I am so surprised I was not sucked in.

I grew up with Sherlock Holmes so I thought this book would be a given 5/5. Unfortunately, it fell short. It didn't feel like the Sherlock and Watson relationship- it felt almost forced and hollow.

Thank You to Nicholas Meyer, HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As a fan of Homes and Watson, I'm always down for a pastiche novel that features them even if it isn't very well-written. This book blew my expectations for this kind of book out of the water.

This was so well-written, so true to the Conan Doyle depictions, and had a lot of history woven in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was looking up others in the series by the end of it because I wanted more. Then I found out the author is also responsible for films I've enjoyed over the years as a writer or director, so that makes sense.

This book is for anyone who likes historical fiction, Sherlock Holmes pastiche, or who wants to know about WWI in the US in a fun fictionalized account.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Nicholas Meyer’s “Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell” is a thrilling addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon, blending historical intrigue with the timeless charm of Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved characters. Narrated by David Robb and Nicholas Meyer, the audiobook brings this gripping tale to life with a captivating dual performance that enhances the narrative’s depth and suspense.

Set in June 1916, the story follows Holmes and Watson as they embark on a perilous journey across the Atlantic. Their mission: to decode a mysterious telegram sent from Berlin to an unknown recipient in Mexico. Meyer’s meticulous attention to historical detail and his ability to weave real-world events into the fabric of the story make for an immersive and compelling listen.

David Robb’s narration is a standout, capturing the essence of Holmes with a voice that is both authoritative and nuanced. His portrayal of Watson is equally impressive, providing a warm and steady counterbalance to Holmes’s sharp intellect. Meyer’s own contributions to the narration add an extra layer of authenticity, making the audiobook feel like a personal recounting of the events.

The plot is tightly woven, with each twist and turn keeping listeners on the edge of their seats. Meyer’s skillful storytelling ensures that the tension never wanes, and the stakes remain high throughout. 

One of the most compelling aspects of “Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell” is its exploration of the themes of loyalty, duty, and the moral complexities of war. Holmes and Watson are not just solving a mystery; they are navigating a world where alliances are fragile, and the line between friend and foe is often blurred. This depth of character and theme elevates the story beyond a simple detective tale, making it a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience.

For fans of Sherlock Holmes and historical thrillers, “Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell” is a must-listen. The combination of Meyer’s masterful writing and the exceptional narration by Robb and Meyer himself creates an audiobook that is both entertaining and enriching. It is a testament to the enduring appeal of Sherlock Holmes and the timeless nature of a well-told story.

In conclusion, “Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell” is a riveting audiobook that captures the spirit of the original Holmes stories while offering a fresh and exciting narrative. Nicholas Meyer has crafted a tale that is both faithful to the source material and innovative in its own right, making it a standout addition to the world of Sherlock Holmes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

While reading this book I kept asking myself, is this a Sherlock Holmes story?

The positives:
The author is able to emulate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing style perfectly.
The characters of Holmes and Watson are written well.

The negatives:
Holmes' and Watson's dynamic felt hollow, and like they were missing the spark that make them interesting to read about.
I listened to the audio version, and the footnotes that mentioned Holmes and Watson past cases did distract from the listening experience.

I think one of the most important parts of story featuring an older Sherlock Holmes is that it adds it's own interesting twist. This story didn't really have anything that did that, and I think the story suffered due to that.

Overall, a pretty average read. I think anyone who really enjoyed Arthur Conan Doyle's work and writing style will enjoy this book.

June 1916 WWI is raging in Europe. Ireland is rebelling, Russia is in the throws of a revolution, and the war has reached an impasse with neither side able to gain ground but there’s rumours that Germany has a secret plan to break the impasse and win. The British government believes their only hope is to convince the US, which has remained neutral, to join their side but so far the President refuses. Sherlock Holmes and Watson, now both well into their senior years, are recruited by the British government to go to America to try to change his mind. Soon the pair are traveling through the US and into Mexico but making little progress. However, they have made some important contacts and, through them, they learn of a secret telegram heading to the US. If the pair can’t get their hands on it, it could mean a German victory.

Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell by Nicholas Meyers who does an impressive job of reproducing Conan Doyle’s writing style. The story is presented as lost pages from Watson’s recording of the events including, of course, Holmes methods as well as his use of aliases, accents and disguises in his pursuit of his goal and, since the pair are now seniors, the problems, restrictions, and health concerns that accompany age, so a liitle less action. Meyers also does a great job of weaving actual historical events and people into the story which always adds another level of enjoyment to the story at least for me. Definitely, an entertaining and compelling tale, a fun read for any fan of the Holmes. I listened to the audiobook by HighBridge Audio narrated by David Robb and Nicholas Meyer, both of whom did an excellent job.

Thanks to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this book in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the digital audio of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Early in my marriage, I went on a kick where I thought I would read some of the classics that had not been covered in school. I started with The Complete Sherlock Holmes since I had only been exposed to The Speckled Band in school but liked it immensely. And that’s what started a 25+ year journey of reading and watching as many adaptations as possible, reading every pastiche I could get my hands on, too. One of the most popular and most successful of those authors was Nicholas Meyer, whose The Seven Percent Solution was made into a movie. The West End Horror was also a sublime book by the author.

Meyer is back into the fold with a new Sherlock Holmes mystery, this one set in the months before the United States entered World War I. Despite the years away from his last book, Meyer easily adopts the style of Conan Doyle again, from the writing style to the dialogue which seems utterly Sherlockian.

This book is not so much mystery as it is historical espionage, so you could say Holmes is taking on his brother Mycroft’s mantle. As much as I love reading about history, wars are not my favorite, and I was unfamiliar with some of the plot points brought up in the book. However, it did whet my appetite enough that I will be searching out further reading on the incidents described in the book.

At times, I found the plotting slow and tedious, but overall, this Sherlock story scratched an itch for this admirer of The Great Detective. If you’re a fan of Holmes in any way, you might enjoy this book from someone who has mastered the Conan Doyle style.

Narrated by David Robb–Excellent work! The author also narrates the afterword, which was very helpful, telling which events and people were real and providing a little more context that the story did not allow.

I tried so hard to get into this book but I constantly found my mind drifting. Ended up having to stop partway though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This felt just like a Sherlock and Watson mystery. Set with an aging Sherlock and Watson during World War 1 and trying to convince the USA to join the Allied cause while trying to obtain and intercept a telegram set to paralyze Britian. This felt like the usual Watson narration but with the additional inclusion of American history and a level of doubt while Watson and Sherlock both come to terms with aging and what that means for their investigations. It was fascinating and intriguing and so well done it was hard to believe it was a Sir ACDoyle version.

#arc
#netgalley
#sherlockholmes
#thetelegramfromhell

Nicholas Meyer's Sherlock Holmes books are beloved by many readers. Some things are simply a matter of taste.

This was my first book by Meyers. The audiobook production is first rate. I enjoyed the performance by David Robb. His vocal versatility and emotive range enhanced my experience of the book.

The premise, engaging the aging and restless Holmes and Watson in the war effort, is clever and ambitious. I liked the action scenes and classic Sherlock Holmes bits.

The novel is heavy on background information and prolonged sedentary dialogue. It's largely a historical novel with espionage.

The footnotes were a grating distraction. Several of them exist only to point to other books by the author. I didn't feel engaged by the plot until nearly seventy percent into it.

There are touching moments on aging and in the relationship between his versions of Watson and Holmes. The depiction of the war era works well–showing women’s expanding roles in society and even a positive portrayal of a self-aware gender non-conforming character. A scene with that character was my favorite part of the book.

Recommended for readers seeking a Sherlock Holmes pastiche or historical fiction.

Thank you, HighBridge Audio imprint of RBMedia for the ALC via NetGalley for consideration. These are my unbiased opinions.

This author is an amazing storyteller and is so closely relatable to Conan Doyle. This story sounded like it came straight from his pen. The mystery hits you like all the old Sherlock Holmes stories did. The grand adventures of Holmes and Watson ride again.

Nicholas Meyer is one of the best modern writers of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and I particularly enjoyed this one. Holmes and Watson join forces to foil a German plot to keep America out of World War I and bring England to its knees. As they travel to America and then to Mexico, they enlist the help (and avoid the scheming) of many contemporaneous non-fictional charcters. Even though readers of history will anticipate the ending of the story, it has plenty of twists and turns to surprise.

Holmes and Watson are showing their age in "Telegram," and I only hope they have a few more adventures left in them!

I enjoyed David Robb's narration, with footnotes read by the author. He is a very convincing Holmes, and Watson.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell
Author: Nicholas Meyer
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrators: David Robb and (author) Nicholas Meyer
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Audiobook Release Date: August 27, 2024
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages 288

This story starts with the British Secret Service seeking assistance from Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Watson who are both older but as we know older may also mean wiser. They are asked to seek prevent the scheme presented in a mysterious coded telegram sent from Berlin to an unknown recipient in Mexico, Sherlock and Watson must cross the Atlantic to prevent England from involving American in war by stopping Holmes’s nemesis, the escaped German spymaster Von Bork.

Author Nicholas Meyer enters this story with footnotes that are both fact as well as his opinions.

This is my first Nicolas Meyer and I found his approach to the story unique as well as interesting. As they seek to foil the schemes of Holmes’s nemesis, the escaped German spymaster Von Bork.

Want to thank NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 27, 2024.