Synopsis: Imagine the twisted evil twins of Holmes and Watson and you have the dangerous duo of Prof. James Moriarty – wily, snake- like, fiercely intelligent, unpredictable – and Colonel Sebastian ‘Basher’ Moran – violent,politically incorrect, debauched. Together they run London crime, owning police and criminals alike. Unravelling mysteries — all for their own gain.
A spin-off from Titan’s highly successful Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series, The Hound of the D’Urbervilles sees acclaimed novelist Kim Newman (Anno Dracula) take on the fiendish Professor Moriarty.
Review: Retellings and innovations on the stories described by Conan Doyle immediately attracted me.
Kim Newman’s book is pretty good. In this novel, we follow the evil duo Moriarty-Moran who is the exact opposite of the Sherlock Holmes-James Watson duo. The characters are perfect and well described: between Moriarty, the brain of the organization developing grandiose and disguised Machiavellian plans in which Moran, hunter of ferocious beasts and amateur of women, describes the adventures of the duo always trying to put himself in value. Moriarty, described by Moran, is manipulator, calculator, sure of him but he also presents manias that make him weird: Moriarty has a toc and does not stop nodding when he thinks.
Unlike the original heroes, the duo works here to do evil and for their benefit. It may be noted that the opposition even places the strategic center of Moriarty in a brothel while Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick received his customers at home. There are 7 stories in which Moriarty and his organization act for the clients who hired them. Thus we also find emblematic characters of the original adventures: Irène Adler, the dog of Urbervilles (reference to the dog Baskervilles), … However, as said above, Moriarty and Moran realize contracts for their profits, sometimes at the expense of their customers.
In the end, it is a very nice book to read, containing different stories inspired by those of Sherlock Holmes. Short but effective stories to describe Moriarty’s mode and make the reader immerse in it.
Balthier
Sophia Rose
Oh man, that is an incredible switch to have the villains as the protagonists. I will have to look this one up.
Thanks, Melliane!
Balthier
Yes it is
Jo
Oh, that’s an intriguing concept! I love everything Sherlock Holmes related so I need to look it up!
Balthier
Yes it was the same feeling for me.
Nina
Opposite of Sherlock Holmes-James Watson duo! What! That sounds pretty cool.
Balthier
Yes a complete opposite but with similar stories. And it was funny to read such situations
Jenea's Book Obsession
I like the way this is written, definitely different. And anything Sherlock Holmes, I’m in! Great review!
Jenea's Book Obsession
I like the way this is written, definitely different. And anything Sherlock Holmes, I’m in! Great review!
Lover Of Romance
I just love books that are inspired by Sherlock Holmes, so I will go look this one up. Thanks for sharing. I also like that this book focuses a lot more on the villains.
Balthier
Yes it is unusual to see villains as main characters
ShootingStarsMag
Oh, I love books related to Sherlock Holmes. This one sounds great – I really love the premise.
blodeuedd
I do like Newman, she is good
Balthier
I didn’t know her but I think I will read her other books
Heidi
What a clever idea to have the villains as the main characters.
Balthier
Yes very interesting
Mary Kirkland
Sounds like anyone who like Sherlock Holmes would like this.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I love Sherlock Holmes inspired stories! And this one sounds really different and interesting! 😀
Balthier
Yes it is. And you can find the classic stories of Sherlock Holmes from the point of view of villains.
Vanessa
I loved the Sherlock Holmes movies but I haven’t really read the books, and this novel sounds like a really good one. I’m glad you enjoyed it Melliane 🙂
kindlemom1
I love when authors do twists like this and make the villains the heroes or narrators of the stories. Sounds fun!
Lily
hah I adore the twist, that is kind of fun 😀 great review! i LOVE that Sherlock Influenced the author
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh I like retellings and i’m glad that this is a good one. Might have to check it out when I have some time.
Carole Rae
Awwwe I love a good retelling. 🙂
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
For some reason, I have yet to read anything Sherlock Holmes. I should really read some stories about him. Glad you enjoyed this one.
herding cats
Oh well that sounds like a fun twist 🙂