Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Thread of Murder

By: Luke Kuhns

Narrated by: Joff Manning

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

"A Case in Three": Three seemingly separate crimes, three detectives. A mysterious stalker is on the loose in London known only as the Goblin Man and his sights are set on a wealthy businessman, David Daniels. A horrific explosion rips through Whitechapel Underground Station and the prime suspect is a Jewish anarchist. And a Mrs. Clara Edwards is searching for her missing lover, Philias Jackson. What connects these three? It's a dangerous and complex game that connects Sherlock Holmes, Investigator Martin Hewitt, and former Ripper investigator and head of H Division Edmund Reid.

"The Great American Adventure": In 1888 Mr. Sherlock Holmes was beat by Irene Adler AKA the Woman. After her marriage she left London. Two years later her husband, Godfrey Norton, is found dead in his New York office after apparently committing suicide. Irene Adler doesn't believe he would do that. She goes to the one person who will help: Sherlock Holmes. Holmes and Watson head to America where they dive into the mysterious life of Godfrey Norton to learn how and why he died.

©2015 Luke Kuhns (P)2017 MX Publishing

Sherlock with a Twist

I thought I was getting a real Sherlock Holmes book in a modern version, so at first I was a little confused, but I kept listening and decided and that I was enjoying it! This is a very entertaining mystery in a similar style of the original.

The narrator, Joff Manning, was simply fantastic, great character voices, inflections, pauses, etc. I’d like to listen to more books narrated by him.

I received this audio-book free for an honest review by the author, narrator, or publisher. Thank you!!!

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A (Modern) Classic Mystery

To start off I'd better admit, that although I have read work by Arthur Conan Doyle, I have not yet read his Sherlock Holmes mysteries, so I can't do any kind of caparison.

This book is broken into one novella and two short stories. The novella is written from three different perspectives (case notes): DI Edmund Reid (DI from the real Ripper case), detective Martin Hewitt's sidekick/journalist Brett (characters from Arthur Morrison's mystery stories), and of course Sherlock Holmes' Watson. I have to admit to being a bit flabbergast, as normally I'm not a fan of changing first person perspectives and I also dislike intensely plot devices such as The Goblin Man - but this was so good!! Kuhns has a great writing style. It's rich with detail, yet the story flies by at a rapid pace. Irregardless of my distaste for the 'Goblin Man', I was riveted to the story, and ended the story wanting not just more Sherlock Holmes, but more of the other detectives as well. The stories were handled so brilliantly, that I went back and read the novella, The Scarlet Thread of Murder and the last short story, The Allegro Mystery, a second time. My favourite of the three stories was actually the second story, A Scandal in America, but I found the other two stories so intriguing, so I had to run through them again.

Narration: At the beginning, I was a little concerned as the pace was a bit slow due to pauses at the end of each sentence. However, to anyone else that feels this way as well, hold on a couple of minutes as this was just the style for the intro. The pace picked up and the narration was excellent. Joff's reading style suited the time period very well and his character voices were great. I would definitely listen to more books with his narration. I hope this author and narrator pair up for more books in the future!

For those who like to know... there was no sex, some mild cursing, and the violence was on par with any classic murder mystery.

I received Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlett Thread of Murder free in exchange for an unbiased review.

great listen

This was a great listen and very different which I appreciated. The characters are engaging and rich. I enjoyed the different points of view very much. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters and story to life. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent

Delightful with great narration. Narrator voice added to a great story. Well done and enjoyed

Good stories

the book has three stories all of which are very good. the narrator did a fine job using different voices.

Interesting plots, rushed ending, skilled narrator

Would you listen to Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Thread of Murder again? Why?

These are three relatively short stories giving a beloved character some new adventures. I particularly liked the style of the first story which weaves the tales of Sherlock Holmes, another detective I'd never heard of, and DI Edmund Reid (a real person and main character in the series, Ripper Street). Though the style was well done, the ending seemed a bit rushed and I would have liked more explanation and not just sped through the main action scenes at the end.

The other concern I had was that Sherlock Holmes did not have the idetic memory for which he is famous in Conan Doyle's works. This Holmes, while he made outstanding deductions, had to re-read things and look things up that he'd read in the past. The Holmes of the original works would not have had to do so.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The speed with which the the endings of the first two stories was handled felt like the author was on the edge of his seat and couldn't wait to tell us what happened, and so it felt rushed and not handled with the same care that the rest of the stories had been.

Any additional comments?

The reader did an excellent job of making all the 6 main characters in the first story distinct (which could not have been an easy task). I would listen to other audiobooks he records. I was impressed with his handling of the character of the characters. Their personalities truly came through in his performance.

I was provided a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Intricate and fun

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

This was two great stories. I actually had to listen to the first story twice because it was a little hard to follow. Once you realize that the entire book is from Watsons view it starts to make more sense. And the first book is from I think 3 different views. Watsons and two other detectives. Super fun book. I recommend it to all Sherlock Holmes and mystery fans.

Luke Kuhns

A very well done story with fine narration and always welcome addition of Irene Adler with Holmes and Watson in 1890 America.

New Approach to Old Mysteries

Kuhns has brought us an entertaining mystery very much in the style of Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Thread of Murder brings us three detectives and three mysteries that all weave into weave together for a fine story.
The narration was good but when you have three story lines and characters, it requires an involved listening to keep up with the players.
The Novella and the short stories were a good read/listen and I recommend this for anyone looking for a good mystery without all the baggage that modern thrillers seem to have.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
Note: When selecting books to read or listen to for reviews I try and select authors and stories that interest me. Sometimes I am fortunate and other times not so fortunate. Either way, I try to review the books with integrity

Holmes and Watson are back

Sherlock Holmes is a character that is known to all. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle made him a household name. Any attempts to continue the story of homes and Watson have great shoes to fill. The author does an admirable job capturing the mind of homes a bumbling ineptitude of Watson and that wonderful mysteries that make the Sherlock Holmes series what it is. This is a wonderful continuation I highly recommend it for all. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Three fun and well-narrated Holmes stories.

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

Yes, if they are a fan of Sherlock Holmes and need a fix.

What other book might you compare Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Thread of Murder to, and why?

Not a comparison but if you are after post-Doyle Holmes stories do read the Mary Russell series buy Laurie King. The first is called The Beekeeper’s Apprentice and is set during Holmes' retirement in the Sussex Downs. Jolly good stuff.

Any additional comments?

1) The narration was superb. Good choice of reader.

2) I read a couple of bad reviews about this book. Unless you are a Holmes purist you should ignore them; if you fancy listening to three fun and interconnected stories (one long, two short) set in a world you know and love give it a go. Yes he does go to the Wild West, and yes he does wear a stetson, but don't let that put you off. He didn't really wear a deer stalker either!

Enjoyable.

Any good new Holmes stories are more than welcome in my opinion. I wasn't sure if I'd like the narrator having heard the clip but was soon won over. There are 3 stories, the first being more of a team effort with Holmes working alongside other detectives and police. I wouldn't normally favour that approach but I really enjoyed the other characters. The second story was a more traditional Holmes & Watson case and involves a character from a past adventure and the third was very much in the Conan Doyle tradition. Well written, well narrated and I hope there will be more to come.

HAVE I MISSED SOMETHING/

Poor narration. Many, many sentences beginning with "I" ("I" grew tired of counting them!), dull presentation ... not sure if the plot was any good as I gave up after three chapters.

Good

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

Not the worst Holmes pastiche

Didn't finish it, odd style of writing and delivery (lots of gaps). Not a bad idea but difficult to follow.

A cold crimson thread of blood.

Any additional comments?

Written in a style similar to that of Conan Doyle, this book should delight Sherlock Holmes fans. Three stories, the first, and longest, itself being formed of three parts as Dr.Watson recounts a time when three major investigators of their time, together with their companion, start to investigate seperated occurrences which come together to bring all of the investigators into a working relationship. An original and curious story. Be prepared for murder, mayhem, orgies and explosions. The following tales are much shorter, the second even reprising an acquaintance with The Woman, of a previous Holmes case, the only woman Holmes held in such high respect t that he kept a photograph of her - Irene Adler.
Jeff Manning narrates well, giving full and different voices to all of the protagonists, also reading with clarity and precision. A good performance and a p!easure to hear.

Not quite up to the original Holmes stories in the opinion of this reader, they are all, nevertheless, enjoyable, convoluted and well worth the listen. Beware of the non politically correct references, abhorrent now but right for the time setting. My thanks to the rights holder who freely gifted me my copy of The Scarlet Thread of Murder, at my request, via Audiobook Boom. Very enjoyable, I commend it to all fans of Holmes stories and anyone who enjoys mysteries set in the late 1800s.