Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson

Dust and Shadow grabs the reader's attention from the very beginning. Your immersed in the pall of a frighted West End Victorian London right off the mark. Then having Homes become injured, and introducing to a new character into the mix very quickly. This rollicking pace is kept up through out most of the novel, and to great effect. The well loved characters of Holmes and Watson are treated with respect. Even Holmes' relationship with Lestrade, is fleshed out well. This is one of my favorite, non Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Homes books that I have ever read.

When it comes to cockeyed optimism, Sherlock Holmes fans are at the head of the class. Time after time, we plop down our money for the latest Holmes pastiche, hoping that 'this one' is finally the book that captures Doyle's lighting in a bottle. Over the years, various authors including some heavyweights have attempted that feat and come a cropper. Happily Lyndsay Faye's DUST AND SHADOW comes as close as I can recall to doing just that. And when you consider this is Faye's first(!) novel, the lady gets high marks in my book. DUST AND SHADOW pits Holmes, Watson and Scotland Yard against the ultimate bogeyman, Jack the Ripper. When Jack begins his murderous reign, Holmes and Watson, aided by Whitechapel resident Mary Ann Monk, pitch in. Stumbling upon Jack engaged in his 'double event,' Holmes is wounded. After recovering, the search begins anew but now the Baker Street duo is hobbled by an unscrupulous newspaper reporter who twists events to infer Holmes IS the Ripper. Eventually Holmes and Watson realize saucy Jack isn't just interested in murder most foul but is playing a deadly game with them in the bull's-eye. Overall, Faye did a commendable job in capturing the Holmes-Watson dynamic and the London sense of place and time. The first chapters especially seemed spot-on. While the friendship and love both characters felt towards each other was brought more to the fore than in Doyle's stories, I didn't feel it rang false. Likewise, Holmes' relationship with Lestrade was well-handled, more combative perhaps yet moments of mutual respect were introduced as well. While the Monk character has been criticized as a wish-fulfillment stand-in for the author that weakened the story, I frankly wrote her off as a female Wiggins and kept reading. Given the terror the Ripper created in the minds of English society though, I did feel Faye could done a better job in giving the story a more grim and foreboding atmosphere. Whatever the novel's shortcomings, I felt it ranks as a mighty fine Holmes pastiche and an exciting novel in its own right. Here's hoping more adventures are in the making. Recommended.

A fabulous atmospheric historical mystery told through the eyes of Dr. Watson as Sherlock Holmes is entangled with and eventually solves, in only a Holmesian way, the mystery of Jack the Ripper. In 1888 Inspector Lestrade calls on Holmes to help with the investigation of two murdered prostitutes. What follows is a dark look at the times and people of London as Holmes enlists the help of additional characters that liven up a time that has almost brought Holmes to his knees. Between opiate abuse and being accused of the murders himself, Holmes must survive both physical and emotional attacks to solve the crime of the century. Faye does an admirable job in putting voice to Dr. Holmes as he , with the reader, seems to be a step behind the great investigator. I hope that this is only the first of many wonderful books for Faye.

It's hard to imagine a Sherlock Holmes book with a more authentic voice. If you are a fan of the cultural myth of Sherlock Holmes, the original stories, or even of the PBS series Sherlock Holmes, I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy this book. Initially I wondered if the real world event of Jack the Ripper and the myth of Sherlock Holmes could be satisfactorily blended into a work of fiction. But not only did the author achieve this objective, she also created a narrative with the sensibilities of Victorian England. She didn't try to modernize or upgrade the Sherlockian myth but worked within its boundaries and constraints. Above all I wondered if she could handle the ending but it was very nicely done as well. Writing such a book was a difficult task and she accomplishes it admirably.

I have read all of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, and I am also familiar with Jack the Ripper research. Dust and Shadow incorporates both of these themes in a wonderful novel by new author Lyndsay Faye. It's difficult to believe this is her first book. Faye did her research. Victorian England comes alive in the details. She also absolutely nails Doyle's writing style and shows a thorough knowledge of all things Holmes. Faye also did a great job of researching the Ripper killings, and her theory of the killer is plausible and compelling. This is an excellent mystery, and I will definitely check out Faye's future books. She is a major talent.

I started this book a bit hopeful and a bit skeptical; as a lifelong fan of Sherlock Holmes stories, I've read many pastiches which purport to bring Holmes together with Jack the Ripper, but most have been disappointing. This, however, was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The author captures the style of Conan Doyle very well and the secondary characters were good. I liked that Lestrade wasn't a fool, and neither was Watson. Because we already know so much about these murders, the outcome must deal with the way in which Holmes solves the crimes but the identity is never revealed to the public, and that is handled well. The typical elements of a Holmes story are here -- help from the Irregulars, a visit by Mycroft, disguises, etc. and a good time is had by all. I will buy others in this series, if more follow.