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cleverbaggins's review
1.0
This was not only a horrible book, but so bad it made me furious as I read each story. I have never read such horrible stories Sherlock or no and can't believe they were published. Out of thirteen only a couple were even ok and none were excellent. Here is a breakdown if you're interested.
'Locked by Mike Strauss
The most badly written story of the lot. So bad that I'm not sure it isn't supposed to be some kind of satire or something. So very horrible that it made me feel sick with anger at how excited I was to start this book. Will NEVER read this or anything he writes again.
The Scent of Truth by Jody Lynn Nye
Another also that led me to buying this book. I know her from various scifi and expected a lot more from her than this story. It was ok as a story. I'd give it maybe 3 stars itself. The idea was interesting but ultimately boring. Her John was kind of a jerk which is never something I like. Disappointed but at least I wasn't furious.
Adventure of the Reluctant Detective by Ryk Spoor
The first story that sparked any interest in me. It was fairly well written and I was intrigued by what was going on. Not crazy about his interpretations of Sherlock and John but they weren't bad. The conclusion of the mystery was interesting and somewhat satisfiying. I feel fond about it probably more because I'd been so disappointed before than over it actually being good.
A Scandal in the Bloodline by Hildy Silverman
I was hopeful again. I ove a good vampire/ sorta werewolf Sherlock story. Ultimately stupid. Made Sherlock into a hopeless pining for Irene stereotype which is completely out of character and not even written to make it in character. By the end of this one I felt angry and disgusted by the whole book again.
The Fabulous Marble by David Gerrold
Another author that made me want to buy the book. The story wasn't bad at all. Was actually interesting. The problem being it wasn't a Sherlock Holmes story. Felt like he had a story, changed the names and went hey look I can make scfi-y acronyms of Sherlock names. Wasn't worth reading the rest of the book. Still disappointed.
The Scarlet Study by Jim Avelli
This one was just disgusting. He had Sherlock in love with Irene again, no real John Watson and Sherlock was no one and nothing wish I'd never read this one. Not even an original idea. Biggest note I left on this story was the word BARF underlined twice if that gives you a clue.
Delta Phi by Heidi McLaughlin
Another female Sherlock only done badly with a very lame story, stupid plot and even more stupid conclusion. Made both John and Sherlock dumb. Badly written too. Words used that don't mean what the author obviously meant them too. (you can't open a door with luster)
Beethoven's Baton by Austin Farmer
Boring. Boring. Boring. That's pretty much it. Nothing horrible but man boring.
The Adventure of the Melted Saint by Gail Martin
Another author I was excited to finally read. Not a bad story. Decent writing. A very cute mystery at the end. The Sherlock character was okay, but kind of forced? A good idea but not greatly executed. Not enough Sherlock, either. Also made John Watson just a dog. Not okay. Not a cute enough mystery to fix all that.
Automatic Sherlock by Martin Rose
Actually the best Sherlock character in the book I think. Kind of a cute story. I like the idea. The John character is meh to potentially good. Still nothing to rave about.
The Hammer of God by Jonathan Maberry
The last author that made me want to grab this book. I know he's a fairly big writer for kind of scifi/horror. After this I'll never pick up his books. This story was EXTREMELY boring. Barely finished. The characters didn't seem like Sherlock nor John. SO BORING. Have fallen into a sort of disgusted despair by now about this book.
Code Cracker by Beth Patterson
I was excited about this one. Sherlock as a parrot could be fun! Give me some humor please! Anything interesting! Instead Got a stupid John Watson, a kind of cute Sherlock as a bird and one of the stupidest mysteries in the book. A dumb mystery with an even more dumb conclusion.
All in all this is possibly the most disappointed I've been in a book in a VERY long time. I'm still so angry and mad I spent money on this that I can't get over it. Hopefully these stories will be forgotten soon enough. Nothing was memorable anyway beyond how disgusted they made me feel. Don't recommend this to anyone ever.
'Locked by Mike Strauss
The most badly written story of the lot. So bad that I'm not sure it isn't supposed to be some kind of satire or something. So very horrible that it made me feel sick with anger at how excited I was to start this book. Will NEVER read this or anything he writes again.
The Scent of Truth by Jody Lynn Nye
Another also that led me to buying this book. I know her from various scifi and expected a lot more from her than this story. It was ok as a story. I'd give it maybe 3 stars itself. The idea was interesting but ultimately boring. Her John was kind of a jerk which is never something I like. Disappointed but at least I wasn't furious.
Adventure of the Reluctant Detective by Ryk Spoor
The first story that sparked any interest in me. It was fairly well written and I was intrigued by what was going on. Not crazy about his interpretations of Sherlock and John but they weren't bad. The conclusion of the mystery was interesting and somewhat satisfiying. I feel fond about it probably more because I'd been so disappointed before than over it actually being good.
A Scandal in the Bloodline by Hildy Silverman
I was hopeful again. I ove a good vampire/ sorta werewolf Sherlock story. Ultimately stupid. Made Sherlock into a hopeless pining for Irene stereotype which is completely out of character and not even written to make it in character. By the end of this one I felt angry and disgusted by the whole book again.
The Fabulous Marble by David Gerrold
Another author that made me want to buy the book. The story wasn't bad at all. Was actually interesting. The problem being it wasn't a Sherlock Holmes story. Felt like he had a story, changed the names and went hey look I can make scfi-y acronyms of Sherlock names. Wasn't worth reading the rest of the book. Still disappointed.
The Scarlet Study by Jim Avelli
This one was just disgusting. He had Sherlock in love with Irene again, no real John Watson and Sherlock was no one and nothing wish I'd never read this one. Not even an original idea. Biggest note I left on this story was the word BARF underlined twice if that gives you a clue.
Delta Phi by Heidi McLaughlin
Another female Sherlock only done badly with a very lame story, stupid plot and even more stupid conclusion. Made both John and Sherlock dumb. Badly written too. Words used that don't mean what the author obviously meant them too. (you can't open a door with luster)
Beethoven's Baton by Austin Farmer
Boring. Boring. Boring. That's pretty much it. Nothing horrible but man boring.
The Adventure of the Melted Saint by Gail Martin
Another author I was excited to finally read. Not a bad story. Decent writing. A very cute mystery at the end. The Sherlock character was okay, but kind of forced? A good idea but not greatly executed. Not enough Sherlock, either. Also made John Watson just a dog. Not okay. Not a cute enough mystery to fix all that.
Automatic Sherlock by Martin Rose
Actually the best Sherlock character in the book I think. Kind of a cute story. I like the idea. The John character is meh to potentially good. Still nothing to rave about.
The Hammer of God by Jonathan Maberry
The last author that made me want to grab this book. I know he's a fairly big writer for kind of scifi/horror. After this I'll never pick up his books. This story was EXTREMELY boring. Barely finished. The characters didn't seem like Sherlock nor John. SO BORING. Have fallen into a sort of disgusted despair by now about this book.
Code Cracker by Beth Patterson
I was excited about this one. Sherlock as a parrot could be fun! Give me some humor please! Anything interesting! Instead Got a stupid John Watson, a kind of cute Sherlock as a bird and one of the stupidest mysteries in the book. A dumb mystery with an even more dumb conclusion.
All in all this is possibly the most disappointed I've been in a book in a VERY long time. I'm still so angry and mad I spent money on this that I can't get over it. Hopefully these stories will be forgotten soon enough. Nothing was memorable anyway beyond how disgusted they made me feel. Don't recommend this to anyone ever.
kristin's review
3.0
I would like to thank netgalley and Diversion books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This collection was kind of all over the place, some pieces felt thought out and genuine, while others felt like cheap fanfiction.
Locked-2 stars
Identify: an adventure of Shirley Holmes and Jack Watson-3 stars
The scent of the truth-DNF
The adventure of the reluctant detective-5 stars
A scandal in the bloodline-4 stars
The fabulous marble-DNF
The scarlet study-DNF
Delta Phi-4 stars
Beethoven's baton-4 stars
The adventure of the melted saint-DNF
Automatic Sherlock-3 stars
The hammer of God-3 stars
Code cracker-DNF
Price: free via netgalley
#COYER
This collection was kind of all over the place, some pieces felt thought out and genuine, while others felt like cheap fanfiction.
Locked-2 stars
Identify: an adventure of Shirley Holmes and Jack Watson-3 stars
The scent of the truth-DNF
The adventure of the reluctant detective-5 stars
A scandal in the bloodline-4 stars
The fabulous marble-DNF
The scarlet study-DNF
Delta Phi-4 stars
Beethoven's baton-4 stars
The adventure of the melted saint-DNF
Automatic Sherlock-3 stars
The hammer of God-3 stars
Code cracker-DNF
Price: free via netgalley
#COYER
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