Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner:   Reviewed by Jeanne Haven’s father was a diver and a dreamer.   He never did quite get the big find he was always searching for, but he...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: A History of Ghosts, Spirits, and the Supernatural

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: A History of Ghosts, Spirits, and the Supernatural: Reviewed by Jeanne This is a DK production, so of course it’s packed with information and illustrations.   It's arranged chronologic...

Short Story Wednesday Review: Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Bill Crider

 

From the massive archive…

 

The eight short stories in the Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes appeared before in various anthologies over the years from 1987 as recently as 2009. Collected in one book and published by Gordian Knott, an imprint of Crossroad Press, these tales quickly pull the reader in to the world originally created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Mr. Bill Crider’s work so closely resembles the original author it is very easy to forget who wrote these eight tales. Many folks try to imitate the original and miss. M. Crider does so with ease in tales that easily could be part of the Sherlock canon.

 

“The Adventure of the Young British Solider” opens the book with a tale where Watson, many years later, writes about a previously untold story that happened during 1884. A highly personal that begins on a very cold night in early December. Watson is thinking of what happened to him in Afghanistan after those memories are triggered by a certain poem. A certain fellow soldier, an orderly, saved Watson’s life that day. His name was Edward Murray and Watson totally lost touch with him after the incident. Only days later his wife will appear on their doorstep seeking their help.

 

It is the spring of 1887 and upon their return to London Holmes has become bored and depressed. Such a mood is very dangerous for an addict and Watson is very worried as “The Case of the Vanished Vampire” begins. Sherlock Holmes thinks the whole idea of vampires is utter and complete nonsense, but his visitors, Bram Stoker and Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, seek to convince him otherwise. They claim to have killed one here in London. They are not sure they killed it correctly in the pressure of the moment. According to them, it escaped and is probably out there in London converting others to its gory cause. They want to find the creature this night, before it feeds again, and they want the help of Watson and Holmes.

 

The supernatural is also a major part of the next story titled “The Adventure of the St. Marylebone Ghoul.” According to the newspaper, a creature of some sort is at the St. Marylebone cemetery causing unspeakable horrors. They are discussing the situation when the night caretaker at the cemetery, Benjamin Swaraj, arrives seeking their help.

 

Holmes is not a fan of Christmas and the carolers in the streets outside 22B Baker Street are not going to change his mind. He’s bored and Watson is well aware what that can mean. Fortunately, a client appears this night two nights before Christmas in the form of a Mr. Oscar Wilde. Mr. Wilde needs Holmes help as he believes someone is trying to kill him and he thinks he knows the suspects.

 

Years later, as Watson nears the end of his life, he thinks about the many events involving Sherlock that he recorded over the years for posterity. He also considers the events that before now he did not have the strength to detail. One such case is “The Adventure of the Venomous Lizard.” On a cold and sometimes treacherous winter night, Holmes has spotted a man he perceives to be desperate headed their way. Upon his arrival, they hear his name and his reason for his desperation.

 

While Holmes did not like to clean, he especially liked to cook breakfast, which was his favorite meal. Over a morning repast, he slowly pulls out of Watson what is bothering him in “The Case of the Vampire’s Mark.” Once Watson confesses all and they have dealt with that, they are ready for their visitor Abraham Stoker when he arrives. He brings news of a child that bears the neck bite marks of vampire and requests their help.

 

Sharing the name of Holmes with the man going by the moniker H. H. Holmes, known for hideous crimes, was bad enough, but having been in close proximity to him with no knowledge of what he was doing bothers Sherlock a lot more. Buffalo Bills’ Wild West Show was in Chicago at the time they were there and they were able to spend time with Colonel Cody himself. That was a good thing as he needed their help. What happened is detailed in the tale, “The Adventure in the White City.”

 

It is Dec. 22nd as “The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts” begins. Franklin Scrooge, great nephew of Ebenezer Scrooge, is in quite a state when he arrives at 221B Baker Street. A ghost, a family legacy, and more are at stake and Franklin Scrooge needs their help.

 

A bonus story, “Death Did Not Become Him” by Patricia Lee Macomber and David Niall Wilson brings the book to a close. In this one, Watson goes to 221B Baker Street late one night desperately seeking his help. Watson has had his own visitors earlier this night and was greatly disturbed by them in this Lovecraft style tale. While Sherlockian in style, this short story is jarring when compared to the tales of Mr Crider featured in the book. It strikes a totally different style and tone and does not compare at all well to the previous stories.

 

Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Bill Crider is a very good read. Mysteries, often more than one, are present in each short story where a rational explanation of events is always the outcome. Each tale quickly pulls the reader into the world of Conan Arthur Doyle as Mr. Crider spins a web indiscernible from the original creator. Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Bill Crider is a very good read and highly recommended.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/47ABuiw

  

 

I picked this up to read and review back in June using monies in my Amazon Associate account.

  

Kevin R. Tipple © 2017, 2021, 2025

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue by Kate Pearsall

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue by Kate Pearsall:   Reviewed by Jeanne Growing up in Caball Hollow, West Virginia, Rowan James is used to being shunned. She comes from a long line of Jam...

The Hard Word: A WEST WILD & WEIRD: FREDERIC S. DURBIN'S THE COUNTRY UNDER HEAVEN

 The Hard Word: A WEST WILD & WEIRD: FREDERIC S. DURBIN'S THE COUNTRY UNDER HEAVEN

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Burning Water by Mercedes Lackey

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Burning Water by Mercedes Lackey:   Reviewed by Jeanne It started with cattle mutilations.   Then the attacks began targeting people, often leaving bloody and shocking cr...

Scott's Take: Shadow of a Broken Man by George C. Chesbro

Shadow of a Broken Man by George C. Chesbro is the first book in the Mongo Mystery series. I read this as part of Hoopla Bonus Borrows for the month. This book is set back in 1977. This is a very old book series, but the first book holds up very well. This is another private investigator noir book with some paranormal activity.

 

Mongo is not your typical private investigator. He is a little person who has a doctorate in Criminology, is a college professor, an ex-circus performer, and has a black belt in karate. In this book, Mongo is hired to investigate the death of a famous architect. He is supposed to be dead, but a recent building has been built that shows his influence on the building design. As Mongo investigates, it becomes clearer that Russia, The UN, and the American government would prefer if he drops his investigation. Mongo is not stopping until he uncovers the truth.

 

This is an interesting read with strong mystery elements and some supernatural elements. For most of the book it stays a typical espionage mystery until the later third where some supernatural elements are introduced. I enjoyed this read and Mongo is a unique character.

 

There is a heavy torture scene in this book and Mongo suffers PTSD from the incident. The handling of Mongo’s trauma is done rather well, in my opinion. There are actual consequences to what happens to him for a good portion of the novel unlike most things now where the main character never feels the effects of his trauma. This might be triggering for some people.

 

According to Goodreads there are thirteen more books to read. Hopefully all of them are at least as good as this read.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3AHbq7o  

 

My reading copy came by way of the Hoopla App through the Dallas Public Library System. 

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2024

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste:   Reviewed by Jeanne   Twenty years ago, a neighborhood vanished.   The houses, the people, everything—gone, hidden behind some sort o...

KRL Update 10/19/2024

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 5 more cozies that are either set at Halloween or have a supernatural element that makes them perfect for your Halloween reading-"A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor" A Food and Spirits Mystery by Darci Hannah, "Booked on Murder" by Allison Brook, "Furever After" by Sofie Kelly, a Magical Cats Mystery, "Six Stunning Sirens "by Lynn Cahoon, and "Death and the Visitors" by Heather Redmond. https://kingsriverlife.com/10/19/more-cozies-perfect-for-halloween-reading/ 

We also have a review and giveaway of another Halloween mystery, "Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop" by Emmeline Duncan https://kingsriverlife.com/10/19/chaos-at-the-lazy-bones-bookshop-by-emmeline-duncan/

 

And a review and giveaway of "A Scandal in Mayfair" by Katharine Schellman, along with an interesting interview with Katharine https://kingsriverlife.com/10/19/a-scandal-in-mayfair-by-katharine-schellman/

 

We also have the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/10/19/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-november-2024/

 

And an article about local horror/supernatural author James Garcia Jr., along with a review of his new book "The Color of Sound" and a giveaway https://kingsriverlife.com/10/19/local-horror-author-james-garcia-jr-has-new-book-this-halloween-season/

 

Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by author Beth Castrodale--she talks about ghost stories and her new book "The Inhabitants" https://kingsriverlife.com/10/16/the-elements-of-good-ghost-stories/

 

And another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Misty Simon about Halloween and her new Steampunk Paranormal Mystery "Corpses & Corsets", a perfect read for Halloween season! https://kingsriverlife.com/10/16/happy-almost-halloween/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Tunica" by Dp Lyle https://www.krlnews.com/2024/10/tunica-by-dp-lyle-reviewgiveaway.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Between a Flock and a Hard Place" by Donna Andrews https://www.krlnews.com/2024/10/between-flock-and-hard-place-by-donna.html

 

And a review and giveaway of a signed copy of "Murder Under A Cold Moon" by Abigail Keam https://www.krlnews.com/2024/10/murder-under-cold-moon-by-abigail-keam.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie

_._,_._,_

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Third Shift Society by Meredith Moriarty

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Third Shift Society by Meredith Moriarty: Reviewed by Jeanne Ellie is not having a good day.   Bills are due, well, okay PAST due, the landlady wants the rent, and when she goes ...

Short Story Wednesday Review: Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Bill Crider

From the massive archive…

 

The eight short stories in the Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes appeared before in various anthologies over the years from 1987 as recently as 2009. Collected in one book and published by Gordian Knott, an imprint of Crossroad Press, these tales quickly pull the reader in to the world originally created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Mr. Bill Crider’s work so closely resembles the original author it is very easy to forget who wrote these eight tales. Many folks try to imitate the original and miss. M. Crider does so with ease in tales that easily could be part of the Sherlock canon.

 

“The Adventure of the Young British Solider” opens the book with a tale where Watson, many years later, writes about a previously untold story that happened during 1884. A highly personal that begins on a very cold night in early December. Watson is thinking of what happened to him in Afghanistan after those memories are triggered by a certain poem. A certain fellow soldier, an orderly, saved Watson’s life that day. His name was Edward Murray and Watson totally lost touch with him after the incident. Only days later his wife will appear on their doorstep seeking their help.

 

It is the spring of 1887 and upon their return to London Holmes has become bored and depressed. Such a mood is very dangerous for an addict and Watson is very worried as “The Case of the Vanished Vampire” begins. Sherlock Holmes thinks the whole idea of vampires is utter and complete nonsense, but his visitors, Bram Stoker and Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, seek to convince him otherwise. They claim to have killed one here in London. They are not sure they killed it correctly in the pressure of the moment. According to them, it escaped and is probably out there in London converting others to its gory cause. They want to find the creature this night, before it feeds again, and they want the help of Watson and Holmes.

 

The supernatural is also a major part of the next story titled “The Adventure of the St. Marylebone Ghoul.” According to the newspaper, a creature of some sort is at the St. Marylebone cemetery causing unspeakable horrors. They are discussing the situation when the night caretaker at the cemetery, Benjamin Swaraj, arrives seeking their help.

 

Holmes is not a fan of Christmas and the carolers in the streets outside 22B Baker Street are not going to change his mind. He’s bored and Watson is well aware what that can mean. Fortunately, a client appears this night two nights before Christmas in the form of a Mr. Oscar Wilde. Mr. Wilde needs Holmes help as he believes someone is trying to kill him and he thinks he knows the suspects.

 

Years later, as Watson nears the end of his life, he thinks about the many events involving Sherlock that he recorded over the years for posterity. He also considers the events that before now he did not have the strength to detail. One such case is “The Adventure of the Venomous Lizard.” On a cold and sometimes treacherous winter night, Holmes has spotted a man he perceives to be desperate headed their way. Upon his arrival, they hear his name and his reason for his desperation.

 

While Holmes did not like to clean, he especially liked to cook breakfast, which was his favorite meal. Over a morning repast, he slowly pulls out of Watson what is bothering him in “The Case of the Vampire’s Mark.” Once Watson confesses all and they have dealt with that, they are ready for their visitor Abraham Stoker when he arrives. He brings news of a child that bears the neck bite marks of vampire and requests their help.

 

Sharing the name of Holmes with the man going by the moniker H. H. Holmes, known for hideous crimes, was bad enough, but having been in close proximity to him with no knowledge of what he was doing bothers Sherlock a lot more. Buffalo Bills’ Wild West Show was in Chicago at the time they were there and they were able to spend time with Colonel Cody himself. That was a good thing as he needed their help. What happened is detailed in the tale, “The Adventure in the White City.”

 

It is Dec. 22nd as “The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts” begins. Franklin Scrooge, great nephew of Ebenezer Scrooge, is in quite a state when he arrives at 221B Baker Street. A ghost, a family legacy, and more are at stake and Franklin Scrooge needs their help.

 

A bonus story, “Death Did Not Become Him” by Patricia Lee Macomber and David Niall Wilson brings the book to a close. In this one, Watson goes to 221B Baker Street late one night desperately seeking his help. Watson has had his own visitors earlier this night and was greatly disturbed by them in this Lovecraft style tale. While Sherlockian in style, this short story is jarring when compared to the tales of Mr Crider featured in the book. It strikes a totally different style and tone and does not compare at all well to the previous stories.  

 

Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Bill Crider is a very good read. Mysteries, often more than one, are present in each short story where a rational explanation of events is always the outcome. Each tale quickly pulls the reader into the world of Conan Arthur Doyle as Mr. Crider spins a web indiscernible from the original creator. Eight Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Bill Crider is a very good read and highly recommended.

 

I picked this up to read and review back in June using monies in my Amazon Associate account. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple © 2017, 2021, 2023

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Stranger Vanishes by Wendy Corsi Staub

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: The Stranger Vanishes by Wendy Corsi Staub:   Reviewed by Jeanne After a year of living in Lily Dale, the town devoted to connecting to the afterlife, widow Bella Jordan has a cautio...

Short Story Wednesday Review: Quartet: Four Slightly Twisted Tales by Janis Susan May

 

From the massive archive...

 

This short story collection opens with the longest story, “The Breighton Emeralds.”  The emeralds are back and Tony Brayton isn’t happy about that at all. He is convinced the family legend is true and the stones are cursed. He also thought he had finally managed to get rid of them. The men of the family have been trying to get rid of the things for over two hundred years.  Where the emeralds have been in the past a male Breighton died.  Despite efforts at changing his name and protecting himself because he is the last male descendent, Tony is at risk from the curse.

A legacy is also present in “The Cavanaugh Cellar.” At one time the Cavanaugh mansion was something hidden away from the prying eyes of those less fortunate. Thanks to the loss of parkland and the new interstate these days, anyone driving by can see it. The mansion also stands as living proof of how far the family has slid financially. The fact that the last descendants, a brother and his sister, vanished on Halloween isn’t helping matters. For the sheriff, who has lived there all his life except for combat tours into Middle East, and his deputy, Charlie Edwards, the case is a puzzle.

Chet Murphy was the last to jump onboard the helicopter in “A Dog’s Life.” The star detective of the Homicide Department is well known for his heroic actions even to a relative newcomer to the police force like Frank Glass. The Wanatahatchee River is enraged and the flood waters are destroying everything. Chet and Frank work to save those they can while Chet holds forth on various topics.

The final of the four stories in this small book is “The Stealth Kangaroo.” After 27 novels, writer Lillian Masters simply can’t write another word.  Her grandson Jamie wants a story about a Kangaroo for his Halloween present and she has nothing to give him. With everything that has gone on the last few months it isn’t surprising she is having trouble. Maybe the stuffed kangaroo she has sitting next to her will supply some much needed inspiration.

The four stories in this small collection play with the thin line between reality and the supernatural. Those readers who need every single thing explained to the last detail may have an issue with some of these stories as the endings are often open to reader interpretation. Sometimes what happens to the main character is a good thing. At other times it is not.  In all the cases it will take months, if not years, before an explanation of any type is uncovered in this collection of good stories. Quartet: Four Slightly Twisted Tales is not only a quick and good read, but one that showcases a talented author working in a variety in styles, subject matter, and situations where everything is truly slightly twisted.

 

Material was picked up for review purposes during the author’s recent freebie promotion. The book was read on my laptop via the free “Kindle for PC” program available from Amazon. 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2012, 2023

George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #91: DEADMAN’S ROAD By Joe R. Lansdale

 George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #91: DEADMAN’S ROAD By Joe R. Lansdale

Patti Abbott: FFB: ZIGZAG, Bill Pronzini Ed Gorman's last review..

 Patti Abbott: FFB: ZIGZAG, Bill Pronzini   Ed Gorman's last review..

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Bait and Witch by Angela Sanders

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Bait and Witch by Angela Sanders:   Reviewed by Jeanne Librarian Josie Way is living the dream working in the Library of Congress until she overhears a conversation impli...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovich

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovich: Reviewed by Kristin Peter Grant has seen some weird stuff in his time with the police. When Peter first started as a probationary cons...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: A Glimmer of Death by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: A Glimmer of Death by Valerie Wilson Wesley: Reviewed by Jeanne Recent widow Odessa Jones is trying to make ends meet by working at a realty office.   It’s stressful work, especially ...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: So Cold the River by Michael Koryta

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: So Cold the River by Michael Koryta:   Reviewed by Jeanne Eric Shaw once had a very promising Hollywood career which fizzled quickly after some “creative differences.”   H...

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton:   Reviewed by Jeanne Samuel Pipps, the 1634 version of Sherlock Holmes, is being transported from Batavia to Amsterdam to stand trial fo...