Mycroft Holmes and The Case of the Missing Popes

Mycroft Holmes #3

by David Dickinson

A mysterious burglary. Political intrigue. And another case for Mycroft Holmes.

In the third of David Dickinson's brilliant series of Mycroft Holmes novellas, the brother of Britain's most famous detective is approached by a distraught young aristocrat, the son of the Home Secretary Lord Melrose.

There has been a mysterious burglary at his father’s mansion. Two famous Raphael Popes have disappeared. Mycroft travels north by a special train. Did the thieves break in or was it an inside job? What secrets are lurking in the Stewards Room? How great are the Duke’s debts and his obligations to the moneylenders? What is amiss in his relations with his wife?

Fans of historical fiction and of Dickinson’s earlier Mycroft novellas will love this story, as will devotees of the original Sherlock Holmes stories whose tone is superbly captured by the author.

Mycroft Holmes and The Case of the Missing Popes is the third in David Dickinson’s brilliant series of novellas that started with Mycroft Holmes and the Adventure of the Silver Birches and continued with Mycroft Holmes and The Adventure of the Naval Engineer.

Genres: Mystery

44 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

David Dickinson was born in Dublin. With an honours degree in Classics from Cambridge, David Dickinson joined the BBC, where he became editor of Newsnight and Panorama, as well as series editor for Monarchy, a three-part programme on the British royal family.

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining British listening 🎶🎵

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 3 of 6. Oh $0.99 for three months how great.

I would recommend this series and author to fans of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes and British mystery novels. 2024

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Mycroft Holmes and The Case of the Missing Popes” is the third in David Dickinson’s series of novellas that started with “Mycroft Holmes and the Adventure of the Silver Birches.” In this the third of David Dickinson's Mycroft Holmes novellas, the brother of Britain's most famous detective is approached by a distraught young aristocrat, the son of the Home Secretary Lord Melrose. Mycroft is asked to look into the theft of two very expensive Raphael paintings of popes.

The character of Mycroft is just as Doyle presented him in a few of his Holmes books. Mycroft’s intellect is as great as Sherlock’s; however, Mycroft’s penchant for food and the ‘good life’ adds to his rotund physic. Dickinson has further developed Mycroft into a well-rounded character (pun intended). I prefer longer stories than these novellas which adds more detail and development. Still, these Mycroft stories are atmospheric, fast-moving, and a simple enjoyable quick read.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mycroft Holmes short story

Mycroft is approached and asked to look into the theft of two very expensive Raphael paintings of popes. This would require a trip to the country and as an enticement to him to undertake the investigation he is offered a private train with an executive chef and fancy cars. The story is pretty straight forward but a fun read.

[Dawn Ireland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hire an editor

A good editor can make a book zing. This story needed that zing. Several bloopers in the form of missing punctuation,repeated words in close proximity to each other… annoying things that could have been avoided.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love them. Read them😁.

[sarah williams]

Mycroft travels

Mycroft solves a mystery of stolen property and has to travel in grand style to do so. Read and enjoy!

[P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think there's a plot in this one.

[Pat Schager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boo...Hiss

A paltry mystery with missing verbs and wandering phrases. Mycroft Holmes's luncheon menu was the most interesting tidbit. A sad offering to a Sherlock Holmes fan.

[Philipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corpulent reading

Doyle spent relatively little time on Mycroft when writing the Sherlock Holmes stories, Dickinson picks up the fork - or is that knife - and takes the reader on an adventure worthy of the Holmesian family without being overly serious. I was a little disappointed in the brevity of this story, but do intend to read more in this series. Best read after a sturdy meal and with a small glass of sherry.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting case concerning two missing Raphael paintings with Mycroft Holmes stepping in to solve it. Good, quick read.

[Raine · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable read. Doyle would like the fact that Dickinson contined along with the idea of his stories. The reference back to other tales is very much a Watson touch.

[Raymond Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple read.

Easy read . No depth to the story. Nothing to recommend. Read the real Sherlock Holmes stories. Good luck with the next book.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

When two painting are stolen from the home of Lord Melrose, Mycroft Holmes is asked to investigate. A quick easy read but not a lot of depth to the mystery.