For those of us who love a good Sherlock tale, this latest from Nicholas Meyer is a real treat. Holmes and Watson are getting on in years, but their love of the game and desire to "do what they can to save civilization," is still a great motivation. Meyer drops Holmes and Watson into almost implausible events that really did occur. Well-written and fast-paced, it's a most enjoyable read.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

World War 1 is in full swing in England and Germany and together Holmes and Watson are sent to the United States on a mission that will put them at peril.

They have been sent on behalf of British Intelligence to see just how Germany is sending out information.

The hope is to keep the States out of the war.

Danger is around every corner and Nicholas Meyer has done a great job of bringing together historical fiction while making Holmes and Watson true to what I have always pictured.

The book is fast paced and well written.

Be it a historical fiction fan or a Sherlock Holmes fan, I recommend grabbing your copy and settling in for a compelling read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers/Mysterious Press for an entertaing read.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Penzler Press Mysterious Press for an advance copy of this story continuing the adventures of the world's first consulting detective and his trusty companion during the darkest days of the First World War.

The first Sherlock Holmes story I read was in a collection of 6 stories. The story "The Red-Headed League" a story I was drawn to for I had red hair, and I think was the only story with illustrations. I really don't remember the other 5 stories, as Sherlock Holmes and Watson became my new obsession. Why this story hit me, sitting in the back sit of a car going to the Bronx to visit my grandparents, I have no idea, but I do know by the time we parked, I had read it twice. Soon I was reading all the stories in fact most of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, though his spiritualism books had to wait. I found records of the radio show, and later tapes that I played, and watched the movies when I could. I read the pastiches, Raffles, Solar Pons and the like. And all the continuing adventures, including tales with Dracula, Mr. Hyde and even vs Cthulhu. Some were good, some were ok. Only a few gave me the same feeling that the first story gave me. These were the books by Nicholas Meyer, a writer and director of some fabulous films, Star Trek II and Time After Time. Meyer had a real feeling for the characters, and delved deeper into what made them, and what drove them. Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell shows the duo at a time in their life when the Empire they have fought for seems to be dying, along with so many of their countrymen in a War that seems to have no meaning. However the game is still afoot, and so are they traveling to the wilds of America to defeat a German plot that could end the war, and change the face of Europe, forever.

Dr. John Watson is tired. Widowed for the second time, Watson has done what he can for the war effort, helping to mend he battered bodies of boys wounded in battle, hearing of the loss of friends and family, and the darkness that seems to be spreading in the year of 1916. A knock on the door returns Sherlock Holmes back into Watson's life, complete with a broken rib, broken teeth and the clues of a massive plot against the Allies. Germany will soon be declaring unrestricted warfare on the seas, sinking everything they can, allies, neutrals, all ships, in an effort to starve Britain. Germany seems to have no fear of American involvement, as they have a plan to keep America distracted, allowing England to wither on the vine. Entrusted by the British Secret Service Holmes and Watson must travel to America, dodging foreign agents, and even worse American indifference to the war to stop this fiendish plot. Close behind though is an enemy who has sworn vengeance on both men, for very personal reasons.

This is the last of the Watson papers that Meyer has been using as source material, at least according to the introduction. I hope there are others, but one can see that the world has changed much since the gaslight days of hansom cabs, speckled bands and even red-headed leagues. The story is full of war, death, revolutions in Ireland, Russia and other places. Even Holmes is suddenly aware of a world that is bigger than he once thought, and meaner than he has fought. And far more cruel, even in those who govern us. This is not a mystery per se, more a thriller and one with a lot of history, which I quite enjoyed. Even an Irish author of note, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle makes an appearance. There are disguises, tricks and a lot of ratiocination, but there is a sense of an end, maybe for the duo, maybe for Meyer, that permeates the book. I enjoyed it, but I could see a lot of fans wanting more mystery, less soul searching.

A great way to tie up a series of books that has brought me such enjoyment over the years. Meyer respects the characters, and understands what makes them work, and how they work with each other. The ending is nice, a concert with the two men sharing a moment of peace. I do hope there are more, for I am selfish, but as an ending I feel very complete.

Sherlock Holmes and Watson must learn what plot Germany has planned to make sure the States do not enter the war. To do this they must cross the Atlantic.
A slow moving plot, too slow at times.

Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell is the sixth Holmes and Watson adventure by Nicholas Meyer, and is undoubtedly one of the best in the series.

Taken from a diary written by Watson beginning in 1916 - world war not yet hit America but Germans against England. Holmes and Watson are dispatched to America to help figure out how messages to and from Germany are transmitted. And there the mysteries begin.

Anyone familiar with Meyer’s work will recognize the author’s skill at weaving historical figures into the plot and he does so exquisitely in this novel.

Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell is an absolutely satisfying novel. If you love mysteries, spy-craft, history, and/or Holmes and Watson, you will not be disappointed with this engaging read.

In what bills itself as Sherlock Holmes's final, final adventure, the year is 1916, the world is ensconced in The Great War and Holmes shows up at Watson's home for the first time in ages, beaten and frail from a stint undercover in prison. He tells Watson that the British government has tasked him with getting information vital to the war effort. Soon, the duo are engaged by the Secret Intelligent Service to head to Mexico to unearth the truth about Germany's secret plans. Along the way, Holmes and Watson encounter or at least brush by numerous political, intelligence and military persons who were part of the various activities of the day, as it will be up to them to find crucial information to help stop Germany from keeping America out of the war.
For a Holmes adventure it was enthralling and kept you wanting to see what would happen on the next page. The fact that it was Holmes knee deep in historical fiction, meeting or passing by numerous historical figures sometimes had to be taken with a grain of salt. Especially towards the end there were times where it felt like the book went on longer than necessary to explain factual details o the times, but overall it was a fun, exciting, satisfying Holmes and Watson story.

I wasn't sure how I felt about a Sherlock Holmes remake but I really enjoyed the book. The author did a great job telling the story and keeping the characters true. I would definitely recommend

Many years ago I read the author's earlier Sherlock Holmes works ("The Seven Percent Solution" and "The West End Horror"). I considered him to be the vanguard of modern Holmes' pastiche. That was back in the 1970s. Fifty years later I read "Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell" expecting the same excellent writing. I was very disappointed. The plotting was slow, and it dragged terribly about halfway through. And I really didn't like his characterizations of Holmes and Watson, compared to other recent pastiche writers such as Craig Stephen Copland.

I am a life-long Sherlockian (member of the "Baker Street Underground" at Cornell University) who started reading The Canon at age 11. I have read hundreds of related works, so I have a fairly high standard, but it really comes down to "did I enjoy it?" and "did it keep my interest from start to end?".

The book certainly has its moments of action interspersed with chapters of slough. I can't recommend the book unless you have been following all of the author's Sherlock Holmes books - but I certainly wouldn't spend $27 for a Kindle copy!

I love Sherlock Holmes so anything about him I need to pick up. Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell is a great use of the sherlock brand while also adding more to it and making it your own. Meyer pays respect to the original canon while also adding a unique story and new character to make it their own. This book is fast and paced really well. This book is great, and Meyers is able to perfectly balance the tension of the mystery aspect and characters to create a great mystery book that is good for fans of Sherlock and people who have never read a Sherlock book before. I could not put this book down and it was such an amazing read