The Haunting of Roderick Usher

by Colin Garrow

1 out of 5

Synopsis

An invitation. A ghostly spectre. A criminal mastermind.

When Sherlock Holmes is invited to visit an old school friend, he and Doctor Watson are plunged into the first of three adventures involving the Dark Arts and the supernatural. From the ghostly spectre of a dead sister to the search for an ancient book of spells, the detecting duo learn that each case is connected, leading them into a final showdown with their deadliest adversary yet.

Adult humour throughout.

‘The Watson Letters – Volume 6: The Haunting of Roderick Usher’ is book #6 in this Victorian comedy adventure series set in a not quite Post-Victorian, steampunk parallel universe. If you love historical mysteries, buy something else instead, but if you're into murder, fart-gags and innuendo, this'll be right up your Victorian street.

Review

Sherlock and Watson visit an old friend, and get to the bottom of the supernatural stories circling his house.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by Garrow, and the author points out that the whole series is set in a parallel universe. It features some very familiar names, but allows complete freedom on new stories.

Each book is a stand-alone and doesn't need knowledge of the rest of the series.

This story follows John and Mary's diaries, as they are both brought to the residence of Roderick Usher, an old friend of Sherlock's.

The spooky estate has a certain reputation amongst locals. This isn't helped by the peculiar nature of Roderick, and the supposed death of his sister.

So, the author writes at the beginning of the book that it contains "crude language and adult inclinations" and is not "intended for persons of a delicate nature".

I always get anxious when authors post these sorts of comments. On the one hand, it's nice for the heads-up; but on the other, I feel like we're being told how to read and how to enjoy the story before it even begins.

I don't think I've ever been called delicate in my life, but I didn't get on with this book. At all.

I can't remember the last non-erotica book I read that had so many lewd references to genitalia littered throughout the narrative.

It's pointless and humourless, and comes across as very juvenile.

I think another major issue for me was that this is an iconic set of characters, set in the distinctive Victorian era; and Garrow's version was jarring. The way it's written, the anachronistic phrasing and words. I know, it's a parallel universe and doesn't have to follow our rules, but it only chooses to follow half of them.

The story itself inspired multiple eye-rolls and had none of the subtly that I'd expect from Sherlock & Holmes.

Unfortunately, I will not be continuing with this series.

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