Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell

by Paul Kane

Late 1895, and Sherlock Holmes and his faithful companion Dr John Watson are called upon to investigate a missing persons case. On the face of it, this seems like a mystery that Holmes might relish – as the person in question vanished from a locked room. But this is just the start of an investigation that will draw the pair into contact with a shadowy organisation talked about in whispers, known only as the ‘Order of the Gash.’

As more people go missing in a similar fashion, the clues point to a sinister asylum in France and to the underworld of London. However, it is an altogether different underworld that Holmes will soon discover – as he comes face to face not only with those followers who do the Order’s bidding on Earth, but those who serve it in Hell: the Cenobites.

Holmes’ most outlandish adventure to date, one that has remained shrouded in secrecy until now, launches him headlong into Clive Barker’s famous Hellraising universe… and things will never be the same again.

With an introduction by Hellraiser II actress Barbie Wilde.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, Fiction, Crime, Historical, Occult Detective

278 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2016

About the author

Paul Kane has been writing professionally for almost fifteen years. His genre journalism has appeared in such magazines as Fangoria, SFX and Rue Morgue, and his non-fiction books are the critically acclaimed The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy and Voices in the Dark. His award-winning short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic (as well as being broadcast on BBC Radio 2), and has been collected in Alone (In the Dark), Touching the Flame, FunnyBones, Peripheral Visions, Shadow Writer, The Butterfly Man and Other Stories, The Spaces Between and GHOSTS. His novella Signs of Life reached the shortlist of the British Fantasy Awards 2006, The Lazarus Condition was introduced by Mick Garris - creator of Masters of Horror - RED featured artwork from Dave (The Graveyard Book) McKean and Pain Cages was introduced by Stephen Volk (The Awakening).

As Special Publications Editor of the British Fantasy Society he worked with authors like Brian Aldiss, Ramsey Campbell, Muriel Gray and Robert Silverberg, he is the co-editor of Hellbound Hearts for Pocket Books (Simon and Schuster), an anthology of original stories inspired by Clive Barker's mythos - featuring contributions from the likes of Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, Kelley Armstrong and Richard Christian Matheson - The Mammoth Book of Body Horror (Constable & Robinson) - featuring Stephen King, James Herbert and Robert Bloch - and the Poe-inspired Beyond Rue Morgue (for Titan).

In 2008 his zombie story 'Dead Time' was turned into an episode of the Lionsgate/NBC TV series Fear Itself, adapted by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II-IV). He also scripted The Opportunity which premiered at Cannes in 2009, The Weeping Woman - starring Fright Night's Stephen Jeffreys - and Wind Chimes (directed by Brad '7th Dimension' Watson. He is the author of the novels Of Darkness and Light, The Gemini Factor and the bestselling Arrowhead trilogy (Arrowhead, Broken Arrow and Arrowland), a post-apocalyptic reworking of the Robin Hood mythology gathered together as the sell-out Hooded Man omnibus. His latest novels are Lunar (which is set to be turned into a feature film) and the short Y.A. book The Rainbow Man (as P.B. Kane). He currently lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife - the author Marie O'Regan - his family, and a black cat called Mina. You can find out more at his website www.shadow-writer.co.uk which has featured Guest Writers such as Neil Gaiman, Charlaine Harris, Dean Koontz, John Connolly and Guillermo del Toro.

Reviews

[Overhaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finales de 1895.

Sherlock Holmes y su fiel compañero, el doctor John Watson, deben investigar un caso de desaparición. A primera vista, parece un misterio con el que Holmes podría deleitarse, ya que la persona en cuestión desapareció de una habitación cerrada con llave. Pero esto es solo el comienzo de una investigación que pondrá a la pareja en contacto con una organización en la sombra, de la que se habla en susurros, conocida como la «Orden de la incisión».

A medida que desaparecen más personas de forma similar, las pistas apuntan a un siniestro manicomio en Francia y a los bajos fondos de Londres.

Sin embargo, Holmes pronto descubrirá un submundo totalmente distinto, ya que se enfrentará no solo a los seguidores de la Orden en la Tierra, sino también a aquellos que la sirven en el Infierno: los Cenobitas.

La aventura más extravagante que he leído de Holmes hasta la fecha, una que ha permanecido en secreto hasta ahora, le lanza de cabeza al famoso universo Hellraising de Clive Barker... y las cosas nunca volverán a ser como antes.

Si gusta el genio maestro y las locuras de Clive Barker y su mejor creación, los Cenobitas esta lectura es una gozada macabra y suculenta. Obligatoria.

Si lograis abrir el libro se abrirán las puertas a otro mundo..

Una interesante y curiosa historia en la que poco a poco todo y todos se va juntando en un universo fascinante. La aparición de los Cenobitas, uff, como siempre quita el aliento.

Esto es como Alien vs Predator pero bien hecho, emocionante y una intriga ver cómo terminará todo. Sherlock se enfrentará a algo que quizás lo supera.

Personajes perfilados, la relación de Sherlock y Watson. Sus facetas como seres humanos. Muy lograda. Y luego los Cenobitas..

Se lee del tirón. Bien escrito, el autor tiene buena mano y mejores ideas. Un doloroso placer para los que nos gusta mucho Hellraiser.

Trama adictiva e intensa en ese mundo único que creo Barker, el placer del dolor..✍️🎩

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I, um... so, you see... um... what the hell did I just read?

So, imagine combining this:



With this:



Sherlock Holmes meets Hellraiser.

This. Should. Not. Exist.

If I made a list of the most unlikely literary crossovers... you know what, this wouldn't have made it. Why? Because I never would have thought of combining the two. It wouldn't have just seemed unlikely, it would have been closer to damn near impossible.

Yet here we are.

Plot: Moriarty is dead. Holmes has made his return from Reichenbach Falls, yet something seems off about the great detective. Ever since the death of his nemesis, something has been missing from his life. Watson begins to notice that Holmes' drug habit is increasing. He finds scars that seem self-inflected, as if Holmes is stretching his own endurance. Watson hopes a new case will prevent these new and alarming habits, but instead they will spiral as they start the investigation of one Frank Cotton who disappeared in a locked room after solving a certain puzzle box.

So, kudos to the author. I genuinely found starting the plot of the initial Hellbound Heart/Hellraiser as a case presented to Holmes to be a clever idea. Credit where credit is due, the first half of the book feels like a genuine Holmes story, with all the classic logic leaps and insignificant details providing Holmes with all the clues.

The second half also feels like a genuine Barker horror story. So, points there as well.

Now you might be thinking, don't these two styles clash? Well yes, yes they most certainly do, and that is why I really do need to praise Kane as he did an excellent job finding the right balance between these two styles and make a cohesive plot out of it. Personally I enjoyed his Holmes take better than the later Barker style better, as I found it to capture the feel splendidly while still adding a horror element to the affair. Some of the later section came off as a tad... cliche seems the wrong word, but let's just say more Hellraiser 3 and on rather than the first two films.

I found myself repeatedly asking, who was this written for? There's a barrage of Holmes references to past cases, and so many winks and nods to Hellraiser that even being well versed in both series, I knew I was missing references. Who did the author have in mind for this?

Then I realized that while I may be missing references, I was catching most of them. Who did the author have in mind?

Me.

He had in mind the niche audience that are fans of both series. Yeah, that may be narrowing down both fanbases a bit, but for those of us who do exist, this is an oddity unlike any other.

In closing: do I suggest this book? I don't honestly know. As I said before, unless you are fairly well versed in both series, I feel Kane is going to leave you behind and shaking your head. If you are a Holmes purist, you may be annoyed at the decidedly supernatural that comes to play here. If you only love Hellraiser, you may be annoyed at how long it takes for the puzzle box to actually come into play.

For those who do like both, and who are willing to take the supernatural and slow pace in stride, it's certainly a fun ride. I can't say it is a great book, but certainly an entertaining one. 3/5 stars.

(And in regards to the GIF, no matter how many actors play him, Jeremy Brett will always be my favorite Holmes)

[Kenneth McKinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession. Before reading this book, I had no clue who Paul Kane was. Apparently, to the people in the know, he is the leading guru on Clive Barker's Hellraiser films and mythos (outside of Barker, of course). So you'll have to excuse me for being late to the party. What I do know is that I love Clive Barker's Hellraiser films and I enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories. So when I stumbled across the title of this book, I was instantly intrigued. In what seems upon first glance as a farce, started sounding pretty damn full of possibilities the more I thought about it. After jumping head first into Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, I am pleased to announce that the possibilities were right on the money and Kane delivered one hell of a fun read.

Sherlock Holmes is moping around since he defeated his archenemy, Moriaty. Cases don't seem to be that intriguing or challenging and Holmes is apparently a ball of irritability if his mind isn't challenged. Dr. Watson is worried about his dear friend, especially since he's had a tangle with the opium demon from time to time. Then a missing person case comes in. Apparently, a Francis Cotton went inside his attic room, locked the door, and never came out. Disappeared. Holmes and Watson take the case and are stumped. Other missing person cases come trickling in with the same descriptions. Holmes is convinced that they are tied together. But how? When investigating one of the other disappearances, the duo discover a secret society that focuses on the forbidden pleasures of the flesh and a pillar that contained a small box. Sound familiar?

Kane's tale weaves in and out of tie-ins with previous Sherlock Holmes stories and the Hellraiser films. And it works. Very well, I might add. The story is told Arthur Conan Doyle-style through a re-telling by Dr Watson. We also get a nice perspective from it rotating back and forth from Watson to Holmes POV and back again. Who would've thought that the marriage of Sherlock Holmes and Clive Barker would work so well? You know what? Don't question a good thing and Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell is a good thing.

5 Elementary, My Dear Watsons out of 5


This ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.



You can also follow my reviews at the following links:

https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com

http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SERVANTS OF HELL, by Paul Kane, takes place in the late months of 1895. How could anyone resist the "World's Greatest Detective" coming across the dreaded Cenobites from Clive Barker's Hellraiser series? The introduction was written by Barbie Wilde--an author, herself--and an actress cast as the female Cenobite in the movie Hellbound: Hellraiser II. I mention this because the introduction, in this case, was every bit as interesting as the book itself.

The novel immediately grabs you--even those with only a rudimentary knowledge of Sherlock Holmes' adventures can appreciate the dialogue with his faithful companion, Watson.

" . . . I asked him again what I should expect and Holmes, as enigmatic as usual, came back with: "The unexpected, Watson. Nothing more than the unexpected." "

Beginning with a missing person's case--Frank Cotton, from the original Hellraiser movie adaption--the two legendary books instantly show a shared chemistry as Paul Kane flawlessly blends them together. Although I am a fan of both Sherlock Holmes, and the Hellraiser series, this novel is so complete that even those unfamiliar with either will be able to enjoy this epic journey. Those with more prior knowledge will certainly pick up on the crafty references to places, people, and cases past, but again--the novel provides enough depth, characterization, and atmospheric tension to grab any reader.

The point-of-view shifts from Holmes, to Watson, giving us an even more detailed and complete feeling for each character and their individual motivations. I really appreciated the use of this tactic by Kane, as I felt it was the best way to give added depth to the tale.

Bringing the idea of "other worlds" than our own--those with "sensual suffering" and a merging of pain and pleasure--begins with the Cottons, the main characters of Clive Barker's Hellbound Heart. This idea quickly extends to other people, and Holmes' involvement as the missing person cases accumulate.

". . . What happened, though, if the truth turned out to be the impossible?. . . Then, by that token, the impossible became the possible. . . "

As the collision of the Cenobite world and Holmes' universe collide, Kane's genius shows through once again as he brings together previously unconnected characters and blends them together to create a world completely his own, and so very satisfying to the reader. As Watson once states: ". . . I was Alice at the bottom of the rabbit hole . . . but this was no Wonderland . . ." .

An extraordinary tale, both to fans of the two literary sides, and those new to either. While I, personally, enjoyed the added understanding of certain cases and supportive characters, I feel that they will appeal to any reader who loves a good horror or mystery book.

"Hell was real . . ."

Highly recommended!

*I received an e-copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just expecting a funny Holmes vs Pinhead crossover/mash up/pastiche.. what a surprise finding out this novel was far better than that!!! The author, maybe the most expert about Hellraiser mythos after Barker himself shows knowing for good Doyle's canon too and all rhe references to all movies, novels of both universes were just awesome: I missed the one about Holmes' sister, but the one about "Young Sherlock Holmes" and Barker's characters like Cotton and D'amour (and hidden Pinhead!!!) were really touches of genius. The identity of the Engineer was maybe too easy to guess, but this book was a real page-turner, and it gave me nightmares last night... Who could guess that the mix of two so different litterary universes could be just so good???
If you are a fan of both pick up this hell (litterally) of a book... there are lots of sights waiting for you here...

[Michael Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur Conan Doyle introduced Sherlock Holmes to readers more than a century ago, and few other characters have proved to possess such longevity or elasticity. Just in my lifetime alone, I've seen Holmes presented as a youngster, a keen yet stuffy detective, a roguish brawler, and an occult detective. I can honestly say I never expected Holmes to come face to face with the Cenobites of Clive Barker's mythology, but Paul Kane corrected that in a mostly, and surprisingly, effective mashup.

Holmes and Watson are charged with investigating the disappearance of one Francis Cotton, a name Barker reader's will know well from The Hellbound Heart, which serves as more than mere inspiration here. As the investigation proceeds, more individuals disappear and the investigators are pulled deeper into the darkest corners of London's recesses as they search for a mysterious organization known as the Order of the Gash, as well as the strange murder weapon - a small puzzle box known as the Lament Configuration.

Right from the get-go, it's pretty clear that Kane is both a Holmes and Barker aficionado (heck, the man wrote about the Hellraiser films and put together a tribute anthology to Barker's mythology), and Barker has even stated in the past that, "Paul’s the resident Hellraiser expert." So yeah, the dude clearly knows his Cenobites from his cinnabites.

Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell is at its best during the book's first half, with Holmes and Watson chasing down leads and disappearances and becoming slowly involved in every-increasingly supernatural events. Holmes himself is still recovering from his fall over Reichenbach Falls, and Watson is happy to have him back, even if slightly wounded by his friend's disappearances and secrets. There's some really solid character work between these two and their relationship, colored by their past cases together, and you get a terrific sense of their shared history. I must admit, I had only read one Holmes book previously, and roughly fifteen years ago at that, and my introduction to Barker came only recently with the audiobook of The Hellbound Heart, but the pop culture landscape these icons have become infused in made reading about them here welcomingly familiar.

I was quite captivated by the subtle shadings of horror Kane revealed over the course of Holmes's and Watson's legwork and appreciated the subdued nature as the story grew progressively darker. Where it kind of fell apart for me was in the finale, where the supernatural horror elements became an almost dark superhero fantasy. The book synopsis notes that this is "Holmes’ most outlandish adventure to date," and that's certainly accurate. It just depends on how much outlandishness you can appreciate, and there's certainly a fair bit of fan-service conducted in the book's final third that didn't quite work for me. Barker fans may relish some of these events, and there are certainly some cool aspects to the hell-raising finale, but it struck me as being so tonally different and fantastical from the well-grounded events prior that it never quite jelled for me.

My other problem came with the structure of the third act. In Part One, the story is recounted by Watson, and Part Two is left to Holmes' point of view. Part Three offers us a look at both, and with this comes a fair amount of repetition. Stuff happens in Holmes' narrative that then gets immediately recounted from Watson's view point, but without enough dissimilarity to make these recaps sufficiently necessary. Thankfully, the shifting narrative in part three works more often than it fails, but it was problematic enough to niggle ever so slightly.

Mostly, Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell worked for me, and it was cool reading such two disparate characters and mythologies as Holmes and the Cenobites come together to produce something unique. I greatly enjoyed seeing the references to Barker's canon and the way some of his plots and characters became repurposed elements for a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Kane's depictions of characters was spot-on, and he captured the grotesque sensual suffering of the Cenobites quite effectively. The last few chapters proved to me, though, that you can definitely have too much of a good thing.

[I received a copy of this title for review from the publisher via NetGalley.]

[The Tattooed Book Geek (Drew). · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always this review is also on my blog: thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress.com.

Give it a visit, you may like it! :)

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a stunning looking cover, featuring a great artistic design that really stands out, incorporating a classic Holmes silhouette inside the middle of the Lament Configuration Puzzle Box from Hellraiser, really foreshadows what’s to come, drawing your attention in, saying look at me! And, so you know, look at this book you most definitely should! It’s a quality read!

On the back of the book above the actual synopsis there’s a sentence:

“The World’s Greatest Detective Meets Horror’s Most Notorious Villains!”

Now that should garner your attention and whet your interest, if only to question what’s going on and what sort of strange mash-up have I stumbled across???

Now, I’m a huge Holmes fan, I’ve devoured the entire Conan Doyle collection and loved it, also enjoying Anthony Horowitz’s two recent Holmes books and the very recent Warlock Holmes parody by G.S Denning – it had me smiling and smirking throughout at its irreverent comedic retelling. While technically I’d also say I’m a Hellraiser fan – I’ve seen the films and read a couple of the books, I’m not a die-hard fan who knows everything about the series but even I was able to spot some of the easter eggs left by Kane as an homage to the original Hellraiser mythology created by Clive Barker and I’m sure for experts in the series there’s plenty more for you to find.

When combining two very different but much-loved works there’s a chance when you join them together that if not done correctly or with respect to the original works then you could alienate the fans of both. It was only after I finished the book, whilst reading the acknowledgements in the back by Paul Kane that I found out he is a Hellraiser expert with Clive Barker – the Hellraiser creator himself describing Kane as ‘the resident Hellraiser expert’. Now, that gives Kane pedigree with the Hellraiser mythology and part of the book but how would he do with the Sherlock Holmes aspect of the book to? Well, suffice to say he nailed it – yes, while he isn’t in the book that’s my Pinhead reference sneaked into the review!

As I mentioned previously, I’m a Holmes fan and two of the biggest things I look for with a new Sherlock book are, firstly, has the author managed to achieve a similar sort of tone and style to Conan Doyle’s classics. And secondly, the relationship between Holmes and Watson, I’m sure there’ll be people who disagree with me and that’s fine – we all have are own views but for me, the friendship and deep bond between Holmes and Watson has always been the core of the Sherlock Holmes canon, no matter what the mystery attempting to be solved, it’s the duo of Holmes and Watson that the tale revolves around. Kane manages to perfectly convey the friendship between the two whilst paying respect to the original works and giving it his own unique version.

Though, there’ll be some people out there who haven’t heard of Clive Barker, Hellraiser, the ‘Order of the Gash’ and the Cenobites, due to them appearing in the more niche horror media market. I’d guess near enough everyone with even a passing interest in literature and due also to the countless films and TV shows throughout the years ranging from Basil Rathbone in the 1940’s onwards and through to Benedict Cumberbatch in the present day will have heard of Sherlock Holmes.

For fans of either Sherlock Holmes or Hellraiser there’s a great deal within this book for you all to enjoy. And for other would-be readers out there, you don’t need any previous knowledge of either original works to enjoy the book, IT’S THAT DAMN GOOD!

Now, I realise this is a book review and as yet apart from the cover, I haven’t actually mentioned the book itself. Never fear I shall now rectify that!

The Lament Configuration has always been a rather ingenious puzzle box since its creation. Add into the mix, strange and unconnected disappearances, people vanishing from locked rooms without a trace, a lingering smell of Vanilla, mysterious footsteps that abruptly halt and murmurings of a clandestine new power looking to take control and you have all the makings of a perfect Sherlock Holmes mystery. And, the Hellraiser mythology blends perfectly with late Victorian London making a perfect time and setting for the book.

Taking place in 1895 following Holmes return to Baker Street and London. And, after the incident at the Reichenbach Falls. It’s the ideal time for the story to take place, giving Kane ample opportunity to delve into the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Holmes during the year’s of ‘the great hiatus’ as it’s commonly known by fans of the series. In the Conan Doyle stories when Holmes did return to Watson and sleuthing, he wasn’t the same man as he had been before with slight changes to both his character and personality. Kane uses the Hellraiser mythos to great effect explaining away these changes to Holmes as we learn Kane’s version that after the Reichenbach Falls, Holmes, during his missing years was preparing himself both mentally and physically for something sinister to come.

The mix of Sherlock Holmes and Hellraiser feels completely organic with each aspect complimenting the other to perfection, whilst still feeling like a Holmes story at heart with Watson narrating from the future this darkest of chapters from their adventures together.

Taking in the darkest recesses of Victorian London, a Mental Institute in France and Hell itself this tale tests the boundaries of the friendship between the pair to the core, literally taking them to hell and back. And, when we’re finally introduced to the Cenobites taking the tale from the more normal to the surreal it really feels natural to the story’s progression and without going into detail, what a vividly described and visualised grotesque bunch they are.

The book itself is well written with a descriptive and fast paced style by Kane that really pulls you in, packing a hell – see what I did there!:) of a lot into its 300 page length building from a mysterious more sedate beginning up to the climactic conclusion.

I have to admit that while the cover ‘sold’ the book to me as something I wanted to read I was in-fact slightly concerned when I started the actual book as I couldn’t help but think that on the surface what a strange amalgamation the two worlds would make, delving deeper however and as the story progressed they fitted together surprisingly well and with what in the hands of a lesser talented author could have been a disappointing mash-up ruining two beloved classic franchises, alienating the fans of both in the process. In the hands of Kane turns into a respectful tale embodying elements of the original works that deftly incorporates aspects from both into a delightfully glorious and stunning read making Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell one of the surprise books of the year!

By Jove! It’s highly recommended.

[Greg Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, flawless co-mingling of the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart (or the Hellraiser franchise).

Going in I had my doubts that this would work, but after reading Kane's tale, I found myself saying, "Why hasn't this been done before?"

Kane does an amazing job of blending the mystery of the Lament Configuration into the great detective's world, but Kane also does much more than that, by taking Holmes' "obsession" with logic and crime-solving and making it truly torturous and horrifying in both the physical and psychological.

Kane also takes us into Barker's vision of Hell and provides many new insights, including a whole new cadre of Cenobites. There's also a lot of serendipity, with numerous - and intentional - connections to Clive Barker's original novella and its characters.

Still, this is a Sherlock Holmes tale in every sense of the word with the great detective and his trusted Watson going to fascinating lengths to solve the mystery, but at the same time revealing their own inner torments.

If you're a fan of both franchises you'll love this story. Highly recommended.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Holmes and Watson take on the mystery of several missing people, all the cases are linked and point to a group called the 'Order of the Gash'. Watson is sent to an asylum in France to find out more about the order whilst Holmes puts himself in increasing danger exploring Londons underworld for clues as to where the missing people have gone. He becomes obsessed with solving the puzzle box and like those before him soon wishes he hadn't when faced with what it summons.

The author brings together the Hellraiser universe of Clive Barker and Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and does so very well. Although set in 1895, Kane manages to date the Hellraiser details authentically, blending characters and plot lines in seamlessly to victorian London.

The first 3/4 of the book worked best for me, the lead up to the confrontation with the cenobites flowed well with plenty of references from both worlds,making it a lot of fun to read. Holmes and Watson were given separate POV which kept the storyline fresh and ensured that both characters were well developed and that Holmes didn't dominate the story too much.

The last quarter wasn't quite as enjoyable and to be honest I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that Pinhead wasn't part of the cenobite group. I also thought that some of the details in the last part were too conveniently worked out although the end wasn't in any way what I expected.

Great premise that worked out really well but perhaps fell slightly short of my expectations towards the end.

[Pedro Plasencia Martínez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como homenaje es una delicia tanto para los fans de Holmes como para los lectores de Clive Barker. Tirando de su conocimiento especializado, Paul Kane introduce los elementos y los personajes deseados, quienes suelen estar a la altura de las expectativas la mayor parte del tiempo. No hay disonancias, Sherlock es perfectamente reconocible con su frialdad, su terquedad, sus manías y sus adicciones. Lo mismo se aplica a Watson, que aquí también hace de narrador en varios capítulos. El misterio que en estas páginas se desarrolla es obviamente sobrenatural y las piezas van encajando bastante bien con muchas referencias a las otras aventuras del detective y a las tres primeras películas de Hellraiser.

Sin embargo, la revelación final está a punto de destrozar todo lo fraguado, ya que el último tramo del libro, una vez la caja es abierta, consiste en una fantasía exagerada de proporciones épicas que rompe por completo con el tono de la novela y con la parte detectivesca. El terror sobrenatural, cuando se usa, queda bien, pero la fantasía adolescente con batallas interdimensionales de ejércitos monstruosos no, esta aventura nunca debería haberse convertido en una película de Marvel.

English

As a tribute it is a delight for both Holmes fans and Clive Barker readers. Drawing on his specialized knowledge, Paul Kane presents the desired elements and characters, who usually live up to expectations most of the time. There are no dissonances, Sherlock is perfectly recognizable with his coldness, his stubbornness, his manias and his addictions. The same applies to Watson, who also acts as narrator in several chapters. The mystery that unfolds here is obviously supernatural and the pieces fit together quite well with many references to the detective's other adventures and the first three Hellraiser films.

However, the final revelation is about to destroy everything that has been forged, since the last section of the book, once the box is opened, consists of an exaggerated fantasy of epic proportions that completely breaks with the tone of the novel and with the detective part. Supernatural horror, when used, looks good, but teenage fantasy with interdimensional battles of monstrous armies does not, this adventure should never have been turned into a Marvel movie.

[Eduardo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this one. Maybe too high. But from the reviews here at GoodReads I expected a masterpiece.

I'm a huge fan of both worlds/characters and for the first half of the book (which I call "the Sherlock half") they were met, but as soon as the story moves to Hell the suspension of disbelief falls apart. At least, for me, it did.

I still enjoyed the novel and think it was a great experiment. If you're a fan it's definitely worth reading.

So, like the 2-star rating says, it was OK but that's all.

[Horror Underground · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from: http://www.cinemabluster.com

Author Paul Kane is certainly no slouch when it comes to the world of Hellraiser and the Cenobites that reside within the series. Having written a rather lengthy collection, aptly titled The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy, to put it mildly, Kane is a bit of a historian on the subject. When I saw the announcement for his most recent novel, Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, I knew this genre and character mashup would certainly be in good hands. Not only has Kane delivered on the Hellraiser end of things with Servants of Hell, he has given us a fantastic entry in the Sherlock Holmes series as well.

In late 1895, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson return to solving crimes even though the incident at Reichenbach Falls has left the duo forever changed. Investigating several disappearances that seem to be interconnected, Holmes and Watson will cross paths with The Order of The Gash and come face to face with the ultimate puzzle in the world, one that will take them to the pits of Hell.

The greatest achievement of this novel comes from the vast knowledge and understanding of Hellraiser and its mythos that Kane puts on display. Where most stories of this type would be filled with passing nods to events and other crowd-pleasing nonsense, Kane instead shows us how everything comes together and incorporates the historical references of the Hellraiser film series and expands upon it in ways that make you come away from this novel with a deeper love for the franchise. It isn’t good enough to Kane to just make a passing quip about a character or event found elsewhere in the franchise, he needs to show you how it relates to this story, and also how it differs. Although this is almost an alternative reality to everything we have come to know about the series, it also fits perfectly next to not only the films but also the recently released Scarlet Gospels. Kane’s look into hell is the perfect dessert to those that enjoyed Clive Barker’s final statement on Hell’s High Priest.

Not to ride to high on the achievements of the Hellraiser mythos alone, Kane also accomplishes one of the best non-Doyle Sherlock Holmes novels I have ever read. The dynamic between Watson and Holmes is absolutely perfect and is incorporated into the events of a Hellraiser narrative without coming off as cheesy or forced. Having taken place after the fateful event at Reichenbach Falls, Kane uses this moment of mortality to uncover a darker side of Holmes and show us a man that seeks challenge when his biggest puzzle has been solved. The swing in personality for Holmes and the detachment of Watson are perfect within the realm of Hellraiser.

There are far too many references to list in this review and keeping track becomes a challenge as even the slightest event or bit of dialogue carries a great amount of depth to those that are familiar with the various tales and films within the franchise. While the story is an absolute delight to the most hardcore of Hellraiser fans, passing readers will still find a tremendous story within the pages that will inspire them to dig deeper into the mythos and I cannot think of a higher utterance of praise for a novel such as this. Essential reading for Hellraiser diehards; a must-read for genre fans alike.

[Michael Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to paste in my Amazon review here, simply because I think you need to know if you're the right audience for this book or not:

First off, there is a reason this book (as I write this) has reviews for 1, 4 and 5 stars, but no 2 or 3. It simply will not appeal to everybody. So let me start with a quick guide as to whether you should read it or not:

1. You are a Holmes fan, but you don't like horror or Clive Barker:
Under no circumstances read this book. You will hate it and it will be a waste of your time and a poor review for the author. If you want a "pure" Holmes book might I suggest the other one I've just finished reading (The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Murder at Sorrow's Crown). That is well worth the read.

2. You're a horror / Barker fan, but not really into Holmes
Maybe you'll like it, but it depends on whether you think you could read a Holmes story or not, as it's a little while until the book gets to the hellraiser section (see later in the review for more details). If Holmes really isn't your thing then it's likely you'll give up on this before you get to the Cenobites.

3. You love both Holmes and horror / Barker
This could well be for you, but one very important question. Are you a Holmes "purist"?
Yes: You probably shouldn't read it, the crossover element may upset you.
No: Pretty sure you will love this book.
Being a Hellraiser purist shouldn't be an issue, as that slots nicely into pretty much any time period.

Right, that said, on with the actual review! There may be some minor (very general) spoilers here, but I've done my best to avoid giving anything significant away.

The story is set after Holmes has revealed himself to Watson following his "death" at the hands of Moriarty at the Reichenbach falls. He is in search of something, though he doesn't really know what. Part 1 is Watson's account of Holmes around this time, weaved into a few cases that Holmes takes because they are part of his wider search.

Part 2 is told in the third person (unusual (unique?) for a Holmes story, which are always related by Watson), and tells us what happened with Holmes after Reichenbach. Other than this though it's still mostly in the vein of a "normal" Holmes story, though it's more obvious to the horror fan where it's leading, and it's towards the end of this part that the 2 worlds meet properly.

Part 3 is told in alternating chapters - Holmes then Watson - and I won't say anything about this, as I really can't think of what I would say that wouldn't be a spoiler.

If I have any complaints, it's that I found the change from Holmes story to Hellraiser story a little abrupt, even if I knew it was coming. I'm also not entirely sure about some of what occurs in the final part, though I think that's purely subjective. There were some nice little nods there though that I didn't realise until the end (the names of some of the characters, for example, which meant nothing in a Holmes context, so I didn't think twice about it until I got to the end).

Overall, as a fan of both Conan Doyle and Barker, I loved reading this and stayed up far too late to finish it. 4.5 / 5, rounded up to 5 for sheer enjoyment!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Muchas gracias to Netgalley for enabling me to get my hands on a free digital advance copy.

When I first heard that Sherlock Holmes was being crossed over with HELLRAISER, my initial reaction was: THIS IS THE GREATEST IDEA EVER! Then I calmed down, regained my senses, and thought, "How, exactly?"
I believe there is a way to make this crossover work, but, unfortunately, this isn't it. Paul Kane approaches the material more like a rabid fan than a professional storyteller, and the result is a book that comes across as fan-fiction. He tries to cram in everything that people love about these two properties without first considering whether each element actually serves to further the story. The result is a dull and repetitive first half, followed by an overly chaotic and ludicrous second half.
Part of what makes the first half so dull is that, despite this being a Sherlock Holmes novel, there is no mystery. At least, not for the readers. Because, for anyone at all familiar with the HELLRAISER mythos, the solution is clear from the get-go. The Lament Configuration is making people disappear, case closed. Each "crime scene" is designed as a throwback to the films, and we learn right away that author Paul Kane is more concerned with making clever references than coming up with fresh ideas. The first crime scene is basically a re-telling of the first HELLRAISER film, with the characters even retaining the same names. The second crime scene uses essentially the same setting as HELLRAISER III. A detective who suddenly disappears is obviously a shout-out to Craig Sheffer's role in HELLRAISER V. In another chapter, Watson talks to a descendant of the main character from HELLRAISER IV. And the entire third act of the novel takes place in what is basically the world of HELLRAISER II. There's even a reference to Harry D'Amour, who isn't even IN a HELLRAISER movie, but rather an entirely different Clive Barker property altogether. The Lost Souls make an appearance, as does every Cenobite from virtually every HELLRAISER comic book and short story known to man.
And don't even get me started on all the references to other Sherlock Holmes cases.
Some people may enjoy this little game of "Spot the Reference," but, for me, it became tiresome very quickly. How can I pretend this book is canon, when it's constantly nudging and winking at me? In my opinion, the HELLRAISER aspect of this story should have been downplayed in favor of a more interesting mystery for Holmes to solve. Truth is, as much as I love the idea of Holmes stumbling across a puzzle box, I don't care to see either him or Watson get tortured in true HELLRAISER fashion. Which happens in this book. I also don't care to see Holmes riding a hellbeast and fighting Cenobites with his cane. Which also happens in this book.

[Mark Tallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (***1/2) I've enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes/Hellraiser mash up. The concept, at least to some perhaps seems preposterous, but, it does work. The author captures the spirit of the camaraderie between Holmes and Watson extremely well, especially during the opening chapters. I'm a Clive Barker fan and a Holmes fan, so I thoroughly enjoyed the references to lots of Barker and Holmes related Easter Eggs throughout the story. The book is a quick read and one I recommend, especially if potential readers share my tastes.

[Carl Bluesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was far better than I expected it to be. Sherlock acted and behaved exactly how he would in Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. it was a different mash up that I didn’t think would blend as well as it did. there is lots to enjoy whether if you’re a Holmes fan or Hellraiser fan. I was there is more books out there like this one.

[Vladimir Ivanov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Как легко догадаться по названию, мы тут имеем кроссовер "Конан Дойль + Баркер".

Первая половина книги идет очень бодро — Холмс расследует дело о таинственном исчезновении из запертой комнаты, далее шкатулка Лемаршана, дома умалишенных, безумные ученые, ночные визиты ценобитов, и далее со всеми остановками.

А потом герои попадают в ад, и вторая половина книги посвящена тому, как армия демонов под командованием ценобита-Холмса сражается с армией демонов под командованием ценобита-Мориарти. Автор в исчерпывающих деталях излагает, какой демон как выглядел, чем был вооружен, и какую часть тела оторвал какому противнику.

4 + 1 = 2.5, округляем вниз.

[John Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

More than a little disappointed with this one, as I found it odd to have a Sherlock/Hellraiser crossover where Pinhead was not in the picture at all. The opening half was essentially a recap of The Hellbound Heart in a different era. The second half dissolved into a bit of a mess with a villain that was more than a little predictable.

[Dani Morell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amb aquesta novel·la Paul Kane demostra ser un gran coneixedor del cànon i els pastitxos de Holmes, però no pot amagar que encara en sap més de l'univers Hellraiser. Tot i això, com a crossover és força equilibrat, amb multitud de referències holmesianes i abundant desfilada de cenobites. Els trets biogràfics del detectiu s'extreuen de la treballada biografia fictícia 'Sherlock Holmes de Baker Street' de S. Baring-Gould, cosa que sempre és d'agrair. Per la part de 'Hellraiser' l'autor se centra en la sensacional novel·la curta de Clive Barker 'El cor condemnat' (publicada en català dins la col·lecció L'arcà de l'editorial Laertes) i les tres primeres pel·lícules de la saga. En general l'he gaudit molt, tot i que l'horrible final li ha fet baixar punts...

[Leah Polcar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.76

Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell has a brilliant premise: Sherlock Holmes gets a the ultimate locked room mystery to solve: one where the disappearance is caused by none other than the cenobites from Clive Barker's Hellraiser mythos called forth from the Lament Configuration puzzle box. I am not a huge Barker or Hellraiser fan, and in fact beyond the original movie (seen like a billion years ago) and a short story here and there using either the Hellraiser world or references to it, I only know the basics – like that solving the puzzle box causes some seriously scary dudes from Hell to come pay a visit, etc. – and I am not a fan of Barker's gory horror, but I like the concept of Barker's Hell, so for me there was some real promise here. Especially when I realized that this was written in the style of a Conan-Doyle novel – a true mystery told by John Watson about a grand adventure.

I think that as cool as this idea was that there was so much that could go wrong and that bringing these two worlds together was a real risk. Happily, Kane does an amazing job in Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell. The book reads, mostly, like a traditional Holmes story. Narrated by Watson, it is referential to the Holmes oeuvre, as a typical Conan-Doyle story would be, and the voice is authentic. The portions where Holmes enters Hell and references to Hellraiser were brilliantly done – at least from this non-expert's POV. (I did hear Kane is a Hellraiser subject matter expert, so I will put my money on accuracy in this regard anyway). It was gory, but not needlessly so – though do expect some gore – and seemed to explore the stuff I find coolest about Hellraiser (and The Hell-Bound Heart) like the puzzle box and what the story is with Hell.

Most impressively, in my opinion, was how well Kane weaves in the Holmes backstory into this novel. He makes the intersection of Holmes and Hellraiser incredibly plausible – this feels more or less, for most of the novel at least, like something that could have happened in a Conan-Doyle novel. Interestingly, I feel that Kane does a better job explaining Holmes' revival from the dead and after-effects of said more plausibly than Conan-Doyle did. And all the familiar characters make an appearance – for example, notably both Moriarty and Mycroft have parts to play. Which for Holmes fans is kind of neat – or at least for me was neat.

I found the ending too absurd – far too much was going on for my liking, though that may be just me being a non Barker fangirl. (Unfortunately I can't be more detailed lest I spoil a thing). Nonetheless I would say read this right away if you even causally like Sherlock (you will be happy to be in on any new adventure) or Hellraiser (because, seriously, how awesome is this premise?).

Buy, borrow, or burn? Buy.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

the weirdest thing about this is that it’s available at bookstores rather than on ao3?

okay in all seriousness, this started out pretty strong and just really got less good as it went on, unfortunately. the first third of the book is from watson’s perspective and is written in the style of one of his first person accounts (though it is apparently a journal he is writing to work his own feelings out & intends to burn afterwards), the second is a third person narrative from holmes’ perspective, and the third alternates between the two perspectives.

the first third is by far the strongest, and got me super excited for this rather ridiculous crossover. the second third is also pretty consistent in quality, i have no major complaints about it. but the final act, which ought to have been the payoff for it all, was frankly just kind of tedious.

each chapter alternates between watson’s first person narrative and the third person narrative that follows holmes, but the vast majority of these chapters overlap so you end up retreading the same ground over & over.

i can see where that kind of perspective layering could actually be pretty interesting but with the chapters from holmes’ perspective not even being first person it just doesn’t have that much of an impact? and if i can be 100% honest it truly started to feel like padding, as if the author needed each of the three parts of the book to be roughly equal in length or something. idk.

again a lot of this is actually super compelling and a whole lot of fun to read, it just badly overstays its welcome and that ended up contributing quite a bit to my impression of the book since the more tedious bits of it are what determined what kind of taste was left in my mouth. i know it’s not entirely fair, but neither is solving a rubiks cube and then getting tortured for eternity, so.

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check out my megareview of the hellraiser movies, books & comics on my blog 24,000 miles to the moon! https://24000milestothemoon.blogspot....

[France · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I haven’t read any Clive Barker yet, I didn’t particularly connected the story of Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell with a preexisting universe (other than Holmes’ of course). Nor did I need to, as the book reads itself very well without any knowledge of the Cenobites.

The first part is captivating in a Lovecraftian way : months (years?) after the return of Sherlock, he and Watson work on several disappearances that seem simply not possible : people just vanish inside closed rooms, without seemingly any escape means. Holmes has been acting off for Watson since he came back, and the cases don’t make things better. The mystery is a great read, full of those old school horror story devices : people that disappear inexplicably, ancient satanic artifact collections, asylums, … Kane plays the gothic card very well. I’m no specialist, but as far as I can tell, the story also respects the codes of Holmes’ universe quite well, and the second part ties the story nicely with canonic elements.

The second part is where the story tips into more of a Barker story and a Doyle one. I had a great time reading it, but it didn’t scare me at all. For some reason, I can’t take travels to Hell very seriously, and Hell’s army even less. It didn’t scare me, but I’ve found it pretty engrossing. It’s still well written and imaginative.

Also, the epilogue is just so gross and creepy. I love it.

Disclaimer : I have received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

[José Leitão · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Kane‘s latest novel came out on July 12th 2016, and I’ve had the opportunity to review it thanks to Paul Kane, Rob Power and Rebellion Publishing/Solaris Books. The following will be a spoiler-free review:

“Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell” uses two very well established literary characters, and mixes their worlds together in an extremely fun and refreshing mashup, using both literary universes to the story’s great advantage. The references to each are plentiful, but they grow organically out of the story, in a well-paced, rewarding fashion. It’s a 289-page story that reads quickly, but at the same time challenges you to admire its style and form, written as it is by a certain Doctor Watson in the late 1890s.Of course, I’m talking about Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, and the characters are the world’s greatest detective Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the Hell Priest known in some circles as Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies and Clive Barker’s novella “The Hellbound Heart”. An unlikely match at first, you quickly come to the realization that this may be one of the most fortunate uses of the latter character by including him in late Victorian era London. This brings up the very cultured feel of the time, and a certain refined sensibility to the story that adds to the charm. On the other hand, you also experience the dark, restrictive underbelly of that era, with its moralistic repression and the cult-like hedonism that was practiced in secrecy, behind closed doors, that allows for the hellish side of the story to flourish.

In this story, Holmes has recently survived a terrible ordeal that has left him feeling aimless. After spending some time in mysterious seclusion he returns in spectacular fashion to his 221B Baker Street office, to the familiarity of Mrs. Hudson and his colleague Joseph Watson. This new Holmes seems haunted by some unknown malaise, that we will quickly understand is a training of sorts for his most fantastic case yet.This Holmes is the Holmes of ” The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot”; he doesn’t shy away from death or danger. He’s almost superhuman in his wit, sharp intellect and focused awareness, that makes him the best detective around. However, Watson is back as well, and he’s our narrator, as would be expected. If you’re a reader of Conan Doyle’s Holmes novels, you will definitely feel at home with the way Paul Kane reproduces Watson’s voice; it’s damn near perfect in tone and form. Of course, it’s very convenient that Conan Doyle had Watson be the narrator as it allows Holmes to maintain his internal voice a mystery and make his intellectual prowess even more impressive when he blurts out details that he later explains were hiding in plain sight.

Make no mistake though: Watson is second only to Holmes in his skills. In fact, in this story he often takes a front row seat to the action and keeps the story moving forward while Holmes is left to his own process. Watson is likable and warm, strong and resourceful. The dynamic between the two colleagues is very fraternal. Holmes’ personality would probably be considered nowadays to be stiff and high-functioning, but his respect and almost fraternal love for Watson (and vice-versa) does shine through in brief, personal remarks.

When a certain gentleman named Cotton appears, you can’t help but crack a giant smile and dig in, hoping for a trip that doesn’t disappoint. After an initial string of disappearances, seemingly unrelated, the story picks up speed very quickly. You will find plenty of characters that you’ve seen before in a different form, make their appearance here, weaved into the Victorian era, and made all the more interesting for it. The story will take us on a steam boat from London to Calais and Paris; the detective duo will come across strange disappearances from within locked rooms, with dried blood between the floorboards and the scent of vanilla, and a certain artifact will emerge with terrible consequences.

There’s a craft in melding two universes like this, and in my opinion, Paul Kane has achieved this almost flawlessly. Reading “The Servants of Hell” is like stepping through the looking-glass and coming out the other side in an alternate universe, where the Hellraiser characters all jumped back a century. Most had their names slightly changed to reflect that alternate nature, but for anyone with an average knowledge of the Hellraiser movies, they’ll quickly recognize them anyway. As this is a spoiler-free review, I’ll refrain from adding more details, but this adventure will leave you wanting for more, more of these characters, more of this Holmes.As a avid reader of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I started with Holmes’ stories as a young kid and moved on to his Professor Challenger stories, like “The Lost World”, and I’ve been a lifelong enthusiast of Clive Barker’s work as you can imagine, so for me this book was an absolute treat. I started with Paul Kane’s book “The Hellraiser Films and their Legacy” and over the years, I’ve had the chance to read more of his work, like “Monsters”, “RED” and ” Blood RED”, the “Hellbound Hearts” anthology, “Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell” and now I am starting “Snow”.

I heard Paul Kane may have this version of Sherlock Holmes meet up with the Wolves from “Blood RED” in the future. I hope this is true, I think he’ll do an amazing job.”Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell” is an amazing experience, that will have you sitting on the edge of your chair. The references are used as a way to make this world seem more real and connected to both universes, but they don’t make the story any more predictable. In fact, you will find yourself guessing the next page only to be pleasantly surprised. The book comes with an introduction by the talented actress and Author Barbie Wilde as well.I can’t recommend this book enough. Buy it, and experience it for yourself. If you’re a Hellraiser fan, you’ll love it. If you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan, you’ll enjoy it. If you’ve never read Sherlock Holmes, I hope this will point you towards his novels. Trust me, it’s a win-win.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Billy Idol said that "too much is never enough" but I don't think he read Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell. This is an entertaining Holmes pastiche, to be sure, and it works up until the last 50 pages or so. Author Paul Kane sets the action some time after The Great Hiatus (when the world thinks Holmes is dead) and Kane strings some events from the Holmes canon together to give us an entirely new picture of the man himself. Purists may not appreciate this very much but I guarantee you, Constant Reader, it is not nearly as objectionable as the execrable The Last Sherlock Holmes by Michael Dibdin. Kane is able to handle the characterizations of Holmes and Watson well, but after we start to directly interact with the Big Bads (Cenobites from the world of Clive Barker's Hellraiser) that things go to hell, literally and figuratively. These two worlds were never meant to interact, and it is just too much.

[David Crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that shouldn't exist—its premise is completely preposterous. Yet, it works brilliantly. Imagine a Sherlock Holmes and Hellraiser crossover penned by an expert on the Hellraiser universe. This novel is a heartfelt tribute to all Sherlock Holmes stories and Hellraiser tales, spanning various media. It's also a love letter to many of Clive Barker's other works.
Holmes, with his insatiable curiosity, is a perfect fit for the Cenobites, and this journey takes him straight to hell. While the Hellraiser elements are toned down to a more PG level than fans might expect, it's still great fun and serves as a great prequel to the Hellraiser movies.

[Adrien Silvestre · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a ton of fun... provided you are like me both a huge sherlock Holmes nerd and a lover of the Hellraiser horror franchise. the mix between the two is artful, the author is a true fan of both components and the result is very well crafted.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love-letter to both the Sherlock Holmes stories & Clive Barker's Hellraiser, SoH is an ambitious mash-up.

It's 1895, a year since Holmes return from his hiatus, & the great detective is preoccupied in mind, seemingly pushing his mind & body to the limit after the loss of his nemesis, Moriarty. But what starts out as a missing person, locked-room mystery evolves into a struggle against the emissaries of Hell itself...

SoH manages to blend both it's franchises together beautifully. Many a reference is made to prior Holmes adventures & both Holmes & Watson suffer from their own pains(Holmes general malaise & lethargy after defeating the "Napoleon of Crime" & Watson, the loss of his wife, Mary, during the years of Holmes "death").
The Hellraiser universe is equally present from ancestors of many a canon character appearing(The Cotton's, the Spencer's, Lemarchand, Summersby/Summerskill, etc)
Interestingly, from something Holmes says towards the end & the content of the epilogue, SoH seems to suggest that the Cotton family are doomed to repeat their entanglements with the Cenobites.

The book is somewhat transitional in it's genre. The first act is pure detective fiction, with a hint of the sinister. The 2nd act takes on a Gothic Horror flavour & the final act is straight dark fantasy. I will say that I wasn't particularly fond of the final 30 or so pages(depicting a war in hell). I feel it departs too much from the horror-detective story into something, actionised, almost anime-like in it's way.
Happily, though, it's my only real complaint.

Overall, Sherlock Holme & the Servants of Hell was fun, atmospheric pastiche to read & I'd certainly recommend it to Hellraiser fans. For Holmes fans, if you're in the mood for something supernatural/horror flavoured, I'd tentatively recommend this as the Hellraiser references may throw some, if not familiar with the lore.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third act didn’t quite land for me but the sheer impressive nature of the rest of the book astounded me. Honestly the perfect merging of two very different worlds coming together.
The Easter eggs for both Sherlock Holmes adventures and the entire catalog of Clive Barker was a delight to read and some references I know I didn’t get but still had fun anyway.
Glad I read this after binging all the Hellraiser films. (Christoph Waltz voice) “It’s like a reward”.

[L.J. Zapico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta mezcla de Holmes y cenobitas contiene lo mejor de ambos mundos.
Un inicio muy Conan Doyle, un final cercano al Clive Barker más juguetón y una parte intermedia de transición.

El uso de personajes ya conocidos y ese respeto por las obras en las que se basa, no resta un ápice de personalidad a Paul Kane como escritor. Sabe lo que hace y cómo lo quiere hacer.
Hay un despliegue increíble de referencias a las aventuras de Holmes y Watson y también al universo casi extendido de los personajes de Hellraiser, tanto novelas como colecciones de relatos y películas.
Kane sabe como colocar esas referencias para que esto no sea un concurso de "mira todo lo que sé" y aunque no seáis expertos en ambos universos, la novela funciona.

Entre los aspectos más interesantes de la obra destaca ese perfil casi psicológico de un Holmes, de vuelta de las cataratas, con una fascinación por lo oculto, por el dolor, por las sensaciones extremas.
Una narración clásica, respetuosa con las obras que cita, pero que sabe alejarse del contenido para los fans y crear una novela con entidad propia.
Parece fácil, pero no lo es.

[Tim Baruffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing