Member Reviews

A different revival to the same Sherlock Holmes we are used to, I would like to thank Net Galley for the Opportunity to read this book, however, I wish I would have been able to read the other books first as to keep them in order as they were so good! 😊

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This novel was a nice read and an interesting addition to the Sherlock Holmes legacy, but as I did not know that it's the third in a series I'd very much liked to have read the previous two before starting this one

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Gilbert's characters are well-drawn and he manages to evoke the style of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. However, the plot was rather slow and predictable, so it didn't quite hit the mark for me as a reader.

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this was a great modern sherlock holmes book, it felt true to the original source and still be uniquely itself. I really enjoyed reading this.

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(See all my Book Reviews) - Author Paul D. Gilbert published the novel “The Illumination of Sherlock Holmes” in 2019. This is the third of his "Odyssey of Sherlock Holmes" series. Mr. Gilbert has published ten Sherlock Holmes novels.

I categorize this novel as “PG” because it contains some scenes of Violence. The story is set in Europe.
Holmes and Watson, along with Holmes' brother Mycroft, travel to Bavaria, then back to England. They are on the trail of a conspiracy to control the world.

While there are aspects of mystery, this is more of a 19th-century thriller. At times I felt like it was more a story about a story than a book on its own. If you like Sherlock Holmes you will most likely enjoy this novel.

I enjoyed the 5+ hours I spent reading this 168-page mystery/thriller novel. The cover art is OK and consistent with other works by Gilbert, but I think it is a little simple. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

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It’s taken me a few months after finishing it to get round to reviewing Paul Gilbert’s The Illumination of Sherlock Holmes, and I think that’s because I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. I love the original Conan Doyle stories and this mimicked them in a very clever way; but there was something missing and I don’t know what it was.

The publisher’s blurb is as follows: “Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson reunite after a long and hazardous journey through the icy mountains of Bavaria. They face a dramatic encounter within the walls of a secluded castle. Sherlock Holmes and his brother, Mycroft, give chase, only for their quarry to escape. The three men, in the company of a new and mysterious ally, return to London knowing that an old adversary will be seeking a deadly revenge. Almost at once Holmes and Watson are presented with an intriguing case, one that brings back disquieting memories. However, this only serves as a temporary diversion. Before long, Holmes is challenged by a deadly but beautiful stranger. In a spectacular final showdown, their vengeful enemy proves just how far they’re willing to go.”

It has all the ingredients of a Holmes story… and yet, and yet. It didn’t grip me. I got a little confused in the middle and stopped reading for a while, and when I went back it took me a while before I realised my Kindle had somehow flipped back andI was reading a chapter I’d already read. And now, the acid test for any book — after a few months I can’t really remember much about the plot.

I think a lot of people will love this book. It’s true to the Conan Doyle originals in many ways. But in the back of my mind I seem to hear Elvis singing She’s Not You. It’s everything a Holmes fan could want, but it’s not Conan Doyle. For me, the magic ingredient is missing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

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Not one of the best Sherlock Holmes fan fiction I've read, and with the aggravating circumstance of being part of a trilogy. The tone of the narrative is a bit too emphatic and in some places the relationship between cause and effect is not clear, nevertheless the characters' characters are quite faithful to the originals, and this makes the reading quite pleasant.

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A good continuation of the Sherlock Holmes stories, I felt the author was true to the original characters though the mystery was a bit predictable

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This is a worthy addition to the Sherlock Holmes library! Holmes and Watson are believably written in a voice faithful to the originals.

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A fantastic addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon. You can never have enough Holmes and Watson.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Mr Gilbert takes the reader back to the age of Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, and all the characters we have known and loved, as well as introducing intriguing new ones. worthy successor to Arthur Conan Doyle. Looking forward to the next installment!

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Book three in the 'Odyssey of Sherlock Holmes' trilogy and another intriguing case for Holmes and Watson. Well written, competent and very enjoyable - a fitting final piece in this trilogy. Any fan of Holmes and Watson should enjoy and, indeed, any lover of imaginative and well compiled historical mysteries.

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The Illumination of Sherlock Holmes by Paul D. Gilbert. Its very nice to finally find someone who can write Holmes as he originally sounded. So many of the authors who attempt it today fail in some way but Gilbert does a great job in this book.

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Wonderfully gripping book, professionally written that keeps the reader engaged throughout. Love the author's way of developing a storyline. Intend to certainly read any further books written by this author.

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Like others, I had trouble staying engaged with this. The author is talented and captures the spirit of Holmes and Watson, and Doyle's atmosphere. But this didn't quite live up to the originals, even though it is a good effort.

I really appreciate the copy for review!!

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I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan so when I was given the opportunity to read a book with a new slant, was more than happy to oblige!

The book starts with Dr Watson on a train journey and he retrospectively goes through the recent adventures he has had with Sherlock Holmes in Rome and Egypt and all that they have encountered.

Found the book a little slow to get into, on the whole I enjoyed it but more because I am Sherlock Holmes fan rather than it being well written.

I would give the author another try, with the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me the chance to read the book in exchange for an honest review

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It's not easy to create an authentic Conan Doyle style yet many times I found myself so engrossed I forgot this was a new attempt. Not always, there are some squeaks and bumps of tone along the way but, boy, will I be seeking out the other books. A great addition to the Holmes legacy and worth reading for new adventure and recaptured nostalgia. More please.

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It was a bit slow and I struggled to keep on reading.
I liked the well written cast of characters but I found hard to connect to the plot.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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Dr Watson, while travelling on a train to Bavaria, assesses the past six months of the exploits of Holmes and himself, as they have travelled to Rome and Egypt. Also the cases that have occupied them n Britain. He hopes that he is on the right track in discovering the whereabouts of the Holmes brothers. But what is the connection to the Bavarian Brotherhood.
It unfortunately took me a long time to get into the story, and what was actually happening. Though I did like the portrayal of Watson and Holmes.

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