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wishanem's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of short stories suffers from the same issue that most do, which is that the qualities and tones of the stories vary so dramatically that the experience is uneven. If you've read all of Conan Doyle's books and want more Sherlock, this isn't a bad way to get it.
I like that the volume mixes stories of historically-accurate events with stories where magic and Science-Fiction elements spice up the goings-on, but I strongly dislike that the introductions to each story completely spoil what would otherwise be pleasant surprises.
If you're only reading a couple of them, my favorites were:
A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman
The Adventure of the Antiquarian's Niece by Barbara Hambly
Commonplaces by Naomi Novik
You See But You Do Not Observe by Robert J. Sawyer
I like that the volume mixes stories of historically-accurate events with stories where magic and Science-Fiction elements spice up the goings-on, but I strongly dislike that the introductions to each story completely spoil what would otherwise be pleasant surprises.
If you're only reading a couple of them, my favorites were:
A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman
The Adventure of the Antiquarian's Niece by Barbara Hambly
Commonplaces by Naomi Novik
You See But You Do Not Observe by Robert J. Sawyer
astrangerhere's review against another edition
4.0
Some of these stories were truly fantastic. I am a huge fan of most things Sherlockiana, and this was a real treat for me.
jackieeh's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Neil Gaiman's story was a highlight, and I was pleasantly surprised by Stephen King, but that was pretty much it. I feel like parodies and pastiches should raise the stakes of the original and shed new light on characters, not go over the same ground with the occasional inclusion of Lovecraftian monsters.
astro152's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
blackrabbitrun's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
A mixed bag. Some entertaining, a few shockingly racist, many gimmicky. "Holmes meets Arthur Conan Doyle!" is only an interesting premise once, and in this book I think it happens four or five times. Needs more supernatural, and for the love of Cthulhu, fewer Americans. Why is there an American in every other story in the book? Are middle-class white Englishmen too exotic to relate to? None of these stories alone would be annoying, but oh does it pile up.
The ones that don't fall into any of the above categories, though? There's some real keepers in there.
The ones that don't fall into any of the above categories, though? There's some real keepers in there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
1347296's review against another edition
3.0
some gems, some not remotely holmesean, one downright insulting. ymmv.
eringow's review against another edition
3.0
An uneven but fun collection of stories inspired by Sherlock Holmes by a wide variety of writers. Some of these stories were excellent & some less so, but overall the collection was well worth the read.
coreyln's review against another edition
5.0
So...it “Loved It” strong enough? Huge Sherlock Holmes fan and to read not only newer (granted the book has been around longer than I knew) stories, but written from very different accomplished authors and writing styles. Each story remained true to the characters that we know so well. But each new one stretched into different aspects of the characters as well as the same world “rules”.
So many ways to explore “what if” scenarios. What would it be like for Sherlock to take on a case for the Queen who is Cthulhu? What does one do in the Sherlockian world when Aliens are brutally killing Londoners? A few more cases that Dr. Watson had not written about...until now.
Good my own sweet time enjoying a few stories here and there to savor this collection of stories longer. Likely to reread a few more times, which is not typical for me.
So many ways to explore “what if” scenarios. What would it be like for Sherlock to take on a case for the Queen who is Cthulhu? What does one do in the Sherlockian world when Aliens are brutally killing Londoners? A few more cases that Dr. Watson had not written about...until now.
Good my own sweet time enjoying a few stories here and there to savor this collection of stories longer. Likely to reread a few more times, which is not typical for me.
ludicucek's review against another edition
5.0
After reading all of the Arthur C. Doyle stories several times, I realized that my cravings for Sherlock literature had to be sated in a different way. I required something new, a change from the good old stories. This book is what Goodreads recommended so this book is what I choose to read.
As I was flipping through the pages of the first story I wasn't even aware of the subtle process that was happening. I was slowly discovering a whole new world, whole new shores. I always had a certain level of skepticism towards the idea of other authors extending the original work. You can imagine my surprise when I realized that these stories were actually really good.
The whole variety of ideas was really refreshing. Holmes meets Cthulhu, Holmes meets Pirates, Holmes meets H. G. Wells, etc. Also, the fact that every story was written by another author kept things interesting. Sure, there were some boring stories but most were pretty inventive. The idea of putting Watson and Holmes into new, strange scenarios always seemed as a sort of heresy to me, but to hell with it. It works! Even some really absurd scenarios left me with a smile on my face.
The stories I enjoyed the most were the ones with Lovecraftian elements. When Holmes' rationality fights the horrible irrationality of Lovecraft's universe, sparks start to fly and great things happen.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of the extended Sherlockian works from now on.
As I was flipping through the pages of the first story I wasn't even aware of the subtle process that was happening. I was slowly discovering a whole new world, whole new shores. I always had a certain level of skepticism towards the idea of other authors extending the original work. You can imagine my surprise when I realized that these stories were actually really good.
The whole variety of ideas was really refreshing. Holmes meets Cthulhu, Holmes meets Pirates, Holmes meets H. G. Wells, etc. Also, the fact that every story was written by another author kept things interesting. Sure, there were some boring stories but most were pretty inventive. The idea of putting Watson and Holmes into new, strange scenarios always seemed as a sort of heresy to me, but to hell with it. It works! Even some really absurd scenarios left me with a smile on my face.
The stories I enjoyed the most were the ones with Lovecraftian elements. When Holmes' rationality fights the horrible irrationality of Lovecraft's universe, sparks start to fly and great things happen.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of the extended Sherlockian works from now on.