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A Study in Regret
What if two had perished at Reichenbach Falls? One simple, disastrous error throws Sherlock Holmes from his intended Hiatus into a tortuous journey of sorrow and remorse. Far from home, broken in body and spirit, the haunted detective fights to survive the single most tragic failure of his career - a fight he cannot win alone. With old and new companions beside him, and a threat as deadly as Moriarty in pursuit, Holmes must find a way to live on without his greatest friend, while saving the rest of his beloved adopted family from a similar fate.
- GenresMystery
252 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2013
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 21, 2016
What if things had gone horribly wrong that day at the falls?
A Study in Regret by Claire Daines
My sincere thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publications for my review copy of this book. Looks like I’ll need the sequel!
Every Sherlockian worth his or her salt knows how the faceoff at Reichenbach Falls ended. But what if that wasn’t the way things went? This novel explores an alternate universe of the Final Problem. I find the book charged with energy and with a command of plot and dialogue to rival the original stories. I am always appreciative of works that dare ask the question “What if?” Claire Daines answers that question and the result is a five star novel. Enjoy.
The showdown at Reichenbach went as Holmes reported it, except for a major error. Holmes having vanquished Moriarty, he decides to hide and pretend to be dead. This should be familiar territory. But everything goes horribly wrong…
In seeking a better hiding place, Holmes loosens rocks that alert Watson to his presence. Watson looks up with a glad cry at seeing that Holmes has survived. And then Colonel Moran shoots Watson down like a dog. Unable to bear the sight of his friend’s death, Holmes drops to the path—and directly into a trap.
Holmes is taken prisoner. Moran and the gang are determined to break Holmes by any means necessary. They throw him into a dungeon. Holmes endures systematic starvation. They torture him in many inventive ways, rivaling the infamous Spanish Inquisition. Holmes is beginning to slip into insanity. His days are one long blur of pain and hunger.
Moran has forgotten something, however. Holmes has people who care about him. And Watson left behind a wife who is a determined woman eager to find out the truth about her husband. Mycroft and Mary need someone to track Holmes and Watson down if they are still alive. In Mary’s case, she chooses to go on the journey herself. With her goes Inspector Lestrade, backed by all of the power that is Mycroft Holmes…
Quoth the Raven…
A Study in Regret by Claire Daines
My sincere thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publications for my review copy of this book. Looks like I’ll need the sequel!
Every Sherlockian worth his or her salt knows how the faceoff at Reichenbach Falls ended. But what if that wasn’t the way things went? This novel explores an alternate universe of the Final Problem. I find the book charged with energy and with a command of plot and dialogue to rival the original stories. I am always appreciative of works that dare ask the question “What if?” Claire Daines answers that question and the result is a five star novel. Enjoy.
The showdown at Reichenbach went as Holmes reported it, except for a major error. Holmes having vanquished Moriarty, he decides to hide and pretend to be dead. This should be familiar territory. But everything goes horribly wrong…
In seeking a better hiding place, Holmes loosens rocks that alert Watson to his presence. Watson looks up with a glad cry at seeing that Holmes has survived. And then Colonel Moran shoots Watson down like a dog. Unable to bear the sight of his friend’s death, Holmes drops to the path—and directly into a trap.
Holmes is taken prisoner. Moran and the gang are determined to break Holmes by any means necessary. They throw him into a dungeon. Holmes endures systematic starvation. They torture him in many inventive ways, rivaling the infamous Spanish Inquisition. Holmes is beginning to slip into insanity. His days are one long blur of pain and hunger.
Moran has forgotten something, however. Holmes has people who care about him. And Watson left behind a wife who is a determined woman eager to find out the truth about her husband. Mycroft and Mary need someone to track Holmes and Watson down if they are still alive. In Mary’s case, she chooses to go on the journey herself. With her goes Inspector Lestrade, backed by all of the power that is Mycroft Holmes…
Quoth the Raven…
May 19, 2023
There is no simple way to describe this book. Does it live up to its title? Absolutely, but there is so much more to it than the titular regret.
Claire Daines makes Sherlock Holmes come alive. He is presented as a living, breathing, and fully vulnerable human being. Other canonical characters are likewise treated with realism and warmth.
It's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. Arm yourself with a box of Kleenex or something lighter to watch afterwards, like Without a Clue or Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century. You'll need it. Ms. Daines pulls very few punches, and makes no apologies for the beginning being what it is: a gut-wrenching, realistic portrayal of what could have happened to Holmes had he ever fallen into the hands of his enemies.
But breathe deeply and soldier on — Inspector Geoffrey Lestrade and Mrs. Mary Watson will help you (and Holmes) through this difficult journey.
A Study in Regret is magnificent, a work that truly transcends the Canon and gives us the very human Holmes we've always known he really was.
Claire Daines makes Sherlock Holmes come alive. He is presented as a living, breathing, and fully vulnerable human being. Other canonical characters are likewise treated with realism and warmth.
It's not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. Arm yourself with a box of Kleenex or something lighter to watch afterwards, like Without a Clue or Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century. You'll need it. Ms. Daines pulls very few punches, and makes no apologies for the beginning being what it is: a gut-wrenching, realistic portrayal of what could have happened to Holmes had he ever fallen into the hands of his enemies.
But breathe deeply and soldier on — Inspector Geoffrey Lestrade and Mrs. Mary Watson will help you (and Holmes) through this difficult journey.
A Study in Regret is magnificent, a work that truly transcends the Canon and gives us the very human Holmes we've always known he really was.
July 28, 2016
This is the most "human" Sherlock Holmes we have ever seen, and I must admit I loved it.
February 19, 2021
Well, here we have a rather quizzical account of what happened to HOLMES after the events Sir Arthur Conan DOYLE wrote of at Reichenback Falls.
Claire DAINES has added romance, feeling, sensitivity, empathy, even love and a number of other qualities to Sherlock HOLMES, some I think DOYLE would be rather amused with and even disgusted.
Actually, it is rather disjointed telling and very fanciful at times, and I found whilst listening to the story I could turn off to the story in the background. Doesn't say much for it really??
Nevertheless, I did finish only to be disappointed the story did not end with this novel, but is continued in The Final Solution, which I have yet to locate.
Give it a go.
Claire DAINES has added romance, feeling, sensitivity, empathy, even love and a number of other qualities to Sherlock HOLMES, some I think DOYLE would be rather amused with and even disgusted.
Actually, it is rather disjointed telling and very fanciful at times, and I found whilst listening to the story I could turn off to the story in the background. Doesn't say much for it really??
Nevertheless, I did finish only to be disappointed the story did not end with this novel, but is continued in The Final Solution, which I have yet to locate.
Give it a go.
August 15, 2019
I read a huge amount of Sherlockian fanfic and enjoy the authors’ explorations of the different relationships between the characters. I listened to the audiobook version of this book while on holiday in Meiringen, which felt appropriate.
It was well performed, though I felt the dialogue ranged between the 1890s and the present day, and that the plot was drawn out to make it novel-length. Despite this, somehow the story still hadn’t concluded at the end of the book! It seems all the plot is in the first and last five chapters and nothing happens in the middle. I wanted to love it, but I’m afraid I was disappointed.
It was well performed, though I felt the dialogue ranged between the 1890s and the present day, and that the plot was drawn out to make it novel-length. Despite this, somehow the story still hadn’t concluded at the end of the book! It seems all the plot is in the first and last five chapters and nothing happens in the middle. I wanted to love it, but I’m afraid I was disappointed.
January 31, 2018
Ugh, what happened! I was so enjoying this, David Collins voice being a perfect narrator for this reimagining of what happened at the Reichenbach Falls, and what came afterwards, when suddenly the audiobook ended with the statement that this was Part One and Part Two comes in another book, and yet I can find no references to a second part ...
No other reviewer seems to mention this, so this may be something to do with this audio edition and I'll have to do some further research ...
No other reviewer seems to mention this, so this may be something to do with this audio edition and I'll have to do some further research ...
May 18, 2021
Want to see what Sherlock Holmes look like with PTSD? What a humbling experience... not sure if I liked it though to see the arrogant detective reduced so :( Nevertheless, Mary Watson turn out to be a feisty & strong female character which is a redeeming point in this book. And Inspector Lestrade with a sense of humour!
Oh and btw, this story is UNFINISHED!!! and noting that it's published 2013, I'm unsure whether it'll ever be finished. Oh woe is me :p
Oh and btw, this story is UNFINISHED!!! and noting that it's published 2013, I'm unsure whether it'll ever be finished. Oh woe is me :p
November 22, 2017
This is quite a good story, but would have been better if other than the C D characters were used. This spoiled it for me.
November 23, 2019
I cryed the whole time T-T
May 24, 2021
I thought the concept was interesting but didn't connect with the style.
Read
January 13, 2014I wish I had known about the cliffhanger ending, I don't like reading works in progress. This was quite good, otherwise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2014
The beginning of this book left my heart broken. What's even more sad is that we don't have the sequel right now. Prepare for feels... Many heart crushing feels...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews