[books 2016] Rebooted Sherlock Holmes

[inulro]

33. Sherlock Holmes: The Patchwork Devil by Cavan Scott

I am fascinated by Sherlock Holmes as a cultural phenomenon, so have been vaguely intending to read one of the current run being put out by Titan for a while. Cavan Scott is a local writer and had a signing event for this at the local Forbidden Planet, so I decided this was as as good a time as any.

Despite the story having a good hook right from the start, it took me a while to get into it. It's set in 1919 so Holmes and Watson are older. The narrative is more self-aware and knowing than Conan Doyle, but not mean-spirited or sarcastic. It didn't quite work for me until about 1/3 of the way in, when it clicked.

It is based around an engaging mystery and throws in another enduring mythos in popular culture, the Frankenstein's monster. My main criticism is that it throws in too many elements from the original Holmes Canon so that it becomes a bit messy in places.

Nothing profound but it was an entertaining public transit read. My 12 year old self, however, would have loved this to death.

Comments

[jola.livejournal.com]

for "my 12 year old self" might be right up my alley right now, thanks!