The Sherlockian - Graham Moore

The Sherlockian

By Graham Moore

  • Release Date: 2010-12-01
  • Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Score: 4
4
From 383 Ratings

Description

Hurtling from present day New York to Victorian London, The Sherlockian weaves the history of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle into an inspired and entertaining double mystery that proves to be anything but "elementary."

In December 1893, Sherlock Holmes-adoring Londoners eagerly opened their Strand magazines, anticipating the detective's next adventure, only to find the unthinkable: his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, had killed their hero off. London spiraled into mourning-crowds sported black armbands in grief-and railed against Conan Doyle as his assassin.

Then in 1901, just as abruptly as Conan Doyle had "murdered" Holmes in "The Final Problem," he resurrected him. Though the writer kept detailed diaries of his days and work, Conan Doyle never explained this sudden change of heart. After his death, one of his journals from the interim period was discovered to be missing, and in the decades since, has never been found.... Or has it?

When literary researcher Harold White is inducted into the preeminent Sherlock Holmes enthusiast society, The Baker Street Irregulars, he never imagines he's about to be thrust onto the hunt for the holy grail of Holmes-ophiles: the missing diary. But when the world's leading Doylean scholar is found murdered in his hotel room, it is Harold-using wisdom and methods gleaned from countless detective stories-who takes up the search, both for the diary and for the killer.

Reviews

  • Delightful Mystery

    4
    By RedGrl
    Not much of a mystery reader but found myself caught up in trying to solve the parallel stories of both centuries. A well written, light story with a somewhat abrupt ending. Characters drove this read and most will get caught up in the great attention to details.
  • Holmes would approve. :)

    5
    By sherlockfan17
    The Sherlockian is an amazing book that will speak to familiar ideas and beliefs all seasoned Sherlockians and Holmesians have discussed. The mystery is well thought out and keeps the reader plunged in the thick of it. Whether Doyle's supposed missing diary is ever found or not, we shall remember this book and what was the thrilling explanation for the journal's absense. The chapters with alternating stories are lovely, and the characters are round and dynamic. A must read for anyone who loves are dear Holmes and all that goes with him!
  • The Sherlockian

    4
    By SwitchBug
    I love Holmes so had to read it...if you're also a Sherlock fan...a must read! I really enjoyed the effortless switchbacks from present to A. E. Doyle - something different!
  • The Sherlockian

    3
    By RD Rosete
    Pretty predictable.
  • The Sherlockian

    4
    By Laurine RP
    Great fun, a wonderful homage to Arthur Conan Doyle as well as a great read.
  • The Sherlokian

    5
    By Bill Livingston
    This is a very well written story with depth in terms of insight without burdening the writing with banal moralism.
  • Great read!

    5
    By William Porter
    Bought this book after hearing an interview with the author on NPR. Really enjoyed the book. I am not a huge Sherlock Holmes fan but I know most of the stories, and perhaps that helps a little. The chapters jump back and forth 110 years to tell two stories which, of course, eventually do come together. Cleverly done. As a great story built on a somewhat arcane foundation, this book reminded me, just a bit, of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. But DVC is pretentious and ultimately both dishonest and absurd, while The Sherlockian is lighter and much cleverer. I recommend it. By the way, The Sherlockian was the first full book I read on my iPod touch. Good choice for reading in bed since this book is a real page turner and it's so easy to turn pages on the iPod!
  • The Sherlockian

    4
    By Bookian
    This is a fun, suspenseful read. Compelling characters and dual plots with Sherlock logic mixed with historical reflection make for a fast, interesting ride.
  • An ok read

    2
    By Cgnuimhf
    I was very excited to start this book. Not far into it I realized that I couldn't care less about the fictionalized characters. The present times were boring, while the past sort of held my interest. Sorry, but I love a good mystery, but I have read way better. GP
  • a good page turner

    4
    By charlescfry
    this is a fine book. a little predictable but worth a weekend read. the writing is a little rough in places and would benefit from careful editing, but this is a fine book. looking forward to more from this writer.