The Vatican Cameos

A Sherlock Holmes Adventure

By: Richard T Ryan

Narrated by: Nigel Peever

When the papal apartments are burgled in 1901, Sherlock Holmes is summoned to Rome by Pope Leo XII. After learning from the pontiff that several priceless cameos that could prove compromising to the church, and perhaps determine the future of the newly unified Italy, have been stolen, Holmes is asked to recover them.

In a parallel story, Michelangelo, the toast of Rome in 1501 after the unveiling of his Pieta, is commissioned by Pope Alexander VI, the last of the Borgia pontiffs, with creating the cameos that will bedevil Holmes and the papacy four centuries later.

For fans of Conan Doyle's immortal detective, the game is always afoot. However, the great detective has never encountered an adversary quite like the one with whom he crosses swords in The Vatican Cameos.

©2016 Richard Ryan (P)2016 MX Publishing

Sherlock Holmes case delves into the past

In The Vatican Cameos by Richard T Ryan, Holmes investigates a blackmail scheme that has its beginnings hundreds of years in the past. Michelangelo created cameos depicting the 7 deadly sins for the then pope in 1501 and Sherlock Holmes must stop a blackmail scheme in 1901. The story is told in parallel and was very engaging. Some of the scenes around the inspiration for the cameos were not suitable for my young grandsons to hear. The narration and sound effects by Nigel Peever were fantastic. His performance enhanced the story and brought it to life.

Sherlock as Winston

If you can get over Nigel channeling Churchill and the over exaggerated Italian accents, you will enjoy a fairly interesting Holmesian panache.

Intriguing Concept, Overlong in its Telling

In The Vatican Cameos, Richard Ryan has written two parallel stories. The first, featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, takes place in 1901 when Pope Leo XII calls Homes and Watson to the Vatican to solve a recent burglary from the Papal apartments. The second is set in 1501’s Rome at a time when Michelangelo was commissioned by the last of the Borgia popes to design and create seven cameos that were later hidden from public view and, of course, where the objects stolen in the 1901 burglary.

Nigel Peever does a good job of narration. I do have one small quibble with the narration, though. Mr. Peever adroitly employs tonal inflections to distinguish characters in various situations. Because I tend to listen to audiobooks most often on buses and in subway cars, many of the words spoken in a lower volume were lost against the background noises of the transport. Occasionally the high pitched laughter that characterized Holmes was jarring in those same environments.

Overall, an enjoyable 8+ hours.

Excellent entertainment

Honored to be the first to review! Magnificently written. Beautifully narrated.
Must add for your library!

Conan Doyle would appreciate this

Vatican Cameos.
Sherlock Holmes in Rome, who would have thought of this. But it works!
Entertaining and so engaging time passes so quickly.
This is the best Holmes story I've read in a long time. As good as Conan Doyle s writing.
Fine performance of all characters.
A five star entertainment experience.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review. .