For lovers of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, such as I, Margaret Walsh’s Sherlock Holmes and the Deathly Clairvoyant is sure to please. In addition to the famous duo, other characters from the Conan Doyle canon take the stage. We again meet Inspector Lestrade, Mycroft Holmes, Mrs. Hudson, and Wiggins, the inimitable head of the Baker Street Irregulars.
In this engaging mystery, Kitty Pappwell, the niece of Amaryllis Winterbottom, comes to Baker Street to hire Holmes. Her aunt had died at home under what seemed like unusual circumstances. The police ruled the aunt’s death as a suicide by the police, who would not listen to the reasons Ms. Pappwell offered that it was murder, such as the fact that the aunt had made a date to go out with Ms. Pappwell for the day after her death. Thus, it seemed odd that she would commit suicide after making plans.
Mysterious Deaths
Holmes and Watson soon learn from acquaintances that others had died in a similar mysterious fashion. All those who died had one thing in common: they had attended a séance run by Eileen and Edgar Loxcroft. This sister and brother team ran séances for moderately wealthy middle-class Londoners. Why was the Messenger of Death heard at some séances, followed by the death of one of the attendees?
Holmes and Watson dug deeper and hunted up answers to their questions: The victims had been poisoned, but that no cup or glass was found near any of the victims. Plus, all the victims were missing a piece of moderately expensive jewelry. Holmes and Watson query their acquaintances and find that the Loxcroft siblings are frowned upon among other mediums.
How could Holmes and Watson attend a séance undetected? By sending Mrs. Hudson as a lure to draw out the murderer. To keep Mrs. Hudson safe, a whole group of people surround her. She is installed into a safe house owned by Mycroft Holmes. Even Wiggins and his confederates are recruited to watch the safe house and make note of any visitors, etcetera.
Holmes, Watson and their associates’ method for catch the villains makes for an interesting read. Holmes, Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and the others are well drawn and believable. In addition, Sherlock Holmes and the Deathly Clairvoyant moves at a comfortable, steady pace and comes to a satisfactory conclusion. I look forward to possibly reading other works by Margaret Walsh.
Sherlock Holmes and the Deathly Clairvoyant
by Margaret Walsh
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MX Publishing