The Wild Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Volume 3

By: Will Murray

Narrated by: Charles Featherstone

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

London’s greatest consulting detective faces a new set of challenges that test his mettle as never before!

A clever human chameleon known as Giles Greengold emerges from the political underbelly of Britain's shadowy halls of power to confront Sherlock Holmes in a series of rapier engagements, each duel of which is more thrilling than the one before.

Then, when he discovers a man who is clearly not from this world, Holmes faces the astounding possibility that the Martians who had failed in their previous invasion of England, have returned to renew their thwarted plans for conquest.

During World War I, Sherlock Holmes comes out of retirement for a secret mission to America, where enlists the greatest safecracker who ever lived, Jimmie Dale, alias the Grey Seal, in a risky plan to subvert Germany's war effort.

Finally, near the end of his life, Dr. Watson introduces Sherlock Holmes to the one man who may be able to prolong it. Dr. Herbert West—Reanimator!

CONTENTS:

Introduction
The Distressing Adventure of the Missing Dispatch Box
The Problem of Lady Gravely
The Alarming Adventure of the Audacious Assassin
The Adventure of the Dubious Brothers Burke
The Problem of the Plutonian Poisoner
The Problem of the Weedy Wanderer
The Adventure of the Second Coming
The Adventure of the Grey Seal
The Adventure of the Villainous Viceroy
The Adventure of the Reckless Resurrectionist

©2023 William Murray (P)2023 MX Publishing

Holmes with a sci fi twist

These are certainly wild adventures for Holmes and Watson. Many stories feature Holmes as an old man and obviously not as active as before. The narration was fine except I really disliked Watson’s voice. He sounded like he had marbles in his mouth. I received a free audiobook code for my honest review.

Weird and crazy doesn't always work

Will Murray's latest installment in the Wild Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series, Volume 3, offers a mixed bag of tales that traverse the spectrum from enthralling to merely mediocre. While Murray's attempt to inject freshness into the Holmes and Watson genre is commendable, some stories in this collection fall short of the mark.

One noticeable inconsistency is the portrayal of Holmes himself. In several narratives, Holmes takes a backseat, assuming more of a supporting role than his traditional lead. The longest story, involving a second Martian invasion, seems promising, yet it sidelines Holmes, Watson, and Mycroft, with the latter leading the British response due to his government position. The decision to shift the focus away from Holmes as the central figure is a departure from the expected dynamic, leaving readers yearning for the classic detective at the forefront.

A questionable creative choice emerges in the introduction of a new adversary for Holmes, separate from the iconic Moriarty. The character's preposterous name adds an element of disbelief, disrupting the otherwise immersive experience. However, one bright spot is the collaboration between Holmes and Jimmy Dale, the Grey Seal, a captivating venture into the early 20th Century's justice realm that adds a refreshing layer to the collection.

Perhaps the oddest inclusion is the story where H. P. Lovecraft's Herbert West reanimates the deceased Watson permanently and Holmes temporarily. It's undeniably wild, taking the series into uncharted territory. While such boldness deserves acknowledgment, it may leave some readers questioning the cohesion of the overall narrative.

The major highlight of Volume 3 is the unexpected return of Martian adversaries from H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. Murray successfully deviates from the familiar Martian invasion narrative by setting the events ten years post the original War. The ensuing conflict spans two stories, approximately 60 pages, with Mycroft Holmes playing a pivotal role. This departure from the norm showcases Murray's daring storytelling, pushing the boundaries of the Holmes universe.

Adding to the intrigue, Murray introduces Giles Greengold, a devilish adversary distinct from Moriarty, engaging in espionage and political machinations. Greengold's ability to infiltrate Holmes's inner sanctum and deploy minions creates a genuine challenge for the detective, injecting a palpable sense of tension into the narrative.

Murray's literary influences shine through in this collection, with nods to Frank L. Packard's Grey Seal, Doc Savage, Lovecraft, and Jules Verne. The inclusion of real historical figures and characters from other authors seamlessly woven into the stories demonstrates Murray's storytelling finesse. The tales are cleverly written, maintaining the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle's original Holmes stories.

One of the strengths of Murray's writing is his faithfulness and respect for the characters in the Sherlock Holmes universe. Historical facts are seamlessly integrated, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the stories. The ability to keep readers guessing until the end, with ingenious plot twists, showcases Murray's narrative prowess.

However, a notable flaw in the audiobook lies in the narration. Charles Featherstone's portrayal of Watson is peculiar and off-balance, deviating from the expected characterization. This deviation may disrupt the immersive experience for listeners familiar with the traditional rendering of Watson's character.

The Wild Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Volume 3 is a rollercoaster of narratives, ranging from exhilarating to merely satisfactory. Murray's willingness to experiment with the established Holmes formula adds both excitement and uncertainty. While not every story hits the mark, the collection's highs demonstrate Murray's storytelling ingenuity, leaving readers eager for the next installment in this wild and unpredictable journey with Holmes and Watson.

H. G. Wells would have enjoyed this

The stories were definitely entertaining, and as promised by the title, definitely a bit wild. I enjoyed spending this time with Holmes and Watson.

However, the narrator undermined my enjoyment. First and foremost, I absolutely detest the way he voices Watson. He sounds like he has a mouth full of cotton balls. Perhaps he is too much influenced by Nigel Bruce’s performances.

But that’s not all. His very frequent misreading and mispronouncing of words continually yanks me out of the relaxed reader headspace.

But if you don’t let him spoil this book for you, I think you might enjoy it.