What Child is This?: A Sherlock Holmes Christmas Adventure (A Sherlock Holmes Adventure, Book 5)

A Sherlock Holmes Christmas Adventure

By: Bonnie MacBird

Narrated by: Simon Darwen

It’s the season of peace and goodwill, but a Victorian Christmas is no holiday for the world’s most popular detective in this new book from Bonnie MacBird, author of the bestselling Sherlock Holmes novel Art in the Blood.

It’s Christmastime in London, and Sherlock Holmes takes on two cases. The angelic three-year-old child of a wealthy couple is the target of a vicious kidnapper, and a country aristocrat worries that his handsome, favourite son has mysteriously vanished from his London pied à terre. Holmes and Watson, aided by the colourful Heffie O’Malley, slip slide in the ice to ensure a merry Christmas is had by nearly everybody . . .

Critic reviews

“What could be a better present this season than a new Christmas case for Sherlock Holmes? Bonnie MacBird’s worthy pastiche takes us back to 221B Baker Street in a snowy Victorian December.” —The Wall Street Journal

“The brilliant MacBird manages to produce a tale which is both authentic and original, yet pays homage to the genius of Arthur Conan Doyle.”
—Dundee Courier

“Neatly emulates the style and tone of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories … If you’re in the mood for light seasonal entertainment, albeit with a serious underlay, look no further.”
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post

“MacBird's series grows stronger with each book and she remains the best and most faithful pastiche writer out there today – bar none.”—The Doyleockian

“As long as there are writers as skilful and observant as Bonnie MacBird to keep the Holmes flame alight, I will be warming myself in its glow.”—FullyBooked2017

“Victorian London comes alive in this enthralling Christmas mystery, written with intelligence, style, and lovely period detail.”
—Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author

“What Child Is This? is the most charming, entertaining Holmesian yarn I've read in years… A must read for Holmesians—and others!”
— Matt Witten, author of The Necklace

“Bonnie MacBird’s What Child is This? stimulates the mind while it warms the heart. It confirms what we long believed: Not only is Sherlock Holmes the Great Detective, he is a great man.”—Leslie S. Klinger

“A tender, beautifully fashioned homage to Holmes and Watson, and the power of love.”—Nancy Holder, author of The Wicked Saga

“No one can surpass Conan Doyle at his best, but a select few pastiche writers get close enough that they can almost reach out and touch the master. Bonnie MacBird is one of those writers that achieves this consistently. If you need a Holmes story for Christmas (and who doesn't?) get hold of this immediately.”—The Doyleockian

Another solid Bonnie MacBird book

Overall the book is pretty good, just not as good as MacBird's earlier efforts. i do think that her chouce of Christmastime for the backdrop. was well executed. She incorporates the holiday season well into the story.

The book loses focus a bit by having a "major" mystery and a "minor" one. The minor mystery seems to be an excuse to bring in modern socio-sexual issues into the Victorian world of Holmes, where it seems awkward at best. I think that was a misfire as it really distracts from the main theme of the book.

The narration by Simon Darwen is once again outstanding.

Excellent Sherlock Holmes Story

Really enjoyed a good old Sherlock Holmes mystery after a long time! I am so glad to have discovered this series by Bonnie MacBird! Excellent writer and the best of all the other Sherlock Holmes writers that I have read so far. Have already started on the first one in the series after finishing this one.

Issues

Main plot was solid but underbaked in comparison to others. I get that it’s a shorter story but it seemed under done. The subplot was idiotic and had no purpose at all, other than because the author seemed to want to include it. I found it distracting, politically charged, and poorly written. She could have used that time to better carve out the main story or provide more detail or provide another plot point. Narration was well done as always. The characters seemed less interesting than usual. It just all felt so blah. This is the first time I’ve felt that way with her work.

Fabulous

Was not what I expected but enjoyed it a lot! Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Delightful especially that I listened at Xmas time

A charming and interesting tale. Loved the references to Bonnie’s other books which I’d read.