Sherlock Holmes and the Ghosts of Bly:

And Other New Adventures of the Great Detective (Unabridged)

By: Donald Thomas

Narrated by: John Telfer

"Have you ever seen a ghost, Mr. Holmes?" asks Victoria Temple, and Sherlock Holmes, at the height of his powers in 1898, must face a new challenge, one that plunges the great detective into the realm of the supernatural. Miss Temple has been found guilty - but also insane - at her trial for murdering a child under her care. She is locked away in the Broadmoor lunatic asylum, and worse still, she believes fully in her own guilt. But were the hauntings at the Elizabethan manor house of Bly a vision of the walking dead, perhaps, rather than delusions of her tormented mind? Or could it be that a criminal conspiracy is to blame for the psychic phenomena, as well as a second murder cunningly concealed in the past?

In the company of Dr. Watson, the indefatiguable Holmes will track down the perpetrators through the occult underworld of Victorian London.

Next, on the eve of World War I, Holmes is confronted with fraud and forgery at the Royal Naval Academy in "The Case of a Boy's Honor". While back in London, behind the scenes of the Herculaneum Theatre in the Strand, "The Case of the Matinee Idol" embroils Holmes and Watson directly in an apparent on-stage murder. How did poison get into two Shakespearean goblets when only the victim, now dead, had access to them and the most likely suspect was a mile away with an unthinkable alibi?

©2011 Donald Thomas (P)2011 AudioGo

Long and drawnout

Not what I expected from the great detective. Nothing like Conan Doyle. Stories were long, confusing and boring.

Shorter tales but just as good!

Once a Shirlockian...Always.... Even rereading or seeing them on TV or in movies I never get tired of these tales. I grew up reading his way of solving crimes and even reading others appreciate more the inte!ectual solution as Poirot, and Nero Wolfe. These four stories, contain a case for insanity? An old fool, a new more rational Inspector and lots more. If you enjoy Shirlock then read on.

Ok but not great

Would you try another book from Donald Thomas and/or John Telfer?

Yes

Has Sherlock Holmes and the Ghosts of Bly: turned you off from other books in this genre?

The title story was painfully dragged out and not engaging.

What about John Telfer’s performance did you like?

John Telfer's performance was the best part of this book.

Did Sherlock Holmes and the Ghosts of Bly: inspire you to do anything?

return it for a different book.

Very Long for simple mysteries

Both of these stories suffer from being way too long. Both are quite simple, yet entertaining stories. They suffer from being three times longer than they should be and a tag-along interpretation of Watson that leaves much to be desired. Intricate wit, actual mystery or even dramatic tension are all missing from these stories. One knows the result of both stories about a third of the way in. ACD was keen to capitalize on keeping the reader engaged.
All this said, if going on a long road trip by one's self, one could do far worse than this collection of stories.

Great narration carries the day!

Where does Sherlock Holmes and the Ghosts of Bly: rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The narration of this book brings it to the top of the list.

Who was your favorite character and why?

A different type of Watson makes it a not-Sherlock but Sherlock-like. And very enjoyable.

What does John Telfer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I'm not sure that I would experience the story differently if I read it -- Telfer's narration is terrific in the way any good actor brings life to good writing.