Sherlock Holmes and the Knave of Hearts

A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

By: Steve Hayes, David Whitehead

Narrated by: Quintin W. Allen

"An entertaining addition to the genre. Recommended." (Historical Novels Review)

"Will more than satisfy the Holmes fans." (Shots Magazine)

"A fast-paced and intriguing tale." (MyShelf.com)

Following a prolonged cocaine binge, Sherlock Holmes is closer to death than Dr. Watson has ever seen him before. Fearing for his friend's well-being, the pair repair to France, there to enjoy a leisurely convalescence at the home of Holmes' old friend, Henri Gillet.

But even before they reach Paris, they become embroiled in a perilous mystery of the like even they have never encountered before. Who, for example, is the strange man with the peculiar fascination for raindrops? And why does someone want one of France's most beloved novelists dead?

Before the final explosive confrontation, Holmes and Watson must tangle with a cold and calculating brotherhood for which no crime is too ghastly, especially if it helps to further their own sinister ends.

©2019 David Whitehead (P)2024 David Whitehead

Some missteps but overall okay

Holmes is recovering from a particularly bad cocaine binge so Watson takes him on holiday to France, where they meet up with Holmes' pen pal Jules Verne and get embroiled in a case of attempted murder and political intrigue


Spoilers below

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Jules Verne was in real life shot by his nephew Gaston in the leg but I find the intimations about why in this book a bit distasteful and not handled all that well.

Watson's reaction to these revelations seems odd given his background (a doctor and British army surgeon) I wouldn't think he'd be that shocked. I buy him being outraged if he thought Verne was taking advantage due to Watson's sense of honor, or a bit judgmental in a period appropriate attitude way, but that's not how it's presented in the story, where he's outraged and disgusted in a strangely exaggerated manner, seemingly so Holmes can admonish him and demonstrate more enlightened thinking I suppose

Watson is performed by the narrator a bit like he is in the Rathbone movies full of blustery harrumphing and cluelessness which isn't my cup of tea but others may feel differently. While his head is turned by a pretty face often in the stories I found him to be foolish and naive in this in a way that's not my preference. His care for Holmes shines through, though, and I enjoyed that aspect

Holmes is performed well and written well. One note: cocaine is not an opiate and it bothered me the story kept referring to it as such. This isn't a case of Holmes doing both cocaine and morphine it is specifically cocaine they refer to in this manner