THE NEW CLEVER AND INTRIGUING CRIME MYSTERY FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, THE TURNGLASS
Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend, Dr John Watson, have been hired by actor George Reynolds. George wants them to find out why the audience who comes to see him perform every night are the same people, only wearing disguises. Is something sinister going on and, if so, what?
Meanwhile, Holmes’ archenemy, Professor James Moriarty is having problems of his own. Implicated in the murder of a gang leader, Moriarty and his second, Moran, must go on the run from the police in order to find out who is behind the set-up.
But their investigation puts them in the way of Holmes and Watson and it’s not long before all four realise that they are being targeted by the same person. With lives on the line, not just their own, they must form an uneasy alliance in order to unmask the true villain. With clues leading them to a hotel in Switzerland and a conspiracy far greater than any of them expected, who can be trusted and will any of them survive?
I am delighted to be hosting the blog tour for Holmes and Moriarty by Gareth Rubin today. Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me and for my advance copy of the novel.
Gareth Rubin's previous title, The Turnglass was a fascinating tête-bêche book but although Holmes and Moriarty sees a return to the more usual form of novel, it is no less ambitious in its own way. The great consulting detective is arguably the most beloved in crime fiction and while there has been numerous adaptations through the years, it's still a notable moment seeing Baker Street's finest back in print.
As with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, it's John Watson who narrates the story of Sherlock's latest adventure. However, alternating chapters are told from the perspective of his criminal counterpart, Colonel Sebastian Moran, the right-hand man of Holmes' nemesis, Professor Moriarty. Gareth Rubin captures Watson's voice superbly; eager to impress but often a few steps behind, there's a loneliness to him here and we're reminded that he's back with Holmes because he's a widower. Meanwhile, Moran simmers with barely contained violence but is no thug. His chapters are filled with criminal slang and wry, bawdy observations which capture the street talk of the period superbly.
Holmes is drawn to a peculiar case concerning a young actor who can't understand why the same small audience watches him every night but disguise themselves to do so. Sherlock quickly begins to figure out the strange reason behind their behaviour but then he starts to receive perplexing messages regarding his old enemy. Meanwhile, Moriarty becomes caught up in a gangland feud and suffers some great losses to his own coven of ne'er-do-wells. Of course, he is not intimidated by his apparently weakened circumstances and is quickly able to turn the tables as he solves a locked room mystery of his own.
The pair eventually set eyes on one another during a scene which will have arachnaphobes shuddering but it takes a little longer before they reluctantly agree they need to work alongside one another. The switching narration continues in the chapters set in Switzerland but the storyline here also becomes a thrilling adventure story. There are secret passages, evil plots and daring rescues and the pacy, engaging plot means this is an easy book to race through.
The tone of the book is pitch-perfect throughout, while the immersive descriptions bring Victorian London, a tiny village in Switzerland and a mysterious mountain-top hotel to life. There are also ominous hints as to the bloody future of Europe in 1914 and with the benefit of bitter hindsight, it's clear that the war clouds are already gathering. It all builds to a twisty, nailbiting climax which is is also tremendous fun.
Holmes and Moriarty is everything I hoped for; perplexing, exciting and full of humour. I'm sure it will be equally as well received by fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books, those who only know Sherlock Holmes through the various screen adaptations and the rare person who is just meeting him now. Highly recommended.
Holmes and Moriarty is published by Simon & Schuster, purchasing links can be found here.
Follow the blog tour, details are below.
About the Author
Comments
Post a Comment