Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara (Otto Penzler Books)

By Alan Vanneman

Book Overview

In a crafty new novel featuring the world's greatest literary detective, Alan Vanneman extends the boundaries of the Sherlock Holmes canon with a knotty investigation that takes the celebrated sleuth and his cohort, Dr. Watson, far from the cozy Victorian comforts of 221B Baker Street. The mystery begins familiarly enough, in London, in the middle of the night. Holmes and Watson are summoned to a crime scene that, not so familiarly, seems to vanish before their eyes, as they find themselves with neither evidence nor a client. They do not want for opposition, however; not for long, not with the governments of three great empires arrayed against them. As Holmes strives to unmask his most cunning, ruthless, and elusive foe, he is transported into a world of high finance rife with intrigue and crime. With a cast of characters that includes the enchanting lady of fortune Countess D'Espinau and historical greats like Winston Churchill and Cecil Rhodes as well as a poorest-of-the-poor beggar girl whom Watson adopts, Holmes follows a trail that leads ultimately and unpredictably to the fabled and fabulous lost Hapsburg tiara.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078671297X
• ISBN13: 9780786712977
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

the game is a hoot

I am a lifelong fan of Sherlock Holmes. I've read all of Doyles' Holmes stories many times. I have also read numerous Holmes stories by other authors. There's no end to them. The literary exploits of Sherlock Holmes continue year after year. There's always a new Holmes book, but I wish that most of them were as lively as this one. I discovered Hapsburg Tiara after reading several other less entertaining Holmes pastiches and it knocked my deerstlaker off! This is a ripping yarn indeed! Many Doyle devotees on this site aren't pleased by the results, but I enjoyed the surprises. Alan Vanneman doesn't copy the style of Doyle. Vanneman isn't another clone. Instead he brings new blood to the old game and tells a spirited and highly entertaining tale in his own way. After reading so many tedious knock-offs it was refreshing to discover a recent Holmes story that has so much energy and passion. This is not the same old same old once again. Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara entertains from start to finish. There is never a dull moment and quite a few surprises. Watson is full of surprises this time out. The good doctor is quite the ladies man! Those scenes certainly caught me by surprise! LOL! Vanneman's Holmes is more faithful to the original, but his interaction with Watson's adopted daughter reveals him to be a much warmer character. I liked that. Jennie Watson makes for a delightful new addition and brings out the fatherly sides of Holmes and Watson. Vanneman should definitely feature more of Jennie in future adventures. She'd make a wonderful protegee for Holmes. I also enjoyed the author's use of humor and action. There's a fairly complicated plot too. Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara is one of the most entertaining, and surprising, Holmes stories I've read recently. This a delightful ride if you don't expect it to be dry, typical, and deathly serious. It is not the same thing done the same way all over again. Vanneman has a unique and entertaining perspective on Sherlock Holmes. I hope this isn't the last Holmes adventure by this author. I'm looking forward to reading future adventures in this series.