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Going into quite a significant story, that I'd forgotten much of! ( spoilers )
Sherlock Holmes reread: The Crooked Man
Apr. 18th, 2025 03:16 pmOnto another story, and going to discuss this ( with spoilers )
Sherlock Holmes reread: The Reigate Squire
Apr. 2nd, 2025 02:26 pmOnto another story and going to discuss this with ( serious spoilers ... )
Onto another story, and unashamed disclaimer up front: this is one of my all-time favourite Holmes stories. ( spoilers )
Still struggling not to type 2024 at the top of these posts!
I've written reviews of Captive Queen, the Midsomer Murders gamebook and Eerie East Anglia.
Of the others, the Tolkien paintings book was nice, though there were some curious choices, especially re the hobbits. The Shakespeare book was great in parts, but had an almost total blind spot on detailed coverage of the many plays, which felt like a huge omission. Our Mutual Friend was a delight for me, as always. And The Principle of Moments, the first in a planned trilogy, was a heady mix of fantasy, space opera and time travelling shenanigans. Probably more ambitious in its goals than it ultimately achieved. But still a riveting read, and I will read the other books.
- ( earlier books )
- Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots by Jade Scott
- A Middle-earth Album: Paintings by Joan Wyatt Inspired by Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings by Joan Wyatt
- Could You Survive Midsomer? – A Winter's Murder: An Official Midsomer Murders Interactive Novel by Simon Brew
- Eerie East Anglia: Fearful Tales of Field and Fen by Edward Parnell
- Introducing Shakespeare: A Graphic Guide by Nick Groom
- Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
- The Principle of Moments by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
I've written reviews of Captive Queen, the Midsomer Murders gamebook and Eerie East Anglia.
Of the others, the Tolkien paintings book was nice, though there were some curious choices, especially re the hobbits. The Shakespeare book was great in parts, but had an almost total blind spot on detailed coverage of the many plays, which felt like a huge omission. Our Mutual Friend was a delight for me, as always. And The Principle of Moments, the first in a planned trilogy, was a heady mix of fantasy, space opera and time travelling shenanigans. Probably more ambitious in its goals than it ultimately achieved. But still a riveting read, and I will read the other books.
Sherlock Holmes reread: The Gloria Scott
Mar. 3rd, 2025 09:29 pmContinuing my reread of the Memoirs collection, and another story I can barely recall. ( spoilers ... )
Midsomer Murders gamebook #2
Feb. 26th, 2025 10:03 amThis morning's reading, the second in the Midsomer Murders gamebooks. Very happy with my investigation today, even if there was admittedly lots of fingers stuck in the book's pages at various points! Much fun, captures the essence of the TV series. There is a 3rd Midsomer Murders gamebook planned.
Sherlock Holmes reread: The Yellow Face
Dec. 17th, 2024 09:32 pmGoing to discuss big spoilers with this one, so ( into spoiler space ... )
Sherlock Holmes reread: The Cardboard Box
Dec. 11th, 2024 03:49 pmOnto the next in my reread, and a story that has rather a complicated publication history, which means I could read it in a couple of different places in the reading order. But have opted for it now. Mainly to get it out of the way! It is not one of my favourites.
( spoilers ... )
( spoilers ... )
Sherlock Holmes reread: Silver Blaze
Dec. 4th, 2024 01:24 amStarting my reread of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. And going to discuss spoilers so ( into spoiler space ... )
Onto the last in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes collection. And this is one that I do remember. Even though I have a tendency to muddle it with the "Solitary Cyclist" story ...
( Into spoiler space ... )
So that's the end of the first collection of short stories for me. On to Memoirs next week.
( Into spoiler space ... )
So that's the end of the first collection of short stories for me. On to Memoirs next week.
Sherlock Holmes reread: The Beryl Coronet
Nov. 18th, 2024 04:26 pmOn to another one that I can barely remember, and this discussion is going to be full of spoilers, so let's go into a big ( spoiler cut ... )
Now this story surprised me. I can't remember it at all from my multiple past reads. Nevertheless it is a well constructed mystery, with a satisfying resolution.
The "noble bachelor" is another member of the upper echelons of society who comes to Holmes for help, the latest in a long line. Though this one is rather arrogant, and I loved this put down from Holmes:
The mystery of the lost wife is well described, though I found it somewhat hard to visualise in places. My own issue with probable aphantasia.
As in a number of Sherlock Holmes stories there is an American connection, with very much a sense of the exotic in its inclusion.
Ultimately the solution to the case is a simple one, as Holmes sums up himself:
So yes, a good story, though not one of the best Sherlock Holmes stories. And a story that had completely slipped my memory, despite multiple rereads.
The "noble bachelor" is another member of the upper echelons of society who comes to Holmes for help, the latest in a long line. Though this one is rather arrogant, and I loved this put down from Holmes:
"A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of society."
"No, I am descending."
"I beg pardon."
"My last client of the sort was a king."
"Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?"
"The King of Scandinavia."
"What! Had he lost his wife?"
"You can understand," said Holmes, suavely, "that I extend to the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you in yours."
The mystery of the lost wife is well described, though I found it somewhat hard to visualise in places. My own issue with probable aphantasia.
As in a number of Sherlock Holmes stories there is an American connection, with very much a sense of the exotic in its inclusion.
Ultimately the solution to the case is a simple one, as Holmes sums up himself:
"The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes, when our visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard."
So yes, a good story, though not one of the best Sherlock Holmes stories. And a story that had completely slipped my memory, despite multiple rereads.
Continuing the short story reread, and onto one of the most gruesome stories in the canon. Going to discuss this with big spoilers from the start, so here's a ( spoiler cut. )
Sherlock Holmes reread: The Speckled Band
Oct. 28th, 2024 03:33 pmOn to another Sherlock Holmes short story, and one of my absolute favourites. ( spoilers ... )
Onto another story, and, like "A Scandal in Bohemia", this is one I've appreciated more on reads than watching the Jeremy Brett TV version. And this latest read was no exception.
It is gloriously Christmassy, and I really feel as though I should have been reading it in a couple of months time from now! There are vivid descriptions of the cold, wintry weather. And I think reading that is far more immersive than even a visual depiction on the TV version.
The story revolves around a festive goose which has turned up in mysterious circumstances. And even more mysteriously it turns out to have a giant gemstone inside it. Holmes has to deduce how this happened, and solve a crime, and of course he does so, brilliantly.
There is a very lengthy deduction section, where Holmes shows off his skills. This time starting from a hat. It's great to read, not feeling overlong, and it does set up the rest of the story.
I loved the dashing from location to location as Holmes and Watson followed the clues about the goose, back to its origins. There is also a highly amusing conversation in Covent Garden, with a very reluctant poultry seller. And I was amused when Holmes traced someone by placing an advert in the newspapers, that he was sure the person would see the next day.
Ultimately the mystery is resolved, and things are wrapped up. And all round it's just very satisfying. Though again, I think, best read at Christmas. I do wonder what I will think when I rewatch the Jeremy Brett version soon.
It is gloriously Christmassy, and I really feel as though I should have been reading it in a couple of months time from now! There are vivid descriptions of the cold, wintry weather. And I think reading that is far more immersive than even a visual depiction on the TV version.
The story revolves around a festive goose which has turned up in mysterious circumstances. And even more mysteriously it turns out to have a giant gemstone inside it. Holmes has to deduce how this happened, and solve a crime, and of course he does so, brilliantly.
There is a very lengthy deduction section, where Holmes shows off his skills. This time starting from a hat. It's great to read, not feeling overlong, and it does set up the rest of the story.
I loved the dashing from location to location as Holmes and Watson followed the clues about the goose, back to its origins. There is also a highly amusing conversation in Covent Garden, with a very reluctant poultry seller. And I was amused when Holmes traced someone by placing an advert in the newspapers, that he was sure the person would see the next day.
Ultimately the mystery is resolved, and things are wrapped up. And all round it's just very satisfying. Though again, I think, best read at Christmas. I do wonder what I will think when I rewatch the Jeremy Brett version soon.
On to another Sherlock Holmes short story, and again I'm going to discuss this with big spoilers. ( spoiler text )
On to another story, and one that I find personally one of the most disturbing in the entire Holmes canon.
( spoilers )
( spoilers )
