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Sherlock Holmes Adventures #1
Sherlock Holmes and the Hentzau Affair
This novel is an exciting fusion of a Sherlock Holmes mystery with the Ruritanian world of intrigue and skulduggery of Anthony Hope's novel 'The Prisoner of Zenda'.
Colonel Sapt of the Ruritanian Court journeys to England on a secret mission to save his country from anarchy. He is to engage the services of Rudolf Rassendyll once more to impersonate the King while the monarch recovers from a serious illness. But Rassendyll had mysteriously disappeared. In desperation Sapt consults Sherlock Holmes who with Watson travels to the Kingdom of Ruritania in an effort to thwart the plans of the scheming Rupert of Hentzau in his bid for the throne.
Colonel Sapt of the Ruritanian Court journeys to England on a secret mission to save his country from anarchy. He is to engage the services of Rudolf Rassendyll once more to impersonate the King while the monarch recovers from a serious illness. But Rassendyll had mysteriously disappeared. In desperation Sapt consults Sherlock Holmes who with Watson travels to the Kingdom of Ruritania in an effort to thwart the plans of the scheming Rupert of Hentzau in his bid for the throne.
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1991
24 people are currently reading
1187 people want to read
About the author
David Stuart Davies
187 books140 followersDavid Stuart Davies was a British writer. He worked as a teacher of English before becoming a full-time editor, writer, and playwright. Davies wrote extensively about Sherlock Holmes, both fiction and non-fiction. He was the editor of Red Herrings, the monthly in-house publication of the Crime Writers' Association, and a member of The Baker Street Irregulars and the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 32 reviews
January 22, 2019
This book is an adventure story, but I found parts of it troubling. I know the writer has to put in Holmes references, in case someone new to the Holmes stories is reading the book. However I found the continued reference monotonous.
This book also references The prisoner of Zenda.
I am a Holmes fan, I read everything I can get my hands on, some are really good other's are really bad. I would say this story falls in the middle. A good read, but I have definitely read better.
This book also references The prisoner of Zenda.
I am a Holmes fan, I read everything I can get my hands on, some are really good other's are really bad. I would say this story falls in the middle. A good read, but I have definitely read better.
February 4, 2016
This is one of the Wordsworths Tales of Mystery and Supernatural, in fact one of the early editions at that (There have been a number of revisions and changes to the line up including some dramatic changes to the covers).
The story is told in the style of Sherlock Holmes meets the Prisoner of Zenda, I will admit I am familiar with the story of Zenda but I have not read it so I cannot say it is a homage or not but the story does rip along at a fair pace - more so than some of the original Doyle stories but for me I do not think it suffered for it.
The story has all the hallmarks of a classic Conan Doyle and I will admit reading it I didn't at any moment think it was anything other than it, the story was fun to read although I suspect a true Sherlock Holmes enthusiast would pull it apart for inaccuracies and style but as probably one of literary's most inspiring and copied characters I think this book is as good as any - I certainly enjoyed it and cannot fault the author.
The story is told in the style of Sherlock Holmes meets the Prisoner of Zenda, I will admit I am familiar with the story of Zenda but I have not read it so I cannot say it is a homage or not but the story does rip along at a fair pace - more so than some of the original Doyle stories but for me I do not think it suffered for it.
The story has all the hallmarks of a classic Conan Doyle and I will admit reading it I didn't at any moment think it was anything other than it, the story was fun to read although I suspect a true Sherlock Holmes enthusiast would pull it apart for inaccuracies and style but as probably one of literary's most inspiring and copied characters I think this book is as good as any - I certainly enjoyed it and cannot fault the author.
June 23, 2025
What could be better? Sherlock Holmes meets the Prisoner of Zenda ... and the answer is 'Nothing'. Arthur Conan Doyle and Anthony Hope combined in one voice by David Stuart Davies. And he does a splendid job of it, capturing the Holmes/Watson relationship admirably and portraying the Zenda characters exactly as they appeared in Hope's original novel.
It is an adventure story par excellence although, of course, there is a mystery in it - where is Rudolph Rassendyll? And it is from this latter point that Holmes first becomes involved for Colonel Sapt of the Ruritanian Royal Household visits Holmes at 221B. He is concerned about the forthcoming coronation in his country and also to learn that Rudolph Rassendyll, a perfect lookalike for King Rudolph of Ruritania, has gone missing just as Sapt was hoping to take him back to Ruritania with him.
Not surprisingly Holmes quickly latches on to the situation and tells Sapt to leave it in his capable hands. Unfortunately the faithful Sapt is murdered so Holmes and Watson set off to Ruritania to investigate. Without giving too much away, they encounter various problems on their journey but these pale into insignificance once they reach Ruritania.
There they encounter the soldiers of the wicked Rupert of Hentzau, whose aim is to oust King Rudolph and his Queen, Flavia, and take over the country. There follows many hair-raising experiences for Holmes, who eventually, with great cunning and without the knowledge of Watson, overcomes all the evil forces and restores peace and tranquillity, albeit in an unexpected way, to Ruritania.
And again, not surprisingly, as an Englishman he was hailed as the greatest Elfberg [the house of King Rudolph] of them all by the Royal Household.
It is action all the way and very exciting stuff, perhaps even more so if one has already read 'The Prisoner of Zenda'.
It is an adventure story par excellence although, of course, there is a mystery in it - where is Rudolph Rassendyll? And it is from this latter point that Holmes first becomes involved for Colonel Sapt of the Ruritanian Royal Household visits Holmes at 221B. He is concerned about the forthcoming coronation in his country and also to learn that Rudolph Rassendyll, a perfect lookalike for King Rudolph of Ruritania, has gone missing just as Sapt was hoping to take him back to Ruritania with him.
Not surprisingly Holmes quickly latches on to the situation and tells Sapt to leave it in his capable hands. Unfortunately the faithful Sapt is murdered so Holmes and Watson set off to Ruritania to investigate. Without giving too much away, they encounter various problems on their journey but these pale into insignificance once they reach Ruritania.
There they encounter the soldiers of the wicked Rupert of Hentzau, whose aim is to oust King Rudolph and his Queen, Flavia, and take over the country. There follows many hair-raising experiences for Holmes, who eventually, with great cunning and without the knowledge of Watson, overcomes all the evil forces and restores peace and tranquillity, albeit in an unexpected way, to Ruritania.
And again, not surprisingly, as an Englishman he was hailed as the greatest Elfberg [the house of King Rudolph] of them all by the Royal Household.
It is action all the way and very exciting stuff, perhaps even more so if one has already read 'The Prisoner of Zenda'.
June 12, 2020
Όμορφη περιπέτεια που μπερδεύει τον Σέρλοκ Χόλμς με τον "Αιχμάλωτο της Ζέντα" ένα βιβλίο το οποίο αγνοώ αλλά φαντάζομαι ότι είναι big deal στο εξωτερικό. Ο Davies, μιμείται τον Ντόυλ με σχετική επιτυχία, δεν γίνεται καρικατούρα, διατηρεί ένα επίπεδο και προσέχει τι γράφει. Προτείνεται σε όλους τους φίλους του Βρετανού ντέντεκτιβ!
February 14, 2009
A very successful blending of Sherlock Holmes with Anthony Hope's adventure stories "The Prisoner of Zenda" and "Rupert of Hentzau." In "Sherlock Holmes and the Hentzau Affair," Holmes is called upon to prevent an evil scheme involving look-alikes from bringing down the tenuous monarchy of Ruritania. Holmes and Watson must find and rescue Hope's hero Rudolf Rassendyll from being used as a pawn in Rupert of Hentzau's bid to seize the throne for himself. The book is well-written, the deductions reminiscent of the real article, and the story moves along at a fast clip (except for some very early exposition that recounts Rassendyll's exploits and the state of Ruritanian politics). A very satisfying pastiche, that at 128 pages, never outstays its welcome.
March 22, 2018
This review can also be found on my blog
Davies does a good job imitating Doyle’s writing style. Die-hard Holmesians might be able to tell the difference but casuals enthusiast will have a hard time telling if a paragraph has been written by Doyle or Davies. Holmes’ manners and his relationship with Watson is also well described (especially the latter is something pastiche authors often fail to do).
However, this isn’t everything because the story as a whole feels everything but Holmesian. It’s more like a Victorian James Bond with a hero who rushes from one dangerous situation into the next and then has to shoot/punch his way out of it. And Davies’ Holmes has no qualms about this. I genuinely don’t know how many people get killed in this 120-page story but I think it’s somewhere around 10. And only one of those gets murdered by the bad guys, the rest are killed in fights with Holmes and his associates. But don’t worry. They are all –gasp– traitors and anarchists.
I don’t object to a bit more action in Holmes-stories. And after all The Prisoner of Zenda is quite a swashbuckling novel full of fights (and also with quite a high body count which only bothers the heroes tangentially) so you can’t fault the book for taking some inspiration from there. But the reason Holmes (and Watson) get in half of these fights is their incredible stupidity:
Just imagine: You are on a very dangerous case. You know your opponents don’t shy away from anything and have already tried to kill you twice. Now you meet someone new. You feel there is something fishy about him but you can’t quite put your finger on it, yet. He offers you a drink. Do you
a) Drink it
b) Wait a moment and try to figure out why you have such a bad feeling
If you answered b) congratulations! You are cleverer than Holmes is in this book!
Then there’s the fact that this is also a sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda and…it’s not a good one. In the original Rupert Hentzau works for the Black Michael, the main villain but while they get Michael, Rupert gets away at the end. As a reader, you can’t help but feel happy about it because Rupert is such a fun villain. He’s definitely bad: he has no issues with killing unarmed men if they stand in his way, and he has no sad backstory as a reason for it (not that sad backstories excuse murder…but there are people who think that) and his ulterior motive is power and money. But he has glorious one-liners, is charming and dashing (even the narrator says so) and gets played by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in the movie.
I mean:
Is an actual quote from the actual Prisoner of Zenda and not the queer retelling The Henchman of Zenda by KJ Charles that will come out in May.
In other words: Rupert is a bit of a magnificent bastard.
In The Hentzau Affair, he’s a mustache-twirling villain who abducts children to blackmail their relatives into helping him and has the rhetoric talent of a playground bully.
And then there is the end. The Prisoner of Zenda does not have a very happy ending and it seems the author wants to ‘fix’ this with his book. Now that in itself isn’t wrong but in doing that he ignores all the reasons why there wasn’t a happy end in the original. He seems to think there was only one obstacle and by getting rid of that everything will be fine but there were more reasons.
What now follows are ramblings that spoil this book, The Prisoner of Zenda and its actual sequel Rupert of Hentzau so proceed at your own risk.
It was one of Holmes’s most annoying treats that he would keep vital information to himself until it suited him to reveal it, usually at a moment when he could create the most dramatic effect.
Davies does a good job imitating Doyle’s writing style. Die-hard Holmesians might be able to tell the difference but casuals enthusiast will have a hard time telling if a paragraph has been written by Doyle or Davies. Holmes’ manners and his relationship with Watson is also well described (especially the latter is something pastiche authors often fail to do).
However, this isn’t everything because the story as a whole feels everything but Holmesian. It’s more like a Victorian James Bond with a hero who rushes from one dangerous situation into the next and then has to shoot/punch his way out of it. And Davies’ Holmes has no qualms about this. I genuinely don’t know how many people get killed in this 120-page story but I think it’s somewhere around 10. And only one of those gets murdered by the bad guys, the rest are killed in fights with Holmes and his associates. But don’t worry. They are all –gasp– traitors and anarchists.
I don’t object to a bit more action in Holmes-stories. And after all The Prisoner of Zenda is quite a swashbuckling novel full of fights (and also with quite a high body count which only bothers the heroes tangentially) so you can’t fault the book for taking some inspiration from there. But the reason Holmes (and Watson) get in half of these fights is their incredible stupidity:
Just imagine: You are on a very dangerous case. You know your opponents don’t shy away from anything and have already tried to kill you twice. Now you meet someone new. You feel there is something fishy about him but you can’t quite put your finger on it, yet. He offers you a drink. Do you
a) Drink it
b) Wait a moment and try to figure out why you have such a bad feeling
If you answered b) congratulations! You are cleverer than Holmes is in this book!
Then there’s the fact that this is also a sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda and…it’s not a good one. In the original Rupert Hentzau works for the Black Michael, the main villain but while they get Michael, Rupert gets away at the end. As a reader, you can’t help but feel happy about it because Rupert is such a fun villain. He’s definitely bad: he has no issues with killing unarmed men if they stand in his way, and he has no sad backstory as a reason for it (not that sad backstories excuse murder…but there are people who think that) and his ulterior motive is power and money. But he has glorious one-liners, is charming and dashing (even the narrator says so) and gets played by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in the movie.
I mean:
Once again he turned to wave his hand, and then the gloom of thickets swallowed him and he was lost from our sight. Thus he vanished–reckless and wary, graceful and graceless, handsome, debonair, vile, and unconquered.
Is an actual quote from the actual Prisoner of Zenda and not the queer retelling The Henchman of Zenda by KJ Charles that will come out in May.
In other words: Rupert is a bit of a magnificent bastard.
In The Hentzau Affair, he’s a mustache-twirling villain who abducts children to blackmail their relatives into helping him and has the rhetoric talent of a playground bully.
And then there is the end. The Prisoner of Zenda does not have a very happy ending and it seems the author wants to ‘fix’ this with his book. Now that in itself isn’t wrong but in doing that he ignores all the reasons why there wasn’t a happy end in the original. He seems to think there was only one obstacle and by getting rid of that everything will be fine but there were more reasons.
What now follows are ramblings that spoil this book, The Prisoner of Zenda and its actual sequel Rupert of Hentzau so proceed at your own risk.
March 4, 2012
The kingdom of Ruritania is in trouble and Rupert of Hentzau is again trying to take over the throne. A perfect time to ask for the help of Sherlock Holmes. He and Watson travel to the country and are soon involved in intrigue, disguises and a long-standing love affair. Very hard not to believe this short story was not written by Conan Doyle, his characters and those of Anthony Hope blend seamlessly.
Want to read
December 20, 2019Endeavor Press Holmes Anventist Calendar 99
June 8, 2022
Great Story!
I may be biased, but I REALLY enjoyed this one!
Probably because I'd already read a shorter version of the same like in another book Thrust and Parry by Craig Janack. The short story was titled, The Adventure of the Missing Monarch---and it was really good!
This is the same storyline with many of the same characters, just a bit more drawn out, and still pretty fun. Some things are notably different between the two stories. Example: the year the story takes place, two characters names changed, the events of the duel, and the abduction of one of the characters.
Sorry to say, I liked the end scene in the Janack version better.
Without too many spoilers, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are called on to save a small kingdom from falling into evil hands. The intrigue is actually pretty good.
A couple typos here and there, but overall, a well told tale. It wasn't too fast, characters were on point, and ended nicely. Since I like both versions, I guess I'll have to buy both books...
Christa
I may be biased, but I REALLY enjoyed this one!
Probably because I'd already read a shorter version of the same like in another book Thrust and Parry by Craig Janack. The short story was titled, The Adventure of the Missing Monarch---and it was really good!
This is the same storyline with many of the same characters, just a bit more drawn out, and still pretty fun. Some things are notably different between the two stories. Example: the year the story takes place, two characters names changed, the events of the duel, and the abduction of one of the characters.
Sorry to say, I liked the end scene in the Janack version better.
Without too many spoilers, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are called on to save a small kingdom from falling into evil hands. The intrigue is actually pretty good.
A couple typos here and there, but overall, a well told tale. It wasn't too fast, characters were on point, and ended nicely. Since I like both versions, I guess I'll have to buy both books...
Christa
May 16, 2021
The Hentzau Affair is quite like a movie style adventure story for Watson and Holmes. If you picture Basil Rathbone's version of Holmes mashed up with a sequel to The Prisoner of Zenda, you get the idea. I like what Davies did with it! I had fun reading it, but would never claim it was a faithful pastiche of Doyle's stories. Also I appreciate that this book inspired me to read The Prisoner of Zenda for the first time--since I wanted to have that experience before tackling this Holmes adventure. The Prisoner of Zenda is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read, so thanks, David Stuart Davies!
August 28, 2017
While not written by Conan Doyle, this is in the same style and was a really good read. I'd recommend it to any Sherlock Holmes fan.
March 4, 2018
Sherlock Holmes and the Prisoner of Zenda novels are two of my favourite books. When I discovered that an author had actually blended the two together I was eager to try! This is a wonderful blend of the two tales. I really enjoyed the story and how Holmes and Watson were mixed into the lives of Rudolf Rassendyll, Sapt, Tarlenheim and Flavia.
The author did get the hair colour of Queen Flavia wrong which did throw me, but otherwise the story is fun with a few surprises. Worth a read.
The author did get the hair colour of Queen Flavia wrong which did throw me, but otherwise the story is fun with a few surprises. Worth a read.
October 22, 2018
It's an okay short read but it lacked the clever analysis I've come to expect from Homes, I found David Britland's Holmes better in 'The Mayfair Murders' and I tend to find other murder mysteries more to my liking - authors like, Damien Boyd, Donna Leon, Colin Dexter, Reginald Hill, Michele Giuttari, Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo and 20 or 30 others.
June 8, 2022
Suspenseful to the end
I recommend this book to all fans of Sherlock Holmes stories. It has all the classic elements of the Holmes-Watson paradigm but with more intrigue and a romantic twist.
I recommend this book to all fans of Sherlock Holmes stories. It has all the classic elements of the Holmes-Watson paradigm but with more intrigue and a romantic twist.
September 12, 2023
Another ‘Prisoner of Zenda’ story
The plot of this book reads like another remake of the classic ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ that’s been filmed numerous times. Only this time it envolves Sherlock Holmes who saves the day.
The plot of this book reads like another remake of the classic ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ that’s been filmed numerous times. Only this time it envolves Sherlock Holmes who saves the day.
July 9, 2017
A good attempt but not impressed.
Did one 'check in' in a hotel in 1895?
Did one 'check in' in a hotel in 1895?
November 7, 2017
A reasonably satisfying pastiche wit a few groaner typos where the author and or editor could not de-confuse Ruritania and Romania.
May 7, 2018
Well in line with the Doyle Holmes novels. Enjoyed it.
December 17, 2023
Sherlock and Hentzau
This one book was very interesting, intriguing and entertaining for all to read. I really enjoyed this one book and will definitely read it again!
This one book was very interesting, intriguing and entertaining for all to read. I really enjoyed this one book and will definitely read it again!
December 14, 2025
Rounded up from 3.5 stars because I found it very engaging, if a touch short.
March 3, 2021
1895. Colonel Sapt needs the help of Sherlock Holmes. He is in the service of King Rudolf V of Ruritania. Due to an illness the help of the King's impersonator is needed again. But he has gone missing.
An enjoyable adventure story
An enjoyable adventure story
March 6, 2016
Sherlock Holmes and the Hentzau Affair by David Stuart Davies
I wish to thank the good people at Endeavour Press for my Kindle™ review copy of this book. Thanks, Georgina Cutler!
This story is a sort of addendum to The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope.
Walking back to their Baker Street flat, Holmes and Watson are startled when a hansom cab rattles by and halts at their door. The passenger jumps out and begins to rap furiously on the door. He slams up the stairs to 221B, pulls the blinds, and can be seen as his shadow crosses the blind as he paces the floor.
He introduces himself as Colonel Sapt in the service of King Rudolf the Fifth of Ruritania. He relates the history of King Rudolph and the Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll, the King’s double from Anthony Hope’s adventurous tale. Once before, Rudolf Rassendyll; himself a bastard of the Royal Family of Ruritania, had impersonated the King in a time of trouble.
Now problems arise from the same parties involved in the original plot to overthrow the King. Black Michael, villain of the Anthony Hope novel was killed in the end. His conspirator, Count Rupert of Hentzau, hopes to seize the throne from King Rudolf. Rudolf himself, never physically well, has descended into a simple-minded madness.
To carry out his coup, Rupert of Hentzau has kidnapped Rassendyll—using his kidnapped nephew’s life to force him to cooperate. Holmes and Watson are commissioned by Mycroft to see that the throne of Ruritania doesn’t fall to the Count of Hentzau…
I found the story to have nuances of both Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Anthony Hope. Mr. Davies manages to paint the world of both men into a combined universe that is a veritable masterpiece! Encore!
I give the book five stars!
Quoth the Raven…
I wish to thank the good people at Endeavour Press for my Kindle™ review copy of this book. Thanks, Georgina Cutler!
This story is a sort of addendum to The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope.
Walking back to their Baker Street flat, Holmes and Watson are startled when a hansom cab rattles by and halts at their door. The passenger jumps out and begins to rap furiously on the door. He slams up the stairs to 221B, pulls the blinds, and can be seen as his shadow crosses the blind as he paces the floor.
He introduces himself as Colonel Sapt in the service of King Rudolf the Fifth of Ruritania. He relates the history of King Rudolph and the Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll, the King’s double from Anthony Hope’s adventurous tale. Once before, Rudolf Rassendyll; himself a bastard of the Royal Family of Ruritania, had impersonated the King in a time of trouble.
Now problems arise from the same parties involved in the original plot to overthrow the King. Black Michael, villain of the Anthony Hope novel was killed in the end. His conspirator, Count Rupert of Hentzau, hopes to seize the throne from King Rudolf. Rudolf himself, never physically well, has descended into a simple-minded madness.
To carry out his coup, Rupert of Hentzau has kidnapped Rassendyll—using his kidnapped nephew’s life to force him to cooperate. Holmes and Watson are commissioned by Mycroft to see that the throne of Ruritania doesn’t fall to the Count of Hentzau…
I found the story to have nuances of both Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Anthony Hope. Mr. Davies manages to paint the world of both men into a combined universe that is a veritable masterpiece! Encore!
I give the book five stars!
Quoth the Raven…
June 5, 2017
Even though its not entirely necessary to read the Prisoner of Zenda before starting this book bu I'd recommend reading it first its a beautiful novel and will give you a feel what to expect next in this Sherlockian adaption of the book.
So now lets talk about the plot and the book itself
Firstly its not very lengthy expect to finish it 3 to 5 hours but the story line and plot are beautifully explained and will keep you interested from the start to the very end.
Although the book is gripping to the very end but I think the writer could have concluded the story a little better.
Oh yes for all the sherlock fans wondering does this adaption by David Stuart gives the same feel like Sherlock of Conan Doyle rest assured guys it really does.
So now lets talk about the plot and the book itself
Firstly its not very lengthy expect to finish it 3 to 5 hours but the story line and plot are beautifully explained and will keep you interested from the start to the very end.
Although the book is gripping to the very end but I think the writer could have concluded the story a little better.
Oh yes for all the sherlock fans wondering does this adaption by David Stuart gives the same feel like Sherlock of Conan Doyle rest assured guys it really does.
March 16, 2014
Davies did an excellent job in re-creating the tone of Doyle's stories. And I thing Davies did an even better job at capturing the voices of both Watson and Holmes.
Unfortunately, I had two major problems with Sherlock Holmes and The Hentzau Affair. The first was that I never became interested in the story. I never cared about the other characters and wasn't particularly interested in seeing how the story ended. Now, that might have been simply that Sherlock Holmes and The Hentzau Affair didn't hit the right emotional notes for me. However, my other issue is more objective. Sherlock Holmes and The Hentzau Affair isn't a mystery. It's an adventure story, but it lacks a (seemingly) impossible mystery that Holmes unravels for Watson and the Reader at the end of the story. I was expecting a mystery, since all of Doyle's stories about Holmes revolve around some large, central mystery.
So, several points to Davies for capturing the tone, and style of Doyle's writing and the voices of Doyle's characters. But I would deduct points for the lack of a mystery.
Unfortunately, I had two major problems with Sherlock Holmes and The Hentzau Affair. The first was that I never became interested in the story. I never cared about the other characters and wasn't particularly interested in seeing how the story ended. Now, that might have been simply that Sherlock Holmes and The Hentzau Affair didn't hit the right emotional notes for me. However, my other issue is more objective. Sherlock Holmes and The Hentzau Affair isn't a mystery. It's an adventure story, but it lacks a (seemingly) impossible mystery that Holmes unravels for Watson and the Reader at the end of the story. I was expecting a mystery, since all of Doyle's stories about Holmes revolve around some large, central mystery.
So, several points to Davies for capturing the tone, and style of Doyle's writing and the voices of Doyle's characters. But I would deduct points for the lack of a mystery.
October 7, 2016
A great book that has both the wittiness of Canon Doyle's Sherlock and the adventurism of Anthony Hope's intriguing novels in a classical style frame that speaks to the modern reader in clarity and simplicity of theme and speech, thus David Stuart Davies, without any question, have carefully mixed the quills of two great authors without destroying or spoiling the art,but with his own voice he have reopened the closed door of creativity made by the two authors not for the aim of razing the past but for the purpose of continuous inspiration, it's a modern masterpiece that I myself have enjoyed very much reading.
February 4, 2015
"Far off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise -" No. Wait. That's not my review of the book. That's a quote from Beauty and the Beast. Actually we'll stick with it because it's a pretty darn accurate book summary. I recommend this book to people who enjoy sitting with a cup of tea on a cold winter afternoon and spending a few hours going on adventures without having to leave their overstuffed chairs. Basically I recommend this book to awesome people.
Also - this book is the best non-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle written version of Dr. Watson I've read.
Also - this book is the best non-Sir Arthur Conan Doyle written version of Dr. Watson I've read.
April 9, 2012
An entertaining, quick read and a excellent adventure story. However, I found the writing was a bit weak in some places, and the author tries to squeeze in too many references and lines from the original stories. Still, the writing style felt very authentic and the story was exciting. As far as pastiches go, this one is good.
August 3, 2014
I loved the mix with "Prisoner of Zenda". Short and fun to read.
January 18, 2016
Top 5 of 2015!!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 32 reviews