The Case of the Disappearing Beaune by J. Lawrence Matthews

The Case of the Disappearing Beaune by J. Lawrence Matthews

by CarolNo Comments
How could I pass by Sherlock at Christmas? The Case of the Disappearing Beaune opens with Watson stopping by Sherlock's rooms to invite him to Christmas dinner. Sherlock, of course, refuses, but as he gives Watson his Christmas gift, a bottle of beaune, the pair realizes the wine has been replaced with sand. And Sherlock knows where that sand is from. Sherlock is sure it signifies a threat to the king, so off the two go, on a race through London to solve the case. For a short story, there were several twists and it showed off Holmes' detecting style well. We also encounter several old friends along the way. It's a sweet, light Christmas story with a rather surprising ending. It makes a perfect holiday story, but perhaps a slightly disappointing mystery....
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Art in the Blood by Bonnie MacBird

Art in the Blood by Bonnie MacBird

by CarolNo Comments
It's not often that I say this, but what originally drew me to Art in the Blood was the cover. It's simple and stylish and while it doesn't scream "Holmes" it does give us the era with the top hat and walking stick. Add in that I love a god Holmes pastiche and I was hooked. The conceit here is that an old, unpublished adventure written by Watson has been discovered and the author is simply sharing it with us, reconstructing any pieces that time has faded. I don't know that MacBird accomplishes the task of writing in the vein of Conan Doyle. It doesn't feel Victorian. Touches of modern language sneak in and to be honest, I'm not sure that anyone else can work with a character so brilliant, addicted, prone to depression, gifted as Holmes without pushing him over one edge or the other in their attempt to send him out on new cases. But I enjoy Holmes in...
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Slade House by David Mitchell

by Carol8 Comments
Maybe I should have read The Bone Clocks first. Maybe I just don't get what makes people love David Mitchell. (Do people love David Mitchell?) Maybe it's just not my typical genre? I read Slade House for the RIP XII Group Read. I don't know if I expected it to be spookier or more interesting or what. It was fine, but when I wasn't listening to it, I didn't think about it. I didn't feel the need to share bits of it with anyone or tell my daughter she needs to read it - she's a horror fan. Slade House is a type of haunted house story. Basically, every 9 years a victim is lured into the house. Each time we get to know the victim; they each have a distinct personality, their own quirks, tragedies, or fears that make them relatable. We get some standard spooky house fare, portraits, creeky stairs, mysterious women looking out the windows, warning disembodied voices. But...
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