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The Dead Assassin: The Paranormal Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
(The Paranormal Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle #2)
by
1895. Victorian England trembles on the verge of hysteria in Vaughn Entwistle's The Dead Assassin. Terrorist bombs are detonating around the Capitol and every foreigner is suspected of being an Anarchist lurking beneath a cape.
Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle is summoned to the scene of a gruesome crime that has baffled and outraged Scotland Yard's best. A senior member of Her Majes ...more
Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle is summoned to the scene of a gruesome crime that has baffled and outraged Scotland Yard's best. A senior member of Her Majes ...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
June 9th 2015
by Minotaur Books
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Start your review of The Dead Assassin: The Paranormal Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

There are a few things in life I have weird obsessions with (as opposed to normal obsessions, naturally—I don’t consider my fixation on chocolate to be out of the ordinary, for example, nor my love of pet rocks). Such things include holiday rituals (“Sorry, kids—I know you really want to eat gingerbread man cookies, but it’s September, and we can’t make those until December because, well, tradition, you know…if you eat them any other time of the year, they will literally melt your insides and th
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The year is 1895 and Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle is summoned to a horrendous crime scene where a senior member of Her Majesty's government has been murdered. The most baffling thing is that the killer seems to be one Charlie Higginbotham. But it's impossible for him to be the killer since he was hanged two weeks previously at Newgate Prison…
I wanted to like this book since I was quite happy when I was approved for this book a little while ago. But I just couldn't get into the story. It should be very ...more
I wanted to like this book since I was quite happy when I was approved for this book a little while ago. But I just couldn't get into the story. It should be very ...more

May 02, 2015
Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books)
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Victorian horror readers
Much darker than the first book. I was surprised at some of the shenanigans and goings-on. Definitely feels like a bit of an homage to Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Not what I'd call light reading at all.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
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Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
...more

The Dead Assassin pairs up the unlikely crime-fighting duo of Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde. Their self-appointed task, nothing less than saving and preserving the British realm and crown from a vast conspiracy. In over three hundred pages our heroes bumble through a lot of fog, grisly murders, a tumble in the Thames, the dark side of British Royalty, corrupt government officials, some romance, an orgy – not to be confused with the romance - Frankenstein monsters – even cheesy sound effects
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An historical fiction, where a man is ripped apart, and the miscreant is shot several times. The suspect is found, only it's a man hung a week ago. Then the body disappears.
Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde team up to stop the steampunk plot. They're mismatched, but aren't all buddies?
Entertaining. ...more
Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde team up to stop the steampunk plot. They're mismatched, but aren't all buddies?
Entertaining. ...more

A little over a year ago, I reviewed the first volume in Vaughn Entwistle’s Paranormal Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle series. Now, Entwistle is putting friends and co-investigators Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde back together again in a novel that opens with a great set-up. Charlie Higginbottom, a pickpocket, has brutally murdered one of the leading figures in Her Majesty’s government. What makes this a paranormal case? Well, Higginbottom had been hanged at Newgate Prison two weeks
...more

I love the concept of this series—Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde solve mysteries together. I enjoyed this one just as much as The Revenant of Thraxton Hall. This book was slightly less focused on the supernatural than the first, and included elements of steampunk.
Oscar’s outrageous manners contrast with Arthur’s classic gentlemanly deportment, and the overall effect is delightful. If you like your mysteries with a dash of horror, fantasy, or science fiction, you should give this a try. I h ...more

****
Will the sun set on the Empire?
About a year ago I read and reviewed The Revenant of Thraxton Hall by Vaughn Entwistle. It was the first book in a series called The Supernatural Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and it essentially cast the Scottish author and creator of Sherlock Holmes in the role of his most famous creation, with his friend Oscar Wilde as a rather reluctant Watson. In that novel the two investigate the case of a medium who foresees her own death, and the mysterious mansio ...more
Will the sun set on the Empire?
About a year ago I read and reviewed The Revenant of Thraxton Hall by Vaughn Entwistle. It was the first book in a series called The Supernatural Casebooks of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and it essentially cast the Scottish author and creator of Sherlock Holmes in the role of his most famous creation, with his friend Oscar Wilde as a rather reluctant Watson. In that novel the two investigate the case of a medium who foresees her own death, and the mysterious mansio ...more

I loved the first book in this series, "The Revenant of Thraxton Hall," and have been waiting for a new book to come out, so I was really excited when I got the chance to read this one.
After being warned that this book was a bit darker than the last, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I fell in love with it from the first page. This novel has everything you could want in a paranormal mystery. The descriptions of London were brilliant and the story took many unexpected turns. What impressed me th ...more
After being warned that this book was a bit darker than the last, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I fell in love with it from the first page. This novel has everything you could want in a paranormal mystery. The descriptions of London were brilliant and the story took many unexpected turns. What impressed me th ...more

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde are back in another supernatural mystery! This is the second book in the series and it is not necessary to have read the previous book. I loved the humor and banter between Arthur and Oscar as they tried to decipher the clues and solve another case. My only complaint is why, why, why did you have to do that thing near the end! No spoilers.
I was lucky to get an advanced readers copy of this book which comes out on June 9. Put it on your list of reads if you ...more
I was lucky to get an advanced readers copy of this book which comes out on June 9. Put it on your list of reads if you ...more

I was a First Read Winner of this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is the second book in the series, and since I had not read the first one I was a bit worried if I would be lost, but there was no such problem. The book is a mix of Steampunk, Paranormal and Agatha Christie, with an interesting plot line and lots of fog. I loved the characters and I felt it moved at a steady pace, with lots of action and some sexual situations, and I can't wait to find out what adventures will befall our t
...more

(Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the ARC!)
Man, talk about a letdown. I was super-excited for this book; after all, it features writers solving crimes, a touch of Sherlock Holmes, a little steampunk London, a paranormal mystery...what could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, chiefly, two things: overuse of "shock value" and mediocre writing. The book gets into some pretty graphic territory, with lewdness and violence around every corner, but like an overused exclamation point, an overdose of ...more
Man, talk about a letdown. I was super-excited for this book; after all, it features writers solving crimes, a touch of Sherlock Holmes, a little steampunk London, a paranormal mystery...what could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, chiefly, two things: overuse of "shock value" and mediocre writing. The book gets into some pretty graphic territory, with lewdness and violence around every corner, but like an overused exclamation point, an overdose of ...more

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Entwistle writes about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde superbly! The author amazes me with his plot twists, interesting characters, and period details. There are so many interesting things I learn from his expert research both about the history and culture of the time. That research is woven in expertly and plunges me into not only the time but also the heart-pounding situations I find myself in. It is as if I am running right beside the characters. I also love being surprised by the humo
...more

Excellent, and as entertaining as the first! I love anything to do with the paranormal, and this is great fun. My only "complaint" if you will, is that I can't stop thinking of how Oscar Wilde's life ended in such tragedy! His character does offer wit and charm to the novels, but I just wish the author had chosen someone who didn't die so hopelessly. Otherwise, as stated above and per the five-star rating, this is a page-turner and great fun!
...more

I enjoyed the first book in this series, and was not disappointed by this one. It is still very intelligent writing, a good reconstruction of the time and place, and great character building. Entwistle's Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle really come to life, and are quite believable. There's all the atmosphere, suspense and wit you can expect, and more. A treat.
...more

This is the second book in the series (which I discovered after I had already picked this up from my local library). I found this to be a fun story with an interesting fictional perspective on these authors' lives and adventures. The book does delve briefly into some dark areas which may be outside the tastes of some readers.
...more

Jan 28, 2015
Barb
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
most-disappointing,
series-trilogy,
acd,
new-in-2015,
read-in-2016,
choose-in-2016,
horror,
oscar-wilde
I so loved the first book in this series and had high hopes that this one would be equally good. Sadly I didn't find the flavor of this one at all in keeping with the previous book. I have to categorize this as horror and I don't care for horror. I did love Oscar Wilde though.
...more

A bit hard to get into, I found the novel to be a little more stagnant than the first in the series. I'll still continue to read his next books in the series as I feel that they can and will get better as he evolves as a writer.
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Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for arc.
Delightful duo! who would have thought this pair makes such hilarious reading. I laughed out loud so many times that my kids wanted to know what was so funny. Love it! ...more

I flew through this book. It was fantastic. I haven't read the first in this series, but will be getting it. What a great read.
...more

I was so excited about this book. I LOVE reading fictional stories with Oscar Wilde as a character (if this is true for you, please do yourself a favor and check out Giles Brandreth's Oscar Wilde mysteries). However, the way Wilde is portrayed in this work didn't ring true to me. And folks, I gave this book the old college try, I really did. I got about 3/4 of the way through before I finally gave up. I was extremely frustrated and disappointed that Entwistle decided to do a dis-service to Wilde
...more

I just love reading Mr. Entwistle's novels. This is the third that he has written. It is the second in the Conan Doyle Casebook series. It's great escapism set in dank, mysterious late 1800's England. The author does an excellent job in taking his reader into another world of ghostly intrigue and always keeps me on the edge of my seat.
The previous two novels are more atmospheric and surreal in that they deal in more supernatural imagery. Those first two stories are more spiritually creepy versu ...more
The previous two novels are more atmospheric and surreal in that they deal in more supernatural imagery. Those first two stories are more spiritually creepy versu ...more

I loved this book. The plot is incredibly creative, the dialogue--especially Wilde's bon mots--crackles, and the pace gallops along at full speed. Gritty and full of London at its Victorian finest, this book might appeal to not only crime aficionados but those interested in anatomy, dark magic, and mechanical inventions. Be warned, however, this is not a book for those with delicate sensibilities. It gets pretty graphic in spots.
...more

Jan 19, 2020
Kathy Heare Watts
added it
I won a hardback copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a different genre than I normally read. Looking forward to reading "The Revenant of Thraxton Hall".
...more

If the first installment in the series was a ghost story this is an eerie and bizarre steam punk nightmare. Very good! High paced, lots of atmosphere, Arthur Conan Doyle is likable as usual (and kind of sweet with his budding love affair) and Oscar Wilde takes a step forward, showing not just wit and over refined wimpyness, but actual guts.
Very nice time flavored, blood tainted and completely unbelievable, but somehow compelling entertainment. I could read many more of these paranormal casebooks ...more
Very nice time flavored, blood tainted and completely unbelievable, but somehow compelling entertainment. I could read many more of these paranormal casebooks ...more
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Vaughn Entwistle is a British novelist who lives in the English spa town of Cheltenham..
For most of his life he has rattled about between England and the United States. He lived for over ten years in Seattle where, when not pursuing a day job as a writer/editor, ran a successful gargoyle sculpting business (yes, really!).
When not writing he can be found walking his Brittany pup in the English coun ...more
For most of his life he has rattled about between England and the United States. He lived for over ten years in Seattle where, when not pursuing a day job as a writer/editor, ran a successful gargoyle sculpting business (yes, really!).
When not writing he can be found walking his Brittany pup in the English coun ...more
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