The thing is that I hate reading Sherlock Holmes stories when Dr. Watson is so stupid that I want to take my iPad and throw it away. And, in this one, he was Nigel Bruce stupid. Ever seen the old Sherlock Holmes movies with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes? He is brilliant as Sherlock Holmes, Unfortunately, Nigel Bruce is awful as Dr. Watson. Incompetent and stupid. And, this book really made Watson out to be a fool.

I found the story in the beginning to be interesting as the three people that are killed are linked to three Sherlock Holmes cases. But then both Lestrade and Watson seem to think that Sherlock Holmes is behind it. Come one? Lestrade I can believe, but Watson thinking that? Idiot. The whole book and it was not a thick book was just not that interesting to read. The story never really got interesting. The German threat felt reused and everything was so simple. And, the ending, when the real culprit was revealed, was a letdown.



A book that just not was for me. I didn't find the story entertaining or engaging and it's not hard for Mycroft and Sherlock to seem clever when everyone else is stupid.

1.5 stars

I received this copy from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review! Thank you! ( )

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first [a: Barry Day|10063|Barry Day|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1434071368p2/10063.jpg] pastiche that I've read, and overall I enjoyed it.

The story follows two separate threads, weaving them together to a pleasant conclusion. The first thread is that a series of copycat murders are taking place, all perpetuated by what appears to be Sherlock Holmes. The fact that Watson and Lestrade believe this is altogether a bit contrived, but the murders themselves are interesting and the mystery a pleasant enough thing to divert the mind. Mycroft makes an appearance, and the plot takes a turn. The larger plot is that of Germany attempting to colonize Britain, and of course it's up to the Holmeses and Watson to try and foil the plans.

The writing was rather good, although the editing suffered a bit in my copy with a number of typos. The allusions to current events during the setting - Freud makes an appearance, ample quoting of various poets and Shakespeare, all very nice and contemporary, were a surprising pleasure. The use of disguise, and surprisingly the use of Mycroft were all fun and simultaneously set the story apart from the canon while also firmly grounding it within that vast world.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly with the exception of two points. I felt that Watson was underutilized in a criminal way. Watson is at his best when he's acknowledged as an able soldier and doctor, and not a bumbling sidekick to Holmes - which he largely is in this story. By making Watson and Lestrade little more than pawns Sherlock and Mycroft appear rather normal by comparison. The first mystery could have been stronger and was far too easy to solve, the second mystery - while better, was still a bit wanting having suffered from the first being too simple.

All the same it was a cozy mystery set within the Sherlock Holmes universe. ( )

As a huge fan of the original Sherlock Holmes, I commenced reading this with some trepidation, but I needn't have worried. Barry has kept true to Conan Doyle's style of writing and the characters' mannerisms, language and ruminations are all spot on. He has also managed to throw in John Buchan for those readers, like me, who devour detective/ mystery novels. In terms of plot, the Copycat Murders alludes to at least three of the Great Detective's most famous mysteries, and also ties in the oft used "disguise" convention that we all know and love! Lots of fun and a pleasant surprise; fans will not be disappointed! ( )