Much thanks to Alison Gervais, Blink YA Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jules goes to London for a writer's workshop and finds out her professor is THE Dr. John Watson. But how? And who is locked in the professor's office binge-watching sitcoms? One of her classmates has gone missing, and Jules and her new friends Percy and Suruthi try to investigate.....but they could use some help.

I adored this book, save for how it ended. It was written with charm and energy, with a steady pace that kept things moving but also gave you time to absorb information. The mystery and intrigue hooked me.

I loved Jules as the lead. Relatable, down-to-earth, girl-next-door. I love when characters are hearing impaired, I find it so fascinating. Percy and Suruthi were decent secondaries, but I'm afraid I didn't find them as endearing as Jules. Percy was bland and dorky and awkward, but not in an endearing way, more like I wince every time he opens his mouth. Suruthi brought the energy, but again, she just struck me wrong. A bit pushy, a bit forward. Unfortunately I felt no chemistry between Percy and Jules; I could see his shy little crush on her, but her interest in him felt more like pity. Their kisses felt cringy and forced, their relationship trite.

As for Holmes and Watson, I liked Gervais's portrayal of them. What I didn't like is how they took over the narrative. It became <i>their</i> story. The worst part? It was very half-assed. They found most information in Watson's journals and made assumptions. I don't remember them hunting down Ashley and demanding answers. I don't remember them finding many answers about Ashley in general. They just wanted to know how to end their stasis and were willing to cut corners to do it. Holmes, not obsess about the whys and hows? Hmm...

They didn't conclude the writer's workshop. We didn't learn if they completed their manuscripts and if they were any good. It's suggested that Jules got over her writer's block, but we don't actually know if she was able to successfully write again. We get almost no conclusion to her story.

And that epilogue. Really? You want the reader's last impression to be that the decayed corpses of the beloved detective duo were found by a stranger because a neighbor complained about the smell? Not a whole lot of dignity in that. I just found it so bizarre that that was how the author killed them. We're to believe they're dead, anyway.

Overall, I loved the promise of this book---the premise, too---but I was left with a bitter taste. Holmes and Watson's plight took over and the investigation into them was underwhelming.

3/5 Stars

A Game Most Foul centres on Jules Montgomery, an American who finds herself in London on a prestigious writing seminar. On a day trip to Oxford, one member of the class disappears - never to be seen again - and it's up to Jules and 2 other seminar attendees to get to the bottom of the mystery.

The story premise is quite a good one, however poorly executed. Firstly, the continual references to Jules and her hearing aids and her hearing loss started to grate VERY early on. We get it. You have hearing loss. You wear hearing aids. I don't need to be reminded every second page about them.

The appearance of Holmes and Watson was strange. It didn't feel necessary to the plot until right at the end and, the conclusion felt rushed and completely out of character. The red herring, referencing the last case worked on by H&W as a potential clue, also felt like the reading equivalent of trying to fit square peg into a round hole.

Overall the basis for a great story was there but it just didn't tick all the boxes for me.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This book brings together elements of magical realism and mystery into a unique story, which was why I requested it, I loved the premise of Holmes and Watson being part of the story. As a fan of Sherlock Holmes interpretations.
The book follows Jules Montgomery, a hard of hearing teen writer attending a prestigious writing seminar at Ashford College in London.
The characters, particularly Jules, are a highlight of the book. Jules' perspective offers a unique insight into the Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture, while not being part of the community I can't comment on how authentic but I really like how the book focuses on Jules views on her hearing loss. I thought the other characters acted like authentic teenagers, though I wish they were more developed.

The most interesting part of the book was the inclusion of Holmes and Watson, which added depth to the story, keeping it from being a standard mystery. There were references to classic Sherlock Holmes stories throughout, so if you are familiar with Holmes, you will definitely enjoy those connections. The plot was unique with Holmes and Watson living in the modern era, but I wish that their backstory had more development. . There was a lot of “tell” instead of “show” with the plot, especially with the overall mystery of the missing girl that is resolved at the end of the book. This kept the mystery from being super engaging and I just felt like so much more could have been done with the story, but it just kind of fell flat for me. Khristine Hvam did a great job as narrator of the story, and I love her portrayal of Holmes.

Still, I think this book may hold appeal for some younger fans of mysteries and Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts,

Thank you Netgalley ARC audiobook for review.

"A Game Most Foul" takes place in London, where Jules Montgomery attends a summer writing course led by Prof. Watson. During an outing to Oxford, one of her classmates disappeares while exploring the city with Jules. Jules and her new friends Percy and Suruthi start their own investigation and when they discover no other than THE Sherlock Holmes in Prof. Watson's office, they enlist his help. But how is it possible, that Holmes and Watson are still alive, over 150 years after their original stories took place?

I received a complimentary download of this audio book via Netgalley and really enjoyed the narration. Khristine Hvam's voice fits Jules and the accents were well done.

While the story starts somewhat slow, I got hooked about 20% in and listened to most of the book in one sitting. The two mysteries had me intrigued and I have to admit, I wouldn't have guessed the solution to the missing person's case. I liked the squabbling between Percy, Suruthi and Jules, it felt very real. The book reads decidedly YA, maybe even middle grade, so beware if this is not your cup of tea.

I really love Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes inspired stories, but sadly, this could have been better. Holmes and Watson are very OOC at moments, and their story lost me around the 75% mark when it took an esoteric turn, I didn't expect and didn't enjoy. Up until this point I would have given the book 3.5 stars.

All in all this story had much potential but didn't feel fleshed out enough at points, the end fell somewhat flat and left questions unanswered. I really enjoyed the chapter titels and the epilogue was very well done.

2.75 stars

♡𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 &| 𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
3 🌟
-
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•ya
•mystery
•Sherlock Holmes vibes
-
I'm a sucker for a book with chapter names | titles! Which means I'm a sucker in this book. This book does read very YA | childish! Which could be a problem for some people who do enjoy YA. The premise of the story was intriguing with Watson and Holmes and writing college students trying to solve the mystery of the missing student.
The narrators did a good job bringing the story to life. The only thing that bothered me was when she changed her voice to do British accent, it sounded cartoonist.
Overall, if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes and Ya, I would recommend this book to you.
* Side note* the fun fact about the Narnia door at Oxford.
♡𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 June.18♡
-
Thank you, Netgalley, and Blink Audiobook for the (ALC)-Audiobook, and Blink for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.

Jules is a participant in Ashford College's summer writing program. Arriving in London is exciting but with a bad episode of writer's block and the introduction of a Holmes and Watson duo to really disorient her, will Jules be able to find her missing answers?
I found this to be an enjoyable enough of a mystery. But nothing really connected me to any of the characters. But I still would recommend this to the younger audience of YA readers.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Blink YA Books, NetGalley, author Alison Gervais and narrator Khristine Hvam for the opportunity to listen to an advance audio-ARC of this fun story. This is a wonderful story told from the perspective of a girl that is hard of hearing who has come to London to take a writing course. She ends up meeting two friends that treat her like she has been in their lives forever. When one of their classmates disappears on a field trip, they try their hand at trying to solve the case and find out a second mystery. Their professor is Dr. John Watson and his friend Sherlock Holmes is hiding out in his office. What has happened to make these legendary detectives be here and how is it even possible?
If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes you will enjoy this book. Or you might find a new interest in Holmes and Watson Loved this book🥰

The narrator was fine, nothing special, but nothing terrible. It didn't add to my enjoyment nor did it hinder it. I loved the Sherlock Holmes x Watson references, but overall the ending fell flat. However, aside from the ending, I enjoyed the rest of the read.

Thank you to netgalley, publisher and author for this e-arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed the setting and the characters
The solution of the mystery was a bit of a bummer. There were a few storylines that were forced and the ending was lame, I have no other word for it

Im really liking this “ new adult” genre. This book hooked me almost instantly. I really felt like all of the characters were felt out and not just there to mention or be expendable. Jules is a great, realistic character with vulnerability and self doubt that I’m sure we can all relate too. I appreciate that this was not shoved down my throat and I got to see Jules realize her potential. Highly recommend

"A Game Most Foul" is a captivating mystery novel that seamlessly blends contemporary issues with classic detective intrigue. The story follows Jules Montgomery, a teen writer grappling with hearing loss and writer’s block, who attends a prestigious writing seminar at Ashford College in London. What starts as a promising summer quickly turns into an enthralling adventure when a fellow student mysteriously vanishes.

Navigating London presents a unique set of challenges for Jules, who is determined to keep her hearing loss hidden from her peers. Her struggle adds a layer of depth to her character, making her both relatable and inspiring. As she contends with her personal hurdles, Jules’s sharp observational skills become her greatest asset—echoing the famous Sherlockian principle, "You see, but you do not observe."

The novel takes an intriguing turn when Jules, along with her new friends Percy and Suruthi, decides to investigate the disappearance themselves. Their amateur sleuthing gains an unexpected ally in a peculiar man who frequents Jules’s aunt’s antique shop: none other than Sherlock Holmes himself. The presence of Holmes and his companion, Professor Watson, raises intriguing questions about their existence in the modern world, adding a layer of fantastical mystery to the plot.

Author cleverly interweaves the classic detective duo into the narrative, honoring their legacy while placing them in a fresh, contemporary context. The dynamic between the teen sleuths and the legendary detectives is both engaging and thought-provoking, providing readers with a sense of wonder and nostalgia.

As Jules delves deeper into the mystery, her ability to observe becomes pivotal. Her hearing loss, initially perceived as a hindrance, transforms into a unique strength that allows her to notice details others might miss. This aspect of the story is handled with sensitivity and insight, highlighting the theme that our perceived weaknesses can often be our greatest strengths.

"A Game Most Foul" is not just a mystery novel but also a tale of personal growth and resilience. Jules’s journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment, set against the backdrop of a cleverly crafted whodunit.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an audibook arc of this book. This was just what I wanted and needed at the time. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blink YA Books for the audio ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

This book is what you get when Sherlock Holmes and Scooby Doo have a baby. I am reviewing the Audiobook specifically but there isn’t much to say. The narrator was Fine. He natural narration voice was enjoyable but when she did other characters it became cartoonish which just added to the Scooby Doo aspect. It takes place in England, which you only remember when the brief mentions of the location are explained such as “going up in the lift.”

A couple of characters are done with a British accent which unfortunately is not very realistic especially when certain words come out like a New Yorker. However, it doesn’t take away from the story. I appreciate that she doesn’t go overboard and reads the books instead of performing it.

For the book itself, the characters are college students but you forget that as they read like younger teenagers. This is definitely a book for the younger YA audience.

I did enjoy the historical mentions through Holmes and Watson. But the book wasn’t a mystery. It felt more like it was a lecture or recounting rather than the characters going through the adventure.

Over all the book was cute. It didn’t come as a surprise because of the cover of the book. The look of it screams that it is a juvenile story.

So for your younger readers, this is a cute story and an entry point into Holmes and Watson.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Thank you to NetGalley and Blink YA Books for the ALC

Wow, what an interesting book. A YA mystery on two plans that explores both the disaperance of a fellow student and the apperance of Sherlock Holmes. In our time? It was fun and unique and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good YA thriller