Sherlock Holmes and the Shakespeare Globe Murders

By: Barry Day

Narrated by: David Ian Davies

Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

London 1899 and a matter of grave national importance. American impresario Florenz Adler, has rebuilt Shakespeare's Globe playhouse. The grand opening is to take place in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Amid the excitement, the actors receive sinister warnings in the form of cryptic quotations from Shakespeare's plays and a drawing of a rose. A hoax? A literary joke? But not for long - the joke turns sour as the murders begin, each an exact copy of a death in a Shakespeare play. Even the Queen receives a warning, and so Sherlock Holmes is called in to fathom out the plot - assisted, of course, by Dr. Watson.

©1997 Barry Day (P)2010 One Voice Recordings

Critic reviews

"The most incredible one-person audio you have heard. Has to be heard to be believed. David Ian Davies creates theatre in a book." (Charles Prepolec, one of the most respected Sherlockians)

Much better done than you'd think for the price

The narrator does a much better job than the sampling shows, and the writer does an entertaining and competent job on the story. It would be a bargain at twice the asking price.

Very Disappointing Sherlock

Many people have tried to write new Sherlock Holmes stories over the years. A few of them have been pretty good. This is not one of them. It is basically a parade of cliches. It swings between sadly shallow and ridiculously over done. On the whole I would say if you need something to listen to just for background noise then this story will fill the void. If you want a story to actually engage with this is not the one.

Good Sherlock Holmes adventure

I enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes adventure very much. I thought the narrator did a great job.

Reader issues?

Overall ver entertaining; however, there were times (sometimes mid sentence, often mid paragraph) that a character's voice would totally change. Initially this made it confusing to follow. After it had happened several times, I got used to it. I think there were post-production changes made. It detracted enough to warrant 4 instead of 5 stars for the performance.

facts are not well researched.

This is a reasonable story. however, insulin was not discovered and first used until 1922. The whole premise of a good part of this story is based on something that is completely impossible. A bit disappointing that the author would not have checked that. As a physician and a sherlockian, I certainly would have expected more.

A Poor Choice.

Hard to follow the story line. Too often, the characters all sounded the same. Boring.

Not quite up to scratch Holmes

Would you try another book from Barry Day and/or David Ian Davies?

I would certainly try other books from Barry Day and/or David Ian Davies if the selling price is attractive to me.

What was most disappointing about Barry Day’s story?

The story line of Shakespeare Global Murders, for me, was not up to my expectations. David Ian Davies gave his usually very good performance otherwise I might have gone to sleep confused by the multiple characters which entered left of stage leaving no opportunity for me to consider 'who done it'.

Which scene was your favorite?

Was not concentrating on 'scenes'.

Was Sherlock Holmes and the Shakespeare Globe Murders worth the listening time?

Holmes appeared to be in a bit of an egotistical dream this time, I hope he does better next time. Sherlock Holmes is a 'must listen' but this time it was not worth listening to.

Any additional comments?

The excellent Author could have done better.

Entertaining fir free

Decent listen for “free” with Audible Plus

Probably much more enjoyable for Shakespeare lovers

The narrator tended toward the non-canon stupid Watson but not enough for me to stop

Sherlock was fine

Agatha acting like Sherlock on Shakespeare's stage

I bought this book a little while ago as I saw it was David Ian Davies who performed the story. It also is not part of the regular Sherlock Holmes canon.

Initially I started to listen to it and then I stopped. I must profess that I was a bit lost. I didn't understand the plot well. In the mean time I brought my Roman history up to date and read up a little bit about Shakespeare (not with listening to the book in mind).

Recently I discovered that I had this book in my library and I decided to give it a second try. I was pleasantly surprised, the plot is actually well thought through. Yet it felt more Agatha Christie-like than real Sherlockian.

David Ian Davies' interpretative reading performance needs to be commended, though I've heard better readings from him. It is still an excellent performance.

While Barry Day wrote an excellent plot, I suspect that this story will gain a large readership from Shakespeare fanatics and Agatha Christie mystery admirers. I wonder if the acting hasn't been a bit overdone in the book. Still a worthwhile listen!

Fun, if not a little silly for Holmes

Narrator was excellent, doing all the voices distinctly. Fin crossover into Shakespeare and several references to Holmsian canon.