Embassy Row: A Mycroft Holmes Novel

I was entertained by the writing style - very Doyle-like. This was my first Mycroft mystery. The writing style made reading flow along. I thought the plot (treaty with Japan) a bit boring and if the writing hadn't been good the story would have bogged down. Also, I would have liked more Holmes action and less Guthrie in the story. I think that making Guthie be a second Watson is too much. I love Watson, but having him cloned in the form of Guthrie was not fun. Guthrie should have his own character. I liked Tyres and Sutton very much and hope to see them both in the other books in the series. I plan to read all or some of the others.

The first book in this series (Against The Brotherhood)introduced the reader to a Mycroft Holmes who was a bit too much of an action hero to fit my personal take on the character. Although I enjoyed the 1st book , the plot of Embassy Row better fits the character of Sherlock's brother. Filled with intrigue over a treaty with Japan, The Emperor's son and a mystery woman, and a murder that may cause the events to explode; Embassy Row does an excellent job of showing the behind the scenes role of Mycroft Holmes, hinted at in the few Sherlock Holmes tales he made an appearence in. I did have some problems with Holmes' late identification of the mystery woman, which will be patently obvious to the reader, and the constant appearence of The Golden Lodge's Miss Gatspy, whose role works as "deus ex machina." I hope Mr. Fawcett can avoid falling into this trap too often. I think Mycroft should remain the puppetmaster in these tales, it lends credence to Sherlock's assertions that Mycroft was the more intelligent of the two.

Excellent sequel to Against the Brotherhood. Fawcett takes us deep into the world of international intrigue, the habitat of Mycroft Holmes. Deeply involving story and an exciting plot. Keep them coming Mr. Fawcett.

This book is written so closely to the style of Sir ArthurConan-Doyle that I hope the author will mull over the idea of writinga Sherlock Holmes book.The "voice" of the novel is dead on. It reads very much like Doyle's writing, which helps keep the reader immersed in the time period of the story.Finally we get to learn more of Sherlock's brother, lesser known but more important to England, Her Majesty, and the Admiralty.The intrigue surrounding the treaty with Japan could have actually taken place, if in fact it did not. Quinn Fawcett certainly did his homework concerning the political events and who would gain or lose depending on the fate of the secret treaty.Compare this excellent book with the writing of some of the modern Sherlock Holmes stories, like "The Ice Palace Murders" or "The Haunting of Torre Abbey". After seeing Holmes and Watson grafted and mis-cast into standard or sub-par mystery stories at the hands of modern writers, "Embassy Row" was a rare treat.While Mycroft's game is more of espionage and intrigue than the "trifles" of Sherlock and his deductive detecting, Mycroft's brilliance is clearly shown, as are the reasons for his importance to the government of England.Guthrie is an interesting character, somewhat Watson-like. He takes on the role of narrator as well as confidential secretary. The author has chosen well to keep the Mycroft series somewhat like the Sherlock Holmes canon in style and tone, but this has not stifled his ability to create something very new and entertaining. This is a wonderful series, and I hope the author will one day favor us with some stories of the better-known brother who resides at 221b Baker Street. He certainly has the "voice" to make a Sherlock Holmes story quite memorable.

Patterson Guthrie immensely enjoys his job as secretary to the incredibly intelligent and influential Mycroft Holmes. Currently, his employ is negotiating with the Japanese on behalf of England, who want to secure access to the oriental ports in spite of the fact that many of his countrymen oppose any pact with Japan. As the meetings wind down towards an agreement, an opponent, Lord Brackenheath is murdered.Mycroft quickly realizes that the killing of Brackenheath could also lead to the death of the treaty that he so diligently worked at completing. Mycroft begins to investigate the murder in order to save the agreement that abruptly appears to be unraveling. As he searches for clues, Patterson takes down notes.The second Mycroft Holmes novel continues in the great tradition of his younger sibling Sherlock and his own previous adventure (narrated by Patterson in AGAINST THE BROTHERHOOD). EMBASSY ROW contains a crisp story line that follows in the Master's tradition. The characters are wonderful and Mycroft fits the brief insights provided readers by Doyle. Any Sherlock Holmes fan will want to read Quinn Fawcett's homage to the great detective.Harriet Klausner