Dr. John Watson Archives - Mostly Mysteries

04/17/202604/17/2026

The Case of the Man Who Died Twice

Ken Courtenay’s The Case of the Man Who Died Twice: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure seizes the reader’s attention and does not let go. This novel’s pace and plot lure the reader into a London filled with misadventure and arrogance.

A man declaring his innocence hangs for a murder. Eighteen months later, the man supposedly murdered comes back to London from a business trip to America. And gets murdered for real.

Tobias Gregson, Scotland Yard Inspector, calls on Holmes and Watson to help untangle this case. More murders and suicides follow, even involving murders Inspector Lestrade is investigating. Although Holmes and Watson relentlessly follow clues, they fear they will not solve the case before others are murdered. The twists and turns of the case draw the reader in, but well-placed clues give subtle hints as to who might be the mastermind.

Courtenay’s Holmes, Watson, and Gregson stand up well compared to the original characters drawn by Conan Doyle. They have the same quick wits and moral code as Doyle’s originals. The detective duo spring in and out of cabs and briskly stride along London’s foggy streets, as always. Inspectors Gregson and Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson are willing subordinates, as in days gone by. Gregson and Lestrade know they will receive top-notch assistance. Mrs. Hudson is long-suffering and the bearer of hearty victuals for Holmes, Watson, and the others.

Relatable Themes

This novel’s themes resonate with today’s political climate in the United States. In an understated, subtle, and even-handed way, Courtenay spotlights greed and murder. He also highlights the attitude some people have that they will get away with anything, including murder, because of who they are, their standing in the community, and their race.

Based on this work, I will check out the author’s other works. I hope Mr. Courtenay continues to offer additional cases that Inspectors Gregson and Lestrade can use to entice Holmes and Watson into action.

09/23/202409/18/2024

Death in the Harem

Martha Hudson helps Sherlock Holmes detect something amiss in the harem of Sultan Abdul Hamid in Susan Knight’s Death in the Harem: A Mrs. Hudson/Sherlock Holmes Mystery. There have been strange and mysterious deaths among the sultan’s wives, concubines and female slaves. She, Holmes, and Watson pay a visit to Turkey via the Orient Express. Mrs. Hudson, used to plainer things, doesn’t see the need to stay in the poshest hotel in Paris and have a new wardrobe outfitted for her. But, ah, well, the sultan insisted, and was paying.

Much is made of the train trip from Paris to Constantinople (present day Istanbul). Too much, it seems. Although there are some interesting characters on the train, most are stereotypical. for example, the Russian actress, Valentina Muratova. A “vision in silks and furs, of indeterminate age, thin as a needle, pale skinned and black-haired, her face exquisitely painted on.” She prances around, acting histrionically, and expecting everyone to recognize her. There’s also Eliza Dodds, traveling with Cecelia, supposedly her sister, although Holmes has his doubts. Miss Dodds is a “stout, florid person…with crinkly curls,” and a dress that “was plain and serviceable.” She is “on [her] way to be governess to a little boy in Constantinople.” Holmes’ thoughts on Eliza Dodds tend towards her being a spy sent to watch them.

Slow-moving, but Successful Overall

The bulk of this novel entails Martha Hudson’s visit to the sultan’s palace at Yildiz, which sits on a hill overlooking Constantinople. Mrs. Hudson makes little headway as she is treated as the outsider that she is by most of the harem members. They are pleasant to her, but quite noncommunicative. Only one, Naime, befriends her and helps as best she can. Madeleine, a French orphan hired by Holmes to be Mrs. Hudson’s ‘slave’ while they were in Constantinople, also helps. She eavesdrops among the servants as she speaks Turkish, although she keeps that fact to herself.

Overall, I enjoyed Susan Knight’s portrayal of Mrs. Hudson. Hudson has gumption, curiosity and quick wits to deal with the treachery of the court and deal with clues that come her way. She is a welcome addition to older women detectives such as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Somewhat less time could have been spent describing the train trip and the mundane days in the harem. Otherwise, Death in the Harem: A Mrs. Hudson/Sherlock Holmes Mystery is an enjoyable read.

Death in the Harem: A Mrs. Hudson/Sherlock Holmes Mystery
by Susan Knight
© 2024
MX Publishing

09/16/202409/08/2024

Tales of Scotland Yard: Ratcliffe Highway

After reading Tales of Scotland Yard: Ratcliffe Highway, by Bianca Jenkins, one word comes to mind. More than one, actually. Wonderful, and an interesting take on the Sherlock Holmes milieu. This novel focuses on Giles Lestrade, one of the inspectors who interact with Holmes and Watson in Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. Focusing on a minor character from the Holmes stories is a refreshing change.

As a newly appointed inspector, Lestrade is assigned a murder case. None of the other inspectors want it as it involves a young, impoverished woman living in one of the poorer sections of London. “Without the suit, Inspector Lestrade would have fit right in with some of the lower members of society passing by on the street.” With smart thinking and dogged footwork Lestrade solves the case.

Jenkins’ characters are well-rounded, especially Lestrade. Despite his tough upbringing, he can be tenderhearted. Smith and the other, more seasoned, inspectors kid Lestrade even as they take a collection to reimburse him for money he paid to feed the murder victim’s two children. Jenkins’ Lestrade is tenacious, as he is in the Doyle canon. Additionally, he is small and wiry in both this work and Doyle’s offerings. Using subtle similarities like this keep the new additions to the Holmes canon interesting to lovers of the original stories.

However, the plot was a bit transparent as to who committed the murder. I felt fairly certain about who was responsible about halfway through the book. This did not decrease my enjoyment of the story, though.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this offering. It is an entertaining addition to the many recent contributions to the Holmes and Watson world. Bianca Jenkins wrote another novel about Lestrade, which I will seek out. Future works in this series would be a welcome addition.