Patrick Mercer

This Sherlock Holmes spin off story depicts Watson's war time experiences as an army doctor wounded while serving in Afghanistan, before meeting the great detective. It's an interesting idea, but the realisation was unconvincing. The narrator's voice just didn't sound like Watson and Holmes's dialogue in the last chapter where Watson is recuperating in Baker Street also just didn't sound like him. Almost as bad were the simple inconsistencies between facts as given here and as given in A show more Study in Scarlet, e.g. the orderly who rescues him is here called Bowler, whereas he is Murray in Doyle's first story. The only positive aspect was that it offered a well drawn picture of how experiences in wartime can lead to mental health problems including depression. This is presumably based on the author's own time in the army (he appears to be the same Patrick Mercer who retired as a Colonel in 1999, is now a Tory MP and has written novels set in the current war in Afghanistan). show less

This is the second novella about Dr Watson by this author and is a sequel to Dr Watson's War. Unfortunately, I found it as unconvincing as its predecessor - the lead character just doesn't feel like Watson and the atmosphere of the novel didn't evoke Conan Doyle - it could have taken place in a more modern era with very little change. Although it takes place during the years of his association with Holmes, the latter is scarcely in it. The Kindle edition was littered with formatting errors show more and typos, which increased my irritation. I really think the author should stick to his modern novels set in Afghanistan - in my view he simply can't write Holmes and Watson stories. 1/5 show less

Book 161 - Patrick Mercer - Doctor Watson’s Charge

I always think it must be very hard writing a good mystery and even harder when following in the giant footsteps of Doyle.

Anthony Horowitz is one writer who can do it…Jonathan Barnes for Big Finish is another…Patrick Mercer is not.

Some nonsense about former PM Benjamin Disraeli being a murderer that is linked to the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’…

Dull…no interesting characters…and a plot so dull and ridiculous that the only show more positive note was that it is short…oh…and by the way…you’ll never guess who the bad guy is in a ‘Sherlock Holmes’ mystery…lol

Yawn… show less

I think there was to much attention given to Watson's sexual exploits. But once the was okay investigations started and it was like a Sherlock Holmes novel. Story line was okay and the characters were good.

****I received this book in exchange for an honest review****