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A new series for James Patterson. Three private investigators decide to create their own business much to the tune of famous sleuths Holmes, Marple, and Poe. The characters work on multiple cases at once, however, you lose some of how did they solve it to more of a grand reveal. It will be interesting to see if this catches on as a new series. The past was good and the storyline was decent. I would continue reading if more books are brought to the series.
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Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Although it can be said that the cases in this book are good-paced, intriguing mysteries, I can't say I liked the main characters. If Holmes, Marple, and Poe were the real deals who were written in the modern world, like BBC's Sherlock series, I think it would be better, because even though the thought of some admirers of Sherlock Holmes, Edgar Allan Poe, and Miss Jane Marple who just chose those names for themselves and opened a mutual detective agency is nice in theory, I didn't like the way how pretentious they become as they tried acting like these characters, pretending they are them, and repeating their famous quotes as if they came up with those words~ such as Brandon Holmes repeating the famous Sherlock Holmes quote "You see but you don't observe!" in a dialogue which doesn't even sound natural in the flow of that specific conversation thus becoming very pretentious. I mean, this would be cute if the main characters were around elementary school age, but it doesn't look good for these three people who are closer to turning 40. I also didn't like the secondary character of NYPD detective, Helen Grey, since the way she acted wasn't realistic for a woman with her traits at all, and found it weird why she kept calling these three newby detectives only after they solved one case under (from the view of the police) suspicious circumstances. It's not like she's been working or knowing these three people for years nor really trusting them, but she just kept calling them whenever she got a case as soon as she met them, then getting annoyed with their presence and nosing around with these cases. The only character I liked was Margaret Marple, and that's because she didn't feel like she had to embody Miss Jane Marple all the time, and was a more natural character among all.
Also, the first case Holmes, Marple, and Poe ever solve and get famous for solving is a carbon copy of a case in one of the episodes of the TV series, 'Castle'. It's funny to think that James Patterson used to frequent the same show as himself, playing poker with the main mystery writer character Rick Castle. One wonders if this first, quickly told case which is used as a mere tool to advance the story of these three characters in this book is a tip of the hat to the TV series or just a coincidence.
In conclusion, this book unfortunately wasn't everything I hoped it would be, but I'm still grateful for the chance to have read this advance copy with the courtesy of NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.
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Great read! Fast paced, interesting new characters. It gave the super smart PI vibes because of course they solved unsolvable crimes. There were multiple story lines and crimes all going at once but they are all wrapped up in the end. They did not show a lot of the "how they arrived at the answers" vs big climatic reveals. I think more of the sleuthing story would have helped.
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This might be my favorite book so far this year. I don't read much James Patterson but this one sounded good so I gave it a try. Set in New York City, the trio launch their PI business to the dismay of the police. The first case they solve has them helping out a Detective, Helene Grey and she eventually joins them in their investigations and gives them cases that make the news.
Brendan Holmes – A keen, science-minded sleuth with an even keener sense of smell.
Margaret Marple – A charming snoop who works best undercover.
Auguste Poe – A weapons expert with a weakness for muscle cars and beautiful women. The story does jump around a bit to multiple cases but all in all a good read. I hope there is a book two very soon.
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New York City has its fair share of unique personalities, but a trio of mysterious private investigators opens Holmes, Marple & Poe Investigations. Their names evoke legendary detectives and a bit of side-eye, while their pasts remain a mystery.
Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe. Their methodology and headline-making cases attract the attention of NYPD Detective Helene Grey. As she investigates the shadowy newcomers, the echoes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Edgar Allan Poe resonate through the pages. The stakes rise, secrets unravel, and the line blurs between fiction and reality.
“Holmes, Marple & Poe” weaves classic mystery elements with modern-day strategies, promising a thrilling nonlinear ride through multiple storylines.
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This was a fun read and I really want more backstory on all three of them b/c you can just tell they have an interesting life story! I hope this is the start of a series b/c I would totally be here for that! I love the relationships between all three detectives and how they seem to just take people under their wing and make them theirs! And watching them stick it to the rich and people in power was so much fun.
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Thank you Little, Brown and Company for allowing me to read and review Holmes, Marple, & Poe (The Greatest Crime-Solving Team of the Twenty-First Century) on NetGalley.
Published: 01/08/24
Stars: 2.5
Duped! I bought swamp land. From the synopsis -- I saw this prior to requesting the book "Crime! Murder! Who are you going to call?" Of course the answer is ghostbusters. At my age, this is embarrassing: imagine the Theme from Batman playing and James Patterson in a cape with HA HA HA! popping up. That's what I'm doing.
This is a convoluted mess. Who thought this would be a good idea? Clearly someone. The book is cringeworthy.
This requires a broad imagination. It's satrical. It's not for me, maybe you.
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Thank you for the opportunity!
This sentence was the reason i was interested in this:
“ The Greatest Crime-Solving Team of the Twenty-First Century “
I mean look at the title!
I liked this one quite a lot and I can’t wait for more of it!
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I loved this book! This is the beginning of a great new series by James. I enjoyed these characters and look forward to the progression of them to come in the next book!
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Such a fun book! Holmes, Marple, and Poe come together to create a crime fighting trio. They take any case from murder, to kidnapping, to art theft. They coordinate with an NYPD detective, and form a closer friendship. This book was a quick read. I found myself wanting to read it even though I knew I did not have the time. I am hoping this is the start of a new series because I could not get enough of these characters!
I want to thank Netgalley & Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book.
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I really enjoyed this.
Holmes, Marple & Poe (the investigators, not the novel), really lean into their namesakes. As characters, they're moody and probably not great with people. I will admit, though, that Sherlock Holmes is the only one I'm familiar enough with to know if it goes any deeper than over-generalizations.
The pace of the book is really fast, and the structure of the narrative really helps it move a long. There's more than one mystery going throughout the whole novel, but it's never overwhelming or confusing. It's easy to follow, the prose is approachable, it's not too morbid. This is really a perfect novel for someone who wants to get into the mystery/thriller genre.
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I have been a big fan of James Patterson books for years but I have found that my reading experience is not consistent because it depends on who his co-author is as well. Holmes, Marple & Poe is a mystery/thriller centered around 3 private detectives with very famous last names. The book has Holmes, Marple & Poe working together to solve a variety of crimes. They always manage to come through but it just requires you to suspend reality a bit. The book is a quick read but I found that it was too unrealistic of a storyline and that kind of turned me off a bit.
I would like to thank #NetGalley and the publisher Little, Brown & Co. for the digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my review.
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Filled with suspense and interesting cases I really enjoyed this book. I would actually love to see this turned into a series. The characters are endearing and compatible and the cases complex and entertaining. I flew through the pages and stayed up way past my bedtime but I couldn't stop reading. I would definitely recommend this book.
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Each year, readers meet a variety of new sleuths in a variety of new whodunits. But while these new characters may grab readers’ attention, there’s nothing quite like the classics. And in Holmes, Marple & Poe by James Patterson and Brian Sitts, a trio of classic literary-inspired investigators takes on all of the crime in the Big Apple.
Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.
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Delighted to include this title in the January edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)
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I LOVED this book! it is TRULY one of james Patterson’s best in years and possibly of all time! It was suspenseful, creepy, twisted, and creative! Kept me HIGHLY entertained! If I hadn’t had such a rough week with my chronic illnesses especially chronic fatigue I would have finished it a lot quicker but was glad to have it as a distraction! I hope it becomes a series! If it does it will be up there with his Alex Cross Series and Michael Bennett Series! I am on the #JamesPattersonStreetTeam and also got an arc from netgalley but my review is unbiased! #hmp_st
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Where to start with this one, well I loved it, taking characters that are in my opinion three of the greatest literary characters of all time and putting them into modern times together, solving crimes, what's not to love??
Holmes, Marple, and Poe are a trio of private investigators living and working together in a converted building in New York, after they solve a high-profile murder they're on the map and in the crosshairs, in the case of Miss Marple literally (no pun intended).
If you love classical literature, have a fondness for either Holmes, Marple, or Poe, or just want to read a good book that has multiple small stories woven into a beautiful tapestry of crime solving, well this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little. Brown and company for providing a copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Let me clear the air straight away. I added this book to my TBR as soon as I saw the title. Why? How could I not given the characters’ names are some of the most recognizable names in literature? While reading Holmes Marple and Poe, I was impressed with the details of the main three characters and how they were very similar to their namesakes.
My jaw dropped when I first saw how many chapters were in the book. Why? Because there are over 100. But they are short; some are only a page or two long. This makes it easy to say you will read only one more chapter and then read five more and not feel guilty. The short chapters also make it easy to put the book down if needed to take care of things outside the book, but who likes to do that?
It is easy to find yourself sucked into the book and not wanting to put it down! The pacing is terrific! At times, you feel like you are speeding along, and other times you’re taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the scenery.
Overall, if you are a fan of Holmes, Marple, or Poe you should read this. And, of course, if you are a fan of mysteries and thrillers, you should also read Holmes Marple and Poe. I look forward to reading more about these characters if a sequel shall happen.
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Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this
I am a HUGE James Patterson fan. I love that the chapters are short, the action is quick, the prose is super snappy and really just makes you want to keep reading.
This is the strangest of his works? Or maybe the most unique? It's really just very different. I LOVE the omage to Holmes, Marple, and Poe: I am a diehard E.A.P. fan, so that just worked for me. I thought the mystery around these three PIs was very well done and enjoyed that it really didn't become a focal point of the story. But with SO many different cases they had their hands in, I think this became a little jumbled? It was hard to really connect to any one case when there were just so many spiraling all over the place.
This was good, not great. It would probably not be my first Patterson recommendation
Note: I am also a member of the Patterson Street Team and was sent a copy of the book for my honest review. My comments are entirely and only my own.
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Not going to lie, being a huge misery fan it was the title that first caught my attention. Throw in that I absolutely loved the Patterson/Sitts’ Perfect Assassin book, the updated Doc Savage novel (patiently waiting for a book 2 guys!) and I was sold on this one before I even started reading it. Thankfully Patterson/Sitts once again deliver a wonderfully fun story, this one centered around a trio of PIs: Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe. This is the equivalent of a popcorn flick. Not the deepest of stories but it’s fun, has a fast moving story, and most is definitely entertaining. Hopefully this is just the start to a new series. And one that would make a wildly fun series for one of the streaming services. Thanks so much to Little, Brown and Company, and NetGalley for the eARC.
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