Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Seven edited by Martin Rosenstock
I would like to thank Julia from Titan for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review
Publisher – Titan
Published – Out Now
Price - £7.99 paperback £4.31 Kindle
featuring the redoubtable Sherlock Holmes and his chronicler Dr John Watson.
Eliminate the impossible...
Sherlock Holmes lives on in this extraordinary collection of brand-new novellas. Marvel as the master detective scours London's sewers to expose the killer of a mudlark; attends a deadly séance that may prove a man's guilt; visits a dark carnival with an unusual menu; solves the murder of an Egyptologist's butler; uncovers the shocking secret of a tobacco dealer; sets sail for America to investigate the death of a cult leader and settles an old score for his famous associate Inspector Lestrade!
I have talked before is I really enjoy seeing how Holmes tales get played with by different authors. As the original canon is quite varied in types of crimes and settings plus some really unique characters I think it’s got a special something that can test an author’s ability to bring both something new to the table and add a fresh dimension to the tales that have gone before. In The Sign of Seven edited by Martin Rosenstock we have seven different authors taking on Holmes all bringing their unique spin to the Great Detective.
Death of A Mudlark by Stuart Douglas – this story plays with the notion that Holmes needs a challenge and an Ambassador’s murder isn’t enough. Suddenly a chance encounter with a corpse sends him on a mystery no one else sees taking him to a group that few know much about – the mudlarks of the Thames. Quite a classic feel to the story but I liked how this shows Holmes move from the top and bottom of society with ease. Douglas has a great mix of a fascinating setting in the form of the sewers of London and some grisly reveals and compelling characters. A strong opener.
The Adventure of the Deadly Séance by James Lovegrove – Read this previously in another Holmes collection and one of the best tales in the collection. Holmes investigates a wealthy man’s murder and mixes in seances and a tale of revenge. Great fun
The Adventure of the Heroic Tobacconist by Derrick Belanger – A war hero now wealthy merchant and philanthropist is found murdered in his store. The police have a suspect, but Holmes is urged to defy the police and investigate closer. I really enjoyed both the way Belanger gets to pits Holmes against the powerful and also adds a refreshing level of examining how Victorian society wouldn’t talk or aid certain subjects. Thoughtful and a well-crafted mystery.
The Dark Carnival by Andrew Lane – Wasn’t sure about his one its going for a stranger Holmes tale with various aristocrats dying after going mad. Lane’s solution is definitely unique, but I found pushed the boundaries of what I’d expect in a Holmes tale.
The Monkton House Mystery by David Stuart Davies – Holmes is called to one murder and discovers a second no one noticed. Ancient Egypt, family feuds and love affairs all come together in a quite tasty mystery as you try to unpick the suspects before Holmes does. Extremely well plotted.
The Adventure of the Koreshan Unity by Amy Thomas – a retired Holmes entices Watson to voyage to Florida to investigate the death of a cult’s leader. Liked the idea of Holmes outside the realm of London but I didn’t quite gel with this one.
Our Common Correspondent by Lyndsey Faye – absolutely my favourite in the collection. Unusually the focus is Lestrade who we tend to think of a aid/brunt of Holmes’ Jokes. What is great about this tale is it looks at the human side of Holmes, Watson and Lestrade – really adding depth to characters we know is there but rarely explored. On top of that we get a intelligent personal mystery for Lestrade and a strange tale of a missing woman and a society of letter-writers. Compelling mystery and brilliant character dynamics.
