Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Review: Sherlock Holmes & the Ripper of Whitechapel by M.K. Wiseman

Sherlock Holmes & the Ripper of Whitechapel
Synopsis: I am afraid that I, Sherlock Holmes, must act as my own chronicler in this singular case, that of the Whitechapel murders of 1888. For the way in which the affair was dropped upon my doorstep left me with little choice as to the contrary. Not twelve months prior, the siren’s call of quiet domesticity and married life had robbed me of Watson’s assistance as both partner and recorder of my cases. Thus, when detective inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard required a lead—any lead—I found myself forced to pursue Jack the Ripper alone and without the aid of my faithful friend. 

And all for the most damnedable of reasons: early on in my investigations, Dr. John H. Watson, formerly of 221b Baker Street, emerged as my prime suspect.



This is another very Conan Doyle-like story of Holmes - in this instance, we have the added mystery of the notorious Whitechapel murders of Jack the Ripper.

Wiseman plots and paces his story in a manner that you might be forgiven for thinking this was a lost Conan Doyle manuscript. His take on Holmes is uncannily like the original manuscripts.

However, in this instance, the story is narrated by Holmes whilst Watson becomes one of the secondary characters in this outing. Holmes notes that this is not his usual type of case and is more or less "lured into" the case by not only Inspector Lestrade but Commissioner Warren. The story follows the Ripper murders fairly closely with Homes concluding that there was a "... compendium of errors which had plagued the case ..." which (no spoiler) remains an enigmatic mystery still today.

Definitely one for fans of Holmes and Watson - hope there are more tales on the horizon! 

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