Remarkable Power of Stimulus-Maureen Whittaker’s Review

In her novel, Remarkable Power of Stimulus, Gretchen Altabef has remained faithful to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, retaining details of much of the original for her adaptation of the time following the tussle at Reichenbach, known as the Great Hiatus, and “The Adventure of the Empty House”.

It is no surprise that Conan Doyle’s most famous creation Sherlock Holmes should be the subject of yet another series of novels with the most popular fictional detective hero facing fresh challenges in new situations.  I should state that I am not a fan of pastiche fiction as I invariably long to return to the original text that has been the source of so much pleasure. However, I needn’t have been concerned about this latest series.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of what Holmes and Watson went through both separately and then together as Holmes returned once more to 221b Baker Street and they faced the new challenge together. We see the great detective through the eyes of women for a significant amount of time and in the Prologue he even acts as narrator for his own experiences.  This makes a connection with her first novel, These Scattered Houses, in that Holmes tells his own story whilst being undercover throughout. Once he arrives in London, his chronicler John Watson takes up thecommentary on his friend’s genius and his humanity.  With the reappearance of Irene Adler, Holmes will meet up once more with ‘The Woman’, which William Baring Gould agreed was a logical event in his novel Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street so that the man has a personal life and his misogyny can be seen as myth.  Jeremy Brett, the Definitive Sherlock Holmes, decided that Holmes was ‘a man of feeling’ and Ms Altabef shows that throughout her very interesting novel.

The gruesome murders and the solution is incredibly detailed as Holmes once more proves himself a master of detection.  It is a fitting challenge for the famous duo and with Rachel’s help they solve it.  I recommend you to read this and enjoy yet another case for the most popular detective and his trusty friend Doctor John Watson.

Maureen Whittaker is the MX Publishing author of Jeremy Brett Playing A Part and Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes

Gretchen Altabef is an MX author of Sherlock Holmes novels. Mondadori Publishing has contracted to translate her novels into Italian. Ms. Altabef strives to emulate Dr. John Watson’s and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary style. The first, These Scattered Houses, is in Holmes’ own voice and resourcefully chronicles the last two months of his ‘great hiatus’. The second in the series is, Remarkable Power of Stimulus. After 3 years away, Holmes finds London awash in murders, No. 221B under siege, anarchists threatening Paris, and the return of Irene Adler. Fully aware he is being watched by Moriarty’s men, Holmes steps out of the cab into Baker Street knowing he will find Watson’s friendship and unerring aim are as dependable as the British Rail.