Sherlock Holmes - The Red Tower

It would be unfair to the prospective reader to give even the slightest hint of the complex mystery unraveled by Holmes in this baffling case. Holmes does not even arrive on-scene until around page 150. Watson, still grieving the recent death of his wife Mary Morstan, is trying to decide whether to sell his practice and move back in with Holmes. He's invited to spend some time at the ancient country estate of an old friend, and he's well aware that the old friend has become a fanatical convert to Spiritualism, and will probably try to get Watson to experience a seance there, in which the medium will try to exploit his grief. He decides to go anyway, and is soon plunged into a sequence of very unfortunate events, including an apparent murder. There is a very large cast of characters present at the estate, and the author does an excellent job of tagging them all so that the reader can distinguish one from another. I enjoyed the novel all the way through, and was very impressed particularly with the arcane medical knowledge that unravels and explains the sequence of events by the novel's end. Highly recommended.

Watson is struggling with his decision to return to 221b Baker Street after the death of his wife, Mary Morstan. The offer by Doctor Verner is tempting, but the house and practice hold strong memories.Watson is asked by a friend named Theobald Crain, the son of the Marquess of Berkley to come to Crain Manor for a visit. Crain knows of Watson’s recent bereavement, being Mary’s friend as well.Crain writes that he is convinced a certain Madame Farr, a spirit medium, is the real thing. He claims to have been in contact with his deceased mother, and the peace he has discovered through spiritualism he hopes to share with Watson. He hints that Watson may make contact with Mary through Madame Farr.Against Holmes’ advice, Watson decides to go. He hopes to expose the medium himself. At Crain Manor, there is an addition known as the Red Tower. The tower is said to be haunted…Now history tells us of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s belief in spiritualism. It wouldn’t be unusual at all for him to have written an adventure in which spiritualism would play a major role. Yet although Doyle himself wrote about the “no ghosts need apply” I think he would have wanted Holmes to prove spiritualism—not the other way around.That said, if you are not a Holmes purist, the book is a great read. The pace is sometimes frantic. There are a dozen and one false leads, the character interaction is superb, and the final reveal of the case well thought out. After the reveal, one can easily go back through and see the tantalizing clues that Latham has spread throughout, but you may not see them on the way through. Like a magician, Latham uses misdirection and verbal smoke and mirrors to great effect. I really liked this one!I give the book five stars!Quoth the Raven…

I would rate the story as being slightly above average but not substantially so. Any looking for a spell binding plot is advised to look elsewhere. It is not because of a lack of information. Actually, If anything, there is far too much information and the reader quickly finds himself feeling as if he is slogging through a waist deep swamp.As a one time read, this story will suffice.The score of 4 stars given is definitely well to the generous side.

a great read, seller was prompt and price was good. Book condition as listed. will buy from this seller again.

If you're a fan of these newly-released Sherlock Holmes stories, you'll like this one.

I’ve read all of the books in this series by various authors.This is one of the best because the tone of Watsons narrative was excellent and the plot kept me interested.Good job !!

An enjoyable Sherlock Holmes pastiche.love this new series of Holmes and Watson adventures.

I thought the lead in was a bit long but I loved the way it finished in the last half of the book.

Well done and well written. Loved the story, will be waiting and looking for more from this author. Many thanks for continuing the story.

One of the best Sherlock Holmes stories I’ve come across outside of Doyle. Pulls you in from the start, and never allows itself to wallow in cliches, such as London fogs, and general Victorian scene setting. It treats its readers as intelligent, and Holmes-knowledgeable, so giving the tale itself the driver’s seat. A very satisfying read. I hope Mr Latham enters the Sherlockian world again very soon...

I have loved Sherlock Holmes since I was called Moriarty by a teacher when I was 10 (he said it in jest honest!). Having read the original stories a hundred times I needed more, and started reading other inspired books. I have to say that this is one of the best! Its a great story with Dr Watson experiencing everything before calling in Sherlock to solve the mystery. There are no jarring moments where you think...oh hold on Dr Watson would never say that, or Sherlock would never do that like some I have read.

Agatha Christie style death at the "Big House". But twists turns and devilment. This is a true Sherlock Holmes and Watson case. So, without spoilers, period is spot on, mannerisms, speech, deduction and the portrayal of upstairs downstairs is exvellent

Sherlock Holmes - The Red TowerI am loving this book as I have with all the others. I am slowly acquiring quite a large collection of these and am more than happy with it.