When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled

A Before Watson Novel

By: A. S. Croyle

Narrated by: Cat Gould

Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

It is Spring, 1874, and 20-year-old Sherlock Holmes is a lonely, mopey, friendless Oxford student. He attends classes and spends countless solitary hours conducting chemical experiments, reading, and playing his violin. Suddenly, his life changes because of a serendipitous moment on campus. While walking on the grounds of the university and practicing fencing moves with his foil, he encounters Victor Trevor and his sweetheart, Poppy Stamford, younger sister of the man who will one day introduce Sherlock to Dr. John Watson.

Having just attended the final rowing contest of Eights Week, Victor and Poppy are also walking with her bull terrier. When the dog decides he doesn't like the looks of Sherlock, he sinks his teeth into Sherlock's ankle. This dog bite incident becomes a life-changing event for all of them. Through his new friendship with Victor Trevor, and encouraged by Victor's father to use his genius for detective work, Sherlock discovers his uncanny abilities and a constellation of unfamiliar emotions as he and Poppy are thrust not only into a dangerous investigation into England's notorious baby-farming industry, but into the perilous realm of young romance. Be an eyewitness to the emergence of how Sherlock became the man and the legend we know today.

©2015 A S Croyle (P)2016 MX Publishing

Who Let the Dog Out?

If you could sum up When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled in three words, what would they be?

Boy Meets Girl.

What other book might you compare When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled to and why?

The GOOD Sherlockian books by the likes of Laurie R. King, for example. This is a story based on existing fictional "history". A.S. Croyle seemed to be true to the existing original material and gives viable explanation to some important behaviors by Sherlock that fans of the original stories can be comfortable with, and not critical of.

Which scene was your favorite?

In my opinion, the pivotal meeting betwen Sherlock and Poppy. The rest of their relationship hinges on this meeting. Letting the writing develop

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened in one hour or so increments. Everyday life got in my way. But it was nice to savor this fine audio book. Cat Gould did an outstanding narration. Giving unique voice to the characters in the dialogue. Very entertaining and the already good written work benefited from her efforts here.

Any additional comments?

This is a well crafted story for Holmes fans. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is in substance and performance. When I ask "When is the next one planned to come out"? That's my highest praise. So, when is the next one??? lol

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to "When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled: A Before Watson Novel".

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

Somewhat feminist

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

The narrator was great. she uses a different voice for each character and for non-character speaking. It can be a little difficult to distinguish between characters of the same gender, though. I actually picked this book because it featured a female narrator for a sherlock holmes story.

I read all of the original sherlock holmes stories. I liked the alternate-universe fanfic feel revolving around a character sherlock knew in the past. Unfortunately, sherlock's attitude is different in the story, explained as being younger and less mature. I like to remember the excited awkward sherlock watson first met, personally. The author also writes a lot of description and focuses on the characters instead of the mystery. I would have preferred more focus on the mystery. The feminism tones were a bit annoying, with poppy constantly complaining about how women don't have the same opportunities as men.

Superb prequel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone - for those who know and love Sherlock that we have read through the years and for those who like a great audiobook.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way Poppy held her own with, and at times surpassed, Sherlock with her knowledge.

Which character – as performed by Cat Gould – was your favorite?

Poppy - both "then and now"

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The logic of passion

Any additional comments?

This is another audiobook that I will listen to repeatedly. I enjoyed the weaving of other works that I have read in the past and is a great companion with Laurie R. King's stories with Sherlock post-London. The human side of Sherlock.

Good audiobook

What made the experience of listening to When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled the most enjoyable?

The narrowing was special, the voice of the reader matched with the plot and the feelings of the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled?

The end of the book was interesting.

Any additional comments?

“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”

Not my cup of tea

This is a historical romance; if you're looking for a Sherlock Holmes mystery, look somewhere else.

I'm pretty sure there are people who will find this story great but it won't be me. The mystery plot is at best, an afterthought, and that's bad enough. But all the story is about Poppy trying to get married to Sherlock Holmes while stringing Victor Trevor along. Yes, yes, you are right, I really, really disliked Poppy. And I didn't like this Sherlock Holmes, <spoiler>who betrays his best friend</spoiler> either

Not the book for me, clearly.

Very well written and clever

If you could sum up When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled in three words, what would they be?

Well written and clever

Which scene was your favorite?

I like the way Poppy held her own with, and at times surpassed, Sherlock with her knowledge

Any additional comments?

The narrator did a good job at presenting the characters and bringing them to life

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Not Sherlock Holmes

This is a romance novel, not a SH book. Not only is it not what I signed up for but it portrays Sherlock as a pompous, oily, backstabbing, creepy, self centered human being. His romantic skills are naught; no woman wants a man who is constantly teaching and drawing all the attention and applause towards his own knowledge and experiences. He began attempting to flirt with Poppy (who is, by the way, already affianced to a man whom SH proceeds to befriend while simultaneously betraying) from the very moment they met. Talking about “looking forward to getting to know (her) better” as she agrees to take on the role of caretaker for his newly injured self.

At no time does she outwardly express ANY reciprocation of these sentiments and yet we are to believe that on the inside she is melting with attraction and longing for him? This book is in some ways no better than a dime store romance - I’ve never read one but I can only imagine.

I can tell you from experience that when a woman responds to your advances the way Poppy initially does to Sherlock’s, you MOVE ON! Remember “NO” means “NO” and all that? This book would have one believe otherwise, which an erroneous and quite frankly dangerous message to be broadcasting. Sure it’s a fictional work, but there are lines.

I’m only about half way through it at this point and I’m contemplating just walking away, which is VERY rare for me.

A great Sherlock Holmes mystery

What did you love best about When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled?

The descriptive writing helped you picture everything.

What other book might you compare When the Song of the Angels Is Stilled to and why?

N/A

Which character – as performed by Cat Gould – was your favorite?

Sherlock. His calm voice and great diction endeared Holmes to me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

While walking through the underground tunnels to the opium dens and discovering the listless bodies of drug induced bodies made you feel for humanity.

Any additional comments?

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom."

Boring

I could not get into this book. It just never hooked me. I found it dull and boring.

I didn't care for the narrator. She did an ok job but her voice irritates me.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Good narrator, decent story with some flaws

Note: In exchange for an unbiased review, the author, publisher, and/or narrator were kind enough to provide an audio version of this book at no charge via AudiobookBlast.

I don't think I've ever read/listened to a book about Sherlock Holmes as a direct character; I haven't even read the originals. So my only real experience with him as a character are the movie/TV representations. At any rate, the main reason I was interested in this book was because the 'mystery' it alluded to was intriguing. However, I found that this really wasn't so much about the 'mysteries' as it was about the love relationship between Holmes and "Poppy".

While there were touching moments in the book (mostly at the end, as the relationship issues came to a head), I can't say this was all that compelling story-wise. First of all, some of the situations seemed forced. The author wanted the characters to end up at certain places (relationship-wise), but the way the characters were taken in that direction didn't feel genuine or believable. Also, the two 'mysteries' that were profiled in the book took up a minuscule amount of the whole story, which was disappointing.

The narrator did a good job at presenting the characters and bringing them to life, and the overall story wasn't horrible. It just wasn't my cup of tea in the end.