Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Holmes

I would add that as far as Sherlock Holmes pastiches go, Loren D. Estleman's "Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Holmes" is every bit as good as Edmund Aubrey's "Sherlock Holmes in Dallas" is bad. The former scores on just about all points, while the latter misses the mark. The reader will find an excellent comparison of the best and the worst of the genre in the reading of both.

Although I have read some "pans" of Loren D. Estleman's works, I thought "Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Holmes" was very well done in the re-telling of a familiar mystery, applying the familiar methods and byplay which Holmes and Watson exhibited in Doyle's "canon." First of all the time - 1886 - of Stevenson's novel would have been also that of Holmes. Although the original tone and spirit of Doyles' works have been carefully imitated, there is also much originality in the action and wit in this writing. The final dramatic confrontation between Holmes and Jekyll/Hyde is rather finely done and the final chapter of the meeting of Holmes and Robert Louis Stevenson adds very much to the reading. For those who do not prefer the many Sherlock Holmes pastiches and prefer the "canon", I would suggest they read "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Holmes" before passing judgment.

The title of this,Estleman's second Holmes pastiche,pretty much tells you what to expect .The Stevenson classic is sufficiently well known to have coined a term ,"Jekyll and Hyde personality",that even non-readers are familiar with and thus we get no suprises in the outcome of the novel.Readers will know the true identity of the evil Edward Hyde and the pleasure to be derived from this book is in how the great detective finds the truth and the adventures he and the redoubtable Watson go through en route to the satisfying conclusion in the laboratory of the good Dr JekyllThe book has pace and the Hansom cab chase in chapter 11 in particular is a model of crisp narrative leavened with neat touches of humour There is even a bar room brawl to keep the plot stirring merrrilyThe affection for Doyle and Stevenson is evident and the book is a thoroughly satisfying page turner with enough nous not to outstay its welcome at a tad under 200 pagesRead it if you like Holmes,good Victorian thrillers or just like having fun with a lively tale

This is one of the best "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" follow-up books I've ever read. It really catches the spirit of Old Victorian London, and the storyline is most of the times credible. Even though you know the ending and you know Dr Jekyll's secret, this book still manages to be exciting, and it is very well-written indeed. The only argument is, when you know the original "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" well, many of the facts in this book are alredy known to you, and it's a bit boring to read them all over again. But still, a very good book, and I recommend it to Holmes and Jekyll fans alike.

On the heels of "Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula" came this second pastiche, in which Holmes & Watson battle R.L. Stevenson's legendary doctor/monster duo. Stevenson has a cameo at the end, and the whole affair is a well-done, gripping adventure in the true Conan Doyle spirit.