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Holmes Coming
- Author
- Kenneth Johnson
- Narrator
- various
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 1 November 2022
- Run Time
- 9 hours 52 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Dr. Amy Winslow tells the story: in foggy, nighttime San Francisco a jogging SFPD captain is savagely attacked by a Bengal tiger which then vanishes. In her ER, Amy labors unsuccessfully to save the captain’s life, then consoles his aggrieved closest friend, Lt. Luis Ortega. Neither suspects their lives will intertwine in a life-or-death mystery.
The next day, checking on former patient Mrs. Hudson at her Victorian house isolated in Marin County’s forest, Amy discovers in the cellar a secret, cobweb-covered 1899 electrochemical laboratory containing a Jules Verne–esque steam-punk sarcophagus out of which springs a wild-eyed, half-mummified, crypt-keeper-like man who injects himself with something before falling dead at her feet. Amy barely revives him.
He claims to be a real-life Victorian master chemist and detective named Holmes, who allowed Conan Doyle to write stories based on his cases, though was slightly annoyed when Doyle changed his real first name to the catchier Sherlock. Becoming uninspired by 1890s crime, Holmes devised this method to hibernate for a century to investigate future mysteries.
Amy assumes he’s a lunatic. His Scotland Yard identity papers were stolen while he slept, so it takes her a while to realize his amazing story is true.
Respectably handsome when cleaned up, Holmes is still the same brash, egoistic, über-English, cocaine-addicted, non-feminist genius—but now a century out of sync—so his still-brilliant deductions are sometimes laughably or dangerously wrong. Holmes and Amy, his reluctant new Watson, find themselves unexpectedly attracted to each other while perilously involved in reclaiming his proof of identity, aided by cyber-savvy street teen Zapper. It’s all connected to the horrific death-by-tiger, only the first of several bizarre, mystifying murders being committed by an exquisitely fiendish descendant of Holmes’ Victorian archenemy, Professor Moriarty.
The tone is classic Holmes—plus a refreshing twist of fish-out-of-water humor with a surprising spark of real romance.
Critics Review
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“Kenneth Johnson has written a novel that would make Conan Doyle proud. Clever, tight plots, fresh dialogue, and a take on Holmes that should not only be embraced by those delightful fans of Sherlock…but general readers who want a book that they won’t forget are guaranteed to become fans of the Great Detective.”
Strand Magazine
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“Having the actual character adapt to modern times is a fresh take on the detective. Johnson nails Holmes’s voice…his story is fun and engaging. Fans of the original adventures of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy.”
Library Journal
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“Johnson clearly knows and respects his source material…The game is definitely afoot…Winslow’s plummy narrative voice is a satisfying imitation of Dr. Watson’s; additional pleasures of this confection come from Doyle-inspired updates…Splashy Holmes redux executed with skill and style.”
Kirkus Reviews
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“Readers are taken on a fantastic journey to discover the world’s favorite detective anew—a feat only Kenneth Johnson could possibly pull off. Highly recommended.”
Gareth Worthington, PhD, Dragon Award–nominated author of It Takes Death to Reach a Star
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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“Johnson takes a big gamble by telling such a complex tale [in The Man of Legends] invoking every genre imaginable while juggling distinct and deep characterizations. The bet pays off, resulting in a story that will be popular with book clubs and fun to discuss.”
Associated Press on The Man of Legends
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“Kenneth Johnson…knows how to make magic.”
Philadelphia Inquirer
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“Johnson is especially effective…at introducing disparate, unrelated stories and slowly having them collide with one another throughout the course of the story.”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on V
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“With The Man of Legends Kenneth Johnson has once again created a timeless tale that offers up adventure, suspense, and romance all wrapped up tightly in a supernatural mystery.”
Suspense Magazine on The Man of Legends
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Kenneth Johnson
- Narrator
- various
- Duration
- 9 hours 52 minutes
- Release Date
- 1 November 2022
- ISBN
- 9798200706075
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Crime and mystery fiction, Fiction: general and literary, Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives, Science fiction: time travel, Science fiction
Synopsis
Dr. Amy Winslow tells the story: in foggy, nighttime San Francisco a jogging SFPD captain is savagely attacked by a Bengal tiger which then vanishes. In her ER, Amy labors unsuccessfully to save the captain’s life, then consoles his aggrieved closest friend, Lt. Luis Ortega. Neither suspects their lives will intertwine in a life-or-death mystery.The next day, checking on former patient Mrs. Hudson at her Victorian house isolated in Marin County’s forest, Amy discovers in the cellar a secret, cobweb-covered 1899 electrochemical laboratory containing a Jules Verne–esque steam-punk sarcophagus out of which springs a wild-eyed, half-mummified, crypt-keeper-like man who injects himself with something before falling dead at her feet. Amy barely revives him.He claims to be a real-life Victorian master chemist and detective named Holmes, who allowed Conan Doyle to write stories based on his cases, though was slightly annoyed when Doyle changed his real first name to the catchier Sherlock. Becoming uninspired by 1890s crime, Holmes devised this method to hibernate for a century to investigate future mysteries.Amy assumes he’s a lunatic. His Scotland Yard identity papers were stolen while he slept, so it takes her a while to realize his amazing story is true.Respectably handsome when cleaned up, Holmes is still the same brash, egoistic, uber-English, cocaine-addicted, non-feminist genius—but now a century out of sync—so his still-brilliant deductions are sometimes laughingly or dangerously wrong. Holmes and Amy, his reluctant new Watson, find themselves unexpectedly attracted to each other while perilously involved in reclaiming his proof of identity, aided by cybersavvy street teen Zapper. It’s all connected to the horrific death-by-tiger, only the first of several bizarre, mystifying murders being committed by an exquisitely fiendish descendant of Holmes’ Victorian archenemy, Professor Moriarty.The tone is classic Holmes—plus a refreshing twist of fish-out-of-water humor with a surprising spark of real romance.
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