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Sherlock Holmes & the Case of the Twain Papers
"It may not seem much to you, Mr.Holmes. In fact, it may better gather the sympathies of Dr. Watson here. But, the truth of the matter is, someone has stolen my life." In the silence that followed this extraordinary statement, Clemens pulled out his cigar case and quietly asked, "Do y'all mind if I smoke, gentlemen?" So begins a case where visiting American author, Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain), has come to Sherlock Holmes for assistance. Holmes and Watson set out to track down the thief among a myriad of guests staying at the famous Langham Hotel. Suspects abound, yet another pressing question arises for Dr. Watson. Will one of them, a woman from his past, steal his heart? "Roger Riccard is an extremely good pastiche writer. Personally, I think the best since the late Val Andrews passed over Reichenbach." [Joel Senter, publisher of the Sherlockian E-Times]
236 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 5, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Another will written British 🏰 family and friends relationships mystery adventure thriller novel by Roger Riccard. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are approached by Mark Twain about a briefcase and the papers inside being missing. They investigate with only read ends but then Mycroft calls them and supplies an answer. They return the briefcase and papers to Mark Twain and all is well. I would recommend this novel and author to 👍 fans of Sherlock Holmes and readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 😀👒☺☺
Another will written British 🏰 family and friends relationships mystery adventure thriller novel by Roger Riccard. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are approached by Mark Twain about a briefcase and the papers inside being missing. They investigate with only read ends but then Mycroft calls them and supplies an answer. They return the briefcase and papers to Mark Twain and all is well. I would recommend this novel and author to 👍 fans of Sherlock Holmes and readers of mystery novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 😀👒☺☺
January 3, 2023
I found this to be an engaging mystery read that attempted to maintain Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's style of writing. I could have done without the side story of a possible romance for Dr. Watson but the mystery kept me turning the pages. All in all, a good story.
Want to read
December 15, 2019ENdeavor Press Holmes Advent Calendar
May 27, 2023
Every so often I try a Sherlock Holmes pastiche, hoping I'll find someone who really handles the characters and genre well. Loren D. Estleman is one of the very few I have found so far, but I keep hoping.
This book is the usual Watson's lost case type, with a story locked away for 100 years upon the wishes of the client -- Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain. Someone broke into his hotel room and stole some of his autobiographical notes!
I was glad to find that the author treated John Watson with respect and dignity, far too many treat him as a fool, a lightweight, or an idiot. He was none of those things in the books. How an author writes Watson is one of the keys to a good Holmes story. Holmes is less well handled; not poorly, but not very crisp or enjoyable. Also the author does not have a strong feel for 19th century behavior, the language is pretty good but people do not act, react, and behave quite as they ought.
It wasn't bad but it suffers from being a full long form novel instead of a short story. It is very difficult to make a satisfying novel out of Holmes because he works so fast and figures things out so swiftly that you have to pad the story to make it fill out a book (see Doyle's few long form stories and how they are mostly not the mystery and tend to be packed with back story).
In this case, a romance, lots of travelogue, Dr Watson getting a cold and more are added to the story just to fill it out -- all fine in in and of themselves if handled well (and they are for the most part) but completely out of character for Watson and nothing that he would have ever even considered putting into a Holmes story. Watson's Victorian gentleman ethic would have precluded anything but minor hints and a passing reference to romance to a lady out of a sense of propriety and just basic embarrassment.
So as a rule I very much prefer short stories about Holmes. At least there were very few forced "look at me tricking people with deductive stunts" scenes in this, something I appreciated. Its really 3½ stars, I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it but I won't go out of my way to read any more.
This book is the usual Watson's lost case type, with a story locked away for 100 years upon the wishes of the client -- Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain. Someone broke into his hotel room and stole some of his autobiographical notes!
I was glad to find that the author treated John Watson with respect and dignity, far too many treat him as a fool, a lightweight, or an idiot. He was none of those things in the books. How an author writes Watson is one of the keys to a good Holmes story. Holmes is less well handled; not poorly, but not very crisp or enjoyable. Also the author does not have a strong feel for 19th century behavior, the language is pretty good but people do not act, react, and behave quite as they ought.
It wasn't bad but it suffers from being a full long form novel instead of a short story. It is very difficult to make a satisfying novel out of Holmes because he works so fast and figures things out so swiftly that you have to pad the story to make it fill out a book (see Doyle's few long form stories and how they are mostly not the mystery and tend to be packed with back story).
In this case, a romance, lots of travelogue, Dr Watson getting a cold and more are added to the story just to fill it out -- all fine in in and of themselves if handled well (and they are for the most part) but completely out of character for Watson and nothing that he would have ever even considered putting into a Holmes story. Watson's Victorian gentleman ethic would have precluded anything but minor hints and a passing reference to romance to a lady out of a sense of propriety and just basic embarrassment.
So as a rule I very much prefer short stories about Holmes. At least there were very few forced "look at me tricking people with deductive stunts" scenes in this, something I appreciated. Its really 3½ stars, I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it but I won't go out of my way to read any more.
August 4, 2023
A good Holmes Pastiche. The author captured the 'spirit' of Doyle's writings, and it was amusing to read about their relationship with Mark Twain. However, while I didn't figure out 'whodunit' early on, I knew immediately 'why' they did it.
In this story, many recognize Watson, including Twain himself, as a noteworthy author in his own right and not just as the man who follows Holmes around taking notes.
My only complaint about this book is the padding. Unnecessary side stories, romance, Watson's cold, the wonder of the automobile, a lot of that could have been cut, but apart from that, an entertaining story.
In this story, many recognize Watson, including Twain himself, as a noteworthy author in his own right and not just as the man who follows Holmes around taking notes.
My only complaint about this book is the padding. Unnecessary side stories, romance, Watson's cold, the wonder of the automobile, a lot of that could have been cut, but apart from that, an entertaining story.
October 2, 2023
I'm not usually a fan of books written using characters from other authors but this one is an exception. It's very well written. I felt like I was back in England as it was over 100 years ago. The characters really came alive for me and I had to know what happened to them. The author really maintained the feel of the original Holmes stories.
November 27, 2018
A Nicer Kinder Sherlock
The difference in personalities of the various writers of the Holmes/Watson stories fascinated me. I find this Holmes to be kinder and this Watson to be more intelligent. I whole heartedly enjoyed this story.
The difference in personalities of the various writers of the Holmes/Watson stories fascinated me. I find this Holmes to be kinder and this Watson to be more intelligent. I whole heartedly enjoyed this story.
July 2, 2019
Excellent novel
This story was amazing. The author developed the characters enough to give the story life, but left enough undisclosed to keep me interested to the end. I look forward to the next novel by this author.
This story was amazing. The author developed the characters enough to give the story life, but left enough undisclosed to keep me interested to the end. I look forward to the next novel by this author.
June 4, 2023
Very well written, thoroughly enjoyable to read. This is the first time I read a Sherlock Holmes book from anyone other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and I was impressed. I recommend Riccard to anyone who wants to continue reading more adventures with Holmes.
January 27, 2019
Fine writing
A good story , full of the excitement of the original Holmes and Watson takes. Well worth reading and enjoying .
A good story , full of the excitement of the original Holmes and Watson takes. Well worth reading and enjoying .
December 6, 2020
Ok effort
Thin plot. Decent effort to recreate characters and mix in holmesian references. The writing is somewhat stilted. Better Holmes stories have been written by others.
Thin plot. Decent effort to recreate characters and mix in holmesian references. The writing is somewhat stilted. Better Holmes stories have been written by others.
March 12, 2021
How can you improve on a Sherlock Holmes mystery that has Samuel Clemens, Dickens and the Savage Family? Simply, you can’t.
March 12, 2024
another excellent Sherlock Holmes mystery
The story is true to the era and the location. Mr. Riccard certainly does his research. Once again, a fine plot with a surprise ending.
The story is true to the era and the location. Mr. Riccard certainly does his research. Once again, a fine plot with a surprise ending.
December 10, 2023
in Short:
+Some interesing historic detals
-/+More emphasics on Watson personal problems(but its nice),
-dragged in middle,
-Little Holmes deduction
-Poor plot.
+Some interesing historic detals
-/+More emphasics on Watson personal problems(but its nice),
-dragged in middle,
-Little Holmes deduction
-Poor plot.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews