Alluding to both the Sherlock Holmes canon and the Old Ones of the Cthulhu Mythos, this Hugo Award-winning short story will delight fans of Sir Art...
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reviews
Apr 27, 2010
Amanda
rated it: 
I got this tiny audiobook (only 48 minutes) and listened to it in it's entirety on my drive home from work. I really love when Neil does his own voice work.
This is a short story based on Sherlock Holmes mysteries. We have unnamed characters, one having been tortured in the war in Afghanistan against the "gods and men", and one being a consulting detective for the police. Rooming together, the veteran notices odd comings and goings from the detective but never inquires about More...
This is a short story based on Sherlock Holmes mysteries. We have unnamed characters, one having been tortured in the war in Afghanistan against the "gods and men", and one being a consulting detective for the police. Rooming together, the veteran notices odd comings and goings from the detective but never inquires about More...
Feb 10, 2012
Kayleen
rated it: 
I was not expecting this, Neil Gaiman wrote a Sherlock Holmes short story!? I strange comination, still getting over the shock.
I wish it was better though, it just kind of fell flat. Pretty much the same story of the first episode of Sherlock BBC series (fucking love that series), so I thought that I was going to like his short story, but I don't think its my kind of thing. It would have been amazing if he could have added fantasy into the short story, there were a few things that kind of w More...
I wish it was better though, it just kind of fell flat. Pretty much the same story of the first episode of Sherlock BBC series (fucking love that series), so I thought that I was going to like his short story, but I don't think its my kind of thing. It would have been amazing if he could have added fantasy into the short story, there were a few things that kind of w More...
Nov 27, 2010
Corinne
rated it: 
I eagerly downloaded this for free from audible.com thinking "Neil Gaiman, yes please" and listened to it in no context whatsoever. Gaiman read it which was brilliant, so I hope I can find other books of his that he read as an audiobook.
A bit into it I was confused, this sounded eerily familiar to a Sherlock Holmes mystery I've read. For a few moments I actually thought I misread and it was Gaiman reading a Arthur Conan Doyle story. It definitely wasn't, and I wasn't sur More...
A bit into it I was confused, this sounded eerily familiar to a Sherlock Holmes mystery I've read. For a few moments I actually thought I misread and it was Gaiman reading a Arthur Conan Doyle story. It definitely wasn't, and I wasn't sur More...
Jan 23, 2012
Paul
rated it: 
Being a new reader/viewer/listener of Sherlock Holmes stories, I am completely intrigued by the concept of reinterpretations of those stories. Reading this engaged me with the familiarity of "A Study in Scarlet," the addition of mythical gore, and the mystery of narrator.
It's a quick & entertaining read, and I loved to newspaper-style of the PDF version found online. Not only did the newspaper-style pull me into the setting, but entertained me with the advertisements calling More...
It's a quick & entertaining read, and I loved to newspaper-style of the PDF version found online. Not only did the newspaper-style pull me into the setting, but entertained me with the advertisements calling More...
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Nov 15, 2011
Shayla
rated it:
The idea of putting a science fiction twist on the Victorian mysteries of Sherlock Holmes might sound like polar opposites but Neil Gaiman has crafted one of the coolest short stories I have ever read. He combines the Cthulhu Mythos universe of H. P. Lovecraft with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Study in Scarlet.” Without giving too much of the twist way, Gaiman uses careful phrasing and plays on what we know about the famous consulting detective and his doctor companion to keep you fooled until th
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Dec 29, 2011
Juan
rated it:
Neil Gaiman reinterpreta A Study in Scarlet, la primera aventura de Sherlock holmes, incorporando elementos del panteón de dioses antiguos de H.P. Lovecraft e intercambiando el papel protagónico de Holmes a su némesis, el profesor Moriarty.
Aunque es un trabajo derivado de la obra de otro autor, A Study in Emerald logra combinar los elementos novedosos aportados por Gaiman en una historia que dibuja un mundo alterno donde los dioses antiguos, con sus formas y apetitos monstruosos, son More...
Aunque es un trabajo derivado de la obra de otro autor, A Study in Emerald logra combinar los elementos novedosos aportados por Gaiman en una historia que dibuja un mundo alterno donde los dioses antiguos, con sus formas y apetitos monstruosos, son More...
Jan 09, 2012
Eric
rated it:
This the perfect short story for anyone into Neil Gaiman, Sherlock Holmes and the Cthulu mythos, and it can be read, for free, as a beautiful mock newspaper pdf file on Neil Gaiman's website. It is no surprise to me this won the Hugo award. As soon as I finished reading it, I downloaded the audio book on Audible so I can experience it again, as read by Neil Gaiman himself.
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Apr 28, 2011
Adrienne
rated it:
Amazingly well-written. I always love short stories because it takes so much more talent to hook the reader/listener and get all the details in a fraction of the time. Awesome. We found the audio of it for free at http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/ Great sight. We'll definitely use it again! Anyway, the book is great - seriously, just listen to it sometime as you sew, sit, do dishes, laundry, sit in a car, stand in line, etc. So good.
Mar 08, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Mar 21, 2011
Suz
rated it:
HP Lovecraft + Sir Arthur Conan Doyle + Written & Narrated by Neil Gaiman = WIN.
This is a short story (from Fragile Things if the reviews I've read are correct) offered as a freebie by Audible and it's written by Neil Gaiman. If you are a fan of Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos and/or Sherlock Holmes, this short story (seriously, 48 min) is awesome. Neil Gaiman is also a fantastic narrator, so this is a win all-round.
This is a short story (from Fragile Things if the reviews I've read are correct) offered as a freebie by Audible and it's written by Neil Gaiman. If you are a fan of Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos and/or Sherlock Holmes, this short story (seriously, 48 min) is awesome. Neil Gaiman is also a fantastic narrator, so this is a win all-round.
Jan 19, 2011
Pedro
rated it:
Um Estudo em Esmeralda é o resultado de uma mistura inusitada: Sherlock Holmes e Chtulhu, Arthur Conan Doyle e H. P. Lovecraft, combinados pelas mãos experientes do Neil Gaiman. É um conto curto e desambicioso, mas que consegue ser uma leitura agradável para qualquer um que aprecie o trabalho de um dos três escritores. Se você gosta dos três, bem, o que está esperando?
Apr 16, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
I read this story instead of listening to it, but goodreads doesn't have the edition I read, so I put my review here. I read the free version that's available online.
It looks like a Victorian periodical, complete with fake advertisements for products like Vlad Tepes professional exsanguination. It's pretty awesome looking, actually.
To get this version go to Neil Gaiman's website here: http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exc...
The story itself was very good. I'm n More...
It looks like a Victorian periodical, complete with fake advertisements for products like Vlad Tepes professional exsanguination. It's pretty awesome looking, actually.
To get this version go to Neil Gaiman's website here: http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exc...
The story itself was very good. I'm n More...
Oct 14, 2011
George
rated it:
A good and clever short story. It's more fascinating and best appreciated if you're into Sherlock Holmes, and are open to scifi. If not, then it may make it more interesting to look this up on wikipedia just to learn about the connections to traditional Sherlock Holmes stories. I'd read it first though.
Sep 24, 2011
Jason
rated it:
I found this to be a very smooth story with a great incorporation of the alternate history element. It has left me reflecting on the possible futures and past of the universe, the ending being what it is. It was well written and left me wanting to know more but satisfied with the amount that is in the text.
Aug 01, 2011
Lou
rated it:
I'm a huge fan of Neil Gaiman's books in general, but "A Study in Emerald" is a little gem. I really can't say more about it without saying too much. The only thing that makes me unhappy about having read this story, is that I'll never be able to read it for the first time again.
Jul 27, 2011
Flavia
rated it:
I have to say I was deeply impressed by the story. Well, I expected to be pleasantly surprised by Neil Gaiman's style anyway. He knows how to get your attention and the twist at the end was pure genius! It had me going over it all over again! I loved every second of it.
Jan 12, 2012
E
rated it:
A great Lovecraftian and Holmesian alternate universe by Neil Gaiman. Fantastic aesthetic, wacky premise, and twist you just can't see coming. My only complaint is that it's not longer.
Apr 07, 2011
Kat
rated it:
Read this story in the Shadows Over Baker Street collection. It was undoubtedly the best story in the whole volume, and turns the traditional Sherlock Holmes story formula on its ear in a delightful way, while also incorporating Lovecraftian myth. Awesome.
Oct 19, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
Audiobook read by Neil Gaiman.
Interesting short story with great twists and turns. Also featured in Fragile Things.
Interesting short story with great twists and turns. Also featured in Fragile Things.
Jun 04, 2010
Sylvie
rated it:
a good one for a long train ride. i like listening to gaiman read his own works. one reason is that i did a scottish accent but also there is no need to question the interpretation, he knows how it's supposed to be read.
Oct 17, 2010
David
rated it:
Sherlock Holmes mystery with a dash of Cthulhu and a twist of lime- I mean plot.
Listened to Neil Gaiman's narration (audiobook) of this short story. Always delightful to hear the author's words in his own voice.
Listened to Neil Gaiman's narration (audiobook) of this short story. Always delightful to hear the author's words in his own voice.
Apr 08, 2010
Crystal
rated it:
A thoroughly enjoyable short story told by "a friend" of Holmes. Gaiman perfectly captures the elite observational skills of the detective and manages to throw in several surprises despite the shortness of the story.
Jan 29, 2012
Laurel
rated it:
What a clever little story! I think that Neil Gaiman's ability to read out loud was as enjoyable as the writing itself. I'm going to try and work through the rest of his audiobook catalogue very soon!
Jan 13, 2010
Emma
rated it:
Gaiman takes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet and throws in some HP Lovecraft in this surprising little tale. A pdf of this short story is available at his website.
Nov 25, 2011
Dwarf
rated it:
I realy deeply loved this short history.
There is no point in some one that don't have read Doyle, Lovecraft or the king in yelow to read it, but if you read you will like it.
There is no point in some one that don't have read Doyle, Lovecraft or the king in yelow to read it, but if you read you will like it.
Nov 06, 2010
Valerie
rated it:
Detectives in Victorian England search for a killer of royalty (a different breed--with green blood). This was an audio book read by Neil Gaiman, who is a delightful reader.
Feb 17, 2011
Old-Barbarossa
rated it:
Very good alternate reality take on the Holmes/Cthulhu cycles.
Cryptic clues for those familiar with the canon but to say anything else may give the game away.
Cryptic clues for those familiar with the canon but to say anything else may give the game away.
Nov 25, 2010
Libby
rated it:
A great twist on Sherlock Holmes with a brillant reading by the author. It was like wrapping myself in a warm wool blanket on a cold foggy night - highly enjoyable
Apr 10, 2011
James
rated it:
A great combination of Sherlock Holmes and Lovecraft plus a lot of other neat little homages. Awesome short story. I could listen to Neil read books all day.
Nov 20, 2010
Kirsten
rated it:
This was a very entertaining Sherlock Holmes story. (Although, the name Sherlock Holmes never appears.) It was enhanced by the fantasy twist to the story. I don't know if Neil Gaiman has written any more like this, but I would love to read (hear) them.
