The Stone of Destiny

A Sherlock Holmes Adventure

By: Richard T Ryan

Narrated by: Nigel Peever

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

During the elaborate funeral for Queen Victoria, a group of Irish separatists breaks into Westminster Abbey and steals the Coronation Stone, on which every monarch of England has been crowned since the 14th century. After learning of the theft from Mycroft, Sherlock Holmes is tasked with recovering the stone and returning it to England. In pursuit of the many-named stone, which has a rich and colorful history, Holmes and Watson travel to Ireland in disguise as they try to infiltrate the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the group they believe responsible for the theft. The story features a number of historical characters, including a very young Michael Collins, who would go on to play a prominent role in Irish history; John Theodore Tussaud, the grandson of Madame Tussaud; and George Bradley, the dean of Westminster at the time of the theft. There are also references to a number of other Victorian luminaries, including Joseph Lister and Frederick Treves. For fans of Conan Doyle's immortal detective, the game is always afoot. However, for the great detective the stakes have never been higher as he must mollify a king who refuses to ascend the throne until "order has been restored".

©2017 Rich Ryan (P)2017 MX Publishing

Enjoyable Story

Though I enjoyed this story and the history behind it, it did not seem as much an original Sherlock Holmes story. Narrator does a good job with the various characters' voices, though the laughter sounded diabolical instead of amusing, which was disconcerting.

Muhahaha

Wow, Did I listen to that, or did I live it?

This is a spot-on damn near-perfect representation of what a Holmes novel should be. The ending was one of the most satisfactory of many a Holmes stories that I've read. Ryan not only demonstrates his deftness with a pen but his deep knowledge and obvious love for the crime-solving companions as well.

Peever powers through this book like an ox on Steroids. The man is a vocal magician, crawling into your ears and whispering dark secrets. I absolutely love his style, and he gives Holmes an unexpected and unique laugh that just struck me the right way.

This is an auditory treat to your ears.

Another engaging Sherlock Holmes story

The Stone of Destiny by Richard T Ryan is a solidly good Holmes story. The Coronation Stone is stolen and a papier-mache replica is left in its place. Queen Victoria has died and the new King cannot be coronated until the Stone of Destiny is returned to the throne in Westminster Abbey. Holmes and Watson head to Ireland to track the Irish Brotherhood and recover the sacred stone. The narration by Nigel Peever is great. His performance and the sound effects bring the story to life.

Historical Mystery

Mystery involves a historical theft. Story is good, but a little long - still enjoyable. Very good performance.

Another great RR story

The performance distracts when Holmes laughs… always a sinister, unnerving, nefarious laugh that takes away from the chuckle and laughter of Holmes’ self amusement. Other than that, a great story with a tinge of historical flair.

Why does Holmes suddenly have an evil laugh?

This narrator must picture Holmes to be more like a Viking or an evil Warlord than a 19th Century Consulting Detective. Why all the baritone all of a sudden? Not just his laugh but his voice too. He’s supposed to come off as somewhat dandified and effete!

“MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA”.

That’s apparently the extent of his range to express anything from amusement to mirth, satisfaction, smugness. To hear that called a “chuckle” - now THAT is funny. Except it’s not. It’s just annoying.

And why do all the Irish characters have broken noses? Or at least that’s what their voices would have us believing. Or did the narrator confuse “Brogue” with “Brokenose” when he was given his instructions?

Poor narration can RUIN even the best of books - it’s really a shame. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that this is “the best of books”, nor would I say it was “RUINED”… but it would be much better if such obvious discrepancies were rectified. Makes you wonder if anyone actually does instruct or direct the narrator, much like an actor in a visual performance. I don’t see why not. It’s obviously needed. Some mistakes I have heard are truly inexcusable; we’re talking basic pronunciation errors, blatant excursions in character tone than the book itself has literally spelled out, etc.

Such a tough life 🤦🏼‍♂️

I really love this author :D

Oh, this is so good! So many historical details, such a real sense of place and time... I really enjoyed listening to it.

I love how, this time, they both, Holmes and Watson, were working 'undercover', wandering by the Irish countryside searching for clues, and while doing so, they brought the place vividly alive :D

And I love that the ending has that truly Holmesian touch: it looks like clemency, but it isn't - it's just the most logical decision *laughs*

My only complain doesn't comes from the story, but from the choice of Holmes' laugh; it was quite villainous-like :P Other than that, I loved the narration

Recommended :D

A strong entry in the post Doyle collecti

In my review of Ryan''s first entry in his Sherlock Holmes collection (The Vatican Cameos) I make a point of mentioning how distracting the narrator's take on Holmes is. I likened him to Count Dracula, a voice which is thankfully somewhat softened in this book. This makes the account easier to listen to, at least in my opinion.

The story itself is intriguing in that it explores the end of Britain's Victorian Era and the start of its Edwardian. It centers around the theft of a relic that is key to what would soon become known as the Irish "Troubles." Any student of history should appreciate the early days of the Irish Brotherhood and the inclusion of a young Michael Collins in the narrative.

Overall the story keeps one's interest. Like his prior work, the author brings a lot of travel into the story, although it is limited to the British Isles. It is a good, solid piece that is worth listening to.

Well Written Holmes Mystery

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinions expressed herein are my own.

This is the second book in the Sherlock Holmes series by this author. It is a standalone with no cliffhanger ending and you do not have to read the first book in the series to follow this one. This book will appeal to mystery fans, as well as, Sherlock Holmes fans.

I loved the weaving of actual historical events into this mystery. In addition, Holmes and Watson get to go undercover which was fun. This was not so much a whodunnit as whether the perpetrator[s] can fool Holmes to keep their crime a secret - which I felt was pretty clever. The story is very well written and atmospheric. Very entertaining.

The narrator, Nigel Peever, did a wonderful job with all of the various characters.

A great Holmes adventure

The Stone of Destiny.
As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I'm always a little wary of imatation Holmes style stories . However I'm very pleased to say that this is an excellent Sherlock Holmes tale. Well written and crafted in the style.
Superb narration by Nigel Peever.
I highly recommend this to all Holmes fans.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review. .

Absolutely fabulous

Another triumph for Richard T Ryan and the brilliant Nigel Peever.
The way Nigel stays in character as Doctor Watson during the narration and characterises the other parts so believably is nothing short of sheer brilliance.

Thank you to the author and narrator for making this reviewer’s daily commute so enjoyable.

Loved

I loved listening to this brilliant Sherlock Holmes mystery. Nigel Peever was excellent narrator.

We have a story that will keep you guessing and fast paced. I love a historical mystery and loved the setting. I know the parts of Ireland, which I know very well and from the description, I felt I was there again.

The story is set in the when the Irish are fighting for independence. The Irish Republican Brotherhood, bent on disrupting the coronation of Edward VII, Victoria’s successor. Freedom for Ireland for the return of the stone.

Brilliant

Brilliant story and a really fantastic narration which brought the whole book to life. Story very much like the original Sherlock tales (Arthur Conan Doyle) . Cannot wait to hear the other Sherlock tales of which I have lots.
I received this audiobook free in return for an honest unbiased review.
Tracey Allan

good book & performance let down by a few niggles

meaning, a few occasions when americanisms where used and a few editorial mistakes left in.

Brilliant

Gosh what a story not really in to Sherlock Holmes but the way it was narrated by Nigel has now got me hooked any more please

☺

This is my first audio book by Richard t Ryan have lots of narrated books by Nigel prefer it's very good 5 out of 5