vivdunstan

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.

On to another story, and one that I find personally one of the most disturbing in the entire Holmes canon.

( spoilers )

On to the next short story, and I'm going to discuss it with some major spoilers in there. So into the ( spoiler section we go )

So a rather slight Holmes story, but many interesting elements nevertheless.

Just three more books finished since last time. Though I've already reached my 2024 reading goal of 25 books finished. Which was, admittedly, a very modest goal. Of the new books read two were 3-star reads for me, and the other a 5-star read. That was the tale of bicycle riding Norwegian Forest Cat Sigrid in London. I've been following her on Instagram for a while, and it's been a delight to learn her history. I am now in a slight holding pattern fiction wise until the middle of July. But still reading lots of non fiction books. Plus some manga. And still a play script book. Those last ones in print.

( earlier books )
1. Scarlet by Genevieve Cogman
2. Sigrid Rides: The Story of an Extraordinary Friendship and An Adventure on Two Wheels by Travis Nelson
3. Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami

There's a stage version of Charles Dickens's "Our Mutual Friend" on in London: "London Tide" with songs by PJ Harvey. Unsure how well it will work without seeing staging and hearing singing, but it's my favourite Dickens, so I'm getting the script to read.

I am also crossing fingers that the National Theatre may put a recording of this on their online pay service. I'd love to see it. But getting to see the stage show in person is impossible for me. It's getting varied reviews, but I'd still give it a go if I could.