The Poisoned Penman

De: Dan Andriacco, Kieran McMullen

Narrado por: Michael Langan

London, 1922: Two years after helping Sherlock Holmes solve the Hangman Murders, American journalist Enoch Hale becomes even more intimately involved in another puzzling mystery. Langdale Pike, veteran purveyor of gossip to the trash newspapers, is poisoned while sipping tea with Hale - and apparently just as he is about to spill a secret more important than social gossip. With the unrequested aid of advertising copywriter Dorothy Sayers, Hale pursues a number of leads based on notes in Pike's pocket diary - including an interview with the formidable G.K. Chesterton.

His attempts to uncover the identity of one of Pike's fellow club members bring Hale the unwanted attention of Mycroft Holmes, head of His Majesty's Secret Service, and of his younger brother. Once again Enoch Hale and the theoretically retired but far from retiring Sherlock Holmes join forces to solve a crime that may have international complications. And this time Hale himself almost becomes a victim when he gets too close to the solution. This fast-moving tale is sure to please the many fans of the first Enoch Hale - Sherlock Holmes adventure, The Amateur Executioner.

©2014 Dan Andriacco (P)2024 MX Publishing

Holmes as a secondary character

The story focuses on Enoch Hale, an American reporter working in England and Holmes does not come in until late in the story. Lots to references to famous people of the time, such as Dorothy L. Sayers. The mystery is a good one, but the personal ending for Hale is abrupt and sad. Very good performance.

Classic writers solve mysteries

The Poisoned Penman by Dan Andriacco and Kieran McMullen is a great story featuring historical mystery writer.Sherlock Holmes and Mycroft are secondary characters. Book is well written with twists and turns and is very entertaining. The narration by Michael Langan was outstanding. His performance brought the characters and story to life. I received a free audiobook code for my honest review.

Well done

The story is interesting, has unexpected twists and characters are well developed. It kepy my interest and I listened through to the end. Great "read" for those that like "sherlock Homes" type mysteries.

Famous writers ahoy!

This was not a classic Holmes story, as he doesn’t really appear until fairly late in the story. It features an American ex-pat journalist in London who sees a comrade murdered in front of him. He begins digging around trying to find the killer, and the reason.

Along the way, he meets and befriends Dorothy Leigh Sayers, and encounters T.S. Elliott, G.K. Chesterton, and a cadre of others. Finally, his investigation gets him called in to meet with Mycroft, and Sherlock Holmes.

The killer is eventually unmasked, and our POV character realizes the clues were all there, if he’d had the wit to see them. Chekhov’s Gun is properly honored here, and there is much rejoicing.

The narrator did a stellar job, managing all the accents and vocal characterizations. It was truly a delight to listen to him.

I would definitely recommend this book to one and all. Come visit the London of 1922, and see how much it still feels like home (or Holmes).

Why done it

A variable stew of sleuths, seems to almost bumping into each other,when a poisoning occurs almost under their noses. Who did it and why let alone who well solve it