Martin Booth (3)

As a fan of Sherlock Holmes books, I must applaud Mr. Booth on his amazing ability to capture the personality and writing style of the real Arthur Conan Doyle. I felt like I WAS reading Sherlock Holmes.
Fame has proven more than Arthur Conan Doyle can handle so he decides to take a vacation in hopes of finding his family a new home where his celebrity status will not be under such scrutiny. He heads to Switzerland to the peaceful little town of Reichenbach Falls. His grand expectations of an show more escape into anonymity and peace are shattered when Richard Holloway must share his railroad car and recognizes him. Doyle is annoyed yet polite to his unwanted guest assuming that upon arrival they will go their separate ways. Once the train arrives, Holloway attaches himself to the leery author and even declares them friends to everyone.
Not long after his arrival a man is found dead and it is unknown if he is fell or pushed off a precipice. Pushed by Holloway to investigate the murder, Doyle finds himself being the prime suspect! Father Vernon, the local priest, is very helpful and caring in supporting Doyle, but could he possibly be withholding information?
The writing was rich in detail and description. Not just in what he saw, but also his opinions and perceptions of events and people. A wonderful mystery!
I received this book free from Kregel Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. show less

This look at Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is extremely interesting. Forced to look at his own literary creation and how, if he were to actually meet Holmes, how they would view and react to each other was the satisfying premise of this book.
Well written with just the right amount of detail, Mr. Booth takes us on a most interesting and thought-provoking ride into the psyche of what Doyle might have actually been like - as well as Holmes.

Doyle is a well-mannered gentleman who has the unfortunance to show more be hounded by the fan - or the fanatic - Holloway who haunts his every step on his much needed vacation away from the pressures of not only his celebrity status, but also of Holmes. Unable to accomplish either, he is unwillingly swept into investigating the death of poor Mr. Brown.

Written much like Doyle's Holmes stories, I found this book to be satisfying in almost every aspect. From the scenery to the end. I would recommend this to those who loved the Holmes stories.
*I received a complimentary book in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required they be positive.* show less

This was the first ever book I won through Early Reviewers (July 2013) after trying since March 2010. I was so excited and anxious to receive this book. I waited and waited. I found an email address for the publishing company and wrote. I received a gracious reply and finally, a copy of the book. Too bad it wasn't worth the wait or the effort.

If slogging through every thought the narrator has and endless descriptive paragraphs about the varied landscapes he encounters and the people he meets show more is your idea of a fun read, then by all means go for it. By the time I reached the mystery and solution thereof, I didn't care anymore.

I love and adore books. It hurts me to not like one, but I couldn't like this one and wouldn't recommend it. show less

The name Reichenbach will trigger definite feelings for all fans of Sherlock Holmes. The site of Holmes final battle with nemesis, Moriarty, is the setting and inspiration for Martin Allison Booth’s mystery novel featuring Holmes creator, Arthur Conan Doyle. Conan Doyle is on a trip seeking peace and respite from his notoriety. He is thankful for sales of his Holmes stories, but the character itself complicates his life. He sets off to find a week or two of rest in a quaint Swiss village show more hoping to gather his senses and his sense of self. Unfortunately, those he meets, especially an annoying young man, will not let him forget his larger than life creation, Sherlock Holmes.

The Reichenbach Problem is very reminiscent of the Conan Doyle stories and is told in Conan Doyle’s first person voice. I really wanted to like this book, but I just could not connect with the story or the characters. The writing style also did not capture my attention. While I did not enjoy the story, I think diehard Holmes fans will.

(Thanks to Kregel for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less