with a connection to a giant rat—in this clever Sherlock Holmes pastiche
 
In deference to Sherlock Holmes’ wishes, Dr. Watson kept the details of “The Giant Rat of Sumatra” a secret. However, before he died, he arranged that the bizarre story of the giant rat should be held in the vaults of a London bank until all the protagonists were dead . . . At long last, discover the tale “for which the world is not yet prepared”—a thrilling mystery involving murder, adventure, and a frightening rodent aboard Matilda Briggs .
 
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless creation returns in this handsomely designed detective story that finally brings to life a tale first mentioned in the 1924 story, “The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire”. The Further Adventures series encapsulates the most varied and thrilling cases of the worlds’ greatest detective.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Detective, Historical

245 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Aka Rick Boyer.

Richard Lewis Boyer (b. 1943 - ) is an American writer, best known for series of crime novels featuring Charlie "Doc" Adams, a dental surgeon in New England. His novel Billingsgate Shoal received the Edgar Award for best novel in 1983.

Boyer was born in Evanston, Illinois. He majored in English at Denison University and earned an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Iowa, studying under Kurt Vonnegut. Boyer worked as a high school teacher, a sales representative for publishing company and taught English at Western Carolina University since 1988.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein neuer Fall für Sherlock Holmes und John Watson. Eine junge Frau wurde entführt, und gleichzeitig trifft ein Schiff in London ein, auf dem eine Riesenratte gewesen sein soll! Wo ist sie jetzt? Und was hat sie mit der Entführung zu tun?
Ein sehr durchdachter Krimi, der den Leser nach London entführt. Man hat das Gefühl, selbst dort zu sein.
Hier passt einfach alles; die Dialoge sind genial, der Schreibstil und die Sprache überzeugen, die Handlung ist spannend und nachvollziehbar! Und die Logik von Sherlock Holmes ist einfach einzigartig! Ein sehr gutes Buch!

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boyer does a great job recreating the voices of Holmes and Watson. I also appreciated that postscript from Holmes - that was a nice little addition.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good mystery novel, but not a consistently authentic Holmes pastiche; there are a few little nuances to the portrayal of Holmes that don't ring true. These include Holmes merely smiling and pausing when a client interrupts his exposition with an emotional remark, Holmes being anxious to arrive at a garden party on time, adjourning for a game of croquet there after - crouquet? - have we wandered into an Edwardian comedy?

The story itself is pretty thrilling, it's a sort of sequel to The Hound Of The Baskerville and has Holmes engaging in some skillful deduction as well as a rousing battle scene towards the end. Watson is kept in the dark throughout, although I was able to work out some of the answers to the mysteries being investigated before Holmes finally reveals them all to Watson at the end. The villains are a sinister lot and there are several moments of high melodrama, a note Doyle was not afraid strike from time to time. Not the most original Holmes pastiche I've read but a solid, well-constructed mystery with a few shortcomings that could be explained away as a difference between Boyer's vision of Holmes and mine.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard L. Boyer shows great affection for his source material, with this intriguing little book, which contains many references and influences from Arthur Conan Doyle’s original tales. The premise of a so called mythical creature being used to brutally kill invites obvious comparisons with The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Often referred to throughout, it could have been a mistake to write a story so similar to The Hound of the Baskervilles, which is probably the most well-known Sherlock Holmes story, but Boyer just about pulls it off. The inclusion of a second seemingly unrelated mystery, to further complicate matters for Holmes and Watson, helps the story to still feel fresh and original. However, the central mystery is very easy to work out and it’s just too obvious that the giant rat is not quite what it seems.
It is Boyer’s aforementioned love of Doyle’s work that shines through the most. Everything that should be there is included. Watson’s narration is an exact copy of Doyle’s portrayal, there are twists and lots of moments that show off Holmes’ awe inducing powers of observation. It is abundantly clear that Richard L. Boyer is a Sherlock Holmes fan first and foremost.

[Stewart Sternberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read that used a passing reference to "The Giant Rat of Sumatra " in one of Doyle's Sherlockian stories as a jumping off point for a pastiche of Sherlock Holmes.

The book could have been worthwhile, but halfway through the tale takes a turn, reminiscent of another Doyle book, and meanders into a melodramatic ending more penny dreadful than Sherlockian.

It's Boyle' s attempt at cleverness that betrays him.

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravo! A good fast read! now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: Among all the tantalizing mysteris of Sherlock Holmes, none is more famous than the great untold story of The Giant Rat of Sumatra. A tale that according to Richard L. Boyer involes a mysterious ship lying at the London docks with a terrifying beast caged in the hold; a night of fire and terror & a dead sailor who was on his way to consult with Holmes; a beautiful young woman abducted and held for ransom; and Watson captured by a madman with Holmes powerless to help. No wonder the great detective called this "a story for which the world is not yet prepared."

The story of the giant rat, which Holmes alludes to in "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire," is one which has fascinated Holmes fans for decades. Several authors have attempted to the tell the tale in both short story and novel-length versions. This is the third such that I have read. Boyer very nearly had me completely in this pastiche published in 1976. It's an interesting tale and Boyer most definitely knows his Holmes. The action is brisk and he has done a fairly good job in an attempt to mimic Doyle's style. The characters of Holmes, Watson and Lestrade are pretty solid and I was swept along, believing it all until Dr. Watson, as narrator, started throwing way too many "my dear readers" at me. Watson seemed to have suddenly turned into a female protagonist in a Victorian melodramatic novel, rather than the bluff, stalwart companion I had known and loved. And then there's the grand finale....the identity of the mastermind behind the scheme was a bit much to swallow. Putting aside his identity (which was a bit much for me in and of itself), the action seemed to put him on a par with Moriarty, not in scope--there is no large organization involved--but in range. How this character amassed the wealth that must have been necessary is beyond me.

In the end I find myself giving Boyer's effort three stars. This is a good, solid rendering of Holmes. I was interested in the mystery and enjoyed seeing how he pulled off the "giant rat." Had it not been for the "dear readers" and the final scenes, I would have unreservedly raised the rating to four stars.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good. I enjoyed the pace, twists & turns. My only complaint is that there was alot of wrapping up at the end where Sherlock has to explain what happened. Some of that is OK, but when the reader is kept in the dark to that extent, I think the author didn't quite do his job.

This story involes a mysterious ship lying at the London docks with a terrifying beast caged in the hold; a night of fire and terror & a dead sailor who was on his way to consult with Holmes; a beautiful young woman abducted and held for ransom; and Watson captured by a madman with Holmes powerless to help.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than most other Sherlockian pastches, definitely the best one involving "THE" giant rat of Sumatra, involving the second-most nefarious (and definitely most dangerous, but out-of-London, keeping Sebastian Moran's place intact) villain in Sherlockiana. Recommended for its Victorian settings, gothic scenes, flawless language (you almost believe that this is actually one of Doyle's better efforts) and action-packed climax.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra was locked away in a vault by Dr Watson until a set number of years after the deaths of several influential people. What linked the death of a sailor to the kidnapping of the daughter of an influential Lord? What mysterious figure from Holmes'past is seeking revenge?

A so-so mystery, whose dénouement has little to do with the set up. The characters are mostly in keeping with Doyle's canon, but the world doesn't quite feel right.

[Kevin Fitzsimmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grisly and bizarre murder on the night of a massive fire set the stage for one the best Holmes' pastiches I have had the pleasure of reading.

I don't want to give away too much, because the fires of Hell burn hot for those who give away details of mystery novels so I will cover some broad angles here: crisp, quick read. Characters are spot on. The intrigue is...well...intriguing, and there is just enough gruesomeness to make it icky without being a turn off.

Boyer nailed it.

[Ella Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The unofficial sequel to the quintessential The Hound of the Baskervilles!

I'll admit it started off shaky, and I was apprehensive. The author had the Victorian dialect down pat, but Holmes and Watson weren't acting like their usual, canonized, selves. Their characterization was iffy. However! As the story began to build, it grew from a laughable mimic of Hound into its own strong tale, truly a force to be reckoned with! The novel just kept getting better and better, and it kept me up long past my bedtime.

The events described are almost too surreal to be believed. It is truly swashbuckling. It gives Hound a run for its money. I approve of it as a sequel. Besides the occasional lapse in character integrity (ie. failing to stay true to the canon, which is tricky because characterization is subjective) it is a flawless pastiche.

The villainy is perfectly rendered, it is larger-than-life without being eye-rollingly stereotypical. It makes for a genuinely thrilling, utterly gripping read. The twists were reminiscent of telenovelas, with their melodramatic audacity! It was perfectly grotesque, like Hound, and it was truly terrifying at times. A win in my book.

[Mark Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was uncertain about this, though coming across this relaunched series in the bargain bin I was convinced enough to take a gamble and was glad that I did. The book maintains the tone of your classic Sherlock Holmes story making the deliberate(and wise in my opinion) choice not to mess with the formula. Therefore we have the story told by Watson, a preface telling us that the story had been held aside until the people who were involved had passed, all played out in a tone almost indistinguishable to the Conan Doyle originals. The story itself is well told and capture's the spirit of the originals(though perhaps it is too similar in structure to another of the better known tales). Given that the link is deliberate though, it is a forgivable plagiarism. All in all I liked the story and the mystery had me gripped to the last word. If there is any criticism I could offer it is that the resolution, more specifically the creature involved in the resolution seems somewhat unbelievable but again this is something that works to the plot and I can understand why the author chose to ask us to suspend belief in this manner. Overall a worthy addition to the canon and well worth reading.

[M Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I could give this one a three and a half star rating. Liked it fairly well and may well read it again in the future. A pretty good example of the serious Holmes "pastiche" -- written with care by an award-winning mystery writer and a pretty good yarn. There were a couple of points at which I thought, "Conan Doyle wouldn't have written THAT," but only a couple. The plot is rather derivative, sort of a sequel to one of the canonical works, as the reader will discover. But an entertaining and enjoyable way to soak up a couple of (all too rare) spare afternoons. Dyed-in-the-wool Holmesians (or Sherlockians) will likely enjoy it as will those with only a passing knowledge of the exploits of the "world's greatest detective."

[Zoe Radley · Rating 5 out of 5]

an absolute masterpiece and one I think that even Arthur conan doyle would have been proud to write and it answers so many questions from both the Hound of The Baskervilles and also that tantalising bit in one of the Holmes stories with regards to the Giant Rat of Sumatra. This is definitely a tale worthy of the Sherlock Holmes stories. A definite must read for avid fans of Sherlock Holmes stories and love the idea of john Watson producing these stories after the events.

[Amaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could hardly put it down! An intense, fast paced, compelling read, full of plot twists, challenges, and puzzles worthy of Conan Doyle himself! I highly recommend it!

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.9) A little slow, but definitely a good one, with a surprise character from another case.

[Buddy2Blogger · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best pastiches I have read. Richard Boyer captures ACD's tone very well. Great mystery and excellent pacing.

Must read for SH fans.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Giant Rat of Sumatra is one of those Sherlockian pastiches that begins with a single line from Conan Doyle — “a tale for which the world is not yet prepared” — and then boldly announces: “Okay… but I’m prepared.”

And honestly?

Boyer absolutely cooks with this premise. The book delivers old-school Holmesian adventure with enough swampy atmosphere, chase-scene energy, and colonial-mystery swagger to make the whole thing feel like a Victorian blockbuster with cholera and fog.

Boyer makes a genius move right from the start: he frames the tale as one of Watson’s previously untold memoirs, an “occulted” case suppressed due to its, ahem, “sensitive nature.” That little metafictional wink immediately sets the tone. We’re back in Baker Street, we’re hearing the fire crackle, we’re watching Holmes poke a violin while Watson tries desperately to have normal human circulatory functions — and then boom, the case drags them halfway across the world.

Before the tropical madness, though, Boyer grounds us in a very recognizably British setting: a sinister visitor, a cryptic warning, a hint of international peril, and the suggestion that something monstrous — literally monstrous — is lurking behind the scenes. Holmes is, of course, delighted. Watson is, of course, deeply unimpressed but loyal.

And we, naturally, buckle up like Victorian thrill-seekers who definitely should have brought more quinine.

The strength of Boyer’s writing lies in his ability to replicate the Victorian voice without slipping into parody. Watson’s narration feels polished, warm, brisk, and appropriately dramatic. Holmes is his sharp, restless, slightly feral self.

The dynamic between them? Peak comfort food. Boyer takes a risk in leaning hard into the pulp-adventure vibe, but he hits the sweet spot: the book reads like a Conan Doyle story that lifted weights and drank strong coffee.

When the narrative moves to the East (with Sumatra functioning both as a literal destination and a psychological frontier), Boyer doesn’t fall into the trap of writing colonial exotica for cheap thrills. There’s atmosphere, yes — dense jungle, screams in the night, strange rituals — but he tries to keep the lens grounded through Watson’s inherently British rationalism and Holmes’s commitment to logic. In this story, the “giant rat” is not purely a monster of myth but an intersection of biology, secrecy, human ambition, and exploitation. The horror is scientific, not supernatural — and that is precisely what keeps the book Holmesian.

Here’s the fun thing: the “giant rat” itself is both the hook and the red herring. Boyer teases it masterfully. We hear it, smell it, sense its trail, feel its presence pressing on the minds of the characters. It’s almost cinematic — that looming dread, that creeping sense that something enormous and hungry is stalking the edges of the frame. The actual reveal is tense, terrifying, grounded (mostly) in plausible zoology, and extremely British in its delivery. Holmes and Watson do not scream or sprint; they stand there deducing while the universe tries to murder them. Icons, honestly.

But the rat is only one thread in a larger tapestry: political intrigue, maritime sabotage, lost settlements, greed, guilt, and secrets carried across continents. Boyer balances the investigation with action sequences — ambushes, escapes, storms — that feel like Watson’s pen is trembling with adrenaline. And yet he never loses the methodical detective rhythm. Holmes analyzes footprints even while death stares at him through wet foliage. Watson provides the emotional tenor — fear, awe, moral reflection. Together, they form the heartbeat of the book.

There’s also a surprising emotional undertow. Boyer gives Watson a more vulnerable, almost haunted dimension in this story. He faces moral ambiguities, colonial power structures, and horrors rooted in human ambition rather than mythic beasts. Holmes, for once, feels slightly shaken too — not intellectually, but ethically. The case forces them into uncomfortable awareness of imperial consequences. It’s not preachy, but it’s present. The book acknowledges that monsters often look like corporations, colonists, or opportunists, not rats.

The pacing is sharp, the climaxes are layered, and the final showdown — involving both Holmesian logic and raw physical danger — feels like a spiritual cousin to The Devil’s Foot or The Speckled Band, but with the volume turned up. When the truth comes out, it’s horrifying not because it’s unbelievable but because it is deeply, crushingly human.

By the end, Watson returns to Baker Street altered. Holmes, ever the stoic, files the case away. And Boyer leaves us with that glorious sense of the “untold tale” being finally told — messy, frightening, morally complicated, and yet totally in sync with the Holmesian universe.

It’s fun. It’s bold. It gives the readers the monster they were promised, but with brains. Honestly? A banger.

[Henry Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I read "The Sussex Vampire" decades ago, Holmes' statement of the unwritten adventure of the Matilda Briggs, "a ship which is associated with the giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared" at the start of it always stuck with me. This was a story that I wanted to read, both because of its evocative title, as well as the promise of such a dark secret that it dared not be published.

I realize this was just a throw-away line, but authors since then, writing for other franchises, have done more with less. I was surprised that there were so few that I could find, dealing with this intriguing premise. I purchased Richard L. Boyer's "The Giant Rat of Sumatra" to satisfy this many years long itch.

Sadly, it failed to do so.

The reason I feel this way is that the mystery failed to live up to the expectations promised over a hundred years ago by Doyle's line. While the problem presented is serviceable enough, although with a unforgivable sin at its conclusion (more below), it was hardly something that the world was not prepared to hear.

The novel begins well enough, with an exciting start, and a double mystery to challenge Holmes and Watson. I won't go into details for fear of spoiling things, but if this book had been entitled, "The Overly Large Panda of San Francisco" the author would not have had to meet the expectations someone familiar with the reference the title alluded to. Let's be honest - some (most?) readers who purchased this book were likely motivated to do so because of what the title meant to them.

In any case, everything was unfolding well until the moment where things are revealed. At that point, I feel that the author committed that unforgivable sin I mentioned above. I feel that the ability to solve the mystery is contained within the pages of the story.

Not this one.

Here, the solution is pulled from another book without any hints or even an oblique clue to point the reader that this curve ball was coming.

Now, I'm trying to be vague to avoid spoilers, but if you've read this novel, you know to what I'm referring. I felt most dissatisfied by this "plot-twist".

I hope someone, at some time, wrote a story that rises and meets the ominous challenge made by Doyle so long ago. I hope I find it someday, because "The Giant Rat of Sumatra" by Richard Boyer certainly fails to do so.

[BBoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected very little going into a pastiche written by an author I could find little about, derived from a silly "giant rat" premise mentioned in The Sussex Vampire that sucked. However, this novel completely exceeded all my expectations, and is one of the BEST Sherlock pastiches I've read of all time!

If any creative decisions are mishandled, a Sherlock monster story could easily fall from the brilliance of "The Hound of Baskervilles" to the mediocrity of "The Lion's Mane". This novel did so many things right. The monster was terrifying and intriguing, the solution to the mystery was not in broad daylight, the revelation of the monster's identity adequately explained the curious occurences that came before, while the monster also played notable roles in the other seemingly "unrelated" criminal activity, making for a close-knit story leading all the way to a satisfying resolution. (The author mentioned that some readers weren't happy with the monster's identity, but I thought it made sense and gave me a pleasant "eureka" moment.) There are well developed characters, exciting actions as well as tension, and a singular investigative process. Definitely read this!


What I must highlight, above all else, is how solid the logical deductions in this book are! The deduction works here are right on par with, if not better than those in "The Seven Percent Solution" and even most deductions from the canonical works! When I pick up a pastiche, the deduction process in it is what matters most to me, and something I'm very picky about. Given all the Sherlock canon and pastiches I've read, I'd categorize the handling of deduction work into the following 6 categories:

1. The logic is flawed; The clues are insufficient for leading Sherlock to his conclusions: This is the poorest form of deduction aimed solely at a shocking revelation that'd leave a strong impression on the reader - It is as if Sherlock just magically pulled solutions out of thin air. ("The House of Silk" unfortunately falls into this category)

2. The reader could devise alternative explanations to the observations: If the clues can be interpreted in various valid ways, and Sherlock simply assumes one that is correct without working to eliminate the alternatives, Sherlock's train of reasoning would appear unreliable. ("The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes" is frequently guilty of this)

3. Little logical deduction is involed, as Sherlock arrives at the solution by finding out specific facts / knowledge (true or fictional) that conveniently explains everything: This kind of story tends to leave the reader feeling cheated, as the mystery was a mere facade the entire time, one that could only be solved via extremely contrived information. ("The Creeping Man" is a prime example of this. This kind of deduction isn't necessarily fatal to the story though, as "The Devil's Foot" still left clues that hinted at the solution, and made Sherlock work towards discovering a botanical fact that felt rooted in real life)

4. The solution is obvious to the reader from the start: If Sherlock is baffled at every turn by something the readers knew the answer to immediately, you're in for a heck of a frustrating reading experience. ("The Lion's Mane" is notorious for this)

5. The reasoning is valid, but details of events are hidden from the readers beforehand: A way to ensure the readers can't see right through the mystery is to have Sherlock withhold information, only revealing them at the time of the mystery's resolution. This is often done to remedy type #4, where if the readers held all the information, the solution would have been painfully obvious. (Most pastiches' opening deductions are guilty of this - "Of course he travels frequently because he carries a worn suitcase with loads of labels on it. You never told us anything about the suitcase. Are we supposed to be impressed by Sherlock?")

6. The ideal deduction for me: A neat chain of reasonings leading to a clever resolution that is difficult to come to; The inferences link present clues in a perfectly sound manner, in a way that could not have pointed to any other explanations; All the information needed to reach the solution have previously been given to the reader, so that we are active participants in solving the mystery, and are amazed when Sherlock explains his thought process, what each clue points to, and how they combine to ultimately form a grand revelation. A huge highlight of ACD's canonical works is how they inspire readers to try to think like Sherlock. The "It all seems obvious once it's explained - I could have, should have, figured it out too!" makes for the best detective novel reading experience for me.

After all that razzle dazzle, I am extremely pleased to say that almost ALL deductions in "The Giant Rat of Sumatra" fall into that final category! From the very start, brilliant deductions are done in that precise manner to establish the fact that all mysteries in this novel are solvable before Sherlock gives out the answers. Readers are invited to speculate along, pausing to ponder / analyze the implications of events every step of the way. The grand sequence of events that incorporates all things that came before, and makes perfect sense of it all, was beyond satisfying! This book is a beautiful collection of logical puzzles strung together in cohesion.

I believe the author left one last puzzle for us to figure out on our own though: Much details were provided surrounding the character of Charles Compson (the terrier's owner) and his death at the gnawing of the rat, and the author definitely ended the story with Compson's girlfriend's return on purpose, to remind us that this one unsolved puzzle is for us to figure out.


The book isn't perfect, of course. There are some parts that dragged on for too long, some needless repetitions; Sherlock occasionally didn't feel true to his character; Tension was forced into the climactic chapter, although it felt justified from a storytelling perspective; Many events on the villain's side of the story felt too convenient (such as Jones just happening to be at the inn to overhear Jenard's plan to visit Sherlock, and Sherlock was conveneintly someone the villain had deep grudges for). I think the villains would have felt like more autonomous agents, and the story would have flowed better and felt more believeable, if the villains' actions concerning Sherlock were all planned out since the beginning, rather than being spontaneous decisions sprung from accidental discoveries (e.g. If someone was tipped by the villains to advise Jenard to go to Sherlock before going to the police, so that the villains, lying in wait, could intercept him half way to Baker Street and use his death to invite Sherlock into the case; And if Lord Allistair had been unknowingly involved in the Baskerville case, so that both his ties to the villain and him happening to employ Sherlock would be explained without pages of unnecessary backstory).

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some background for the non-initiated: the original novels and short stories written about Sherlock Holmes by his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, are typically referred to as " The Canon." Holmes is arguably one of the most, if not the most, popular fictional characters in all of literature. There have been innumerable books, television shows, and films about Holmes and his equally fictional chronicler Dr. John Watson, not to mention non-fiction analyzing every aspect of Holmes' life.

In the course of the Canon Dr. Watson mentions that there are certain of his friend's cases that are not for public consumption-they are deemed too sensitive or controversial or gruesome. One such case that Watson mentions in passing is (you guessed it) The Giant Rat of Sumatra. This untold tale has been the grist for many a Holmesian mill. As Conan Doyle never told the story himself it has been up to various others to fill in the blanks.

Richard Boyer's The Giant Rat of Sumatra is by no means the only imagined version of this story that exists. I have read several (everyone has a theory) and they have typically been entertaining tales. I really enjoyed Boyer's novel-he does a good job of writing both Holmes and Watson, and for those of us who love these characters that is half the battle won. There is a postscript that is really quite touching (I'll say no more) and it really does feature (as advertised on the back cover) the return of an old foe. Boyer plays fair with the reader-the clues are all there to be had. This novel really does read almost as if Conan Doyle had written it himself, including the occasional totally bonzers plot twist. Good stuff.

[NC Weil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Richard L. Boyer's telling of one of the unwritten episodes in the Holmes canon is in many ways a suitable homage. The writing is perfectly in the style of Arthur Conan Doyle, unhurried, full of details of English city and country life in the late 19th century. And the Holmes and Watson (our narrator) he offers seem familiar to fans of the originals.

Two stories intertwine: the kidnapping of a wealthy couple's daughter while she was traveling in Bombay; and the murder of a sailor evidently on his way to visit Holmes. We know the events are related long before Watson sees any connection, though Holmes as usual is alert to their points of intersection: travel in the Indian Ocean, an ordinary freighter accepting three odd passengers and some unidentified cargo, and behind those coincidences, a diabolical mind.

The tale is in the main well-told, but the climax is so drawn-out as to become Gothic, with a touch of Hardy Boys as the villain explains to captive Watson and Holmes his methods and motives - knowing they will soon be dead, able to tell no one.

The creature, too monstrous for Conan Doyle to weave a story around, is indeed horrible - huge, lethal, crazed. And it is real.

The jarring aspect of this book for me is the deep-dyed racism: the villain's sidekick, a dark-skinned man wearing a filthy turban, is deformed, and not only cannot speak English, it appears he can barely speak any language. Reading the literature of another age, one often encounters such an unconscious racist attitude, but in this book it is played up out-of-proportion to the needs of the story - and for that, Boyer fails to earn that 3rd star.

[Robert Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankly, I liked the first half of the book the most when Dr. Watson arrived at the Allistair estate, I started to lose interest. I appreciated the gothic horror element to this book, but the second half became a somewhat bland tour through elite-country-living in the nineteenth century that overstayed its welcome in the ending. Although, I did like the climax and seeing how vulnerable Holmes and Watson became and why they maybe did not want to include this story in the oeuvre of their adventures. The ending did go on forever though.

Overall, I did like this book, but I felt the story was overwritten for what it was; a Sherlockian mystery with a gothic horror element that is unfortunately explained away at the end. It was sort of an anti-climax for me (not necessarily a bad thing but here it was a little disappointing). Would I recommend this one? I don’t know. I wasn’t mad that I read it. I wasn’t bored throughout the whole thing. Well, if you feel the need for a Sherlock Holmes story, I guess this could scratch that itch.

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire," Sherlock Holmes says "Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson, ... It was a ship which is associated with the giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared."

Well, eventually, the world was prepared. This novel provides us with the story of the Giant Rat. And it's a good story. Boyer does a very good job of emulating Arthur Conan Doyle's prose style, presenting us with a Holmes and Watson who feel like they really are Holmes and Watson. There's an aura of gothic horror to the tale that is very similar to what we find in "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Holmes' deductions are sound. There's a very nice surprise involving the identity of the primary bad guy. And there's a very intense climax, in which the two friends seemed doomed (with Watson about to be fed to the giant rat) that leads into an exciting action set piece.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did the fanfiction (excuse me, Pastiche writers) a favor by sprinkling references throughout his stories of unrecorded cases, giving them so much fodder for their imaginations.

Do you remember 'The Sussex Vampire'? Holmes mentions the ship Matilda Briggs, 'which is associated with the giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared.' This story is about that giant rat.

Watson planned for the release of this story after his death, so that's why the story has remained hidden. It's the sequel to an earlier story of Watson's involving a giant animal. .

Content warning: It's very graphic in parts.

It is overall an enjoyable read. I've gotten past the point of expecting these stories to mimic the originals, so I approach them as simply entertainment. Holmes did some actual deducing and there were moments when I saw clues 'in plain sight' when it was obvious what was happening and wondered why everyone in the story could be so dense, but eventually Homes sees through it all and solves the mystery.

[P.Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

สนุก หนูยักษ์แห่งสุมาตรา สัตว์ร้ายแห่งเกาะอันไกลโพ้น ทำให้ Sherlock Holmes และหมอวัตสัน ต้องเหนื่อยกับคดีปริศนานี้ ความเฉลียวฉลาดของ Sherlock Holmes ยังคงน่าทึ่งเช่นเคย การเขียนทำออกมาได้ดี เชื่อมโยงกันได้ดี เป็นปริศนาที่น่าสนใจ...

การแปล ทำออกมาได้ดีอ่านง่ายไหลลื่น การเลือกใช้คำเหมาะสม

เนื้อเรื่อง เกิดเหตุไฟไหม้ในย่านหนึ่ง และมีคดีฆาตกรรมปริศนาถูกพบศพคนตายอยู่กลางถนน โดยผู้ตายเป็นลูกเรือของเรือลำหนึ่ง ผู้ตายมีความต้องการที่จะพบกับ Sherlock Holmes แต่ก็ต้องมาจบชีวิตลงเสียก่อน เพื่อนของผู้ตายมาขอความช่วยเหลือ จาก Sherlock Holmes และได้เล่าสิ่งที่น่าจะเป็นต้นสายปลายเหตุของชีวิตที่จบลงในครั้งนี้ มีสัตว์ประหลาดอยู่บนเรือที่พวกเขาทำงานอยู่ เป็นหนูยักษ์ที่มีความน่ากลัวดั่งอสูรกาย พวกเขาดันไปรู้ความลับการขนย้ายอสูรกายนี้ นั่นเป็นสิ่งที่ทำให้พวกเขาน่าจะถูกเก็บให้หายไปกับสายลม Sherlock Holmes และหมอวัตสัน จะแก้ปริศนานี้และรู้ตัวตนของอสูรกายนั้นได้หรือไม่...

#Panอ่าน

[Elle Hartford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see what adventure would be behind the infamous "giant rat," and overall, this book did not disappoint. The author clearly put thought into it, and the solving of the mystery was quite daring.

The atmosphere is very reminiscent of Hound of the Baskervilles, that is, suspenseful and a bit eerie. I definitely was on the edge of my seat at times. That said--the end, I thought, was just a trifle overdone; but I can see why, since the affair of the giant rat has such a mystique about it. And of course like many Holmes adventures, both original and pastiche, the women's roles are very limited. It’s no surprise, just something that as a female reader I can't help but notice.

All things considered, I do love the "Further Adventures" series; it contains my favorite "modern" Holmes novels, for sure. And this adventure lived up to its name!

[Sanjana Ghosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of course attempting to carry on the stories of the legendary Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is no mean feat, I feel that this particular book came nowhere near to paying homage to him. The Giant Rat of Sumatra was written along the lines of the Hound Of Baskerville a bit, and maybe that's why it turned a bit dreary. Two irrelevant mysteries: The mysterious giant rat and the abduction of Alice Allistair were brought at crossroads, and the common link to them was very disappointing. The thrill factor was also missing. I've read some other Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes before and this was I feel not up to the mark.

[Chris Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmmm So eventually i've read the adventure of the Giant Sumatran rat which i've wondered about since it was mentioned in the canon stories. Id love to say that it was everything I wanted it to be but sadly it fell short. The story, the characters, the setting, everything was very average. Don't get me wrong the book isn't bad its just that the Giant rat adventure is a huge story for fans of the Holmes canon and this just doesn't capture that. Maybe it would always fall short because ACD mentions it but failed to write it. Perhaps im being harsh but there you go, its how I feel.