Nicholas Meyer (1) (1945–)

I read a ton of "new" Holmes fiction, and this is the best piece I've read in ages. Why?
• The "mystery" at the center of the story really matters—both in its moment and for what it can help us examine in the present day
• The author's version of Watson's voice is believable and engaging.
• The trope of presenting the story as a "found" document and the addition of notes by the author/finder are delightful, giving the book an additional level of entertainment.
• The reader sees show more development of both the Holmes and Watson characters that is appropriate to their identities as Conan Doyle created them.
• There's some very nice exploration of the tensions in the relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes.
This is definitely a title work seeking out. show less

Did something today I've always sworn I'd never do, which is to say I read a piece of fiction longer than just a couple pages on my computer screen. However, I have no regrets (my lower back may develop other ideas), as it meant I got to spend the day in the company of Nicholas Meyer's always entertaining iterations of Holmes and Watson on a straight-up adventure tale - THE RETURN OF THE PHARAOH - set in 1911 Egypt.

When Watson takes his ailing wife to Cairo in an effort to combat her show more consumption, and heads to the legendary Shepheard's Hotel for a drink, he encounters, of all people, a disguised Sherlock Holmes on the trail of a missing duke who may, or may not, have a lead on the location of an undisturbed tomb in the Valley of the Kings. So he falls-in alongside his old companion on a quest that will involve Howard Carter, a belly dancer of dubious distinction, the Duke's Brazilian wife and curious brother, and, of course, the mummy of a pharaoh.

While probably the least complicated of Nick's Holmes tales to date, it's one hell of a fun romp and a fast-paced page turner, and with his distinctive take on Holmes (he reminds me of Wilmer's Holmes more than any other) and Watson coupled with his uncluttered cinematic writing style, it's a joy from start to finish. Easily one of the top Sherlock Holmes books to be released this year. show less

I quite enjoyed this one, and all the cameos Meyer dropped in. The story was enjoyable and did feel mostly like a quite authentic Conan Doyle tale.

I do also like that Meyer is willing to take chances and also push the boundaries of Sherlock's universe, but not too much. Sherlock doesn't meet Cthulhu or Batman or Donald Trump, so these are good things.

I do, however, think that it does go a touch too Hollywood. The cameos are fun, but in a slim volume, it does begin to feel a touch show more claustrophobic, a touch overstuffed.

Still, with no new Doyle yarns, Meyer is, at least for now, still my favourite go-to for the further adventures of Holmes and Watson. show less

Gotta say, I enjoyed this just as much as the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories, despite Meyer taking some liberties with the Holmes canon.

This was a well-written, true to Doyle's voice continuation of the Holmes/Watson partnership, but it also added some dimension to their relationship, as well as building on to Holmes' past.

I honestly thought this book was a one-off, so imagine my surprise to find out there's two more to read, and a fourth volume coming in Oct 2019.

I'll eagerly read show more them all. show less