Sherlock Holmes & Count Dracula – by Christian Klaver

 

 

Sherlock Holmes & Count Dracula – by Christian Klaver.

 

This book title popped up with the usual feed - “you liked that so maybe you’ll like this…”. I rolled my eyes and dismissed it.

Of course, it popped up again. This time I took a little longer to click away, catching the words “The Classified Dossier Volume 1” on the cover. Volume 1…interesting.

The third time, I read the description in full. I don’t know what I expected but the comment “An exuberant, reverent mashup” caught me and I bought it.

We want more. We always want more. But sadly, Conan Doyle cannot supply us with more of the duo that we love. I had come to terms with this; I accepted that the adaptation of the stories with the perfection that is Jeremy Brett on television watched when I was a child would be the end of it. Then I was startled at the other re-incarnations of Sherlock and Watson and how much I enjoyed them. They weren’t Mr Brett but then he, also, is sadly unable to produce more for us. The title gives away that this is no ordinary foray into crime but into the classified, paranormal and taboo. I have to also confess to being a lover of the 007 series as re-imagined by Anthony Horowitz – Forever and a Day, Trigger Mortis and With a Mind To Kill, all of which perfectly satisfy the reader’s need for more. Horowitz’s novels on Sherlock and Watson delighted me, so why did I resist quite so much?

I had to admit to myself it was the inclusion of Dracula in the title - it put me off – he’s fictional! But of course, so is Holmes and Watson…

From the very first page I could hear Watsons voice. For me, that is it and I am hooked. You can feel the soot on your clothes, the damp cobbles underfoot and hear the cups and saucers on Mrs Hudson’s tray as she ascends the stairs.  The mannerisms are positively “Brettian” from Sherlock and every response from Watson is him.

The descriptions of London are lyrical and immersive; the use of the supernatural characters measured and so balanced to make them as believable as Sherlock. There is complexity of feeling, clash of Family loyalty and the plot line overflows with mystery. Nothing jarred. Nothing felt out of place or out of character. This felt like a classified dossier that had just come to light and could be argued over by experts.

Two-thirds of the way through I stopped reading. This lasted for seven days. It was not because the plot lost momentum or I lost interest; it’s something that happens (rarely with a new author) when I don’t want the book to end. I am enjoying running about in the world they have created or recreated and the end of the book is too near.

For this and for all the reasons above I will be eagerly awaiting the next Classified Dossier. A great romp, an adventure worthy of Holmes, Watson and Doyle.

Wolfbane by Michelle Paver - one year and one week on...

 

 

Michelle Pavers' Wolf Brother series has been a joy, adventure, education and a delight. From the start you are treated to seeing the world not only through the eyes of the mind of six thousand years ago but also within the mind of Wolf.

2004 and I was "haunted" by the reddish-brown cover of the first book - Wolf Brother - it seemed that everywhere I went there is was - shop window, bookshelf, magazin promotion. A childrens/YA book which drew my eye because of working on my Creative Writing degree with the Open College of the Arts (distance learning). I admired the cover - it caught my imagination - but only after seeing it three or four  times did I pick up the book and open to the first chapter. Three pages later, standing in the bookshop, my partner leaned in and said "Buy it!"

Since then I have walked, ran, swam and rested with the boy who can talk to Wolf - enjoyed and qualied in his world. I have loped in Wolf's paws along pine forest trails, across great ice-floes and swam in threatening oceans. Around this, are the clans, their traditions, skills and fears; the great beliefs which each clan adheres to and the Mages that interpret their existence. Each book in the nine book series takes you on a journey which you simply don't want to end.

Wolfbane is an emotional, terrifying and fittingly dramatic end to the series. I make no descriptions of the plot, only to say that as always the characters are fully rounded, driven and relateable. The writing is magical.

A fitting end to the series. I thought I would feel sad - I don't. I feel privileged to have found this series at the start and been through each of the nine books to the conclusion. This is one of the rare book series I will return to, to run and yelp and swim and tremble in a world so well rounded you can taste the cloudberries.