Gods of War (Sherlock Holmes)
An East Wind It is 1913, and Dr Watson is visiting Sherlock Holmes at his retirement cottage near Eastbourne when tragedy strikes: the body of a young man, Patrick Mallinson, is found under the cliffs of Beachy Head. The man’s father, a wealthy businessman, engages Holmes to prove that his son committed suicide, the result of a failed love affair with an older woman. Yet the woman in question insists that there is more to Patrick’s death. She has seen mysterious symbols drawn on his body, and fears that he was under the influence of a malevolent cult. When an attempt is made on Watson’s life, it seems that she may be proved right. The threat of war hangs over England, and there is no telling what sinister forces are at work. Praise for The Stuff of Nightmares “[A] tremendously accomplished thriller which leaves the reader in no doubt that they are in the hands of a confident and skilful craftsman.” STARBURST “Dramatic, gripping, exciting and respectful to its source material, I thoroughly enjoyed every surprise and twist as the story unfolded.” FANTASY BOOK REVIEW “This is delicious stuff, marrying the standard notions of Holmesiana with the kind of imagination and we expect from Lovegrove.” CRIMETIME
Sherlock Holmes, the latter years.,
Set in 1913, the story revolves around a retired Holmes being visited by his old friend Watson at his cottage in the coastal town of Eastborne. During his visit Watson learns Holmes isn’t as retired as he seems solving small cases here and there to ease his boredom when the body of a young man washes up on the beach. His curiosity roused Holmes investigates this seemingly innocent death to discover something much greater is afoot.
I really like Lovegroves writing style, it really captures the era and I found it a pleasure to read. It’s not Arthur Conan Doyle, but it’s a well written book regardless. The plot itself is well woven and has great pacing throughout with a slow exposition build up leading onto more action heavy scenes in the latter half of the book. Both the time period and setting make this book stand out from other Holmes based novels with Holmes and Watson discussing both new inventions of the period as well as the political state of the world.
So far James Lovegrove’s easy to read writting style and well paced plots have been a real success with me. I greatly look forward to reading his third Sherlock Holmes novel Sherlock Holmes – The Thinking Engine.
+ Well written.
+ Time period and setting make a nice change.
+ Good pacing.
Atmospheric and addictive!,
Nice to have him back.,