Sherlock Holmes and the Giant Rat of Sumatra

By: Paul D. Gilbert

Narrated by: Simon de Deney

A BRAND-NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY.

If you love Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original, you’ll love this gripping new tale from the world of Sherlock Holmes.

Autumn 1898. London. A scandal in the making.

Dockworkers are stunned by the arrival of the Matilda Briggs, a long overdue tea cutter returning from Calcutta. Abandoned by its crew, the dust-covered vessel seems to have drifted into a vacant berth guided by an unseen hand.

The only member of the crew aboard is a lone cabin boy in the throes of death, following a murderous attack. The ship’s log has also vanished without a trace. All that remains is a series of indecipherable markings have been scratched into the ship’s decking. Sherlock Holmes and his faithful Watson are called to divest the Matilda Briggs of its secrets, only to be subtly warned off by the ship’s insurers. Then a young man appears at 122B Baker Street with a mysterious packet from his missing father—who disappeared journeying to London from Calcutta. A confounding conspiracy seems set to boil over.

What was in the cargo besides innocent tea chests? Will the violence and rebellion that follow shift the tides from the favour of the Great Detective?

Is the world finally ready for this tale?

©2019 Paul Gilbert (P)2023 MX Publishing

A Pastiche Full of Surprises

Paul D. Gilbert's "Sherlock Holmes and the Giant Rat of Sumatra" brings to life one of the many unchronicled cases referred to in the Canon. Gilbert has written several accounts of the cases we only know of by name.

The book is similar to Doyle's "Valley of Fear" and "A Study in Scarlet" in that a fair percentage of the book was not written from Watson's perspective but from the viewpoint of another (i.e. the Great Alkali Plain and Vermissa Valley). This style of storytelling works, but in less skillful hands it could very well have failed.

Without spoiling the story I will simply say that the book is full of surprises. For any fan of Sherlockian pastiche, this book is for you. The excellent narration by Gilbert's usual narrator Simon de Deney adds to the realistic flavor of the story. I am once again more than happy to recommend this volume by Paul D. Gilbert.

Great, Doyle-Style Story With Pro Narration

This is a wonderfully detailed plot with well written characters and canonical format. The narration is consistent and professional. Nice novella format of extended backstory tying into the ongoing mystery in the spirit of the Valley of Fear and Sign of Four style. Very enjoyable listen.

Enjoyable story with a atmosphere of adventure and colonialism

I thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and the Giant Rat of Sumatra by Paul D. Gilbert. Holmes and Watson are working on mysterious case of the Matilda Briggs, a long overdue tea cutter returning from Calcutta. It drifted into the dock with no crew except a nearly dead cabin boy. Holmes is also consulting with Daniel Collier son of the explorer Sir Michael Collier. Daniel is concerned for his father and the tale is told through a series of letters from father to son describing his explorations through South Africa, Asia and finally to Sumatra. There was a riveting story of Victorian era exploration and exploitation, and colonialism. The cases ebb and flow and eventually crash together is a totally shocking way! The narration by Simon de Deney is wonderful. He adds the right amount of tension, atmosphere and with his voices brings the characters and story to life. I received a free audiobook code for my honest rebiew.

Absolute Sherlock Holmes

Absolute Sherlock Holmes , so Holmes it could have been written by Conan Doyle.
I love a good Holmes story and this was as good as the originals.
Highly recommend it.

Where’s Holmes

Reads like Robinson Crusoe. Very little Holmes and plot is vague and unconvincing. This is not The Giant Rat of Sumatra.