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legalois's review against another edition
4.0
So I bought this on kindle on a whim a few years back not realizing it was the fourth in a series. Thankfully it wasn’t necessary to read them in order. The author did a great job of bringing in P.G. Wodehouse’s voice to the story. The steampunk part of it was weird and kind of dark to me but I’ve never read any steampunk before so it was all new to me. Overall it was a very fun read and I’ll probably try out some of the others in the series too.
shellystilger's review against another edition
3.0
Not my usual, a little formulaic, but I did laugh out loud a couple times.
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
'I've always been a strong believer in the old proverb -- too many thoughts spoil the child.'
slferg's review against another edition
4.0
A fun twist on P G Wodehouse and Sherlock Holmes. Reggie Worcester is a gentleman detective and his valet and problem solver is Reeves, a most superior automaton. Reggie is quite inane and carries on much of Bertie Wooster's silliness (like Bertie, Reggie has no idea of his limits).
Reggie has a fiancée - neither his family or hers approves. Emmeline is a free-spirited suffragette and believer in causes. in fact, Emmeline's family has sent her to Baskerville Hall in hopes of forging a connection with the Baskerville-Smythes. Reggie assumes the identity of a lost and believed dead cousin of the Baskerville-Smythes in order to spend some time with Emile and be sure he isn't replaced by Henry. He discovers the occupants of the house are involved in making movies using mostly automatons and reanimated people. Then Sir Roger dies within sight of the gate to Grimdark Mire. It's murder and the hunt is on.
Reggie has a fiancée - neither his family or hers approves. Emmeline is a free-spirited suffragette and believer in causes. in fact, Emmeline's family has sent her to Baskerville Hall in hopes of forging a connection with the Baskerville-Smythes. Reggie assumes the identity of a lost and believed dead cousin of the Baskerville-Smythes in order to spend some time with Emile and be sure he isn't replaced by Henry. He discovers the occupants of the house are involved in making movies using mostly automatons and reanimated people. Then Sir Roger dies within sight of the gate to Grimdark Mire. It's murder and the hunt is on.
macbean221b's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't realise until I'd already read a bit that this book is part of a series, and it's not the first. But I was already taken with the tone, so I kept reading. It's a delightful mix of Wodehouse and Doyle, with a twist of steampunk; highly amusing—I even laughed aloud a few times.
I've already added the rest of the series to my reading list.
I've already added the rest of the series to my reading list.
invisibleninjacat's review against another edition
4.0
This was hilarious! Woodhouse plus Sherlock Holmes plus steampunk plus a few other Victorian monster stories plus off-brand early Hollywood plus meta about mystery stories plus.... Anyway, I want to read the others in this series now.
deearr's review
5.0
It’s been a long time since I read a farcical tale that was so immensely enjoyable. “The Unpleasantness at Baskerville Hall” was reminiscent of Connie Willis’ “To Say Nothing of the Dog” in terms of the lighthearted serious tone that runs through the entire novel.
Reggie Worcester is a wannabe detective, stumbling along in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes. Reggie is aided by his manservant Reeves and his girlfriend companion Emmeline. Together they embark on an adventure that slightly resembles Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Reggie is not totally inept, although he is constantly steered toward a better path by Reeves (who is an automaton).
The steampunk aspect dresses the book in an entirely novel flavor, and is a major part of the mystery. Although there are murders, the usual graphic depictions (as well as any sex scenes) are missing from this book. Author Chris Dolley’s writing is exceptional and the characters are fun, flawed, and likeable. For those who hate to read a book with objectionable language, you will have none of those worries with this story. Although “Unpleasantness” is the fourth in the series, one is not lost if the first three books haven’t been read. The author does refer to a couple of former adventures, but these mentions are fleeting and the book is able to stand on its own. I highly recommend this book, and reading it has convinced me I need to pick up the first three books in this series. Five stars for this one.
Reggie Worcester is a wannabe detective, stumbling along in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes. Reggie is aided by his manservant Reeves and his girlfriend companion Emmeline. Together they embark on an adventure that slightly resembles Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Reggie is not totally inept, although he is constantly steered toward a better path by Reeves (who is an automaton).
The steampunk aspect dresses the book in an entirely novel flavor, and is a major part of the mystery. Although there are murders, the usual graphic depictions (as well as any sex scenes) are missing from this book. Author Chris Dolley’s writing is exceptional and the characters are fun, flawed, and likeable. For those who hate to read a book with objectionable language, you will have none of those worries with this story. Although “Unpleasantness” is the fourth in the series, one is not lost if the first three books haven’t been read. The author does refer to a couple of former adventures, but these mentions are fleeting and the book is able to stand on its own. I highly recommend this book, and reading it has convinced me I need to pick up the first three books in this series. Five stars for this one.
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