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A review by jstilts
Sherlock Holmes - The Vanishing Man by Philip Purser-Hallard
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Another rare good entry in Titan books' "The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" series that presents a rather good "locked room" mystery where a scientific study into the supernatural sees a man vanish from a locked observation room in front of several witnesses in order to claim thousands of pounds in prize money for the feat.
Holmes is tasked with scientifcally deducing how the deed was done and locating the vanished man, which neatly side-steps Titan's apparent remit to hobble Holmes' scientific world with pointlesly unsolvable supernatural plots - much to my satisfaction!
While I can boast I saw broadly how the locked room problem was achieved from the outset (and I'm proud to say by whom), the mystery deepens as an accomplice is clearly required but hard to pin down from the list of suspects - and eventually a shocking murder is committed, with seemingly impossible forensic results regarding the time of death.
Well written and frequently funny, the chapters are also thoughtfully interspersed with newspaper cuttings, bits of novels and so-forth to add context and flavour to events and characters, occasionally misleading in interesting ways as it is read, the conceit being Holmes has gathered these together for Watson years after the fact to assist with his writing of the adventure. There's even a map and a schedule of observers on duty to refer back to as the plot unfolds, the sort of thing I love when Agatha Christie does it.
Not the most thrilling Holmes ever written, but satisfying and funny - a very enjoyable read.
Holmes is tasked with scientifcally deducing how the deed was done and locating the vanished man, which neatly side-steps Titan's apparent remit to hobble Holmes' scientific world with pointlesly unsolvable supernatural plots - much to my satisfaction!
While I can boast I saw broadly how the locked room problem was achieved from the outset (and I'm proud to say by whom), the mystery deepens as an accomplice is clearly required but hard to pin down from the list of suspects - and eventually a shocking murder is committed, with seemingly impossible forensic results regarding the time of death.
Well written and frequently funny, the chapters are also thoughtfully interspersed with newspaper cuttings, bits of novels and so-forth to add context and flavour to events and characters, occasionally misleading in interesting ways as it is read, the conceit being Holmes has gathered these together for Watson years after the fact to assist with his writing of the adventure. There's even a map and a schedule of observers on duty to refer back to as the plot unfolds, the sort of thing I love when Agatha Christie does it.
Not the most thrilling Holmes ever written, but satisfying and funny - a very enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Gore