The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D.

By: Nicholas Meyer

Narrated by: David Case

This "rediscovered" Sherlock Holmes adventure recounts the unique collaboration of Holmes and Sigmund Freud in the solution of a mystery on which the lives of millions may depend.©1993 Nicholas Meyer (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"A gem....Delightful reading for everyone." ( The Wall Street Journal)

a hard listen.

A decent story a few holes the narrator is hard to listen to. Wish it followed the Canon better.

A rousing story, superbly read

An outstanding performance by the always great David Case, of a well crafted and convincing Sherlock Holmes take. One of the most purely enjoyable audiobooks I've heard.

audible, please clean up this recording.

you can still hear at one point" end of side. three" and there are a few times where there are long pauses between their narration where there is another break or two in the tapes. The narration is fantastic, the story is terrific, it's just the actual presentation from audible that leaves a lot to be desired.

Brilliant author and narrator

Both were brilliant
I was surprised at Meyer’s skill as a writer - surpassing Doyle himself at times - completely engrossing

Could've been fooled.

Impressively, Nicholas Meyer captures and replicates the voice and style of A.C. Doyle perfectly in this excellent Holmes mystery. Word.

Holmes, Holmes, Holmes

Great Holmes story! Definitely worth the listen. The reader does a great job narrating the story.

a winner

I normally listen to a book a couple times. this one is one I will be recommending. the book ties in a simple case with an exciting chase and an ending which neatly ties it all together. I know I will be listening to this may more times to come.

One of the better Sherlock Holmes pastiches

I was 10 years old when the book was first printed and, by that time, had already read the entire original "Canon" of books and stories written by Conan Doyle. This was my first exposure to Holmes material written by someone else. I confess I was not impressed at the time. Now, 45 plus years later, I have a greater appreciation of this work.

It is rather slow going at first. There are almost two distinct parts to the book which become evident to the listener. Nicholas Mayer puts forth some ideas which challenge much of what the original works were built upon. I'll leave you to decide if you like them or not.

My final comment regards the narrator. In my opinion he plays Watson as a bit too gruff, and his voice for Holmes is so clipped and has an usual pitch to it that it can be outputting. Surprisingly, his Sigmund Freud was his best character. However, by the end of the book, I had come to accept him as a good performer who does all the parts justice.

The Game is Indeed, Afoot!

Among Sherlock Holmes pastiches, Nicholas Meyer's The Seven Percent Solution has achieved a sort of classic status. With wry nods to the canonical Holmes, it is easy to see why this one is a real treat. Concerned for his friend's growing drug habit, Dr. Watson enlists the help of Sigmund Freud, asking the good doctor to take own Holmes as a patient. Though Watson is skeptical of Psychoanalysis, he admires Freud's success and the way his mind work. This one is rich in period detail and a delight. Case's performance is fine, if not particularly memorable. One problem is that the characters sound too much alike as he performs, but the real treat here is the story itself. Recommended.

Not as much fun as the first time

Wasn’t as exciting as when I first read it, when it came out. But it was a first, and, of course, quite cinematic, as it was meant to be.

Now in my 70s, perhaps I am more demanding in terms of characterization, than I was in the 1970s!

I wonder how Nick would write it today?