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starthelostgirl's review
4.0
This book definitely included more science fantasy than I anticipated, but I enjoyed it for the most part. Haas, the Holmes character, was brutally unlikeable but had an odd appeal as a character, though Wyndham was even more prudish and uptight than the original Watson. I got very tired of reading Wyndham’s notes about censoring the foul language of those around him.
The style was witty and fun, however, and I enjoyed traipsing around the weird world and meeting the odd characters. I think if Haas had retained a little more of Holmes’s people skills and charms, and Wyndham relaxed a bit, I’d have really enjoyed it. This was much more of an adventure than a mystery in the end.
The style was witty and fun, however, and I enjoyed traipsing around the weird world and meeting the odd characters. I think if Haas had retained a little more of Holmes’s people skills and charms, and Wyndham relaxed a bit, I’d have really enjoyed it. This was much more of an adventure than a mystery in the end.
fiturri's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nataliecg's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
being_b's review
3.0
The only reason this isn't getting more stars is that it pretty clearly is setting up to be a series, and yet there doesn't appear to actually BE a series forthcoming. Which makes me very sad as it is frothy, queer, Lovecraftian and delightful.
snowysreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
hold onto your deerstalker hats, folks, because this gender-bending, genre-defying romp through the fantastical city of Khelathra-Ven is an absolute riot! the clever twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes tale is a page turner.
picture this: a brilliant, but slightly eccentric sorceress named shaharazad haas takes on the role of the iconic detective, with her trusty sidekick, captain john wyndham, by her side. together, they embark on a wild journey filled with magical creatures, dastardly villains, and plenty of witty banter.
picture this: a brilliant, but slightly eccentric sorceress named shaharazad haas takes on the role of the iconic detective, with her trusty sidekick, captain john wyndham, by her side. together, they embark on a wild journey filled with magical creatures, dastardly villains, and plenty of witty banter.
but what truly sets this book apart is its sheer irreverence and charm. Hall effortlessly blends elements of mystery, fantasy, and humor into a delightful concoction that's impossible to put down. from the absurdly hilarious antics of the characters to the laugh-out-loud dialogue, every page is a joy to read.
if you're in the mood for a rollicking good time that's equal parts Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python, "The Affair of the Mysterious Letter" is the perfect pick!
definitely_human's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
audioaxolotl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THE AFFAIR OF THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER is a Sherlock Holmes retelling which is witty and delightful, with Watson (Captain John Wyndham) as a trans man, Sherlock (Ms. Shaharazad Haas) as a bisexual woman, and Irene Adler (Miss Eirene Viola) as a former lover being blackmailed in her engagement. The setting is fantastical, time travel is a matter of connection and logistics, other dimensions are distant but accessible, and Captain John Wyndham is too aghast to actually write how many times Shaharazad says "fuck" (though he faithfully chronicles his reticence at every turn). I adore retellings, and this was a special treat since, having begun with Sherlock Holmes in a queernorm fantasy setting, it pulled in pieces of at least two other stories I could identity, weaving them in to give me no fewer than three retellings in one.
As a narrator, Captain John Wyndham is torn between fascination with Shaharazad's hedonism and a need to maintain his own sense of propriety. He grew up in a strictly religious environment, implicitly having chosen to live away from home due to some degree of transphobia which he never quite describes. I like how his words convey so much of his personality along with Shaharazad, making his paraphrases of her language quite clear and not just pretending she has more decorum than she does. He also makes reference to the serial release of this story's chapters, discussions with his editor, and the fact that he's writing this several decades after the events. Instead of just infodumping, he flags any particularly dense descriptions as skippable for a reader who is already familiar with the setting and recent history, at once providing guidance for readers who dislike dense descriptions, and also deepening the sense of immersion by making the reader party to the world.
Things I love, in no particular order: The clever use of parts of Dracula; the resolution to Eirene Viola's problem; the way Wyndham keeps so tightly to propriety even when it's comically unsuitable to the situation; the narrative style, Shaharazad's bravado and continual attempts to plan as little as possible and still have things work out well enough.
As a narrator, Captain John Wyndham is torn between fascination with Shaharazad's hedonism and a need to maintain his own sense of propriety. He grew up in a strictly religious environment, implicitly having chosen to live away from home due to some degree of transphobia which he never quite describes. I like how his words convey so much of his personality along with Shaharazad, making his paraphrases of her language quite clear and not just pretending she has more decorum than she does. He also makes reference to the serial release of this story's chapters, discussions with his editor, and the fact that he's writing this several decades after the events. Instead of just infodumping, he flags any particularly dense descriptions as skippable for a reader who is already familiar with the setting and recent history, at once providing guidance for readers who dislike dense descriptions, and also deepening the sense of immersion by making the reader party to the world.
Things I love, in no particular order: The clever use of parts of Dracula; the resolution to Eirene Viola's problem; the way Wyndham keeps so tightly to propriety even when it's comically unsuitable to the situation; the narrative style, Shaharazad's bravado and continual attempts to plan as little as possible and still have things work out well enough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Classism, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Confinement, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Murder, Death, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
Minor: Ableism, Xenophobia, Cursing, Transphobia, Self harm, Sexism, Animal death, and War
callunavulgari's review
5.0
This book was Sherlock Holmes meets the Wayfarers series meets Lovecraft, and as such, was an utter delight.
mochimustreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0