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Sherlock Holmes vs. Cthulhu #3
Sherlock vs Cthulhu T3: Les mutations d'Innsmouth
Face à l’horreur indicible, l’esprit de déduction le plus brillant de tous les temps atteint ses limites. Les dimensions mortelles qui se dressaient au-dessus de Londres ont été scellées, et les monstres ont disparu. Mais une créature encore plus terrifiante semble se tapir dans l’ombre. Le grand Cthulhu lui-même aurait été aperçu dans les eaux d’Innsmouth, dans le Massachusetts. Sherlock Holmes et le docteur Watson n’ont pas d’autre choix que de traverser l’océan pour l’affronter. Dans le village boueux d’Innsmouth, cerné par des habitants plus reptiliens qu’humains, le célèbre détective rencontre à nouveau son némésis le Professeur Moriarty… et il n’est pas seul. Amelia Scarcliffe et Maria Fitzgerald, les messagères de Dagon, ont invoqué Cthulhu. Leur mission : anéantir l’humanité et transformer la Terre en un véritable cauchemar. LOIS H. GRESH est New York Times Bestselling Author (6 fois) et USA Today Bestselling Author (thrillers). Auteur prolifique de 28 ouvrages et de plus de 65 histoires courtes, elle est aussi éditrice des anthologies INNSMOUTH NIGHTMARES et DARK FUSIONS . Universitaire et informaticienne, elle a aussi été critique de SciFi.com pendant 5 ans. Régulièrement invitée dans les conventions américaines mais aussi à la télévision et la radio, où elle intervient dans des émissions sur la pop-culture et la science. Son travail a été publié dans 22 langues et SHERLOCK HOLMES VS. CTHULHU sera son premier roman traduit en français.
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First published July 23, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 6, 2022
Last chapter of a very interesting trilogy. Combining a character like Sherlock Holmes, dedicated to reasoning and logic, with myths and characters taken from Lovecraft's tales is a fascinating experiment. I devoured the first two books, progressing through the story to the final chapter that was quite satisfying.
In my opinion, from the beginning, Sherlock Holmes' logic seemed rather weak in the face of the Great Old Ones and the followers of Dagon, horrors which he considered impossible and yet the fulcrum of the narrative. Deductive reasoning allowed him to solve some problems, but from the beginning Holmes seemed out of place, a mere spectator, perched on his belief that many of the things reported didn’t exist.
In this last book, the feeling is further accentuated, showing a rather bewildered Sherlock Holmes, whose investigations are reduced to the collection of information and some deductions on the facts and lives of the characters involved.
I liked the first-person narration of the main characters, which leads to seeing the story from different perspectives, beyond the usual Dr. Watson.
The descriptions of the Cthulhu Mythos are rather superficial, also because it would be beyond the scope of this book, but I found the descriptions of characters and scenes rather vivid and creepy.
Overall, I liked the series in general, even if it doesn’t fully enhance the figure of Sherlock Holmes, small in the face of the horror of the Great Old Ones.
In my opinion, from the beginning, Sherlock Holmes' logic seemed rather weak in the face of the Great Old Ones and the followers of Dagon, horrors which he considered impossible and yet the fulcrum of the narrative. Deductive reasoning allowed him to solve some problems, but from the beginning Holmes seemed out of place, a mere spectator, perched on his belief that many of the things reported didn’t exist.
In this last book, the feeling is further accentuated, showing a rather bewildered Sherlock Holmes, whose investigations are reduced to the collection of information and some deductions on the facts and lives of the characters involved.
I liked the first-person narration of the main characters, which leads to seeing the story from different perspectives, beyond the usual Dr. Watson.
The descriptions of the Cthulhu Mythos are rather superficial, also because it would be beyond the scope of this book, but I found the descriptions of characters and scenes rather vivid and creepy.
Overall, I liked the series in general, even if it doesn’t fully enhance the figure of Sherlock Holmes, small in the face of the horror of the Great Old Ones.
November 26, 2019
I'm really struggling with this book....
I've read the previous 2 books in the trilogy and managed through them fairly well. The Cthulhu Mythos element in them was very thin and not really relatable to any of the more traditional elements, so the books stood aside on their own merit, being more Holmsian in flavour. However, I do find Greshs' writing style difficult to follow at times. On more than one occasion, having read a passage, I stopped and thought 'what?!' and had to retrace my steps.
This one though, is a completely different kettle of fish (ha!). From almost the first page, [spoilers ahead] I'm struggling to buy into what I'm reading. Watson goes on at length about how he fears for his wife and child's safety, but still they travel with him on a ship to Innsmouth, to confront the Cult of Dagon and defeat Cthulhu? How could they be in any more danger?! A brief description of the party coming ashore and passing Devils Reef where they are attacked - not by Deep Ones, but by creatures I've never read as described before - but of course the 2 men, 3 women and a baby escape / survive without incident, reads like some straight to DVD / Horror channel movie!
The description of Innsmouth and it's inhabitants are completely different to anything you will have ever read. This is NOT the Innsmouth of HP Lovecraft Mythos, nor are the inhabitants / creatures, who are something completely different. You cannot align this in any way with the Innsmouth of 30 years later as described in the HPL novel. Also, Cthulhu is free and has made his way from the South Pacific to the North Atlantic coast off Innsmouth, and we get a commentary from his point of view, thus 'humanising' him. He is diminished, and no longer an alien intellect, so powerful, to be beyond human comprehension, and seen godlike to our insignificant race. I find this all really perplexing as this does not follow the existing 'lore' and, for me personally, is so far removed that I'm really struggling to read on. It just jars! It's as though Gresh has absolutely no idea of what she is writing about?!
Ok, it may be a new interpretation, trying to put a new spin on the traditional, but I like traditional and I find this book so different to what I expected, that I'm not sure I'll get much further than my current p74....
I've read the previous 2 books in the trilogy and managed through them fairly well. The Cthulhu Mythos element in them was very thin and not really relatable to any of the more traditional elements, so the books stood aside on their own merit, being more Holmsian in flavour. However, I do find Greshs' writing style difficult to follow at times. On more than one occasion, having read a passage, I stopped and thought 'what?!' and had to retrace my steps.
This one though, is a completely different kettle of fish (ha!). From almost the first page, [spoilers ahead] I'm struggling to buy into what I'm reading. Watson goes on at length about how he fears for his wife and child's safety, but still they travel with him on a ship to Innsmouth, to confront the Cult of Dagon and defeat Cthulhu? How could they be in any more danger?! A brief description of the party coming ashore and passing Devils Reef where they are attacked - not by Deep Ones, but by creatures I've never read as described before - but of course the 2 men, 3 women and a baby escape / survive without incident, reads like some straight to DVD / Horror channel movie!
The description of Innsmouth and it's inhabitants are completely different to anything you will have ever read. This is NOT the Innsmouth of HP Lovecraft Mythos, nor are the inhabitants / creatures, who are something completely different. You cannot align this in any way with the Innsmouth of 30 years later as described in the HPL novel. Also, Cthulhu is free and has made his way from the South Pacific to the North Atlantic coast off Innsmouth, and we get a commentary from his point of view, thus 'humanising' him. He is diminished, and no longer an alien intellect, so powerful, to be beyond human comprehension, and seen godlike to our insignificant race. I find this all really perplexing as this does not follow the existing 'lore' and, for me personally, is so far removed that I'm really struggling to read on. It just jars! It's as though Gresh has absolutely no idea of what she is writing about?!
Ok, it may be a new interpretation, trying to put a new spin on the traditional, but I like traditional and I find this book so different to what I expected, that I'm not sure I'll get much further than my current p74....
December 31, 2019
The James Lovegrove Cthulhu Casebooks is a superior trilogy involving Holmes and the Mythos.
February 21, 2020
This is not a Sherlock Holmes novel. Holmes solves mysteries - this is just a grotesque supernatural thriller. Holmes makes choices that might seem strange or absurd, but his reasoning is always sound - the character in this book makes short-sighted, obvious choices that rarely have any (and I mean any) impact. Holmes classically solves intriguing problems with thoughtful and unexpected insights - this character misses details and his "deductions" are figured out by the reader quickly, are so obvious that they need not be stated, or make no actual sense.
This is not a Lovecraftian novel. Lovecraft's success largely revolved around what was not seen - the horror that lay just beyond and thrills with the imagined horror. Even when viewed, his monsters lacked definition, allowing the reader to fill the gaps with their own creativity. This author piles on the tentacles and suckers and eyes to the point that it becomes boring and normal. So much so that the people of this world are also largely unphased by horrors doing simple things, such as running sanitariums.
This not a well-constructed story. Contradictions abound between paragraphs, not even mentioning the repeated retcons that pop up throughout. One example: Watson states that he is beset with guilt for the rest of his life in abandoning two small children, yet he talks with glowing praise about how he envisions their lives going forward as he sees them yet again just pages later.
The characters in this book do not matter. No actions taken by Holmes or Watson alter the course of events in the book one iota. They do not stop Cthulhu or Dagon or any creature from beyond. The only reason that their tiny boat is not smashed by Cthulhu, I kid you not, is because the Elder Being behind "bored" with them and retreats. THAT is the final showdown between Holmes and Cthulhu - this is an utter and complete failure for this author.
Do not read.
This is not a Lovecraftian novel. Lovecraft's success largely revolved around what was not seen - the horror that lay just beyond and thrills with the imagined horror. Even when viewed, his monsters lacked definition, allowing the reader to fill the gaps with their own creativity. This author piles on the tentacles and suckers and eyes to the point that it becomes boring and normal. So much so that the people of this world are also largely unphased by horrors doing simple things, such as running sanitariums.
This not a well-constructed story. Contradictions abound between paragraphs, not even mentioning the repeated retcons that pop up throughout. One example: Watson states that he is beset with guilt for the rest of his life in abandoning two small children, yet he talks with glowing praise about how he envisions their lives going forward as he sees them yet again just pages later.
The characters in this book do not matter. No actions taken by Holmes or Watson alter the course of events in the book one iota. They do not stop Cthulhu or Dagon or any creature from beyond. The only reason that their tiny boat is not smashed by Cthulhu, I kid you not, is because the Elder Being behind "bored" with them and retreats. THAT is the final showdown between Holmes and Cthulhu - this is an utter and complete failure for this author.
Do not read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2021
Holmes feels to bumble his way through an adventure with no mystery surrounded with "sex scenes" that aren't needed and constant point of view changes that tore any feeling of a Holmes story out of the book. Moriarty again feels like he is shoved into the story because it is a Sherlock Holmes story, not because it does the character justice nor that it progresses the story in any way except the end.
February 22, 2020
Maybe 1.5 stars? I didn't actively hate it, but...
A good Sherlock Holmes story requires really just two things--a good mystery and good characterizations.
A good Cthulu story requires really just two things--fear and trembling before the Great One.
I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, this book did not meet those requirements at all. There wasn't so much a mystery as a slow revealing of vaguely constructed mythology while Sherlock and Watson bumbled around not actually accomplishing anything. Rather than dwelling on the disquieting awe of Cthulu et al, there are endless ridiculous and admittedly rather disgusting descriptions of body-horror and unpleasant smells. But there's nothing really special here, unfortunately. It's a quick read with some entertaining moments, but that's about it. Disclaimer--I mistakenly read this before reading the first in the series, which might have compounded the problems a little, but leaving this one I do not plan to read the former.
A good Sherlock Holmes story requires really just two things--a good mystery and good characterizations.
A good Cthulu story requires really just two things--fear and trembling before the Great One.
I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, this book did not meet those requirements at all. There wasn't so much a mystery as a slow revealing of vaguely constructed mythology while Sherlock and Watson bumbled around not actually accomplishing anything. Rather than dwelling on the disquieting awe of Cthulu et al, there are endless ridiculous and admittedly rather disgusting descriptions of body-horror and unpleasant smells. But there's nothing really special here, unfortunately. It's a quick read with some entertaining moments, but that's about it. Disclaimer--I mistakenly read this before reading the first in the series, which might have compounded the problems a little, but leaving this one I do not plan to read the former.
September 28, 2022
To be clear, 2/5 on Goodreads ostensibly means "It was okay", and that's largely how I felt about this book. It was... okay.
I can't help but feel that Moriarty just being Sherlock-obsessed and money-obsessed made his character feel incredibly flat. Apart from being told he (and Sherlock for that matter) were brilliant, I didn't really see much in the way of brilliance. He was just rich. If he wanted to get something done, he just paid. His brilliance is just a matter of how thick his wallet was. But it's not like he did anything particularly interesting. In particular, the fact that seemed to sort of come out of nowhere and was just sheer luck more than brilliance.
Maybe it's because I read 4 Doyle books just prior to reading this trilogy, but I just didn't get any sense of Sherlock's brilliance. I don't really feel like getting into it, but having the same exchange where Watson's like "I don't get it" and Sherlock's like "It's obvious" before having to explain something that actually wasn't that confusing gets a bit tired after the third or fourth time in the same book. Having read that conversation in the previous 2 entries into this trilogy didn't help either.
If Sherlock is supposed to be the brains, and Watson is supposed to be the heart, it seems weird that either of them would have entertained the idea of putting Watson's child, wife, and slur directly in the line of a water-dwelling kaiju. If the monsters live in water, maybe send them inland and not on a cruise to a waterfront city?
And that bit on the problem just being a kaiju, well... it kind of feels like it could have almost as easily been Sherlock vs Godzilla or the Loch Ness Monster or Reptar or something. There was no element of cosmic horror or anything evocative of the existential fear permeating the works of Lovecraft, it was just a big monster. Why's it scary? Because big.
I won't get into the liberties taken with the depictions of the other "Lovecraftian" entities, because I don't think those are really that important and I think they were bizarre enough to feel gross and weird. But I will say that just slapping tentacles on something doesn't make it Lovecraftian.
I like me a good pastiche, but to put it plainly, I don't think this did a service to Doyle's Sherlock or Lovecraft's Mythos. It felt more like a kind of fun fanfiction that just used the names of characters and recycled a few memes rather than anything true to the core works its deriving from. It was action-packed, but it wasn't cerebral or horrifying or, given the previous installments, even particularly thrilling. It was certainly more of an "adventure" (which I suppose is in the title) than a mystery of any sort. It was mostly just the "world's greatest detective" being very brave and his buddy being very loyal, albeit confused.
It did wrap up the trilogy though, and while I wasn't super satisfied if it was turned into a RDJ adaptation, I would watch it in a heartbeat. Tony Stark as Sherlock in a story like this would no doubt be entertaining.
Like I said at the head, it was okay. Not good, not bad, but okay. I don't regret reading it, but it's hard for me to recommend.
I can't help but feel that Moriarty just being Sherlock-obsessed and money-obsessed made his character feel incredibly flat. Apart from being told he (and Sherlock for that matter) were brilliant, I didn't really see much in the way of brilliance. He was just rich. If he wanted to get something done, he just paid. His brilliance is just a matter of how thick his wallet was. But it's not like he did anything particularly interesting. In particular, the fact that seemed to sort of come out of nowhere and was just sheer luck more than brilliance.
Maybe it's because I read 4 Doyle books just prior to reading this trilogy, but I just didn't get any sense of Sherlock's brilliance. I don't really feel like getting into it, but having the same exchange where Watson's like "I don't get it" and Sherlock's like "It's obvious" before having to explain something that actually wasn't that confusing gets a bit tired after the third or fourth time in the same book. Having read that conversation in the previous 2 entries into this trilogy didn't help either.
If Sherlock is supposed to be the brains, and Watson is supposed to be the heart, it seems weird that either of them would have entertained the idea of putting Watson's child, wife, and slur directly in the line of a water-dwelling kaiju. If the monsters live in water, maybe send them inland and not on a cruise to a waterfront city?
And that bit on the problem just being a kaiju, well... it kind of feels like it could have almost as easily been Sherlock vs Godzilla or the Loch Ness Monster or Reptar or something. There was no element of cosmic horror or anything evocative of the existential fear permeating the works of Lovecraft, it was just a big monster. Why's it scary? Because big.
I won't get into the liberties taken with the depictions of the other "Lovecraftian" entities, because I don't think those are really that important and I think they were bizarre enough to feel gross and weird. But I will say that just slapping tentacles on something doesn't make it Lovecraftian.
I like me a good pastiche, but to put it plainly, I don't think this did a service to Doyle's Sherlock or Lovecraft's Mythos. It felt more like a kind of fun fanfiction that just used the names of characters and recycled a few memes rather than anything true to the core works its deriving from. It was action-packed, but it wasn't cerebral or horrifying or, given the previous installments, even particularly thrilling. It was certainly more of an "adventure" (which I suppose is in the title) than a mystery of any sort. It was mostly just the "world's greatest detective" being very brave and his buddy being very loyal, albeit confused.
It did wrap up the trilogy though, and while I wasn't super satisfied if it was turned into a RDJ adaptation, I would watch it in a heartbeat. Tony Stark as Sherlock in a story like this would no doubt be entertaining.
Like I said at the head, it was okay. Not good, not bad, but okay. I don't regret reading it, but it's hard for me to recommend.
October 2, 2020
Each book of the trilogy just got worse. And here follows a rambling "review" of all 3 books.
The first was a good pastiche of Holmes and Lovecraft. There was a mystery present that stayed (somewhat) based in reality and Holmes was portrayed (mostly) as one would expect.
Book 2 was a stretch, but had some good elements. It amped up the Lovecraft Cthulhu aspects but the faithful portrayal of Sherlock deteriorated. Moriarty was the character that was most interesting, and was much disturbing than any of the Old Ones (despite how much their rotten, smelly and sucking tentacles were described.) The author also couldn't stay consistent between Holmes belief in scientific explanations and his supernatural explanations.
In Book 3, it all fell of the rails. The story leapt to Innsmouth, MA, and the first 22 chapters relied on descriptions of just how horrid and disgusting everything is. There was a small side mystery, but this book was all about just letting you know how smelly, vile, rotten and everything is (with waving tentacles!). The many, many descriptions that tried to convey how horribly deformed the disgusting Innsmouthians were basically came across as more absurd than anything.
I do admit, I have the same beef with Lovecraft, as I feel the story often took a back seat to his overuse of the word "putrid" and his constant efforts to describe the horror with as much slimy vocabulary as possible. I blame myself for reading this, given my extreme dislike of most of Lovecraft's work and expecting something different.
The first was a good pastiche of Holmes and Lovecraft. There was a mystery present that stayed (somewhat) based in reality and Holmes was portrayed (mostly) as one would expect.
Book 2 was a stretch, but had some good elements. It amped up the Lovecraft Cthulhu aspects but the faithful portrayal of Sherlock deteriorated. Moriarty was the character that was most interesting, and was much disturbing than any of the Old Ones (despite how much their rotten, smelly and sucking tentacles were described.) The author also couldn't stay consistent between Holmes belief in scientific explanations and his supernatural explanations.
In Book 3, it all fell of the rails. The story leapt to Innsmouth, MA, and the first 22 chapters relied on descriptions of just how horrid and disgusting everything is. There was a small side mystery, but this book was all about just letting you know how smelly, vile, rotten and everything is (with waving tentacles!). The many, many descriptions that tried to convey how horribly deformed the disgusting Innsmouthians were basically came across as more absurd than anything.
I do admit, I have the same beef with Lovecraft, as I feel the story often took a back seat to his overuse of the word "putrid" and his constant efforts to describe the horror with as much slimy vocabulary as possible. I blame myself for reading this, given my extreme dislike of most of Lovecraft's work and expecting something different.
May 4, 2021
I was really excited about the third installment in this series, as the first two books captivated me and I couldn’t get through them fast enough! However, this book lost Holmes’ essence. He was no longer one step ahead, but ten steps behind. Holmes was always confident, even in the face of danger, but this book turned Holmes into a scared and uncertain man that was pleading with others for clues. Generally, the sly look in Holmes eyes and the knowledge that he knows the full picture but we don’t was always reassuring and kept me coming back. I felt just as lost as the characters this time, but in a more “we are doomed” way than a “can’t wait till Holmes sits everyone down and schools us in ways I never imagined” type of way.
One thing I did love throughout each book in the trilogy is the different storylines of each of the characters though. It was refreshing to get perspectives from other characters beyond good Sir Watson.
I will also add, I agree with others reviews that the descriptions of the Cthulhu mythos and it’s inhabitants were unusual, chaotic, and nearly impossible to visualize (and this is coming from a Lovecraft fan who understands the mythos is without the confines of the human mind).
Overall, this book was not bad and I was always excited to continue reading on!
One thing I did love throughout each book in the trilogy is the different storylines of each of the characters though. It was refreshing to get perspectives from other characters beyond good Sir Watson.
I will also add, I agree with others reviews that the descriptions of the Cthulhu mythos and it’s inhabitants were unusual, chaotic, and nearly impossible to visualize (and this is coming from a Lovecraft fan who understands the mythos is without the confines of the human mind).
Overall, this book was not bad and I was always excited to continue reading on!
December 9, 2022
Overall not a bad story. I felt like the Pinkerton agency was more than a little forced and I can't think of why the names Hortenz and Co sound like a reference to something else but they do.
This had Herbert West vibes, mainly because the audiobook had an excellent narrator. This was very Lovecraft fan fiction-y but not on the level of meddling kids. And other than the Sherlockian character names there was zero who dun it or traditional mystery novel style.
I also had a hard time following the character perspective switches and still don't know why we switched perspectives because it added nothing... overall I would spend my time elsewhere, but there is also probably a niche audience for this... not for me
This had Herbert West vibes, mainly because the audiobook had an excellent narrator. This was very Lovecraft fan fiction-y but not on the level of meddling kids. And other than the Sherlockian character names there was zero who dun it or traditional mystery novel style.
I also had a hard time following the character perspective switches and still don't know why we switched perspectives because it added nothing... overall I would spend my time elsewhere, but there is also probably a niche audience for this... not for me
August 11, 2023
Holmes and Watson travel to Innsmouth and to confront Deep Ones and Cthulhu, not a ton else…
Sherlock Holmes Vs. Cthulhu: The Adventure of the Innsmouth Mutations by Lois H. Gresh is the third book in a series. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a self contained adventure.
Do not read this if you are looking for lovecraftIan Horror or Holmesian Mystery. The story is essentially a Victorian pulp adventure novel with a light pastiche of Holmes and Lovecraft references.
Sadly, it avoids any names or places (outside of Devil’s Reef) that are known in Innsmouth, so picture this as being in a separate universe (a Holmes and or Cthulhu MYTHOS multiverse is fully acceptable).
I will give them props for creative use of germ warfare…
Sherlock Holmes Vs. Cthulhu: The Adventure of the Innsmouth Mutations by Lois H. Gresh is the third book in a series. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a self contained adventure.
Do not read this if you are looking for lovecraftIan Horror or Holmesian Mystery. The story is essentially a Victorian pulp adventure novel with a light pastiche of Holmes and Lovecraft references.
Sadly, it avoids any names or places (outside of Devil’s Reef) that are known in Innsmouth, so picture this as being in a separate universe (a Holmes and or Cthulhu MYTHOS multiverse is fully acceptable).
I will give them props for creative use of germ warfare…
February 14, 2025
Some parts can be hard for me to imagine it especially with the Innsmouthian description.
I believe someone need higher imagination to fully enjoy this book. However, I love the way the writer deliver the story, the style of writing.
I also read this book without reading the other two first novels. I guess it will more enjoyable if I read it by sequence as this book serve more like a closing to me.
I expected for more detective action from this book but it does not give enough of that from sherlock holmes. It lacks the investigative part and more like a story of weird, other dimension creatures.
I believe someone need higher imagination to fully enjoy this book. However, I love the way the writer deliver the story, the style of writing.
I also read this book without reading the other two first novels. I guess it will more enjoyable if I read it by sequence as this book serve more like a closing to me.
I expected for more detective action from this book but it does not give enough of that from sherlock holmes. It lacks the investigative part and more like a story of weird, other dimension creatures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2020
Took a bit to finish reading this one, but much like the other two it was still a pretty fun adventure to read about with Sherlock and John. It was a bit hard to imagine the creatures in this book but I still enjoyed it. I was a bit sad when Watson said it would be his final case with Sherlock because even with a wife and child I still don’t believe that Watson would ever leave Sherlock to have a “normal life.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2022
The third and final was not quite as compelling as the second book, but it was still a thrill ride and pretty freakin' awesome. The depictions of Innsmouth were a bit twisted and a novel approach, which I liked. The culmination (no spoilers) is satisfying. I could say more, but will let new readers experience it for themselves. Overall, this was a great series that I highly recommend for lovers of Holmsian and Lovecraftian Mythos.
November 14, 2021
⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed this third and final installment of Sherlock Holmes vs. Cthulhu, although the ending felt rushed when compared to the journey Holmes and Watson traveled to get there. In comparison to the first two books, this wasn't my favorite read of the bunch, but it had plenty of creeps, otherworldly creatures and the dynamic duo persevered.
76/100 2021 Reads
76/100 2021 Reads
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2023
This one wasn't my favorite. I've been reading much Lovecraft inspired fiction, and this one wasn't the worst but it wasn't as good. Perhaps it lacked an actual mystery, like the previous two novels. Cthulhu is already present when Holmes and Watson arrive - Cthulhu just has no interest in destroying people... And the ending/plot resolution is slightly underwhelming.
October 20, 2024
The only good thing in finishing this book is that I can say I completed the trilogy. Lack luster ending, no real meaningful tie into either universe, Dagon decides they just aren't supposed to be in reality anymore? The small pic simultaneously makes them more powerful but also killing them. Thank God for the James Lovesgrove series!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2020
Sort of intrigued to read the first two in this series (I started here), to see if the other books hold together better. Super interested in the concept, but in this case, both Sherlock and Cthulhu seemed flat.
May 26, 2021
It was better than the 2nd one, but worse than the 1st.
I really didn't care for seeing so much of the monsters, but I did think that Sherlock's journey through Innsmouth was really interesting and the culture of Innsmouth seemed true to Lovecraft.
I really didn't care for seeing so much of the monsters, but I did think that Sherlock's journey through Innsmouth was really interesting and the culture of Innsmouth seemed true to Lovecraft.
July 12, 2023
Holmes sound like the scarlet pimpernel and is so useless that it's an insult to his character. Not much happens in the story, it's just gory. I won't be reading anymore of this story line. It's not very compelling.
November 22, 2023
An unstoppable force meets an immovable object and neither come out the other side uncompromised.
At first blush Sherlock Holmes and the old ones seems like a fun mashup. The more I read the more I feel these are two universes are best kept separate.
At first blush Sherlock Holmes and the old ones seems like a fun mashup. The more I read the more I feel these are two universes are best kept separate.
August 2, 2019
CTHULHU LITE IT IS.....
Hello, this story is just plain okay. It didn't follow the lore. It wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't a good read. Thanks.
Hello, this story is just plain okay. It didn't follow the lore. It wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't a good read. Thanks.
January 4, 2022
Glad this series is over. Still unsure if I liked it.
September 4, 2022
So painful to get through. However it was still decent as a read. Not one that I will pick up again.
December 13, 2024
Wasn't as good as the first two. Not much more to say I met have enjoyed more if I hadn't read as quickly after the other two. Innsmouth was both good and bad
February 3, 2023
This trilogy was a fantastic read all around. The author's characterization of Holmes & Watson is fantastic. The world building was very well done. The mysteries were good. Very fun trilogy.
October 4, 2024
If you love the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this trilogy is for you!! Having read all three books in the series, it will take you on one hell of a journey through the macabre and the unknown, with its spooky atmosphere and occult elements.
The only thing I would have liked to see is Sherlock being affected or changed in some way by the influence of Dagon and the other entities alongside John; I feel the author deviated from the traditional horror experienced by the protagonists in H.P. Lovecraft’s tales.
Otherwise… an enjoyable series indeed 😊
The only thing I would have liked to see is Sherlock being affected or changed in some way by the influence of Dagon and the other entities alongside John; I feel the author deviated from the traditional horror experienced by the protagonists in H.P. Lovecraft’s tales.
Otherwise… an enjoyable series indeed 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2022
I came to this book without having read the first two of the trilogy. If I had read the first, I doubt I would have continued with the others.
Not much actually happens here. And, as pointed out in other reviews, this manages to be neither a Sherlock Holmes story nor a Mythos story. This felt to me like an overstretched idea, drawn out to novel length, rather than an engaging novel in itself.
Not much actually happens here. And, as pointed out in other reviews, this manages to be neither a Sherlock Holmes story nor a Mythos story. This felt to me like an overstretched idea, drawn out to novel length, rather than an engaging novel in itself.
Read
March 25, 20223 Trons
Edit: nah this shit is 2 Trons, the novelty of it wears thin surprisingly quickly
Edit: nah this shit is 2 Trons, the novelty of it wears thin surprisingly quickly
November 22, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️
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