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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I received this book from the author after subscribing to her mailing list. I was curious as it's a Sherlock Holmes pastiche and I'll read anything involving the great detective. However, Holmes is a secondary character to Anna Kronberg, a German woman with a medical degree who lives a double life as a man, Dr Anton Kronberg. An interesting premise considering how difficult it was for women to get ahead in the world of medicine in that period of time.
Anna and Sherlock first meet when a body is washed up in a water plant- a body full of cholera- but all is not as it seems, could the man have been murdered? Despite the fact he had cholera?
I did feel some moments were unnecessary such as a sex scene, thrown in for no apparent reason, and the moment Anna decided to kiss Sherlock. It was pretty obvious she'd develop feelings for Sherlock- however I was far more interested in the case. It was a mix of scientific knowledge and medical science which made the case of two very common diseases a lot more interesting! I felt I learnt as I read.
It's hard to explain it without spoiling it. I suppose Anna can be considered a Mary Sue in some ways but she is also extremely clever and very good at what she does!
It had its flaws, I admit. It wasn't perfect, but it was written well. Despite my initial apprehension I enjoyed it and felt she did Holmes justice. It would have been nice to see more of Doctor Watson though, but that's me being picky.
I flew through this book so I clearly enjoyed it, I'm definitely interested in reading the rest if the series. The preview of the next one introduces Moriarty :D
4/5
I was pleasantly surprised. I'd definitely recommend it.
Anna and Sherlock first meet when a body is washed up in a water plant- a body full of cholera- but all is not as it seems, could the man have been murdered? Despite the fact he had cholera?
I did feel some moments were unnecessary such as a sex scene, thrown in for no apparent reason, and the moment Anna decided to kiss Sherlock. It was pretty obvious she'd develop feelings for Sherlock- however I was far more interested in the case. It was a mix of scientific knowledge and medical science which made the case of two very common diseases a lot more interesting! I felt I learnt as I read.
It's hard to explain it without spoiling it. I suppose Anna can be considered a Mary Sue in some ways but she is also extremely clever and very good at what she does!
It had its flaws, I admit. It wasn't perfect, but it was written well. Despite my initial apprehension I enjoyed it and felt she did Holmes justice. It would have been nice to see more of Doctor Watson though, but that's me being picky.
I flew through this book so I clearly enjoyed it, I'm definitely interested in reading the rest if the series. The preview of the next one introduces Moriarty :D
4/5
I was pleasantly surprised. I'd definitely recommend it.
The Devil's Grin by Annelie Wendeberg is the first book in the 'Kronberg Crimes' series.
Set in Victorian England, this book is a mix of fiction and historical facts. Disease coats the streets and Jack the Ripper haunts the alleys. People will do anything to survive.
The year is 1889 and Doctor Anton Kronberg has been asked for assistance in identifying a possible cholera victim at the Hampton Water Treatment Works by Scotland Yard's Inspector Gibson. Anton works at Guy's Hospital in London in the ward of infectious diseases. The best bacteriologist and epidemiologist in England. Cholera is one of many constant threats and the hospital is always packed three to a bed, leading to the further spread of disease.
Going to inspect the dead man, Anton meets the famous Sherlock Holmes, who surprises both Anton and the reader by discovering that Anton Kronberg is in fact Anna Kronberg, a female doctor who earned her degree in Germany. Anna is reasonably upset. This is an era where women are forbidden to study medicine or become doctors. The only women in a medical field are nurses. Anna works very hard to keep her identity secret by changing her countenance and her appearance, even going as far as to keep a bag filled with water in her trousers so her colleagues can occasional see her 'peeing' at the urinals, to leave no doubt in their minds that she is a man. If her secret was ever revealed, she would be incarcerated for life.
Anna is just as sharp and observant as Sherlock. The two decide to work with each other (which neither of them are particularly used to or pleased about) after finding a few discrepancies on the body. The two will have to learn to deal with one another and try to get along with someone just as knowledgable as themselves. They will no doubt get on each other's nerves, but there is amicability and understanding there too.
As they begin to see more into the dark underworld and corrupt corporations that are involved, they begin to realise just how deep they're in. Could the man have been killed by tetanus? If so, how could he contract it without any deep wounds or without consuming a tetanus infected animal? Is it possible he was murdered? They must also learn to battle with their own dark demons and consider how far either of them are willing to go to find the truth, even if it means risking their lives or that of others.
The title of this book comes from one of the symptoms of a tetanus victim- a grin. It is a telltale sign of tetanus.
The characters are intriguing. Sherlock is Sherlock. What can I say about this character that isn't already known to every person under the sun? His depiction here is very similar to his original character. Obviously, there will be slight discrepancies, not just because of a different author, but also because he's interacting with people he's never met before. All people act differently depending on the person they're with, including Sherlock. For fans of Sherlock, don't worry, he is still true to himself, if not for the occasional phrase I couldn't quite picture him saying.
Sherlock himself is already a character who's interesting enough to carry the story, but Anna/Anton's character was equally compelling, to say the least. Forced to hide her gender, she spends so much time as a man, that she questions her identity. It's not that she's transgender or confused about her sexuality, but more that she has seen the pros and cons of being a member of each gender and she wonders which one it is better to be and which one she is more suited to. Add to that the fact that she must completely shed her female self, so as not to be discovered, and it's not wonder she's unsure.
Like Sherlock, she will push herself to her physical and mental limits to get an answer. Together, the chemistry these two characters share is palpable. I'm bringing it up because I'm sure people will wonder, but the only similarity between her and Irene is that the two are equally as intelligent as Sherlock himself. They can outwit him. But Irene is very sure of her gender and obviously loves being a woman and the ability to make Sherlock uncomfortable with it. Anna isn't even sure what gender she wants to be. Their personalities are very different and these two characters are not to be confused.
Anna and Sherlock can singlehandedly carry this story. The plot is interesting and dark, but even if it had been terrible, I believe that Anna and Sherlock would still make it work. They're just that entertaining and thought-provoking.
An incomplete ending, this is a series that connects all its stories through plot, not just characters. It is not often that the same story will continue through the series. The same villain perhaps, but generally when you start a new book, a new plot begins as well. For those who aren't fans of endings without resolution, there is enough of a conclusion to satisfy. We just aren't given the whole picture. The final line will leave fans of both this book's characters and Sherlock Holmes hurrying to the next instalment.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Set in Victorian England, this book is a mix of fiction and historical facts. Disease coats the streets and Jack the Ripper haunts the alleys. People will do anything to survive.
The year is 1889 and Doctor Anton Kronberg has been asked for assistance in identifying a possible cholera victim at the Hampton Water Treatment Works by Scotland Yard's Inspector Gibson. Anton works at Guy's Hospital in London in the ward of infectious diseases. The best bacteriologist and epidemiologist in England. Cholera is one of many constant threats and the hospital is always packed three to a bed, leading to the further spread of disease.
Going to inspect the dead man, Anton meets the famous Sherlock Holmes, who surprises both Anton and the reader by discovering that Anton Kronberg is in fact Anna Kronberg, a female doctor who earned her degree in Germany. Anna is reasonably upset. This is an era where women are forbidden to study medicine or become doctors. The only women in a medical field are nurses. Anna works very hard to keep her identity secret by changing her countenance and her appearance, even going as far as to keep a bag filled with water in her trousers so her colleagues can occasional see her 'peeing' at the urinals, to leave no doubt in their minds that she is a man. If her secret was ever revealed, she would be incarcerated for life.
Anna is just as sharp and observant as Sherlock. The two decide to work with each other (which neither of them are particularly used to or pleased about) after finding a few discrepancies on the body. The two will have to learn to deal with one another and try to get along with someone just as knowledgable as themselves. They will no doubt get on each other's nerves, but there is amicability and understanding there too.
As they begin to see more into the dark underworld and corrupt corporations that are involved, they begin to realise just how deep they're in. Could the man have been killed by tetanus? If so, how could he contract it without any deep wounds or without consuming a tetanus infected animal? Is it possible he was murdered? They must also learn to battle with their own dark demons and consider how far either of them are willing to go to find the truth, even if it means risking their lives or that of others.
The title of this book comes from one of the symptoms of a tetanus victim- a grin. It is a telltale sign of tetanus.
The characters are intriguing. Sherlock is Sherlock. What can I say about this character that isn't already known to every person under the sun? His depiction here is very similar to his original character. Obviously, there will be slight discrepancies, not just because of a different author, but also because he's interacting with people he's never met before. All people act differently depending on the person they're with, including Sherlock. For fans of Sherlock, don't worry, he is still true to himself, if not for the occasional phrase I couldn't quite picture him saying.
Sherlock himself is already a character who's interesting enough to carry the story, but Anna/Anton's character was equally compelling, to say the least. Forced to hide her gender, she spends so much time as a man, that she questions her identity. It's not that she's transgender or confused about her sexuality, but more that she has seen the pros and cons of being a member of each gender and she wonders which one it is better to be and which one she is more suited to. Add to that the fact that she must completely shed her female self, so as not to be discovered, and it's not wonder she's unsure.
Like Sherlock, she will push herself to her physical and mental limits to get an answer. Together, the chemistry these two characters share is palpable. I'm bringing it up because I'm sure people will wonder, but the only similarity between her and Irene is that the two are equally as intelligent as Sherlock himself. They can outwit him. But Irene is very sure of her gender and obviously loves being a woman and the ability to make Sherlock uncomfortable with it. Anna isn't even sure what gender she wants to be. Their personalities are very different and these two characters are not to be confused.
Anna and Sherlock can singlehandedly carry this story. The plot is interesting and dark, but even if it had been terrible, I believe that Anna and Sherlock would still make it work. They're just that entertaining and thought-provoking.
An incomplete ending, this is a series that connects all its stories through plot, not just characters. It is not often that the same story will continue through the series. The same villain perhaps, but generally when you start a new book, a new plot begins as well. For those who aren't fans of endings without resolution, there is enough of a conclusion to satisfy. We just aren't given the whole picture. The final line will leave fans of both this book's characters and Sherlock Holmes hurrying to the next instalment.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.
This is such an odd book! A cross-dressing heroine with a crush on Sherlock Holmes! It was impossible to predict what would come next because the character was so unusual. I couldn't put it down. I also noted Anna's dry, earthy, matter-of-fact delivery. I am familiar enough with German language and culture to recognize that as being characteristic. I googled the author, and sure enough, she was born in the former East Germany. The author and her character are both fluent, but non-native English speakers. It adds an interesting layer of detail. So, this is not your average paperback mystery. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
I read this book over the course of about 2 hours - I truly could not put it down. The plot was fascinating and well-paced, and it truly kept me guessing. I'm itching to read the other volumes in this series now!
I love a good Jack the Ripper story… I love Sherlock Holmes. I felt like this was really the first part. Not too much closure and I’m not sure if I’m okay with a book that requires me to read more to know how the first book truly ends. We will see.
die geschichte ist gut und interessant. doch leider hat mich das buch nicht wirklich gefesselt.. ich musste mich zwingen, es doch noch zu ende zu lesen, weil ich dann doch wissen wollte, wie es endet. ich kann leider nicht genau sagen woran es lag, vielleicht am schreibstil oder aufbau.. letztlich nur ein mittelmäßiger krimi, bei dem ich im endeffekt denke, dass ich meine zeit beim lesen verschwendet habe, da es viele sehr viel bessere bücher gibt (aber auch schlechtere, wie gesagt, würde teufelsgrinsen als unteres mittelmaß bezeichnen)..
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6468006.Annelie_Wendeberg
I have really started off the year reading some great books! I'm not afraid to give a bad review or single star ratings and as I start reviewing with more purpose, I've challenged myself to not shy away from being critical. So far this year however, I've picked some pretty great books off of my TBR shelf to read. Yay me!
I love Sherlock Holmes and usually manage to either re-read one of Sir A C Doyle's stories or find a book that reimagines Sherlock Holmes in some way. In this case, Anna Kronberg is practicing as a doctor in 1889 London and meets Sherlock Holmes when they are both called in to examine a dead body found floating in the Thames. Dr. Anna Kronberg is a preeminent bacteriologist and there is concern that the deceased man may have contaminated the waterway with cholera.
Rather than the murder itself, it's another puzzle that initially draws Holmes' attention - the fact that Dr. Anna Kronberg is actually living and practicing medicine as Dr. Anton Kronberg...a man. She is doing this because it was very difficult for women to become practicing doctors and it was not until 1876 that England passed a law that allowed women to enter the medical profession. While this is 13 years before this story takes place, I can't imagine that it was particularly easy for women to become practicing doctors and in fact, the few women who managed to get a medical degree in England often chose to leave due to societal pressure and practice in other countries. For many reasons, Anna Kronberg made the decision to live as a man in order to be a doctor. The fact that Sherlock Holmes is the only one who has discovered her secret is not unbelievable given Holmes' investigative gifts. A quote from The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle fits perfectly here: "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people do not know".
Needless to say, what appeared to be one more poor unfortunate who died and was disposed of in the Thames actually turns out to be indicative of something far more sinister. The Metropolitan Police quickly lose interest in the case but both Anna and Holmes continue to follow the evidence.
I find the partnership between Holmes and Kronberg believable. They are both logical, smart and not fulfilled unless their intellect is challenged. They certainly challenge each other in this book. I particularly like when Kronberg turns Holmes' methods of deduction against him. She did so early in the story in response to Holmes' analysis of her reasons for practicing medicine as a man. After she turns the tables on Holmes and concludes that his brilliance requires constant stimulation and goes on to deduce his use of cocaine and the playing of the violin, she turns on him with "It feels like a stranger just ripped off all your clothes, doesn't it? Don't you dare dig into my private life again."
While the mystery is straight forward, the character of Dr. Anna Kronberg and the relationship she has with Sherlock Holmes is unique and original.
I love Sherlock Holmes and usually manage to either re-read one of Sir A C Doyle's stories or find a book that reimagines Sherlock Holmes in some way. In this case, Anna Kronberg is practicing as a doctor in 1889 London and meets Sherlock Holmes when they are both called in to examine a dead body found floating in the Thames. Dr. Anna Kronberg is a preeminent bacteriologist and there is concern that the deceased man may have contaminated the waterway with cholera.
Rather than the murder itself, it's another puzzle that initially draws Holmes' attention - the fact that Dr. Anna Kronberg is actually living and practicing medicine as Dr. Anton Kronberg...a man. She is doing this because it was very difficult for women to become practicing doctors and it was not until 1876 that England passed a law that allowed women to enter the medical profession. While this is 13 years before this story takes place, I can't imagine that it was particularly easy for women to become practicing doctors and in fact, the few women who managed to get a medical degree in England often chose to leave due to societal pressure and practice in other countries. For many reasons, Anna Kronberg made the decision to live as a man in order to be a doctor. The fact that Sherlock Holmes is the only one who has discovered her secret is not unbelievable given Holmes' investigative gifts. A quote from The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle fits perfectly here: "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people do not know".
Needless to say, what appeared to be one more poor unfortunate who died and was disposed of in the Thames actually turns out to be indicative of something far more sinister. The Metropolitan Police quickly lose interest in the case but both Anna and Holmes continue to follow the evidence.
I find the partnership between Holmes and Kronberg believable. They are both logical, smart and not fulfilled unless their intellect is challenged. They certainly challenge each other in this book. I particularly like when Kronberg turns Holmes' methods of deduction against him. She did so early in the story in response to Holmes' analysis of her reasons for practicing medicine as a man. After she turns the tables on Holmes and concludes that his brilliance requires constant stimulation and goes on to deduce his use of cocaine and the playing of the violin, she turns on him with "It feels like a stranger just ripped off all your clothes, doesn't it? Don't you dare dig into my private life again."
While the mystery is straight forward, the character of Dr. Anna Kronberg and the relationship she has with Sherlock Holmes is unique and original.
This was enjoyable enough as an in between read and I would read more of the series. The characters and plot were entertaining enough, but I did find some of things, particularly as concerning Dr. Kronberg, to be somewhat anachronistic.