G.S. Denning

Warlock Holmes is an idiot. Frankly, he couldn't deduce his way out of a paper bag. The only thing he has really got going for him are his arcane power, the might of a thousand demons and his stalwart flatmate. Thankfully, Dr. Watson is always there to aid him through the treacherous shoals of Victorian propriety ... and save him from a gruesome death every now and again.

Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone

I thought this book was delightful. Is it high art? Not at all. Is it a delightful reimagining of Sherlock Holmes? Absolutely. I loved that the book didn't take itself too seriously, delighting in the outlandish changes to the original script. I also love that this story, while it has the same general outline, has created their own version of Watson and Holmes to totter about this period urban fantasy world. The writing style reminds me a bit of A. Lee Martinez, who I love.

Kirsten Simkiss

Nicole Lambert

I read this during a readalong in October and just now finished it. Do not let my rating fool you, for in no way was this a bad book. It just wasn't for me, and I suppose the reason for that is because I am not a Sherlock Holmes fan, and therefore a lot of the language and events and references went over my head. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, then this book is definitely for you. Unfortunately, that was not me.

Elizabeth Garza

DNF at roughly 20(ish)%. The premise seemed very intriguing and I kept going back to it hoping it would capture my attention "this time," but nada. The premise is very clearly the Sherlock Holmes plot but the weirdness ... makes no sense. And not in a good way. It's nonsensical. Zilch rhyme and reason... for me. Really wanted to like it. But just not interested. (sad face)

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: May 17th, 2016

Genre: Fantasy

Recommended Age: 14+ (some violence and paranormal activity)

Pages: 368

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Sherlock Holmes is an unparalleled genius who uses the gift of deduction and reason to solve the most vexing of crimes.

Warlock Holmes, however, is an idiot. A good man, perhaps; a font of arcane power, certainly. But he’s brilliantly dim. Frankly, he couldn’t deduce his way out of a paper bag. The only thing he has really got going for him are the might of a thousand demons and his stalwart flatmate. Thankfully, Dr. Watson is always there to aid him through the treacherous shoals of Victorian propriety… and save him from a gruesome death every now and again.

An imaginative, irreverent and addictive reimagining of the world’s favourite detective, Warlock Holmes retains the charm, tone and feel of the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle while finally giving the flat at 221b Baker Street what it’s been missing for all these years: an alchemy table.

Reimagining six stories, this riotous mash-up is a glorious new take on the ever-popular Sherlock Holmes myth, featuring the vampire Inspector Vladislav Lestrade, the ogre Inspector Torg Grogsson, and Dr. Watson, the true detective at 221b. And Sherlock. A warlock.

Review: I’m not a Sherlock fan.

*looks around at all the Sherlock memorabilia I have*

*remembers the disappoint I have from not getting to go see 221B Baker Street*

*sees Sherlock doesn’t have a new season on Netflix yet*

Okay, who am I kidding? I love Sherlock and John! They’re one of the best literary duos ever written and the books translate so well into movies and even modern movies with twists. The retelling books are wonderful as well and this book is no exception. It’s a parody retelling of Sherlock in which our favorite detective maybe isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. The dynamic between Watson and Holmes is brilliant and the way the author writes these retold characters as monsters is pretty spot on from their original characters. I really enjoyed the books. They were funny and smart. The plots were well thought out and the characters were fairly well developed.

I feel that the book’s writing style was a little hard for me to read (but it was wrote in that Victorian speech and I have issues reading that sometimes). I also feel that the book had some corny moments and some predictable bits. And sometimes the solutions to the “mysteries” were a bit out there.

Verdict: Definitely reading Book 2.

Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone

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