Mycroft and Sherlock

By: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Anna Waterhouse

Narrated by: Damian Lynch

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The new novel by NBA All-Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, starring brothers Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes.

It is 1872, and a series of gruesome murders is the talk of London. Mycroft Holmes - now 26 and a force to be reckoned with at the War Office - has no interest in the killings; however his brother Sherlock has developed a distasteful fascination for the macabre to the detriment of his studies, much to Mycroft's frustration.

When a ship carrying cargo belonging to Mycroft's best friend Cyrus Douglas runs aground, Mycroft persuades Sherlock to serve as a tutor at the orphanage that Douglas runs as a charity, so that Douglas might travel to see what can be salvaged. Sherlock finds himself at home among the street urchins, and when a boy dies of a suspected drug overdose, he decides to investigate, following a trail of strange subterranean symbols to the squalid opium dens of the London docks. Meanwhile a meeting with a beautiful Chinese woman leads Mycroft to the very same mystery, one that forces him to examine the underbelly of the opium trade that is enriching his beloved Britain's coffers.

As the stakes rise, the brothers find that they need one another's assistance and counsel. But a lifetime of keeping secrets from each other may have catastrophic consequences....

©2018 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anna Waterhouse (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

I think this one was better than the first book

I think it's sad that I don't think I ever would have actually got to actually read this book had I bought this in just the regular way. Meaning, had I bought the first book normally on a whim, to see if I liked it, and moreimportantly to see if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar could actually write a book I think my opinion would have been no he couldn't. I never would have bought the second in the series,in fact I contemplated returningthe first book and also the last book of the series without ever even helping on him and listening to them simply assuming they'd be as bad as his first one. To say I was not a fan of his first book would be generous, but this book was by far the better of the two. So I have high hopes, or at least I have higher hopes for this next one being better still. When I bought the series I bought them when audible was having a sale where you could buy the whole series for a discount and so I did, among a number of others. I just about didn't read (ya I know listen to) this nor the third one at all, I was about to send them both back plus the first, thinking they all sucked. Owing to the lovely policy that Audible is willing to take back books if you thought they were horrible, but I decided to give it (book 2 aka, this one) a shot, and luckily, it was a pretty good one.
So here's to hoping for 2 out of 3. Who knows? Maybe I was just having a bad couple days when I listened to the first one and I'll have to go back and give #1 another shot. Who knows?

A fresh look.

A look into the brothers Holmes relationships and how they navigated their differences . A glimpse into the beginnings of criminal science. I loved it

great story!

I really enjoyed this story! loved watching a young Sherlock and Mycroft as they home their skills of deduction and try to relate to each other. This Sherlock has yet to become the master detective we know and love, and watching him as he tentatively steps into the art of deduction is a lot of fun!

Welcomed addition to the world of Holmes.

Dr, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar and Ms. Waterhouse,
Please continue to produce these most excellent stories.

Dear fellow Holmes lovers,
These are superb stories. These will not disappoint, as so many other “extensions” have done. The historical backdrop is very well done. These authors have done the near impossible, fleshing out and motivating a believable Mycroft. The addition of a secret sidekick for him is just what was needed. You will absolutely love the formidable Mr. Douglas as both a counter balance and a means of explaining the previously mysterious elder brother of our favorite consulting detective.

To those new to the Holmes world,
You might want to read a few of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classics prior to these. Although these are “prequels”, and they stand quite well on their own, a familiarity with the world you are about to enter will enhance your understanding.

I could say very much more, The stories are deep and have a serious theme. But, just read them for fun and you will see all the rest for yourself.

Thank you.

Very enjoyable Holmesian tale

I listened to the first book primarily because of the author. I enjoyed it so much I grabbed this selection too. I am usually wary of non Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories with Sherlock Holmes. They either dont have the feel of the series or try too hard to get in all the Doyle style they can. This book feels like it fits in quite well. It has the proper feel but is different enough (it is about Mycroft after all) to stand on it's own. Very well done indeed!

Very Well Done

Enjoyed this immensely. The characters fell right into place with the Sherlock Holmes mysteries by ACD.

Mycroft & Sherlock Fabulous on So Many Levels

- The suspense of the story was riveting and I was compelled to keep listening even when I should have been doing other things.
- The writing was excellent and the performance outstanding.
- I particularly admired the way the writers portrayed the “systemic racism” then and now against both Blacks and Asians and how they have learned to protect themselves through humbling behaviors.
- Douglas was great as a protagonist: smart, educated, powerful and caring. Juan and several articulate, educated and smart Asians were also interesting characters to get to know. Mycroft and Sherlock and their relationship and sleuthing skills were entertaining and well/-presented and well-performed.
- There was a lot of history woven into the plot: about Asians in Britain, the place of powerful drugs in British society in the 19th century and more. I’m eager to do some research and learn more.
- Have just bought the other two books in the series and I can hardly wait to start listening to them.

Wonderful

Beautifully written and exquisitely performed. Lovely to hear words so infrequently used these days. A stark contrast to modern communication. Lol.

Hard to put aside

Great story. Well paced. Recommend to other audible readers. KAJ and AW have successfully collaborated to produce an excellent story. Looking forward to their next.

Young Holmes brothers

Different take on the Holmes brothers focusing on young adulthood. Should have done a better job building character foundations for older brother Mycroft. Overall a good plot but lacked depth.