This is my new favorite series by James Patterson. The mirroring of Holmes, Marple and Poe to the historical figures is wonderful. I love that they are all together, in one place, solving mysteries. I highly recommend picking up the first book, (Holmes, Marple and Poe) and then reading Holmes is Missing. Looking forward to the next installment.

I’m conflicted with this story. The plot of the kidnapped children & the mother murders are excellent, the investigation is excellent…what there is of it. This book has a lot of personal conflict, Holmes is “missing “ in the sense he’s not into the investigation, is conflicted about the drug use, his feelings & Poe is more focused about what’s going on with Helene…Marple is the only one really focusing on the case. #HolmesIsMissing #NetGalley

Relies a lot on the "real" Holmes and Marple for characterization. The case, about children being kidnapped, is calculated to pull heartstrings. Reads like a treatment for an episode of a TV procedural, with ridiculous action stunts every so often. Some of the plotting is predictable. A breezy, forgettable read to kill time.

I like Brendan, Margaret and Auguste, as individuals and as a team! They work well together, and get along, even when they aren't getting along lol. The two cases their PI Firm is investigating seem separate but when it comes full circle it's such a great twist! I like fast paced James Patterson novels so I will probably never rate any of them really low.
I can't wait for book 3!!!!

James Patterson and Brian Sitts team up again to deliver an intense and twisty mystery in Holmes Is Missing. This installment follows the elite detective trio of Holmes, Marple, and Poe—except this time, Holmes has vanished, leaving his partners to tackle one of their toughest cases yet: the abduction of six newborns from a private New York hospital.

Marple’s sharp instincts and Poe’s grit shine as they unravel secrets that span continents. Along the way, they uncover startling truths about the case—and about Holmes himself. Patterson and Sitts balance fast-paced action with character depth, giving readers a closer look at the trio’s complex pasts.

The case is intense and chilling, touching on fears every parent can relate to, and the twists kept me guessing until the end. The story seamlessly moves from New York to London, with Marple and Poe’s partnership taking center stage. Holmes’s eventual involvement adds both tension and surprises, though the cliffhanger leaves some threads dangling. I’m eager to read the next book in the series if there is one.

New readers may want to start with book one, Holmes, Marple & Poe, to catch all the references; I felt lost a couple times. With its mix of heart, humor, and high stakes, this is a series worth following. 4 stars.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the series by Patterson/ Sitts. It follows the PI team of Holmes, Poe & Marple through several different cases. I really enjoyed this book. You don't have to read the first one first, but they are both enjoyable.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!

This was a great next installment in this series and it didn’t disappoint! The mystery kept me coming back for more, never wanting to put it down. The pacing was good, we got to get to know our characters a lot, and it was just an overall intriguing ride. I wasn’t ready for it to be over because I’m loving this world so much!

Holmes is Missing by James Patterson is a decent read for fans of modern takes on classic detective tales. The story follows an intriguing premise: the disappearance of Sherlock Holmes and the scramble to uncover the truth. Patterson blends suspense with a fast-paced narrative, creating a plot that keeps readers engaged, though at times it feels rushed. The characterization lacks the depth of Doyle’s originals, and the twists, while entertaining, can feel predictable. However, the book’s accessibility and action-driven style make it enjoyable for casual mystery readers. It’s not groundbreaking but provides an entertaining diversion for a quick read.

Holmes Is Missing is the second installment in James Patterson and Brian Sitts's Holmes, Margaret, and Poe series. This series features Auguste Poe, Margaret Maple, and Brendon Holmes. As the story opens, Holmes is not missing but self-isolating, trying to break a decades-long addiction to heroin. Meanwhile, Holmes, Marple, and Poe Investigations, along with their assistant Virginia, gets involved in what appears to be a child kidnapping ring. 6 newborns have been stolen from the nursery.

Margaret believes this is the time to visit Holmes at the rehab in Ithaca, New York, and convince him he needs to help with this case. Holmes comes back with them, but he doesn’t feel he can help them with his case. In fact, I dare call him a whiney crybaby for much of the story. Until he meets a mysterious man who may know a bit too much about him and his mother. This "wannabee" true crime writer may have sinister intentions of his own.

His cure for heroin is the prescription drug buprenorphine and he’s certain that the side effects dull his hyper-cognition to the point that he can’t make the extremely rapid connections that his partners need him to make as the ‘brains’ of their team. So, Poe, Maple, and Detective Helene Grey, who has a few surprises of her own, try their best to solve this case, which ends up being connected to two other abductions, one in England.

While Holmes is dealing with his issues, and Poe, surprisingly, has some new ones to deal with, Maple is the voice of reason and stability. Oh, and let's give Virginia credit where credit is deserved. She has been a steady addition to the team, and perhaps she will end up being more involved since the authors stunned me with the cliffhanger ending, which means that even more sinister things are on the road ahead.

Without spoiling the event, the cast ends up at an author signing, and it's a hoot, especially when the authors of this book toss in some really big names to antagonize Poe, Holmes, and Maple.

I absolutely love this new series so much! I hope we can get more books out of it. If you are fan of Sherlock Holmes, Poe and Miss Marple than you have to read book 1 and 2. Even if you haven't read anything by Doyle, Christie or Poe you would still enjoy this mystery/thriller! 10 out 10 recommend!

One of the best Jane’s Patterson books I’ve read…. But I say that about all his books.
They keep you glued to the pages. And when there are no more pages to read you feel sad. I always want more.

This is book 2 in a Holmes, Margaret & Poe series by James Patterson and Brian Sitts.
One of my favorite series follows Holmes, Margaret & Poe who own a successful detective agency. Cant wait to read the next one!
Highly recommended!
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Back for another installment of Holmes, Marple & Poe! I have been waiting to dive deeper into each of their lives since reading the first. This one picks up a few months later and we are hit with a major case of missing babies right out of the hospital. I loved the suspense and not really knowing how everything would play out. Given the title of the book I definitely thought the story was going to be surrounding the mystery of Holmes being missing and was surprised with the way everything played out. The balancing of the different characters never felt overwhelming and was easy to follow. I did figure out some of the bigger reveals at the end early on but I think that has more to do with I am a huge sherlock fan and the plot mimicked some of those stories (duh). I felt like this book fell into the trap of spending a lot of time setting up plots for later installments that this book doesn't stand well on it's own. I enjoyed learning more about each characters background and who they really are. Overall it was an enjoyable read and I was hooked to find out what was really going on. Looking forward to the next installment.

I was so excited to read this because I have become even more invested in the characters. The first book in the series was really good but this digs deeper. It’s so fascinating to see the relationship between Holmes and Marple and how they interact. The historical fiction aspect is very appealing to me in this series. The little peeks into Holme’s younger years is really interesting. I like that the book touches upon his weakness with addiction and how he overcomes it. This definitely resonates with so many people today. The story just reels you in. The premise of the case was fascinating and I actually finished the book in like two days because I needed to know the ending.

Holmes, Marple, and Poe are back in the next installment in this fun, fast series. This one was easier to follow and keep track of all the characters, but was not as gripping as the first. The title is also a bit of a misnomer as Holmes is not actually missing at all during this book. Some of the side plots were a little cliche. It was fast paced once I got into it. And the ending sets up perfectly for the next book. I am looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley, and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC of this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and James Patterson and Brian Sitts for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Holmes Is Missing coming out January 6, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this series! I’m a big fan of classic mysteries. I love the short chapters. It feels very fast-paced. There was definitely a lot more going on in this book. I think there was some great character development. I love the plot. I’d definitely enjoy if there were more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic mysteries!

“This was a huge case. Too bad their firm was not at full strength. He leaned over and whispered in Marple’s ear. “Of all the times to be one brain short!”

The second book in James Patterson’s Holmes, Marple, & Poe series may have been even better than the first. And I loved the first book! I love the camaraderie between the three main characters, but especially between Holmes and Marple. I really loved that Virginia is insisting on taking a more active role. I enjoyed the glimpses into Holmes’s childhood and what makes him tick. His struggles with overcoming addiction and not feeling like he can be himself without the addiction just spoke to my heart. Anyone who has overcome an addiction can understand how our brains, our own addiction can lie to us and make us feel like we need it to cope, when it’s the last thing we really need. The entire premise of this case just shook my mama heart. The maternity ward at the hospital is supposed to be the place you can trust that you and your child can be safe, while you recover. That this scenario could happen is terrifying! And, since the story literally ends with a bang, gives me hope that there will be at least one more book in the series. I could go for many more though.

I was so happy when I found out there will be a sequel to “Holmes, Marple, and Poe” . I Loved that book so I had high hopes for this one, but also knew that sequels are usually not as good. To my delight, I LOVED this one too! This was filled with page turning suspense! It held my interest the whole book! The only “negative “ is that this book ended on a cliff hanger, so I hope that there is a 3rd book and that it comes out soon! I was gifted an ebook copy through NetGalley from the publisher because I am on the James Patterson Street Team, but my review is unbiased!

Once again Patterson sucks you in. Really enjoyed this second book in the series. Kept my attention and had me wanting more till the end. Can’t wait to see if the series will have more.

Explosive! Literally and metaphorically!

By the seat of your pants read. Well what can’t expect anything less from these two authors.
Brendon Holmes is AWOL, sort of. Margaret Marple is leaning into the new challenge and concerned for Holmes. Auguste Poe is still pulling out the right vintage muscle car for the right moment.
Their research assistant / housekeeper, and so much more, Virginia is fabulous.
I’m loving the mysteries these three are coming to grips with, or in Holmes’s case—not!
When danger comes into their home and hearth a villain of an entirely different stamp emerges.
We’re left wondering “What’s next?”

A Little, Brown & Co ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)