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Sherlock Holmes and a Quantity of Debt
Nothing that is secret can remain secret forever. But is it possible that some crimes are better left undiscovered? Join Holmes and Watson as they travel from London to storm-wracked Bedfordshire, where the Great Detective finds himself uncovering the grisly truth concerning a half-century old murder.
- GenresMystery
184 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 10, 2018
In "A Quantity of Debt," David Marcum has crafted a tale of which Conan Doyle himself would be proud.
After a body is discovered under a drainage pipe, where it had been concealed some 50 years before, Holmes and Watson are asked by Inspector MacDonald to assist with the investigation.
The title of the book is a quote from Pip in "Great Expectations," and while the book is truly a Holmes' tale, there is an obvious homage to Charles Dickens contained within.
The book features some wonderfully developed characters and enough plot twists, so that just when you think you have the mystery solved, Marcum delivers one more curve ball.
This should be on all true Sherlockians must-read list.
After a body is discovered under a drainage pipe, where it had been concealed some 50 years before, Holmes and Watson are asked by Inspector MacDonald to assist with the investigation.
The title of the book is a quote from Pip in "Great Expectations," and while the book is truly a Holmes' tale, there is an obvious homage to Charles Dickens contained within.
The book features some wonderfully developed characters and enough plot twists, so that just when you think you have the mystery solved, Marcum delivers one more curve ball.
This should be on all true Sherlockians must-read list.
July 12, 2016
This 2013 publication, set to reappear this fall in paperback and audiobook editions, is perhaps the most literary of David Marcum’s works. Its title references a line from Dickens’ Great Expectations, and plot elements from that classic aid Sherlock Holmes in his solution. However, the tale behind the case (which begins with the discovery of a mummified body on a dying philanthropist’s estate) has the retributive darkness of a Thomas Hardy novel. Marcum’s book is a worthy tribute to the Victorian writers who inspired it. Naturally, they include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for no modern Sherlockian is more faithful to Doyle’s style, or the relationship between his central characters, than Marcum. We find Holmes in top deductive form, unraveling a convoluted mystery while offering sympathy (if few clues) to a bereaved Dr. Watson and sandbagging (for the best of motives) his official colleague. As a bonus, Marcum provides information on Watson’s little-known first marriage. A Quantity of Debt fully satisfies as a detective story, but it is the strange fate of Martin Briley that lifts this pastiche above the common run. While David Marcum’s editing of MX Publishing’s ongoing anthology remains a boon to all Sherlockians, his novel’s pending re-release reminds us that he is also an exceptionally fine writer.
June 28, 2018
David Marcum’s new mystery once again presents Sherlock Holmes and John Watson with just the right “voice” to make this novel seem as if it is part of “the Canon”. The title pays homage to a line from Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, and its layers of meaning unfold with the story.
The story opens with Dr. Watson in the doldrums over the death of his beloved first wife, Constance. He has moved back in with Holmes for company and for some direction to his now purposeless life. It is a cold, stormy day in April. Enter Inspector Alec McDonald with a troubling case in Bedfordshire: Workmen who were replacing an antiquated pipe drainage system on an estate uncovered a body hidden under the pipe fifty years earlier. The corpse has been well-preserved with physical details that play a large part in the story. McDonald asks for help from Sherlock, and off the three go to Bedfordshire to investigate further.
The cast of characters are wonderfully “Victorian Gothic”: Martin Briley, the estate owner, is an old man in his sixties. He’s highly thought of by all the villagers for his many good works throughout his life, but now he’s chair-bound and on the brink of death. His housekeeper, Mrs. Lynch, is as freezing as the inclement weather outside. On the other hand, his estate agent, George Burton, is a popular villager who has worked his way up to his current position. Burton, soon to inherit the estate, enjoys only antipathy from the forbidding Mrs. Lynch. Minor characters are quirky enough to be memorable without detracting from the main cast. Interiors, landscapes, and weather are so well described it’s easy for a reader to visualize and navigate all sites in the story and feel immersed in Victorian England. The clues scattered along the twists and turns of this puzzle mystery lead to a satisfying conclusion.
All in all, a pleasurable read, and I certainly hope more from this author are in the works.
The story opens with Dr. Watson in the doldrums over the death of his beloved first wife, Constance. He has moved back in with Holmes for company and for some direction to his now purposeless life. It is a cold, stormy day in April. Enter Inspector Alec McDonald with a troubling case in Bedfordshire: Workmen who were replacing an antiquated pipe drainage system on an estate uncovered a body hidden under the pipe fifty years earlier. The corpse has been well-preserved with physical details that play a large part in the story. McDonald asks for help from Sherlock, and off the three go to Bedfordshire to investigate further.
The cast of characters are wonderfully “Victorian Gothic”: Martin Briley, the estate owner, is an old man in his sixties. He’s highly thought of by all the villagers for his many good works throughout his life, but now he’s chair-bound and on the brink of death. His housekeeper, Mrs. Lynch, is as freezing as the inclement weather outside. On the other hand, his estate agent, George Burton, is a popular villager who has worked his way up to his current position. Burton, soon to inherit the estate, enjoys only antipathy from the forbidding Mrs. Lynch. Minor characters are quirky enough to be memorable without detracting from the main cast. Interiors, landscapes, and weather are so well described it’s easy for a reader to visualize and navigate all sites in the story and feel immersed in Victorian England. The clues scattered along the twists and turns of this puzzle mystery lead to a satisfying conclusion.
All in all, a pleasurable read, and I certainly hope more from this author are in the works.
August 4, 2019
I thoroughly enjoy Sherlock Holmes books and the pastiches, some are very poor and others very good. This book comes with good reviews and by an author who has the apparent credentials to be able to pen a very good story.
It is evident from fairly early into the book that the author knows his subject. The scene and atmosphere are set very well and the characters come to life.
What I find extremely irritating and to some extent unforgivable is American authors who give English, Victorian characters, American figures of speech. For example Holmes and Watson in conversation use 'gotten' 'fall' and 'pesky' and the book is littered with American spelling. In addition it clearly has not been proof read, there are typos throughout the Kindle book. Reading this book is like watching an English Victorian period drama where the main character appears speaking with a Bronx accent.
This lack of attention to detail I find irritating and for me it detracts from what would have been a very good book.
It is evident from fairly early into the book that the author knows his subject. The scene and atmosphere are set very well and the characters come to life.
What I find extremely irritating and to some extent unforgivable is American authors who give English, Victorian characters, American figures of speech. For example Holmes and Watson in conversation use 'gotten' 'fall' and 'pesky' and the book is littered with American spelling. In addition it clearly has not been proof read, there are typos throughout the Kindle book. Reading this book is like watching an English Victorian period drama where the main character appears speaking with a Bronx accent.
This lack of attention to detail I find irritating and for me it detracts from what would have been a very good book.
July 17, 2024
An excellent Sherlock Holmes pastiche, only slightly hindered by being a little too predictable.
I think this novel's greatest asset is it's writing style, which I loved quite a lot, especially the descriptions of the weather which created a nice cozy atmosphere while reading.
Pacing is a little on the slower side, this isn't one of the action pastiches with murder happening left and right, it's much more comparable to the classic novels by AC Doyle himself.
There's also references to Dickens' stories which are fitting, we learn about Watson's first marriage and state of mind after his wife's death and ngl I cried a little in the end as the case was wrapped up beautifully.
I did actually have great expectations for this one, so I'm very happy!
4/5 Detectives🕵️
I think this novel's greatest asset is it's writing style, which I loved quite a lot, especially the descriptions of the weather which created a nice cozy atmosphere while reading.
Pacing is a little on the slower side, this isn't one of the action pastiches with murder happening left and right, it's much more comparable to the classic novels by AC Doyle himself.
There's also references to Dickens' stories which are fitting, we learn about Watson's first marriage and state of mind after his wife's death and ngl I cried a little in the end as the case was wrapped up beautifully.
I did actually have great expectations for this one, so I'm very happy!
4/5 Detectives🕵️
August 13, 2024
It's such a joy to find Holmesian interpretations that simply sit right with one's personal preferences. From the characterisations, through the firm friendship between Holmes and Watson (costarring Inspector MacDonald this time around), to the overall feeling, this was such a pleasant read.
And while this particular story was not as engaging case-wise (indeed, it roused my - correct - suspicions quite soon), I am thoroughly enjoying the way Mr Marcum is playing on this stage.
And while this particular story was not as engaging case-wise (indeed, it roused my - correct - suspicions quite soon), I am thoroughly enjoying the way Mr Marcum is playing on this stage.
October 26, 2024
Doctor Watson and Sherlock Homes are asked to help when an old body is discovered next to an elderly sewer pipe next to an elm tree. The more they investigate; the better the estate appears for the people living on it, schools, clean water and other benefits for the people living there.
August 4, 2016
A Fantastic Newly-Revised Novel
In recent years, David Marcum has established himself as one of the world’s leading pastiche writers. His Holmes and Watson tales are rightly regarded as some of the best around; sympathetically recreating the true voice of the original canon and transporting us effortlessly into a world of hansom cabs, gas lamps, strong tobacco and fore-and-aft caps. For those of us who like our Holmes to be untainted by the intrusion of supernatural entities, time machines, Holmes-as-Jack-the-Ripper plotlines and previously unknown romantic entanglements, Marcum’s work never disappoints.
To this juncture, I had only read the author’s short stories; those from Volumes I and II of 'The Papers of Sherlock Holmes, the cleverly interwoven tales which make up Sherlock Holmes – Tangled Skeins' and his contributions to the rapidly-expanding anthology we know and love as 'The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories'. That he also edits the latter, adds testimony to his status as both a pioneer and advocate of the best canon-centric writing being produced at this time.
I have to say that I was slow in taking up the opportunity of reading Marcum’s first novel, 'Sherlock Holmes and a Quantity of Debt'. The book was first released by MX Publishing in 2013 as a hardback volume, and was revised and republished this year as a paperback. The ‘Quantity of Debt’ reference is taken from Charles Dickens’ 'Great Expectations'. My slight reticence in seeking out the book was related to this – as I have to confess that I am no fan of Dickens’ work. With hindsight, I realise what a serious error of judgement this was, as the novel is, for me, the best pastiche that David Marcum has produced to date.
Central to the plot is the discovery of a well-preserved corpse in a drainage trench on a large Bedfordshire estate. That some foul deed has taken place half a century before soon becomes clear. Less obvious, is who committed the murder and what connection the crime has, if any, to the current owner of the estate, the frail Martin Briley. Holmes is called upon to assist Inspector MacDonald in unravelling the mystery and is joined by Dr Watson, whom we learn has recently lost his American wife, Constance, to a sudden illness and has shut-shop on his medical practice in the capital.
The characters in the novel are extremely well drawn. Holmes is at full strength; good-humoured, tenacious and clearly enjoying having his sidekick back alongside him. Watson is putting on a brave face, obviously keen to fill the void left in his personal and professional life, but going through periods of intense introspection - the trip to Bedfordshire is a welcome distraction for him. Most enlightening is the characterisation of Inspector Alec MacDonald, who comes across as a diligent and intelligent officer, who trusts Holmes explicitly and relishes the opportunity to work alongside him, learning what he can of the great detective’s methods.
The other key players depicted in the story are no less interesting: Briley the reclusive, but benevolent, landowner; George Burton, the eager and capable estate manager, much favoured by his employer; and the indomitable Mrs Lynch, a well-observed, no-nonsense housekeeper, who clearly has the ear of the ailing Briley.
The story has a great pace. It builds and builds, pulling us in further and further into the Hammer Horror-style setting, which includes a classic Victorian mausoleum. The oppressive, damp and cloying weather serves as a metaphor for the dark and mysterious tale which begins to emerge. The novel also reads very cinematically and I could imagine it translating well into a successful BBC period drama.
There are many other neat touches in this book, not least of which are the clever (but not overdone) canonical references which add texture to the story and the true ‘dawn after dark’ ending. My favourite is the spoiler alert in the last chapter, which reminds us that later that year Watson is to meet and marry his second wife, Mary Morstan.
This is truly a five-star read and one to keep on the bookshelf for frequent re-visits. I certainly do not want David Marcum to give up writing short stories, but would encourage him to write more novel-length pastiches on the strength of this.
In recent years, David Marcum has established himself as one of the world’s leading pastiche writers. His Holmes and Watson tales are rightly regarded as some of the best around; sympathetically recreating the true voice of the original canon and transporting us effortlessly into a world of hansom cabs, gas lamps, strong tobacco and fore-and-aft caps. For those of us who like our Holmes to be untainted by the intrusion of supernatural entities, time machines, Holmes-as-Jack-the-Ripper plotlines and previously unknown romantic entanglements, Marcum’s work never disappoints.
To this juncture, I had only read the author’s short stories; those from Volumes I and II of 'The Papers of Sherlock Holmes, the cleverly interwoven tales which make up Sherlock Holmes – Tangled Skeins' and his contributions to the rapidly-expanding anthology we know and love as 'The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories'. That he also edits the latter, adds testimony to his status as both a pioneer and advocate of the best canon-centric writing being produced at this time.
I have to say that I was slow in taking up the opportunity of reading Marcum’s first novel, 'Sherlock Holmes and a Quantity of Debt'. The book was first released by MX Publishing in 2013 as a hardback volume, and was revised and republished this year as a paperback. The ‘Quantity of Debt’ reference is taken from Charles Dickens’ 'Great Expectations'. My slight reticence in seeking out the book was related to this – as I have to confess that I am no fan of Dickens’ work. With hindsight, I realise what a serious error of judgement this was, as the novel is, for me, the best pastiche that David Marcum has produced to date.
Central to the plot is the discovery of a well-preserved corpse in a drainage trench on a large Bedfordshire estate. That some foul deed has taken place half a century before soon becomes clear. Less obvious, is who committed the murder and what connection the crime has, if any, to the current owner of the estate, the frail Martin Briley. Holmes is called upon to assist Inspector MacDonald in unravelling the mystery and is joined by Dr Watson, whom we learn has recently lost his American wife, Constance, to a sudden illness and has shut-shop on his medical practice in the capital.
The characters in the novel are extremely well drawn. Holmes is at full strength; good-humoured, tenacious and clearly enjoying having his sidekick back alongside him. Watson is putting on a brave face, obviously keen to fill the void left in his personal and professional life, but going through periods of intense introspection - the trip to Bedfordshire is a welcome distraction for him. Most enlightening is the characterisation of Inspector Alec MacDonald, who comes across as a diligent and intelligent officer, who trusts Holmes explicitly and relishes the opportunity to work alongside him, learning what he can of the great detective’s methods.
The other key players depicted in the story are no less interesting: Briley the reclusive, but benevolent, landowner; George Burton, the eager and capable estate manager, much favoured by his employer; and the indomitable Mrs Lynch, a well-observed, no-nonsense housekeeper, who clearly has the ear of the ailing Briley.
The story has a great pace. It builds and builds, pulling us in further and further into the Hammer Horror-style setting, which includes a classic Victorian mausoleum. The oppressive, damp and cloying weather serves as a metaphor for the dark and mysterious tale which begins to emerge. The novel also reads very cinematically and I could imagine it translating well into a successful BBC period drama.
There are many other neat touches in this book, not least of which are the clever (but not overdone) canonical references which add texture to the story and the true ‘dawn after dark’ ending. My favourite is the spoiler alert in the last chapter, which reminds us that later that year Watson is to meet and marry his second wife, Mary Morstan.
This is truly a five-star read and one to keep on the bookshelf for frequent re-visits. I certainly do not want David Marcum to give up writing short stories, but would encourage him to write more novel-length pastiches on the strength of this.
September 3, 2016
“I began to contract a quantity debt.” Pip, Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens
My thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publishing for my review copy of this new reprint of David Marcum’s novel…
Inspector Alec McDonald arrives at 221B with what might be Holmes’ strangest case ever. Repairs to a drainage pipe on the estate of Martin Briley in Bedfordshire has uncovered a mummified body. The young man is only in his twenties, but the acidic soil, much like a peat bog, has left the body remarkably preserved. His right hand tells a mute story. The males in the Briley family are always born without a little finger. This body has that distinctive mark…
Now Holmes and Watson are involved in solving a murder almost fifty years old, as told by the ring marking on the tree above the body. Martin Briley has done much good in his life, spending money to improve the lives of the families that live on his estate. He has taken in a orphan boy named George Burton and educated and groomed the boy to run the estate, but it is unknown if Martin wants the boy as his heir. Briley has no children of his own, but his housekeeper, Mrs. Lynch, seems to resent the boy, and they clash often over the running of the estate.
David Marcum has again managed to write a brilliant Holmes pastiche! Chronologically speaking, this takes place after A Study in Scarlet and before The Sign of the Four. Watson is a widower, his first wife Constance, [see Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street by Baring-Gould.] having passed the previous year.
Although the unusual case requires research into the past; the pace moves smooth as silk. Enough evidence must be found to solve a very cold case, and fifty years is a very long time. There are also the ramifications as to what effect the crime might have on the present, providing they can identify the mummified body…
I give this story five stars!
Quoth the Raven…
My thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publishing for my review copy of this new reprint of David Marcum’s novel…
Inspector Alec McDonald arrives at 221B with what might be Holmes’ strangest case ever. Repairs to a drainage pipe on the estate of Martin Briley in Bedfordshire has uncovered a mummified body. The young man is only in his twenties, but the acidic soil, much like a peat bog, has left the body remarkably preserved. His right hand tells a mute story. The males in the Briley family are always born without a little finger. This body has that distinctive mark…
Now Holmes and Watson are involved in solving a murder almost fifty years old, as told by the ring marking on the tree above the body. Martin Briley has done much good in his life, spending money to improve the lives of the families that live on his estate. He has taken in a orphan boy named George Burton and educated and groomed the boy to run the estate, but it is unknown if Martin wants the boy as his heir. Briley has no children of his own, but his housekeeper, Mrs. Lynch, seems to resent the boy, and they clash often over the running of the estate.
David Marcum has again managed to write a brilliant Holmes pastiche! Chronologically speaking, this takes place after A Study in Scarlet and before The Sign of the Four. Watson is a widower, his first wife Constance, [see Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street by Baring-Gould.] having passed the previous year.
Although the unusual case requires research into the past; the pace moves smooth as silk. Enough evidence must be found to solve a very cold case, and fifty years is a very long time. There are also the ramifications as to what effect the crime might have on the present, providing they can identify the mummified body…
I give this story five stars!
Quoth the Raven…
April 17, 2016
This is one of the best pastiches to come out in the past few years. David Marcum is a rising star in the Canon-centric field of Sherlock Holmes mysteries and this proves why he should be watched. The only real difference between his and ACD’s sleuthing pairs is that David’s Watson has more time in writing things down; he can explain and add depth to the plot whilst ACD’s Watson had to work to keep his words under limit. I like to think of them as Watson’s “original” version of events, and ACD’s writing is the streamlined, swifter-paced version that follows.
We know that Holmes is smart, but we rarely get to see him demonstrate his intellect and memory recall in a murkier case! The Dickens tributes are all homages that lead the reader home to a final, fateful conclusion. We have a body where it oughten’t to be…or is it a case of a body that doesn’t exist? A near-perfect crime’s nerve and ingenuity is laid low by the patient forces of nature.
If you love good technical details this is a treat. Everything from the era’s hydroengineering and a painfully realistic description of the hunchweather that is England. It doesn’t just rain in this book; it rains pikels!
Continuity nods galore here, especially with some familiar faces among the Yard, and a significant tip of the hat to one of ACD’s excellent novels. Put this one on your shelf.
The reader was given a copy of this book for review.
We know that Holmes is smart, but we rarely get to see him demonstrate his intellect and memory recall in a murkier case! The Dickens tributes are all homages that lead the reader home to a final, fateful conclusion. We have a body where it oughten’t to be…or is it a case of a body that doesn’t exist? A near-perfect crime’s nerve and ingenuity is laid low by the patient forces of nature.
If you love good technical details this is a treat. Everything from the era’s hydroengineering and a painfully realistic description of the hunchweather that is England. It doesn’t just rain in this book; it rains pikels!
Continuity nods galore here, especially with some familiar faces among the Yard, and a significant tip of the hat to one of ACD’s excellent novels. Put this one on your shelf.
The reader was given a copy of this book for review.
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