Trigger Warning: Animal death (mentioned, occurs off-screen)

Sherlock Holmes is back again in the 18th book in Titan Books New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In The Back to Front Murder, Holmes is tasked with solving a murder that occurred in the pages of a book and has been brought to life. The only issue is that the book in question hasn’t been published and the author is professing their innocence.

Is this just a coincidence? Or is something more sinister afoot?

As a long-time fan of Sherlock Holmes, I have seen my fair share of authors giving their own spin on the familiar characters. Tim Major is the most recent to cross my path with his novel The Back to Front Murder. I believe this to be the first full-length Holmes novel for Mr. Major, though he has since written a handful more.

Mr. Major does, in my opinion, a good job of capturing Holmes and Watson – their distinct characteristics as well as the views they would have had at the time. Watson is overly exciteable and jumps to conclusions ready to rescue the damsel in distress regardless of the potential danger. Holmes is quiet and careful weighing out the facts presented to him and seeking out the truth. This is much as they would be in the original canon.

And much like in the original canon, their respective views regarding women are also a reflection of the times. When Abigail Moone reveals herself to be an author, and a rather popular one, both men are taken aback. Watson especially as he is familiar with the nom de plume Ms. Moone uses and owns several of the novels she has written. Neither man believes she could be the murderer at first, not because of the facts of the case but because she is a woman.

The type of mystery Mr. Major has created for The Back to Front Murder is in my opinion a unique one. And up until the last quarter of the book, it was truly enjoyable. The issue comes with the overall resolution – the final pointing of fingers and unmasking of the villain. The identity of the killer and the reasoning behind it came from so far out of left field as to leave me reeling. I’ve read my share of mysteries where it felt like the author had no idea how to wrap up their story but this was a new one even for me.

I don’t want to say I didn’t enjoy reading The Back to Front Murder. I did enjoy it, up to a point. And then, at least for me, it jumped the shark. While Mr. Major did what I believe to be an admirable job writing two such well-known characters, he also failed.

I had such high hopes for The Back to Front Murder when I first saw it on NetGalley. It saddens me to say it was a disappointment.

Abigail Moone writes murder mysteries under a pen name, and her presumed "victim" for research purposes dies in a manner that looks consistent with her notes. She hires Sherlock Holmes to prove her innocence, but there's more than meets the eye.

The entire case is presented "back to front," with a body discovered after we're presented with a murder method, and the team is to determine the innocence and not guilt for the death. Lestrade is very much a goofball here, seizing the simplest explanation and not looking for the truth. In his defense, it did look suspicious to anyone other than the reader and Sherlock Holmes. I found the actual explanation after the fact to be almost disappointing. It's wonderfully intricate and crafted, but we don't see Sherlock connecting the dots until it's all laid out. I find that less fun than following the chase.

Overall, this is a solid story with an interesting setup and execution in line with the Holmes novels.

this was a wonderfully done Sherlock Holmes book, I loved the plot of this book, I enjoyed the idea of a writer's creations coming to life, It was a joy to read and I look forward to more from the author.

This is a more than worthy entrant to the cannon of homages to Conan Doyle. Holmes enthusiasts will not be disappointed.

I always love to get my hands on a new Sherlock Holmes story. What I find interesting is how they can be so true to the originals and yet have a modern appeal. I loved the original Sherlock Holmes stories when I was young, but like classic black-and-white movies, when reread or reseen today, they do drag on a bit. Thanks to the modern TV series, we have learned to appreciate (or been trained to expect, depending on your point of view) stories that are not just complex but also intense and fast-paced.

The Back-to-Front Murder is satisfyingly complex and well paced. So it is a good read in its own right as well as a good Holmes story. The characters of Holmes and Watson are true to type. Abigail is an interesting character too and the story is intriguing. It's well written and gripping.

What's not to like? Nothing. It's an all-round 5-star read.

May 1898: Sherlock Holmes receives Abigail Moone, the author of several mysteries under the nom de plume of Damien Collingbourne. She explains that while researching for her novels she selects a “victim” and imagines how she would go about murdering them. For her latest book she selects eccentric elderly Ronald Bythewood and imagines how she would do the deed using a drinking fountain and a poisoned pellet. Of course this is just in her imagination, but somebody has actually done just that and now Ronald is dead.

I doubt anybody reading this could possibly guess how the story will end, something very much in its favour. From the opening scenes in Baker Street to…you will have to read it yourself. At times the meticulous early chapters where Miss Moone retraces her steps more than once to help Sherlock understand what happened get rather tedious, but then the story takes off and turns into something rather different. I felt that a little editing could have trimmed these scenes and made a shorter, though tauter and more exciting, story. Sherlock and Watson are well portrayed, and the author creates a tangibly murky mood that suits the events. In summary, this is a twisty tale that showcases this author’s imagination and skill at creating atmosphere.

Get ready to get sher-locked with this amazing read.Sherlock holmes is back with his esoteric ways of solving case. Inspector lestrage from Scotland yard approaches Sherlock and his companion Dr. Watson with yet another intriguing murder case. Enters Abigail Moone who is so alluring , interesting and intelligent , also a bit similar characterization with that of Irene adler, a writer of mysterious stories under a male pseudonym Damien collinbourne , as a part of writing she observes people and follows them , in an unfortunate circumstance she gets involved in a murder , a prime suspect for being at the scene of murder. Now accused of murder , she approaches Sherlock who tries to solve the 'back to front muder' in his own way with the help of Watson. Though the solution seems to come out of blue , it was a thoroughly interesting. I just got latched to the book since the beginning.

Recommendation: Will definitely recommend it to the Sherlock Holmes fans , this book will not steer you wrong. Mystery thriller fans will surely have a fun reading it.

One of the interesting angles of the Sherlock Holmes stories is is the fascination purely down to Holmes’ powers of deduction or Watson’s own powers of storytelling? Man walks around room and telling you what he finds isn’t that interesting - the set-up, the atmosphere and characters are all key and we are told Watson likes to embellish. Yes, behind the scenes Mr Conan Doyle pulls the strings but if we imagine all is real Holmes’ ow narration would probably be missing out. In Tim Major’s unusual Homesian tale The Back To Front Murder Watson gets involved in a case where another distinguished crime writer has to share the story with the Great Detective and his Best friend making for some un usual discoveries.

Abigail Moone likes to plot murders as she idly walks through London. Not for being a criminal mastermind but for her secret life as one of Victorian England’s most popular male crime novelists. Walking through the new Tate Gallery she has found herself drawn to a strange man named Ronald Blythwood who has a very very regular routine. A routine so precise that Abigail imagines a killer could easily make use of a certain drinking fountain to administer a fast-acting poison. To test if this plot works a harmless capsule is inserted in the fountain but then Blythwood very quickly falls to the ground dead! Such a strange event and the desire to hopefully prove her innocence brings Abigail to 221B Baker Street where Watson finally meets someone who may understand his role in the partnership – which is more threatening than he expected!

It is a fascinating set-up the writer who dreams a murder plot up and then witnesses it appear to happen in front of their eyes. How have two unconnected people become ensnared into this? As the police get involved we also get an unusual set up where Holmes is facing effectively two clients – Inspector Lestrade and Abigail. As the story opens up more dangers lie in store with someone appearing now very keen that Abigail takes the blame for murder. . It’s a fine puzzle and tests Holmes (and the reader) trying to work out what actually happened.

Another highlight is Abigail Moone who represents a very different character to your typical damsel in distress. An independent wealthy woman who enjoys drinking and smoking and loves to investigate matters herself. It is refreshing to read someone who pushes at the boudnaries of Victorian Society, and we feel for her when her mysterious accuser outs that she is not the male crime writer most of Victorian England loves to read. AS well as being a fascinating character we see an interesting tension with Watson who finds someone who perhaps would be as capable of his role in following Holmes’ exploits and seeing Watson ruffled and a little jealous at first gives the tale a fresh perspective. Ultimately though Major uses this story to remind us Watson himself is not a mere dupe but can do his own investigation and deduction himself something many adaptations forget! Holmes here helps glue the mysteries together and has some lovely flourishes and an examination og his own code of honour but for me this felt very much a Watson tale.

The finale of the story moves us to another classic Conan Doyle move the flashback to an adventure abroad to explain the current crime. I won’t say much but the ultimate explanation for events is indeed ingenious and all I will say is pay attention to the story’s title. My one reservation is at this point Abigail feels side-lined at this point rather than getting a final flourish herself in the story which felt a little disappointing but the wider set of dark deeds should keep your brain occupied. A fine addition to Holmes stories and should make a great brain teaser of a read!

1898. Miss Abigail Milne writes murder mysteries under the non de plume Damien Collinbourne. She approaches Holmes when her latest 'victim' is actually killed. Can Holmes and Watson prove her innocent before the police find and arrest her. But why was her victim Ronald Bythewood killed.
An interesting and entertaining well-written historical mystery with its likeable characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tim Major is one of a number of writers who have resurrected the famous genius Victorian detective, Sherlock Holmes and his side kick, John Watson of 221B Baker Street, London. It is 1898, and Holmes takes on a new client, the independent Miss Abigail Moone, a woman in trouble. Given the social norms and attitudes to women in this historical period, she writes popular crime and mysteries under the male pseudonym of Damien Collinbourne. She has the habit of following actual people, strangers, and uses her imagination for plots as to how she might murder them and get away with it for her novels. The most recent person she has followed, having seen him at the Tate Art Gallery, is Ronald Bythewood, making copious notes, has shockingly been poisoned, a murder that replicates precisely the one she herself had come up with.

This makes Abigail the prime suspect in Bythewood's murder, and to exacerbate matters, Inspector Lestrade has turned up at Baker Street with a scrap of a note retrieved from the dead man that appears to point definitively to Abigail as the killer. Holmes investigates, in a manner that Watson claims is back to front, as they retrace Abigail's meeting and following of the victim at the art gallery. They try to find out what they can about Bythewood but it is a difficult case and it is to take Holmes visiting Paris before he begins to get an idea of what might have happened to him. In the meantime, the atmosphere at Baker Street becomes increasingly tense, with Watson trying to keep an eye on a Abigail who chafes at the limits to her freedom and worries about the loss of her anonymity.

This is an entertaining Sherlock Holmes mystery from Major, although definitely a challenge for the reader as the solution can seem have to come from nowhere. Probably the highlight of the story is the character of Abigail Moone, a woman of contradictions, calm, assured, analytical and intelligent, yet at the same time a volatile and unpredictable presence. She makes Watson distinctly uneasy on occasion, she shows a lot of interest in the details of his relationship with Holmes, so much so that he wonders if she wants to take over his role in writing up the great detective's cases. This is a worthy and engaging Victorian mystery that will appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

The New Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes: The Back-To-Front Murder by Tim Major

There’s a brand new conundrum for the iconic duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson when a self-possessed woman comes to 221B Baker Street looking to hire their services as consulting detectives. The fiercely independent Abigail Moone is a successful author of murder mysteries under the pseudonym Damien Collinbourne. Her usual method of dreaming up plots involves finding an interesting passerby and imagining a gruesome death for them, before working out the rest of the story, almost in a back-to-front manner.

This has worked well for her prior novels, and was exactly what she was up to when she unexpectedly found herself a witness to the death of her chosen “victim”, Ronald Bythewood. She’s somewhat alarmed to think that her machinations -- up to and including slipping a capsule into his drinking water to see if it were a viable method of murder -- might have actually led to his demise. Even worse happens shortly after when someone steals the notebook in which she’d jotted down her musings on all this. Could there possibly be a sinister figure intent on framing her for murder, and if so, who?

An intrigued Holmes accepts the case even before Inspector Lestrade shows up at 221B with questions of his own:

QUOTE
“Well, then?” Lestrade said to Holmes sharply after coming to a halt in the centre of our rug.

Holmes appraised him with a wry expression. “I beg your pardon, Lestrade? I believe it is customary for the person entering another’s home to state their business.”

Lestrade’s face fell. “Oh. I had just assumed that you would make some clever comment about my state of mind, or my recent whereabouts. That is usually what you do. It’s most infuriating.”
END QUOTE

But Lestrade is there for more than just banter, as he’s investigating Bythewood’s poisoning death as well. He knows something our heroes don’t, however: Bythewood’s body was found clutching a note that would seem to incriminate Abigail as his murderer. It will take every ounce of Holmes and Watson’s powers of discretion and detection to unravel this case, identify Bythewood’s murderer, and bring the culprit to justice.

Holmes fans will be more than satisfied with this well-constructed homage to the great detective. I myself exclaimed aloud, impressed, when the major plot point on which Bythewood’s story rests was revealed. Tim Major knows how to write a faithful, intelligent Holmes pastiche while skewing the angle just slightly to make for incisive and often droll commentary for the modern reader, as with the exchange between Holmes and Lestrade quoted above. Even more intriguingly, he examines not only Watson’s discomfited, if well-meaning interactions with the progressive women of the era, but also our loyal scribe’s motives in publicizing Holmes’ exploits:

QUOTE
It occurred to me that the racing heart of which she spoke might have been a key aspect of her custom of devising crimes. Perhaps the vicarious thrill of enacting a crime - and for the success of this undertaking to hang by a thread - might have fuelled her choice of vocation in the first instance. I confess that, in addition, another thing came to my mind: was the same conclusion, and its implicit criticism, true of my own latter-day career as Holmes’s biographer? Was I equally as morbid as Miss Moone?
END QUOTE

Abigail certainly causes a lot of turmoil for the household at 221B, even if Holmes himself remains as aloof and unperturbed as ever. It was actually pretty refreshing to read of Watson’s consternation less at his own intellectual expense than as an exploration of both his role as the great detective’s sidekick and as a Victorian gentleman unprepared to be challenged by a female peer. Mr Major has knocked it out of the park with this new adventure, retaining the flavor of the original stories while exposing our familiar cast of characters to fresh and intriguing new circumstances.

I have read a number of books, by a number of authors, who have taken on the mantle of writing new Holmes & Watson books. Many have failed to meet with my expectations; others have done so admirably. This is one of the latter. It actually felt as if the words came from Conan Doyle's own pen - all the nuances that I remembered from my own collection of Sherlockian literature were there.

Major's book is one of many in the Titan Books stables of authors taking on the Holmes genre - but this is the first from that group that I have read. It is not an overly long read, and there is a little twist at the end. I look forward to reading more from both this and other authors under the Titan Books umbrella.

There are many authors who have tried their hand at writing follow-ups to the Sherlock Holmes stories. Some are significantly better than others and I’m really pleased to be able to say this book definitely fits into the “better” category.

Holmes’s client is a young women who leads an independent life and supports herself through her writing even if she has to publish under a male nom-de-plume. It is interesting to see how uncomfortable Watson is when dealing with such a person. It feels very realistic for the era and it is very interesting to see how it develops.

The story itself is convoluted. Sherlock Holmes detests the idea of coincidences but the story relies upon them. Clues are scattered about all over the place but it is only with hindsight that it is possible to see them.

I think anyone who has enjoyed reading the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories will also enjoy this book and I hope there will be further Sherlock Holmes stories by this author.

Mystery writer Miss Abigail Moone has an unusual case for Holmes and Watson. While people watching, she chooses one and imagines a prospective murder. When her most recent "victim" does indeed collapse and die seemingly as she had imagined, she knows it looks bad. The more Holmes investigates, the more the clues seem to point to the lady being the only culprit. Has a mystery writer crossed the line?

When I finished reading this one, I wasn't sure what I thought of it. And while I am writing this, I'm still having trouble untangling my thoughts. On the one hand, the author caught Holmes and Watson very well. Spot on characterization!

On the other hand, the mystery was odd. The premise had my attention from the start: a writer taking inspiration from the world she observes was a relatable situation. Having her imagined murder come true was a fascinating concept. Miss Moore herself was...an enigma. Every scene was was in left me uncomfortable. I didn't trust her at all, and I never understood her. Even for being a forward-thinking woman, she didn't feel like she belonged in a Victorian tale.

So overall, this was an interesting read. I'm not sure I would reread it, given how much I disliked Miss Moone and she was in the tale a lot. But it had great characterization of Holmes and Watson, and the solution was a surprise.

For readers looking for a new Holmes tale, I'd probably recommend this one.

This is a very good addition to the corpus of stories featuring Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes and Watson are well written and reflects the characters of the Canon. Abigail is a fascinating addition and I would have like to learn more about her.
The story is full of red herring and twists and very exciting till 80%: the last part part dragged and the solution required a bit of suspension of belief.
It was an entertaining read that I liked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

“What concern us is not what is likely” he said sternly, “only what is the truth of the matter.”

“The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Back to Front Murder” is a great return to Sherlock’s book universe.
It all begins with the visit of Miss Abigail Moone, who presents her case to both Sherlock Holmes and Watson: a death case of Ronald Bythewood. I’m not getting into further details, for I don’t want to share any spoilers.

I’ve read all of the original Sherlock Holmes books, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I felt that everything in this book matched beautifully with those works: from the writing style to the characters behaviors and mannerisms.
I find the introduction of a female and also feminist character very refreshing, with a good banter between Abigail Moone and Watson.
The rhythm is slow paced, but it suits the story.
The only thing that keeps me away from rating 5 stars are the final 20% of the book, where the mystery is finally solved. I felt that a lot of information was added to fit the murder solution and that was hardly hinted in the previous chapters or not present at all, which is also usual in Conan Doyle's books.
Despite that, it’s a great reading and I think Tim Major wrote a very good book!

Miss Abigail Moone presents Holmes an unusual problem. She is a successful mystery writer published under a male pseudonym. She randomly picks out a man and follows him, planning to use him as a character in her next murder mystery. Based on his routine she plans a clever way that she might kill him and get away with it all as research for her book. But when the man dies in the same way that she had planned and someone steals her notes, she realizes that she is being set up as the prime suspect and asks Holmes’ help in proving her innocence. This was a well written and complex mystery with an ending that I never came close to guessing. Abigail is a marvelous character who Watson is drawn to as a fellow mystery writer. The way that she intrigues, frustrates and completely baffles him is great fun to witness. The author does an excellent job of capturing the style of Doyle and the voices of Holmes and Watson. I would recommend it to all fans of the great detective. Many thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I love anything Sherlock Holmes, so had great hopes for this book. Indeed, it started well with an intriguing premise and good characterisation. The storyline, and the seemingly unfathomable murder mystery completely drew me in. And I was happy to go along with the investigation with the assumption that it would all pull together perfectly logically and satisfyingly at the end. But I'm afraid to say the dénouement didn't convince me . The leaps of logic were too great, I couldn't quite buy the story, and the level of coincidence that you had to swallow was too unbelievable for me to accept.

London 1898
Abigail Moone - a murder mystery writer - who writes using a male pseudonym, arrives at 221B Baker street with an unusual request for Sherlock Holmes. A man has been murdered, and the murder is a word for word copy from her notes for her next book.
I love the Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series, and Tim Major has the ACD style to a T.
This is interesting and entertaining with a surprising ending.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC

I'm a big fan of new stories added to the Sherlock Holmes canon. Particularly those that invoke the characters, ambiance and most importantly the crime in the style of Conan Doyle. Not everyone gets it right, sometime the plot is off, the characterisation a little askew and the writing style just wrong

That was not the case here. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson's friendship was fittingly established from the first page, which boded well.

"As Lestrade had so cannily observed, we were sometimes able to ‘communicate with our eyebrows’, as might any old friends."

The Back to Front Murder is a typical type of crime that Holmes is drawn to, intriguing because of the opaqueness .For those with lesser skills of deduction it was baffling, then straightforward, followed by complex in the conclusion. Which is exactly what I hoped for, if I'm not confounded on a number of occassions when reading a Sherlock Holmes novel, then I would feel hard done by.

Sherlock Holmes is suitably imperious and self possessed. Striking out on a tangent of an idea and leaving Watson twiddling his thumbs at Baker Street more often than not. Dr Watson was as usual pompous and overly fond of reminding others of Sherlock's prowess as a detective. True to form, his comic dismay at what he perceived as unladylike behaviour was amusing to behold. Yet they worked well in tandem, adding their skills to the case to bring clarity to the mystery at hand.

I would have liked to find out more about Abigail Moone whose innocence, the duo were doing their utmost prove. However, her background shrouded in secrecy added a je ne sais quoi element, a subtle contrast to the level of detail provided for the period and locations.

The Back to Front Murder is a great addition to the casebook.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for a copy of this book in return for a candid review.

A well done novel worthy of being called a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The author has done an excellent job of keeping to the original manner of the Sherlock Holmes stories and added several good twists. A great read for fans of Sherlock Holmes!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.