Leisurely Geeks

Thanks to Titan Publishing, I had the opportunity to read a review copy of a new novel. Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Dr. Moreau by Guy Adams.

First of all, I will start by saying this is a pretty loose review. That’s because I hate spoiling a book. And spoiling anything in a Sherlock Holmes novel seems twice as bad.

Secondly: It might not be for you. Playing with an iconic character is like playing with fire. Some handle it very carefully. With gloves they use the character to tell a story both befitting in content and in style that everyone associates with the character. Some chose to use the fire to re-mold the character or the world they are envisioned to be a part of. With that being said, I admit that I am normally not a fan of Sherlock Holmes novels. I usually want more from the characters than what the novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did with them. To me they always felt as if Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was just using them as an intellectual exercise of designing a mystery as intricate as possible. Only to then use Holmes as the only character capable enough to unravel it. All to show off both the mystery and Holmes’ amazing skills of deduction. Great characters, but in many ways the material of that era comes across as a bit dry. Understandably those that prefer their Sherlock Holmes written in that Victorian style will probably not like this book.