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Victorian Villainy: A Collection of Moriarty Stories
In the tradition of the old Ace Double two-in-one books (flip one book over to read the other), here's the seventh Wildside Mystery Double: VICTORIAN VILLAINY: A Collection of Moriarty Stories, by Michael Kurland. Among the world's great fictional villains, Prof. James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes's chief nemesis, stands alone. But how evil was he? These four stories suggest that Moriarty wasn't evil at all--and the reason for Holmes's characterization of him as "The Napoleon of Crime" was quite simple: Moriarty was the smarter of the two, and Holmes just couldn't stand it! Great Victorian mystery tales!THE TRIALS OF QUINTILIAN: Three Stories of Rome's Greatest Detective, by Michael Kurland. Set at the height of the Roman Empire, these tales chronicle one of the few actual crime-solvers known to have lived in the ancient world. Quintilian, a teacher, jurist, and friend of Emperor Vespasian, was also something of a detective. The first tale in this volume, "Blind Justice," is based on an actual case he's said to have solved while acting as defense counsel in a trial. Great historial mysteries!
- GenresMysteryShort Stories
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2011
About the author
Michael Kurland
96 books46 followersaka Jennifer Plum
Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.
Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 25, 2013
Michael Kurland's collection of four stories features Professor James Moriarty as the protagonist (and even, one might say, hero). All four fit within Arthur Conan Doyle's canon -- or, at the very least, they don't contradict it -- but offer a very different perspective. From Kurland's Moriarty-centric point of view, Moriarty is a consulting detective in his own right, called "criminal" only because he's more practical in his means and willing to be creative in how he funds his scientific experiments. Despite the fact he operates in a "grey area" with regard to the law sometimes, he is consulted by various officials including Inspector Lestrade and even Mycroft Holmes when necessity requires it.
The portrait readers get of Sherlock Holmes is of a petulant, adolescent-like personality, at once willing to learn from Moriarty but also terribly jealous and suspicious of him. Throughout the course of the four stories, we see Moriarty offering pearls of wisdom that Holmes would later mimic and claim as his own insights.
"Years Ago and in a Different Place" explores how Moriarty and Holmes first met (when the former was a lecturer and the latter a student) and the tragedy that caused Holmes to develop a lasting antipathy for his nemesis -- and, for that matter, distrust of women.
"Reichenbach" tells the "real" story of why Holmes and Moriarty together staged their deaths at Reichenbach Falls and what they were up to as their respective circles mourned them.
"The Paradol Paradox" and "The Picture of Oscar Wilde" are told from the perspective of Moriarty's very own Dr. Watson -- alas, no Sebastian Moran here! -- an American news reporter turned partner-in-crime. Moriarty's solution to the latter mystery, a case first refused by Holmes, shows how Moriarty is willing to act in ways Holmes is not while tidying up an investigation. (To be fair, this is a question of degree, not kind, as Holmes proves willing in canon to break all manner of laws.)
These stories are very well written and engaging, with entertaining glimpses into the international affairs and personal politics of the era. I personally would have preferred a different Moriarty, not one who is more Holmes than Holmes himself, and a study of his relationship with Moran and perhaps even the other Moriarty brothers. Even so, I enjoyed this solid collection.
The portrait readers get of Sherlock Holmes is of a petulant, adolescent-like personality, at once willing to learn from Moriarty but also terribly jealous and suspicious of him. Throughout the course of the four stories, we see Moriarty offering pearls of wisdom that Holmes would later mimic and claim as his own insights.
"Years Ago and in a Different Place" explores how Moriarty and Holmes first met (when the former was a lecturer and the latter a student) and the tragedy that caused Holmes to develop a lasting antipathy for his nemesis -- and, for that matter, distrust of women.
"Reichenbach" tells the "real" story of why Holmes and Moriarty together staged their deaths at Reichenbach Falls and what they were up to as their respective circles mourned them.
"The Paradol Paradox" and "The Picture of Oscar Wilde" are told from the perspective of Moriarty's very own Dr. Watson -- alas, no Sebastian Moran here! -- an American news reporter turned partner-in-crime. Moriarty's solution to the latter mystery, a case first refused by Holmes, shows how Moriarty is willing to act in ways Holmes is not while tidying up an investigation. (To be fair, this is a question of degree, not kind, as Holmes proves willing in canon to break all manner of laws.)
These stories are very well written and engaging, with entertaining glimpses into the international affairs and personal politics of the era. I personally would have preferred a different Moriarty, not one who is more Holmes than Holmes himself, and a study of his relationship with Moran and perhaps even the other Moriarty brothers. Even so, I enjoyed this solid collection.
June 28, 2019
سازندگان شرلاک جدید چه قدر از این استفاده کردن! حالا که خوندم متوجه شدم.
واقعاً جالب و خواندنی بود.
واقعاً جالب و خواندنی بود.
December 6, 2011
This book re-invents the old 'Ace'-double pattern, and has two books combined in one. The first half of the book is "Victorian Villainy", where, in 165 pages, we have the following 'adventures' of Professor Moriarty (no, he is not the villain as he had been depicted by Dr. Watson [for ready reference: [[ASIN:1904919723 Sherlock Holmes 6-Book Boxed Set (Collector's Library)]]], nor do we find his adventures chronicled by Colonel Sebastian Moran [for ready reference: [[ASIN:0857682830 Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the DUrbervilles (Professor Moriarty Novels)]]]):
1) YEARS AGO AND IN A DIFFERENT PLACE: how Sherlock Holmes and Pofessor Moriarty had met, and what had resulted in Holmes' animosity towards the Professor.
2) REICHENBACH: true story behind the events that had been somewhat arbitrarily described in "The Final Problem".
3) THE PARADOL PARADOX: what had caused the death of the Earl of Whitton, and how can the villains be punished? Only Professor Moriarty can solve the mystery.
4) THE PICTURE OF OSCAL WILDE: when someone tries to blackmail Oscar Wilde, and Sherlock Holmes refuses to help him, isn't it inevitable that only Professor Moriarty can come to the rescue?
The second (and inverted) portion of the book has the mystery-solving efforts made by Roman noble Quintilian, and in those 105 pages we have the following stories:
1. BLIND JUSTICE
2. GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST
3. FOUR HUNDRED SLAVES
Unfortunately, these stories lack the dazzle that had been associated with the Moriarty-stories, and hence the loss of one star. But collectively they are quite enjoyable, and we all should hope that the success of this book would encourage Michael Kurland to re-launch his Professor Moriarty novels that have gone sadly out of print. Recommended.
1) YEARS AGO AND IN A DIFFERENT PLACE: how Sherlock Holmes and Pofessor Moriarty had met, and what had resulted in Holmes' animosity towards the Professor.
2) REICHENBACH: true story behind the events that had been somewhat arbitrarily described in "The Final Problem".
3) THE PARADOL PARADOX: what had caused the death of the Earl of Whitton, and how can the villains be punished? Only Professor Moriarty can solve the mystery.
4) THE PICTURE OF OSCAL WILDE: when someone tries to blackmail Oscar Wilde, and Sherlock Holmes refuses to help him, isn't it inevitable that only Professor Moriarty can come to the rescue?
The second (and inverted) portion of the book has the mystery-solving efforts made by Roman noble Quintilian, and in those 105 pages we have the following stories:
1. BLIND JUSTICE
2. GREAT CAESAR'S GHOST
3. FOUR HUNDRED SLAVES
Unfortunately, these stories lack the dazzle that had been associated with the Moriarty-stories, and hence the loss of one star. But collectively they are quite enjoyable, and we all should hope that the success of this book would encourage Michael Kurland to re-launch his Professor Moriarty novels that have gone sadly out of print. Recommended.
May 12, 2014
A book of short stories about Professor James Moriarty, the nemesis of Sherlock Holmes.
The quality of the stories varies, but, overall, it's a more than enjoyable read.
Recommended.
The quality of the stories varies, but, overall, it's a more than enjoyable read.
Recommended.
September 8, 2019
Moriarty, Front and Center
This was a very entertaining collection of stories featuring the famed nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, Professor James Moriarty. Having listened to a wonderful audio only collection of Moriarty stories, I decided to look for similar books in this focus. While Sherlock receives the lion share, I enjoy the approach that Moriarty wasn't simply a criminal. He is also a consulting detective with links to the underworld. The first tale is Moriarty's version of how he and Sherlock met. The second is Moriarty's version of what happened at the Reichenback falls. The Parasol Paradox and Picture of Oscar Wilde are both enjoyable original tales on their own. His amazing powers of deduction and willingness to take cases Holmes won't make him a popular option for clients seeking assistance. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audio book. Steve Coulter does a wonderful job with the various accents and brings the tales to life. Change your point of view and enjoy.
This was a very entertaining collection of stories featuring the famed nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, Professor James Moriarty. Having listened to a wonderful audio only collection of Moriarty stories, I decided to look for similar books in this focus. While Sherlock receives the lion share, I enjoy the approach that Moriarty wasn't simply a criminal. He is also a consulting detective with links to the underworld. The first tale is Moriarty's version of how he and Sherlock met. The second is Moriarty's version of what happened at the Reichenback falls. The Parasol Paradox and Picture of Oscar Wilde are both enjoyable original tales on their own. His amazing powers of deduction and willingness to take cases Holmes won't make him a popular option for clients seeking assistance. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audio book. Steve Coulter does a wonderful job with the various accents and brings the tales to life. Change your point of view and enjoy.
May 28, 2019
That's a Minus One Star
I have enjoyed Michael Kurland's books and own most of them. Incautiously and without reading all the material about this book, I purchased it, thus adding to the weight accorded the adage, there's a sucker born every minute. My errour, not the author's unless you count agreement with publishing a content wholly and easily available in other places. So this is a warning to other SH pastiche lovers. This book contains no new material and is a waste of money to buy.
I have enjoyed Michael Kurland's books and own most of them. Incautiously and without reading all the material about this book, I purchased it, thus adding to the weight accorded the adage, there's a sucker born every minute. My errour, not the author's unless you count agreement with publishing a content wholly and easily available in other places. So this is a warning to other SH pastiche lovers. This book contains no new material and is a waste of money to buy.
January 7, 2017
Very enjoyable, but simply places M in the role of Sherlock. I was expecting more complexity. Some clever moments and interesting takes lift it above other attempts at M & S interactions.
January 18, 2020
It was what it was. Not great but kept your attention. Worth a lazy Sunday afternoon read
May 11, 2019
In the tradition of the old Ace Double two-in-one books (flip one book over to read the other), here's the seventh Wildside Mystery Double: VICTORIAN VILLAINY: A Collection of Moriarty Stories, by Michael Kurland. Among the world's great fictional villains, Prof. James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes's chief nemesis, stands alone. But how evil was he? These four stories suggest that Moriarty wasn't evil at all--and the reason for Holmes's characterization of him as "The Napoleon of Crime" was quite simple: Moriarty was the smarter of the two, and Holmes just couldn't stand it! Great Victorian mystery tales! THE TRIALS OF QUINTILIAN: Three Stories of Rome's Greatest Detective, by Michael Kurland. Set at the height of the Roman Empire, these tales chronicle one of the few actual crime-solvers known to have lived in the ancient world. Quintilian, a teacher, jurist, and friend of Emperor Vespasian, was also something of a detective. The first tale in this volume, "Blind Justice," is based on an actual case he's said to have solved while acting as defense counsel in a trial. Great historial mysteries!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews