Another take on Sherlock and this author definitely does justice to the canon. the characters are true to their roots and the original version of Holmes but with a slightly unique spin that made this a very enjoyable read.

I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate this one. However I'm not sure how I feel about this one.

"Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk" by Linda Stratmann is a captivating addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon that seamlessly weaves mystery and historical elements. Stratmann demonstrates a commendable understanding of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic characters, offering readers a compelling narrative that aligns with the spirit of the original stories.

One of the novel's strengths lies in Stratmann's ability to capture the essence of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, staying true to their established personalities and dynamic. The mystery unfolds with intricate details, and the incorporation of historical elements, notably the legend of the Great Auk, adds depth to the storyline. The writing style pays homage to Conan Doyle's, contributing to the overall authenticity of the narrative.

However, readers well-versed in Holmesian literature may recognize certain familiar detective tropes and investigative patterns. While the pacing is effective, there may be instances where the deductive process feels somewhat expected. Nonetheless, Stratmann's respectful handling of the iconic characters and the intriguing historical backdrop make "Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk" an engaging and enjoyable read.

In conclusion, this novel successfully captures the spirit of Sherlock Holmes, offering fans a satisfying mystery with a historical twist. Linda Stratmann's ability to blend the classic detective style with an intriguing historical legend makes it a compelling choice for readers who appreciate both Holmesian tales and historical mysteries. Despite incorporating some familiar elements, the novel distinguishes itself with its authentic portrayal of the legendary detective and the incorporation of an intriguing historical backdrop.

I am a semi-fan of the original Holmes cannon but I find these prequels charming. I feel that Linda Stratmann really does justice to the original character but also adds her own twist to the legendary Holmes. I do wonder if she is going to address the eventual split with Lestrade (who is still an ally at this time).

Looking forward to the next book!

Another great Holmes read and one I certainly enjoyed. The early adventures of Sherlock and they are most entertaining and enjoyable to read. I enjoy the difference in his younger years to his older years in other books.

Easy to read and told at a great pace they have everything you want in a book about Sherlock Holmes.

Thank you NetGalley and Sapere Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The introduction of an extinct Great Auk specimen ignites accusations of fraud against the British Museum. Assigned to salvage the museum's reputation, Sherlock Holmes embarks on the case, only to encounter murder. Unconvinced by the police's theory of a random robbery, Holmes, alongside steadfast companion Mr Stamford, delves into the crime scene, driven to unveil potential hidden truths held by the museum. As the mystery unfolds, revolving around the Great Auk's legend and the controversy it incites, Holmes races to unearth the real danger threatening more lives.

Holmes is back in a case from his university days. This time, Stamford draws him into the case by inviting him to an unveiling at the museum. The initial conflict leads to a family history also shrouded in a mystery. Finding answers for one case means uncovering the past.

The details of the time period were interesting, and I’m impressed by the amount of research that must have gone into taxidermy and the history of the Great Auk. It’s not something I know much about.

I would recommend this book and the rest of the series to readers who enjoy seeing Sherlock Holmes as a young person learning his craft.

What a joy to return to the world of Sherlock Holmes! This well-written book was so fun to read, and the mystery was very well done and came across as both fun and educational.  I was unable to guess the answer to any of the riddles puzzling Holmes this time - he's as clever as always.   

I enjoyed Holmes' companion (and the narrator for this series, Mr. Stamford.  Ms. Stratmann cleverly calls back to the writings of Arthur Conan Doyle and his creation of Dr. Watson by allowing Stamford to mention to the reader that these are the early casebooks and, of course, you've already heard about Holmes from Dr. Watson's writings.  A nice Easter egg for Holmesian readers! 

I am looking forward to going back and reading the first four stories. I'm so glad to have found this series!

Thanks to Linda Stratmann, Sapere Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this fifth book in the series, Linda Stratmann continues to capture the essence of Sherlock Holmes well while introducing new problems to solve. The book is well written, the pace moves along well and the dialog is crisp. Recommended.

Another great adventure of the young Sherlock Holmes. It was an excellent read with well-developed characters and a storyline that kept you guessing till the end with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the way it was written as a story being retold. I don’t usually like a lot of description but this was written in a way that made it interesting and was not overdone. I found it very easy to read and very hard to put down. A very enjoyable read and I hope to read more by this author. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

tl;dr
Another solid entry in the Early Casebook series, with several interconnected mysteries that closely match the feel of the original canon.

Thoughts
There's a lot of Sherlock Holmes extended universe stuff out there, but the Early Casebook series is, for me, the one that best recreates the feel of the original stories: An observer's view of the genius that is Sherlock Holmes as he unravels one bewildering mystery after another. This one is probably the most complex of the Early Casebook stories I've read, with with several interwoven mysteries this time around, including a whole lot of family drama. Any of these cases could have been distilled into a short story of its own, with only a bit of the Greak Auk's mystery connecting them, but there was also a good deal of fun in trying to sort out which clue was relevant to which mystery. As with the other books in the series, historical research is vast, with a heap of author's notes in the back that go into further detail for any curious readers.

Another solid mystery in this series: entertaining, compelling and well written. The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
A good series featuring Holmes
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was my first book in this Sherlock Holmes series by this author and I thought she did a very good job. It really felt as though I was reading an original story by Doyle himself. The mystery itself was good. I came close, but was not able to solve it on my own. I like that this was a younger, less experienced Holmes. The author mentioned in her notes that Holmes did not meet Watson until I believe 1881 and this tale was based in the early to mid-1770s while Holmes was still at university. Rather the trusty John Watson as his sidekick, this Holmes used another friend and medical student named Stamford. He was a younger, even more naive Watson, without Watson's military experience, but I found him to be a capable narrator and colleague. My only complaint was with the numerous references to what Watson or Holmes would do in the future. I found that a bit distracting. If Stamford is writing of his experiences at they time they occurred then how would he know what Holmes or Watson would do at a later date. I think those observations would be better in the author's notes or perhaps in an introduction. They take the reader out of moment when included in the story. But that is a minor complaint. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good Sherlock Holmes mystery and wish to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to reading the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Linda Stratmann has done it again. A very satisfying journey into the life of the young Sherlock Holmes and you can see how he is building his knowledge and skills to become the great consulting detective. A super series.

Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk is the fifth Early Sherlock Holmes historical mystery by Linda Stratmann. Released 23rd June 2023 by Sapere Books, it's 239 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The previous books are also available on KU.

This is a well written and succinct mystery true to its roots. The clues are laid out tantalizingly and (as always) woven together by the young Holmes and his associate, Mr. Stamford. The details are just as outlandish as we could wish, a spectacular ornithological specimen unveiled by the British Museum which leads to bitter conflict and murder, and it's up to Holmes & co. to get to the bottom of the trouble.

I recommend it to fans of the canon who are yearning for more Holmes and Watson adventures. Stratmann is a capable writer with a sure voice who captures the period very well. The dialogue and descriptions are true to period and add a lot to the read. The denouement and resolution were well crafted and satisfying.

Four stars. Well done and entertaining. With 5 books extant in the series at this point, it would be a good choice for a binge or buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Linda Stratmann has delivered a suspenseful detective novel featuring Holmes, very much in the style of Doyle. Though this Holmes never attempts to break any new ground and settles to stay close to its classic predecessor, the book ultimately was a satisfying experience.

This gives us a younger Sherlock Holmes still building the skills that will build him such a fearsome reputation in his future, written by Linda Stratmann, and with a different sidekick in the form of medic Arthur Stamford, although there are numerous mentions of John Watson. Set in 1877, this is my first taste of this series, it begins at the British Museum where an exhibit of the extinct Great Auk, acquired from the deceased Sir Andrew Caldie, is being shown in the presence of his adult children, Alastair and Emmeline. However, it becomes a matter of dispute when Charles Smith claims it is not genuine. There had been a history of Smith family conflict with the Museum's Professor Richard Owen, and Holmes has to step in until Smith leaves.

Unfortunately for the reputation of the British Museum the damage has been done with the affair being covered by the press. Holmes is asked to do what he can to help the Museum, a matter in which he works with ornithologist scholars, Professor Beare and Dr Woodley. Matters become considerably more murky when Charles Smith, who had been planning to return to New Zealand, is found murdered, is his death a random brutal act of robbery and violence or is it related to what happened at the museum? Sargeant Lestrage looks into the matter for the police, as Holmes meanders high and low, including examining the lives of Alastair and Emmeline, and the trauma of what happened between Smith's parents earlier. It turns out very little is as it appears as Holmes throws a light on a number of matters.

This is a light and entertaining younger version of the detective within the Sherlock Holmes franchise, although I have to say he still comes across as the most observant person in any room. The Great Auk provides an interesting subject that is likely to ensnare the interest of readers and it covers some of the theories as to how the bird became extinct. For me, this was an engaging read, although I found the different levels of pacing a little frustrating. I recommend this to fans of Sherlock Holmes. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Sapere Books for an advance copy of Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk, the fifth novel in the Early Casebook series, set in London in 1877.

An altercation at the British Museum’s unveiling of a stuffed great auk, a prized exhibit of a now extinct species, leads to accusations of fraud and Sherlock Holmes being asked to investigate the claims. Events take a turn when the accuser, Charles Smith, is found murdered. The police think it may have been a robbery gone wrong, but Holmes suspects a deeper motive.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk, which is a fun read that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has a puzzling mystery to solve. As ever in this series it is related by Holmes’s friend, trainee doctor Arthur Stamford, and while it may be my imagination it feels like he has a bigger role than his usual of foil and narrator.

The plot whizzes along as Holmes with one hand tied behind his back due to prohibitions on what and where he can investigate from the British Museum gradually unravels the thorny question of the stuffed great auk’s authenticity, uncovers an attempted murder and solves the murder of Charles Smith. It’s fun, especially as everything hinges on little details that most of us overlook. Some these little details are rather serendipitous, but they all add to the fun, so who cares.

This novel feels livelier than its predecessor and with all this crime it probably is. I’m in awe of the author’s imagination and store of knowledge. Who else would think to revolve a plot around a stuffed, extinct bird, in fact who would know about the great auk and its extinction outside of experts? My knowledge base has expanded and my life has lightened for a few hours with this fun read.

Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.