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Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau

by Guy Adams (Goodreads Author)

3.74 of 5 stars 3.74 · rating details · 72 ratings · 17 reviews

Following the trail of several corpses seemingly killed by wild animals, Holmes and Watson stumble upon the experiments of Doctor Moreau.

Moreau, through vivisection and crude genetic engineering is creating animal hybrids, determined to prove the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin. In his laboratory, hidden among the opium dens of Rotherhithe, Moreau is building an ar...more

Paperback, 256 pages

Published August 7th 2012 by Titan Books (first published July 3rd 2012)

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Oct 07, 2012 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review brought to you by OBS reviewer Angie

I have not read any of the original Sherlock Holmes books, and was really excited to read something that was an ‘homage’ to this classic series. I was not disappointed in the least.

I have to admit that having seen the recent Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr., I did imagine him in this role as I was reading. It made it quite exciting and really helped to bring it to life in my imagination.

What I enjoyed about this story was the crossover in a...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/09/...

Corpses are turning up in Rotherhithe, by all appearances the victims of animal attacks. However, the attacks are not attacks any animal that should be roaming around London (for example, a blacktip shark, common to the coasts of Australia), and one of the victim’s hands and feet were chained, which, of course speaks of human involvement. When Mycroft Holmes pays a visit to his brother Sherlock, and Dr. Watson, with a requ...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Marleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Received from Titan Books through Book Geeks

Just when Sherlock Holmes is convinced that there are no interesting cases for him to investigate, he and Dr. Watson and visited by Holmes’ brother Mycroft. Bodies have been turning up around London. Bodies which show signs of having been attacked and murdered by ferocious creatures that don’t belong in London.
Mycroft is sure that the creatures involved in the attacks are somehow related to the top-secret and very controversial experiments with animal...more Received from Titan Books through Book Geeks

Just when Sherlock Holmes is convinced that there are no interesting cases for him to investigate, he and Dr. Watson and visited by Holmes’ brother Mycroft. Bodies have been turning up around London. Bodies which show signs of having been attacked and murdered by ferocious creatures that don’t belong in London.
Mycroft is sure that the creatures involved in the attacks are somehow related to the top-secret and very controversial experiments with animals that had been conducted by Dr. Moreau. And although the doctor is supposed to have died at the hands of the creatures he created, it seems clear that either he is still alive or someone else is continuing his work, with deadly consequences. It will be up to Holmes and Watson to end the mad scientist’s work before he succeeds in his plan to overthrow government with the aid of his bestial army. A plan that is far more advanced than anyone could have guessed.
Holmes and Watson dive into the investigation only to find themselves up against nightmare-like opponents and collaborating with a motley crew of characters.

This is probably not a book for Sherlock Holmes purists. If the attraction to these stories lies in the great detective solving seemingly impossible or even supernatural mysteries in a completely logical way Guy Adams’ books may be a bit too fantastical.
I like what the author has done though. He remains very true to the originals when it comes to the characters of Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes, who is his usual irritating, arrogant, vague, but also brilliant and charming self. Adams has just added an extra twist to the mysteries Holmes is asked to solve, in this case a mad scientist scenario. A twist I happen to enjoy.

Another thing I really liked in this book is that when, at some point in the story, Watson is no longer in a position to give the details of the investigation the perspective shifts. Starting with Sherlock Holmes we suddenly have several different narrators, all with their own distinctive voice and perspective, filling in the details the chief narrator missed out on. A development that allows Holmes to make fun of Watson and his editors and made me smile.

This is a very clever book. While being a Victorian mystery, Holmes’ musings on ethical questions, such as men experimenting to enhance human qualities, brings some aspects of the story nicely into our present time.

It is very clear that Guy Adams is having great fun while writing these books. He freely and openly borrows characters from other books – H. G. Wells’ Dr. Moreau being the obvious example here - and either pits them against Holmes or has them assisting him. I enjoy these visitors in Adams’ stories although I’m sure I would have enjoyed them more if I had actually read any, if not all, of the works he borrowed from. Readers better versed in the classical works then I am, are sure to have fun re-acquainting themselves with these characters and placing them in their original stories.

These books are very well written and smooth to read. The pages almost turn themselves as the story shifts between investigation, deduction and action. It is easy for the reader to get drawn into this story, get immersed in Victorian London and the sewers underneath it. And, as always, the readers will find themselves, like Watson, trailing behind the great detective when it comes to solving the mystery.
This is a fun reading experience all round.
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Jul 29, 2012 Daniel Cann rated it 4 of 5 stars

The follow-up to author Guy Adams’ The Breath of God is another larger than life adventure for the world’s most famous consulting detective.

The purists will prefer to stick to the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle canon and dismiss this as outlandish without even giving it a second glance which I think is a terrible pity. For the rest of us Adams has crafted another incident-packed thrill-fest which is rich in characters from history and fiction, as well as containing plenty of sharp wit and humour.

I thor...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Monique Snyman rated it 5 of 5 stars

When three bodies are found near the Thames, ripped and torn to shreds, London is shaken with fear and questions as to what could have done it. Word on the street is that there’s a shark in the Thames, but what would an Australian Black Tip shark be doing in London? Immediately the question as to whether or not this is one of the infamous Dr. Moreau’s calling cards. Sherlock and Watson is on the case, seeing as the Crown is in danger and Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older brother, have no other op...more When three bodies are found near the Thames, ripped and torn to shreds, London is shaken with fear and questions as to what could have done it. Word on the street is that there’s a shark in the Thames, but what would an Australian Black Tip shark be doing in London? Immediately the question as to whether or not this is one of the infamous Dr. Moreau’s calling cards. Sherlock and Watson is on the case, seeing as the Crown is in danger and Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older brother, have no other option than to call in the best people to solve the mystery and get rid of the threat.

Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau is an extremely well-written novel that brings together some of literature’s most beloved books in order to create a fantastic plot. H.G. Wells‘ The Island of Dr. Moreau is incorporated into a story with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s beloved characters on the case, whilst bringing into account some of Jules Verne‘s characters from A Journey to the Centre of the Earth as well. Creatures from science-fiction comes to life, mysteries are solved and a homage to some of the best books ever written is given in what can only be deemed as a novel that would make the great authors of yesteryear proud. Guy Adams, the author of this exciting sci-fi mystery, has been able to keep the tongue-in-cheek humour that Doyle wrote the original Sherlock Holmes books with as well as put his own voice and individuality into it. If that’s not enough, Guy Adams brings into account the problems that modern society face with the vivisection dilemma in America, giving a voice to those who don’t have one and saying that it’s not right to “play God”…

It’s safe to say that this is a worthy piece of fan-fiction, though it would also be a worthy fan-written sequel to H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau too. Many people would look down on the term “fan-fiction” though, but Guy Adams has been able to give his own voice to the tale, incorporating the old with the new and still being able to show respect to the authors of the various books that he used as inspiration, instead of breaking them down.

To those who have never read classical literature, Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau, will definitely change your mind and give you the desire to find the original books. With the creatures that Guy Adams created as the “Army of Dr. Moreau”, you’ll want to pick up a copy of H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau, and just because Professor Lindenbrook – also present in the novel – is such an intriguing character (though he doesn’t get mentioned as often as I’d have liked), you’ll want to get your hands on a copy of A Journey to the Centre of the Earth. That being said, once you’ve finished those, you’ll delve into their other work and so on, and so forth. Guy Adams has written a catalyst novel that will give literature of yesteryear a second life and that alone is a fantastic achievement. However, there’s more. To those horror fanatics, you’ll find plenty of horror here as great descriptions are given and chilling tales are told. To sci-fi lovers, you have your out-of-this-world creatures that will give you plenty of nightmares and fantasies of the “what if’s”… Mystery enthusiasts have the opportunity to follow another new tale of the most distinguished P.I of all time, so what’s not to love?

All in all, this is a great book and anyone who is anyone will find joy out of reading Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau. It will inspire, give delightful pleasure as one tries to figure out the twists and turns and finally, you will giggle from time to time at the wit Sherlock displays. Definitely a must-have for any reader… Definitely a must-have on any bookshelf.

(Originally posted at http://www.killeraphrodite.com/2012/0... )(less)

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Sep 10, 2012 Bane of Kings rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller-crime, 2012-releases-read, notable-2012-releases

“A great read. Most Sherlock Holmes fans will find something that they like in Adams’ latest tale of the World’s Greatest Detective .” ~The Founding Fields

I’m going to admit that I wasn’t really introduced to Sherlock Holmes as a character until Steven Moffat’s brilliant modern-day adaption of the series in BBC’s Sherlock. I’d heard about him before, I mean – who hadn’t? It was Sherlock that got me hooked to Conan-Doyle’s creation, and it was Sherlock that got me reading the individual stories,...more “A great read. Most Sherlock Holmes fans will find something that they like in Adams’ latest tale of the World’s Greatest Detective .” ~The Founding Fields

I’m going to admit that I wasn’t really introduced to Sherlock Holmes as a character until Steven Moffat’s brilliant modern-day adaption of the series in BBC’s Sherlock. I’d heard about him before, I mean – who hadn’t? It was Sherlock that got me hooked to Conan-Doyle’s creation, and it was Sherlock that got me reading the individual stories, which anybody should read (They’re free downloads on IBooks). When I heard about The Army of Dr. Moreau, Guy Adams’ second novel with Sherlock Holmes, I knew I had to read it as soon as I could. Some of you may know Guy Adams through his work at Angry Robot, with The World House and Restoration (That was where I first heard about Adams, even though I haven’t read the books yet), others may be wanting to read some more Sherlock Holmes. Whatever your taste is, The Army of Dr. Moreau is certainly an enjoyable read.

Dead bodies are found on the streets of London with wounds that can only be explained as the work of ferocious creatures not native to the city.

Sherlock Holmes is visited by his brother, Mycroft, who is only too aware that the bodies are the calling card of Dr Moreau, a vivisectionist who was working for the British Government, following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, before his experiments attracted negative attention and the work was halted. Mycroft believes that Moreau’s experiments continue and he charges his brother with tracking the rogue scientist down before matters escalate any further.

Although The Army of Dr. Moreau may seem at times a tad too supernatural for Conan-Doyle fans, that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. It is perhaps one of the more enjoyable reads that I’ve read in while now, standing up there with Jim Butcher’s White Night, because – any Dresden Files novel is a fun read, long-running fans of the series will know that by now. The Army of Dr. Moreau sticks to Conan-Doyle’s characters very well, painting an accurate portrayal of Holmes and of course, is narrated in a first person POV by John Watson. What I liked about this tale is that Adams has managed to make Watson unavailable for some scenes that take place, forcing other characters to have a couple of chapters every now and again where they get the chance to tell the story. We get a POV from both Holmes brothers, (yes – Mycroft does show up in this tale) – and a couple of others.

Released last month, The Army of Dr. Moreau is certainly an engaging read, and Adams, like Conan-Doyle before him, made it seem as though it’s Watson narrating the tale, and not the author in certain places, and there’s even a visit to Watson’s editor, who suggests to him that he should perhaps make his cases more extravagant and longer for readers rather than the short stories that he’s used to, in a brilliant bit of foreshadowing.

See the full review at The Founding Fields: http://thefoundingfields.com/2012/09/....
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Jan 03, 2013 Ken rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sherlock-holmes

Again, I have to say that I love when two genres that I love bump together. In Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau, Guy Adams pits HG Wells's Dr. Moreau against Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. A great combination.

This was the perfect follow-up to Sherlock Holmes: The Breath of God.

4 STARS

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Aug 31, 2012 Riju Ganguly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Alan Moore had begun his "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" series using some of the greatest works of Victorian fiction as the source of the protagonists & antagonists, but then had allowed things to drift into a surreal fugue state that is typical of his mind (genius, but not exactly.....). Guy Adams didn't attempt something THAT ambitious, but his pastiche is actually a highly enjoyable work that reminds one of the first couple of volumes of 'TLOEG'. The title says a lot, but the dialogu...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Sam Hodson rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I was 15, they made us read The Hound of the Baskervilles in Enlgish lit and I hated it. Maybe because I was forced to read it, who knows. Either way I swore of Sherlock Holmes. This book has convinced me to give it a second chance!

Unfortunately I can offer no insights as to whether Adams captures the style of the original stories, but it is very well written and very enjoyable.

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Sep 16, 2012 Hearts On Fire Reviews added it

Reviewed by: Mallory
Genre: Mystert/Thriller/ Historical
Rated: 5 hearts

Check out the review at: Hearts On Fire Reviews

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Nov 13, 2012 Aeturnus rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4.5/5 out of 5.

This is a damn good thriller/sci-fi novel. I like how it isn't as predictable as some other thriller novels I read. The only reason I'm not giving it a five star has to deal with the writer over describing certain things. I don't think the reader needs to know a chair is vacant as a character is about to sit in it.

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Oct 29, 2012 Doctordalek rated it 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely awesome. I think than I enjoyed it so much because I had read Doctor Moreau and a lot of Sherlock Holmes beforehand. Very readable, exciting, didn't want to put it down.

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Oct 01, 2012 Ryan rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's a fun fast read. A neat idea to bring some characters from other authors in to the mix.

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Oct 16, 2012 Katharine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012, review

Review to follow.

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Sep 08, 2012 Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Mallory Anne-Marie by: Hearts on Fire Reviews

Shelves: armchair-england, armchair-london, september-2012-reads, september-reading-challenge-ntoyab

Review written-will post after it is published at Hearts on Fire Reviews

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Sep 18, 2012 David Vinther rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned

Fun read. I really like the style of this series, though I wish the books were longer.

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Feb 11, 2013 Kathleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: steam-punk

I enjoyed the second book far more than the first but then Sherlock was the main character in this one instead of Holmes.

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May 15, 2013 Tess rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 15, 2013 Olk Lein Möpmöp marked it as to-read

Apr 28, 2013 Rachel Park rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 28, 2013 Mark Whitnall rated it 3 of 5 stars

Apr 25, 2013 K. marked it as to-read

Apr 24, 2013 Lauren is currently reading it

Apr 22, 2013 Inexplix (Random Reader) marked it as to-read

Apr 21, 2013 Julian Christie is currently reading it

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