The Seven-Per-Cent Solution: Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D. | 
pickAs a self-professed Sherlock maniac, I've read many pastiches in many anthologies, but I had never read an entire novel (except the four in the original canon). I was engulfed in this romp that almost bordered on comedy in some scenes. Having Meyer be the “editor“ is another genius touch--similar to Doyle being the publisher of the “real“ adventures of Holmes as chronicled by Watson.
pickI greatly enjoyed this Holmes pastiche — it felt true to the originals and was an interesting remagining of events related to The Final Problem. Will certainly pick up more of Meyer‘s Holmes books (and maybe dip back into the originals as well).
"Your feet are not set inexorably on the path...A man can turn around and leave that path to destruction, though it may require some help. The first step need not be fatal."
so-soOne word review: meh. This book never really grabbed my attention, and the characterization was inconsistent at times. It also bugs me when an author psychoanalyzes their characters (instead of letting the reader figure them out through their actions), which happens very literally in this book when Holmes meets Sigmund Freud. The action scenes at the end we're the best part. Probably my last Holmes pastiche for the foreseeable future.
Well said, Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
so-soThis is professional fanfic. Interesting in the way it tries very hard to be like canon but falls a little short. It read to me like a angst, hurt/comfort fic with Watson holding vigil besides Holmes in the thrall of cocaine withdrawal. The whole Vienna, German conspiracy plot felt plastered on. The hurt/comfort parts were interesting, the train pursuit was boring.
A yellowed paperback from 1974 that I borrowed from work. Hoping it's one of the good Sherlock homages.
Had a chance to chat up both Jaws/The Jerk screenwriter Carl Gottleib and Seven Per Cent Solution author (and Time After Time/Star Trek 2 and 3 writer) Nicholas Meyer this weekend, which was a twin thrill. Carl finally explained the difference between shit and Shinola, too.
