The New Adventure of Sherlock Holmes - The Back-To-Front Murder by Tim Major
I would like to thank Eleanor from Titan for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review
Publisher – Titan
Published – Out Now
Price – £7.99 paperback £6.14 Kindle eBook
May 1898. A new client arrives at Baker Street - Abigail Moone, a wealthy, independent writer of successful mystery stories under a male pseudonym. She presents an unusual problem. Abigail claims that she devised a man's death that was reported in that morning's newspaper: that is, she planned his murder as an event to be included in one of her mystery stories. Following real people and imagining how she might murder them and get away with it is how Abigail comes up with her plots, but this victim has actually died, apparently of the poison method she meticulously planned in her notebook. Someone is trying to frame Abigail for his death, but with the evidence stacking up against her, she turns to Holmes to prove her innocence.
One of the interesting angles of the Sherlock Holmes stories is our fascination purely down to Holmes’ powers of deduction or Watson’s own powers of storytelling? Man walks around room and telling you what he finds isn’t all that interesting - the set-up, the atmosphere and characters are all key and we are told Watson likes to embellish. Yes, behind the scenes Mr Conan Doyle pulls the strings but if we imagine all is real Holmes’ own narration would probably be missing that texture and colour that Watson brings to the table. In Tim Major’s unusual Homesian tale The Back To Front Murder Watson gets involved in a case where another distinguished crime writer has to share the story with the Great Detective and his Best friend making for some un usual discoveries.
Abigail Moone likes to plot murders as she idly walks through London. Not for being a criminal mastermind but for her secret life as one of Victorian England’s most popular male crime novelists. Walking through the new Tate Gallery she has found herself drawn to a strange man named Ronald Blythwood who has a very very regular routine. A routine so precise that Abigail imagines a killer could easily make use of a certain drinking fountain to administer a fast-acting poison. To test if this plot works a harmless capsule is inserted in the fountain but then Blythwood very quickly falls to the ground dead! Such a strange event and the desire to hopefully prove her innocence brings Abigail to 221B Baker Street where Watson finally meets someone who may understand his role in the partnership – which is more threatening than he expected!
It is a fascinating set-up the writer who dreams a murder plot up and then witnesses it appear to happen in front of their eyes. How have two unconnected people become ensnared into this? As the police get involved we also get an unusual set up where Holmes is facing effectively two clients – Inspector Lestrade and Abigail. As the story opens up more dangers lie in store with someone appearing now very keen that Abigail takes the blame for murder. . It’s a fine puzzle and tests Holmes (and the reader) trying to work out what actually happened.
Another highlight is Abigail Moone who represents a very different character to your typical damsel in distress. An independent wealthy woman who enjoys drinking and smoking and loves to investigate matters herself. It is refreshing to read someone who pushes at the boudnaries of Victorian Society, and we feel for her when her mysterious accuser outs that she is not the male crime writer most of Victorian England loves to read. AS well as being a fascinating character we see an interesting tension with Watson who finds someone who perhaps would be as capable of his role in following Holmes’ exploits and seeing Watson ruffled and a little jealous at first gives the tale a fresh perspective. Ultimately though Major uses this story to remind us Watson himself is not a mere dupe but can do his own investigation and deduction himself something many adaptations forget! Holmes here helps glue the mysteries together and has some lovely flourishes and an examination og his own code of honour but for me this felt very much a Watson tale.
The finale of the story moves us to another classic Conan Doyle move the flashback to an adventure abroad to explain the current crime. I won’t say much but the ultimate explanation for events is indeed ingenious and all I will say is pay attention to the story’s title. My one reservation is at this point Abigail feels side-lined at this point rather than getting a final flourish herself in the story which felt a little disappointing but the wider set of dark deeds should keep your brain occupied. A fine addition to Holmes stories and should make a great brain teaser of a read!
