The Cthulhu Casebooks: Sherlock Holmes and the Sussex Sea-Devils

The Cthulhu Casebooks Series, Book 3

By: James Lovegrove

Narrated by: Dennis Kleinman

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

The stunning novel from the New York Times best-selling author of The Age of Odin, in which the worlds of Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft collide

It is the autumn of 1910, and for 15 long years, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson have battled R’lluhloig, the Hidden Mind that was once Professor James Moriarty. Europe is creeping inexorably towards war, and a more cosmic conflict is nearing its zenith, as in a single night all the most eminent members of the Diogenes Club die horribly, seemingly by their own hands. Holmes suspects it is the handiwork of a German spy working for R’lluhloig, but his search for vengeance costs an old friend his life. 

The companions retreat to Holmes’s farm on the Sussex Downs, and it is not long before a client comes calling. Three young women have disappeared from the nearby town of Newford, and the locals have no doubt who is responsible. For legend has it that strange amphibious creatures dwell in a city on the seabed, coming ashore every few centuries to take fresh captives. As Holmes and Watson seek out the terrifying interlopers, the scene is set for the final battle that will bring them face to face with the Sussex Sea-Devils, and perhaps with Cthulhu himself....

©2018 James Lovegrove (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

BRILLIANT! MY DEAR WATSON!

So! As a big fan of both Lovecraft & Sherlock I think the author has done a fantastic job of bringing them both together.
And as for the narrator.
Well done sir!
I think you have nailed it.
thank you both for a job well done.

so much fun

These stories have been so much fun. There is enough of the horror of Lovecraft to make it interesting, but not enough to give me nightmares. And all of the joys of Sherlock, without being too fantastical. This series was worth the time.

Excellent!

Loved it! Can't wait to start the 3rd one. Luckily I don't have to.

Fantastic!

The entire trilogy is amazing. well written, great narration, enthralling story. ending does not disappoint!

Great!

A great ending to a fascinating series, I loved this book and the previous novels.

great story

this is one of the best stories I've ever heard it was a great adventure

What a lame ending

Author gets a little carried away…. OK a lot carried away. Which was annoying. I’m embarrassed on his behalf.

Wonderful Sci-fi version of Sherlock Holmes

I hope Lovegrove writes more for this series. I cannot get over how much I’m enjoying them. They almost feel like the original Sherlock stories.

Ends the Trilogy on a High Note

Lovegrove finishes his trilogy about Sherlock Holmes and the Cthulhu mythos on a high note. I was pulled in right from the first chapter and kept turning pages (metaphorically) until the end. Almost immediately, the stakes are made clear when Mycroft Holmes and the entire Diageneses club are murdered to limit England’s ability to respond to the latest plot of Moriarity-turned-elder-God and Sherlock is consumed by a rage that seems to threaten his ability to be the great detective.

Yet the best part of all was the encounter with the Sussex Sea Devils themselves, with an obvious nod to Lovecraft’s Innsmouth. What follows was a sea voyage that was a bit drawn out, but then it was a very long voyage. And the conclusion over the fate of the cosmos was absolutely superbly Sherlock Holmes.

I think fans can quibble a bit with Lovegrove’s use of a certain elder god, but the overall impact of this story was completely satisfying.

A Fitting Conclusion

This book neatly takes all the plot threads from the previous two books and ties them up nicely. The climax does seem a little like a marvel movie CGI slugfest. That was a little disappointing. But I'm not sure how else it could have ended. The falling action after the climax brings the book back up again with a fun little twist at the end. I'm interesting to see what else this author has written.

Skip the first "chapter"

Make sure to skip the first "chapter" of the audio book: it's an overview of the book that spoils half the plot. The book actually starts one chapter later, beginning with the words "Preface, by James Lovegrove".

I would have given this five stars overall if it wasn't for that. I was lucky to have read some of the other reviews that mention this before I started listening.

erm...

Would have been more enjoyable if half the plot of the book wasn't spoiled in the first chapter. The epilogue and afterword is.... quite a choice.

a little bit silly, thoroughly good fun

while this series does not really tap into the horror of other cosmic properties, you get the feeling that it wasn't going for that.
I thoroughly enjoyed the slightly silly romp from beginning to end.

Fantastic!

Brilliant final installment! A fitting end to the trilogy and full of exciting action from start to finish!

An interesting and intriguing take on the Holmes cabin!

The story throughout the trilogy was enjoyable abs a pleasure to listen to. The narration is extremely good, notwithstanding a few odd pronunciations along the way!

The only minor disappointment came with the denouement of the third book, which was flat and hurried. Otherwise a highly enjoyable experience and I look forward to listening and reading other titles in the series.

A work of art......

To have binged is to have endured and enjoyed all 3 works. More is better.

The gripping finale of an excellent trilogy

The Cthulhu Casebooks have truly exceeded all of my expectations. From the style and atmosphere to the plot and characterization, this has been a real delight. The quality of the narration has also been superb throughout. Would definitely recommend and listen to it again come the spooky season!

Thoroughly enjoyable mash-up

A satisfying end to an enjoyable trilogy re-casting Sherlock Holmes stories in a world where H.P. Lovecraft's supernatural writings are more truth than fiction.

Very entertaining

Some easy-going entertainment. It certainly helped while away the time spent commuting. Not a riveting listen but certainly engaging.

Brilliant nonsense!

A fine conclusion to this ridiculous trilogy.
ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
Enjoy yourselves