Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon

Rating:
Summary: A must read for Holmes aficianados
Review: This is a must read for fans of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Holmes solves a satisfying mystery in the northwoods of Minnesota in one of the best Sherlock Holmes stories that I have ever read including the originals. The background setting is accurately painted by the first-time novelist, and the book is very well written. All of the elements that make Doyle's characters so popular can be found in the novel as well. There are a cast of interesting characters that can puzzle a reader as to who the red demon is. I guessed who the villian was......

Rating:
Summary: Solid
Review: This is part of the whole cottage industry which produces riffs upon and spin-offs of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes stories. The author is actually listed as "John Watson, M.D." and Millett is listed as the "editor" in order to preserve the total illusion that this is a "lost" manuscript only recently recovered and edited, complete with footnotes of explanation. This premise, although hokey in one sense, was actually quite effective in getting me into the spirit of the book. This book alleges to account for some of the missing time of the dynamic duo by placing them in Minnesota in 1894. I confess to being a neophyte to the Holmes canon, having read only a few stories and been mostly exposed to it via the excellent British television productions. Thus, I am in no position to comment on the books faithfulness, or lack thereof, to the details of the series, or to the replication of writing style. However, it is a fun read. Based on a great deal of historical research, the book has Holmes and Watson hired by a rail baron to solve the mystery of a mysterious outbreak of arson attacks on his line. The mystery itself isn't too tricky, but a rousing conclusion more than makes up for any other deficiencies. A must for Holmes fans, and a good period mystery even if you're not a big Holmes reader.

Rating:
Summary: Solid
Review: This is part of the whole cottage industry which produces riffs upon and spin-offs of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes stories. The author is actually listed as "John Watson, M.D." and Millett is listed as the "editor" in order to preserve the total illusion that this is a "lost" manuscript only recently recovered and edited, complete with footnotes of explanation. This premise, although hokey in one sense, was actually quite effective in getting me into the spirit of the book. This book alleges to account for some of the missing time of the dynamic duo by placing them in Minnesota in 1894. I confess to being a neophyte to the Holmes canon, having read only a few stories and been mostly exposed to it via the excellent British television productions. Thus, I am in no position to comment on the books faithfulness, or lack thereof, to the details of the series, or to the replication of writing style. However, it is a fun read. Based on a great deal of historical research, the book has Holmes and Watson hired by a rail baron to solve the mystery of a mysterious outbreak of arson attacks on his line. The mystery itself isn't too tricky, but a rousing conclusion more than makes up for any other deficiencies. A must for Holmes fans, and a good period mystery even if you're not a big Holmes reader.

Rating:
Summary: A deeply satisfying read.
Review: What an achievement! Millett's knowledge of his home turf, and of Conan-Doyle, are impressive, but what I like best are the original story line, the exotic setting and the breakneck, roller-coaster pace. Like many people, I read and put away Conan-Doyle (along with Christie, Simenon and Stout) years ago, in favor of more contemporary writing. I hated the tepid "new" Nero Wolfe stories, along with most other attempts to keep beloved characters alive past their time. Today, my tastes run more to Kaminsky, Evanovich, Cornwell, Perry, Hillerman and Rendell. So I was surprised by how quickly "Red Demon" grabbed me and swept me along. I won't buy the next one because it's a Holmes "sequel" but because this one gave me so much pleasure as a mystery!