The Hound of the D’Urbervilles (Professor Moriarty Novels)
Imagine the twisted evil twins of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson and you have the dangerous duo of Professor James Moriarty – wily, snake-like, fiercely intelligent, unpredictable – and Colonel Sebastian ‘Basher’ Moran – violent, politically incorrect, debauched. Together they run London crime, owning police and criminals alike. Unravelling mysteries – all for their own gain. A hugely enjoyable, and fiercely clever romp from acclaimed novelist Kim Newman.Imagine the twisted evil twins of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson and you have the dangerous duo of Professor James Moriarty – wily, snake-like, fiercely intelligent, unpredictable – and Colonel Sebastian ‘Basher’ Moran – violent, politically incorrect, debauched. Together they run London crime, owning police and criminals alike. Unravelling mysteries – all for their own gain. A hugely enjoyable, and fiercely clever romp from acclaimed novelist Kim Newman.
Loved it…,
I’ve got to say that I thought this book was great. Firstly because its told from the other side of the Holmes/Moriarty coin. Secondly because It rolls along at a good pace, packing in the shady schemes of various villains. Thirdly because the character of ‘Basher’ Moran is excellent. He’s a total rogue of the highest order. He’ll shoot you, steal your money and diddle your wife – before you’re even cold. He is characterised as probably the worlds first diagnosed [by Moriarty] “adrenalin junky” and very much the strong right arm of Moriarty’s operation. Told through his eyes, there’s less focus on the high-brow scheming that you’d associate with Holmes/Moriarty; and more of the down-and-dirty day-to-day work. Basher knows he doesn’t have the brains to keep up with Moriarty and contents himself with the required physicality.
One of the things I thought was excellent was the almost total dismissal of Holmes as an effective nemesis. He is painted as a minor character who never truly appreciates the scale of Moriarty’s interests.
You could treat the book as a collection of short stories – each detailing a crime or two. Dip into it as and when you see fit. I read it in about three sittings – it was that engrossing.
If you like a good crime tale that doesn’t take itself too seriously; and you don’t mind hearing it told from the wrong side of the tracks – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
The book is voiced by Moran who is Moriarty’s Watson if you like just more violent and devious,
Fans of Sherlock I think will like this book if they wish to explore the world of the villains in more details. But you have to give it at least a quarter of the book before it finally seems to get going.
Absolutely terrific – a welcome return,
Bad if you want to get a good night’s sleep though – it didn’t cause any nightmares, it just kept me awake reading it well past the time I should have gone to bed…