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Rating: 
Summary: A French Napoleon of Crime?
Review: Following an outrageous crime in Paris, where a criminal claiming to be Sherlock Holmes plays an pivotal role, the real Great Detective and his trusty biographer head off to the continent where things are far more complex than they first appear...John Hall writes a reasonable Holmes book, relying upon the known plans of Professor Moriarty and featuring the French thief, Arsene Jupin, in a strong supporting role. His writing plays to a desirable strength: Holmes and Watson are truly portrayed as detectives, accumulating clues and investigating leads, as they try to uncover exactly who is behind the plot and where to find him. In this quest they utilise both the services of the French Surete and the contacts they develop in the underworld. However, the relative ease with which they move through the organisation of the French master criminal makes him seem a little less formidable than would be desirable. There is nothing wrong with the portrayal of Holmes and Watson, but be the same token they are not very exciting or notable. Arsene Jupin (as Arsene Lupin is called here) is a bit bland. Lupin, as originally portrayed, had a bit of a hard edge that reduced as his stories went along. The portrayal here is Lupin at his most boring. A reasonable read for Holmes fans, not so interesting for those who want to read Lupin.
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