Henry Gritten, Mathew Vassar’s Springside, View of Gardener’s Cottage, Poughkeepsie, New York, 1858.
Of the hundreds of Sherlock Holmes pastiche mysteries available to the Sherlockian, very few can match this book for a depth of historical research, finely crafted sentences and paragraphs, and a heart-stopping thrill of a story.
Ms. Altabef takes the reader on a journey during the great hiatus and brings Sherlock Holmes to New York state where he is led to investigate that horrifying world of the insane asylums of that day. The characters she creates–especially that of the child, Rachel–are distinct, colorful, and memorable. The plot builds through incident after dangerous incident, culminating with a frantic climax. A great read. Now, all we need is more like this from this very capable Sherlockian.
I author Sherlock Holmes Novels and emulate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s and Dr. John Watson’s literary styles as much as is possible for me. MX Publishing Author of Sherlock Holmes: THESE SCATTERED HOUSES. It is a breakthrough novel for Holmes and for me. Historical novel and murder mystery solved as only Holmes can. The sequel, Sherlock Holmes: REMARKABLE POWER OF STIMULUS is due to release November 2020. I am both contributor of Doyle, and Holmes history, and an editor of JEREMY BRETT – PLAYING A PART and JEREMY BRETT IS SHERLOCK HOLMES by Maureen Whittaker. A member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, The John H. Watson Society, and the Dumpster Divers of Philadelphia artist collective. "I could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular adventures which were the normal condition of his existence." - Dr. Watson (TWIS).
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