Sherlock Holmes - "The Shadow of the Rat" and "The Tangled Skein" by Davies, David Stuart ( Author ) ON Feb-05-2010, Paperback

Sherlock Holmes Adventures #4

by David Stuart Davies

London 1895. Detective Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr Watson are facing one of their most challenging cases to Stopping the Great Rat of Sumatra from spreading plague throughout Britain. The investigation starts with a body found floating in the Thames, infected with the bubonic plague. A disease thought to have been eradicated in 1666. How has the disease returned? Who is responsible? The investigation leads them to a very unusual suspect…Baroness Emmuska Dubeyk, who has an extraordinary talent for hypnotism. Can she really be behind the creation of a plague infected giant rats? While the government transcends into chaos Holmes must stop the cukprit before the disease wipes out the country. But can he resist the mind games in which the Baroness is so skilled? Written primarily through the view of Dr Watson, follow the duo through the streets of London in an exceptional story of mystery, danger and the fight for survival. Sherlock Holmes and the Shadow of the Rat is a gripping detective novel, full of twists that lead you to the most remarkable and ingenious conclusions. David Stuart Davies is one of Britain's leading Sherlockian writers. He was the editor of Sherlock Holmes the Detective Magazine, and is the author of several Holmes novels, the hit play Sherlock The Last Act , and an acclaimed biography of Jeremy Brett. He is also an advisor to Granada Studios' Sherlock Holmes museum, and he contributed commentaries to the DVD releases of the Basil Rathbone Holmes films. Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Adventure, Detective

Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

David Stuart Davies was a British writer. He worked as a teacher of English before becoming a full-time editor, writer, and playwright. Davies wrote extensively about Sherlock Holmes, both fiction and non-fiction. He was the editor of Red Herrings, the monthly in-house publication of the Crime Writers' Association, and a member of The Baker Street Irregulars and the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A decent Sherlock Holmes story with a twist by another author. Not as good as the original but pleasant book to spend sometime with

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Stuart Davies comes up with an amusing & fast paced adventure for the intrepid Holmes & Watson.
Taking one line from Arthur Conan Doyle that mentions the Giant Rat of Sumatra Davies weaves an enjoyable romp around Victorian London. The author makes some knowing nods to the original canon, & creates a tale of plague carrying rats, fisticuffs & good old fashioned adventure.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More genuinely Holmesian than A Tangled Skein and not marred by the bull-in-a-china-shop revisionism of The Veiled Detective, this reads almost like one of Sax Rohmer's Fu Manchu adventures at times. While Davies fails to provide an especially compelling giant rat, Watson steals the show by switching into Richard Hannay mode halfway through this novel. However, the rest of the story pales in comparison and the climactic events are awkwardly told, with Davies switching from first-person to third-person for no other reason than a poorly planned narrative.

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one of the better Holmes authors I read well over 12-15 a year & they can very from average mystery with Holmes to fabulous twister to utter stinkers but that goodness they few & far between.
This not one of bad ones.This author has done number of great Holmes stories from author who can cram huge amount into short book.
He really understand Doyle this The Giant Rat.

[Andrew Fear · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bit of a curate's egg. It started out well enough and DSD manages to catch the Watsonian style reasonably well. At times there are odd modernisms: was "team player" current in those days? I hope not. The breaks from Watson's voice however don't work anything like as well and I felt that they marked a weakness in plotting out the novel. Overall the plot is reasonable and the core idea interesting, but its denouement rather weak to my way of thinking. In the same way I thought the chief villain a bit too cliche ridden. Overall not a bad read, but not a particularly striking one either.

[Haydn Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this adventure story, with my picture of Jeremy Brett fixed firmly im my mind I was transported back to late Victotian times to join our protagonists. So much so I almost invested in a cravat, smoking jacket and pipe! Beautifully written, well crafted plot. What more could one ask?

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing...

A nice read, but the case was too easily resolved. I won’t say it was predictable, but I thought the author took the easy way out regarding the plot.

[Tatiana Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me Sherlock Holmes here is too emotional, but still, a good one

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good little story using ACD's untold story of The Giant Rat of Sumatra.

Rips along at a good pace.

The relationship between Holmes and Watson flows smoothly and feels like right.

The story has the added bonus of an appearance by Stamford, and a major supporting role for Mycroft Holmes and Inspector Lestrade.

A wonderfully imaginative take on The Giant Rat of Sumatra.

Highly recommended.

[Redderationem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lettura avvincente alla quale posso perdonare la manciata di perplessità che ho raccolto scorrendo le pagine. Senza entrare nel plot, con rischio di spoilerare, accennerò solo a un paio di elementi in odore di incongruenza: nel 1895 un villain che ha già avuto modo di essere scempiato e riprendersi da un grave incidente automobilistico e un locale londinese che serve spaghetti alla bolognese. Licenze di traduzione o ammiccamenti all'attenzione del lettore da parte di un autore notoriamente ferrato sulle topiche e limiti imposti dal Canone?

[kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was difficult to put down. This story of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and the trouble they get into, will keep you reading well into the night. The threat of the Baroness and her plot to blackmail the government or release giant rats, carrying the Bubonic plague, into the streets of London is fast paced and fascinating! This is a must read if you like Sherlock Holmes!

[Marlene Burrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mutant Rat!

This story is a mixture of apocalypse, horror, and occult. Our heroes, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson,
are called in by Scotland Yard to investigate an unusual death. A victim horribly stricken with bubonic plague. Where and how did the victim become to be found in 1850’s London England? If people are discovered with plague wholesale havoc would ensue. Will our heroes discover the how and why of this plague and its perpetrators? Read and find out!

[Fabo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad story but surely not the best.
It's a novel where Watson acts like Holmes, a sort of feminine Moriarty acts without motivations and things happen out of control of anyone.
Some ideas are very good but soooo badly developed that I thought it was written in a couple of hours.
Epilogue also is so deluding.
I prefer a lot Holmes' canon by Guy Adams

[Alice Segura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Games a rat

A well written tale with Dr Watson as narrator. He has the opportunity to save his life long friend, Holmes, several times. A truly evil woman hatches a diabolical scheme and almost wins. The usual players work together to catch the rat. A very quick read with a suitable ending.

[Monique Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun for the Sherlock Holmes fan.

A Sherlock and Watson adventure is always most appreciated. This is a fun, distracting little tale that will soothe whatever modern form of trauma has currently got you down. As comforting as enjoying a pipe and brandy next to a warm fire. If you are a fan, then I recommend that you check it.

[Bradley Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy of Doyle

This work captured the feel of Conan Doyle 's work, giving us a competent and courageous Watson, a determined but vulnerable Holmes and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until he is ready to share the solution.

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson continue. Not an attempt to copy Conan Doyle but a worthy addition to the canon of works about Holmes. Only really a short story hence the three stars.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not great. But it was enjoyable to read another Holmes and Watson investigation.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If the plot is a bit outré, in this a well told tale we find a Holmes with moments of self-doubt, a more vigorous Watson, and England once again rescued from dastardly evil-doers.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting quick read book.

[Leslie Gasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, this book sucks you in and keeps you in until the end. Very well written.

[Jeanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this book at all. Could have done without the gore, the rats, and the descriptions of the plague victims.

[Chiquita L. Beccue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

The author has caught the essence of Conan Doyle's Holmes quite nicely. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and loves Sherlock Holmes.

[Darla Stroup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peak enjoyment abounds

To read a Sherlock Holmes novel is always a pleasure. It's quaint, mysterious and most of all, endearing to my soul.

[Wesley Schuknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shades of Sherlock! Great book with intrigue and shadows throughout reminiscent of the original books and characters! Good job, Mr. Davies!

[David Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Holmes adventure

A well drawn pastiche of the great Detective.

The eternal Holmes and Watson embark on another tale of mystery and danger

[Akiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are in line, atmosphere is right on the period, writing is good. I listened the audio book and I liked the narrator. I’ll read other Sherlock Holmes by this author for sure.

[Alex Budris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turning, entirely fresh Sherlock Holmes adventure that manages to stay remarkably true to the spirit of the Canon. Davies is an impressive writer. As with this author's other Holmes books - the Calabash Press editions are the nicest.

[Martha Bratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfort reading, in spite of Dr. Watson's warning of horrific experiences. I always enjoy the descriptions of place and mood.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Holmes and Watson save London from the Giant Rat of Sumatra and the bubonic plague.
An entertaining read