The Jewel of Covent Garden: Regency 2 in 1 Special

This book is not quite Sherlockian. What it is is neatly constructed fun....If Sherlock Holmes and Watson had not existed, the world would never miss them because Mr. Worchester would have created an admirable substitute.

Wayne Worcester's first Sherlock Holmes novel was 1999's "The Monster of St. Marylebone"; in his second book, he gives loyal Holmes readers a much better treat in "The Jewel of Covent Garden". The plot is fast paced and very interesting--there is not a dull moment to be found in this book. The narrative propells the reader forward to find out just why a young boy was given an invitation to a party with those in London's high society; why someone wants Holmes thrown into prison; and what will become of the legendary "Blood of Punjab".

In the 1880s, an eight-year old street urchin with an attitude crashes into the door of Sherlock Holmes' apartment. The lad Tommy insists his Uncle John Godey sent him to show a letter to the great detective. Holmes remembers using a series of lefts and rights to finally send John to prison for safecracking. Apparently, John served his time and is watching over his nephew, but Tommy says his uncle is ailing. The letter is an invitation for Tommy to attend a major social event that only the elite of the elite has been invited to attend.A bored Holmes accepts the case of trying to learn why Tommy received an invitation. Accompanied by Watson, he visits the hostess Lady Armstrong, who is outright hostile. From her and her more amiable son, Holmes and Watson meet Jack Ryder, a nasty gambler. As Holes and Watson continue to find out what is afoot, they protect their client from harm without even knowing why.The discovery of the second Watson manuscript, THE JEWEL OF CONVENT GARDEN, is a superb homage to Holmes and Watson. The story line works because the key duo feel as if Doyle wrote their dialogue as in a year 2000 discovery of an 1880s manuscript. The mystery is fun, but what makes Wayne Worcester's tale work is the Holmes-Watson relationship.Harriet Klausner