L. B. Greenwood

OK, I'm a sucker for Sherlock Holmes pastiches (not to mention the real thing),and this one is really good. I started to say it's one of the best, but then I thought of how much I love the many great ones I have read. But this does rank right up there. So much so that I immediately started reading the "Case of Sabina Hall" and really wish I could spend more time with this book. " the thistle of Scotland" is a rare jewel on which rests the fate of the Mowbray family and especially daughter show more Lady Caroline Mowbray. But the Thistle disappears in full view(?) of the guests at the wedding breakfast following Lady Caroline's marriage to fortune-hunter Dolph Stanley. How could this happen, only one man in the world can solve this mystery and so Sherlock Holmes is called in. Mystery that can not be solved? Read the book, and enjoy! show less

Decent Sherlock Holmes pastiche, revolving around a mysterious legacy somehow tied to Sir Walter Raleigh and his descendants. I did get a slight impression that certain facts were concealed until late in the story, and it seems that the author was forcing an interest in Elizabethan history upon us, but still, a modestly interesting book, and one that gives Watson a fair bit to do.

LB Greenwood has done a wonderful job of creating a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The characters are spot on, as is the voice she used. What I found really interesting was that she set the mystery very early on in Holmes' career, thus providing us with an insight into his character we haven't seen before. This perspective adds depth to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author.

This book has been given high marks by most lovers of the Canon, but I felt it was not as good as {The Jewel in Covent Garden] by [[Wayne Worcester]]. Watson's voice seemed slightly "off". The descriptions of places seemed to flowery to me; Holmes seemed to open about his thoughts. It was enjoyable but not my favorite.