The Devil's Dust
James Lovegrove
2018
4/5 stars
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Titan Books , book #14
This is very much a niche book -- it was written for that probably rare reader who is a fan of both Sherlock Holmes and H. Rider Haggard's hunter/adventurer Allan Quatermain.
I AM that reader.
Quatermain is second only to Holmes in terms of favorite male characters*, so for me, the teaming up of these two is absolutely delightful.
It's apparent that Lovegrove is familiar with Haggard's work, as he characterized Quatermain very much like the original. The carry-over of certain characters was a pleasure, as well as surprising at one point. I found this Quatermain's motivations to be believable, based on my reading of the Haggard series.
The rivalry-chemistry between Holmes and Quatermain was exactly what one would expect from that pair, and great fun. I have read one of Lovegrove's pastiches before (Sherlock Holmes & the Christmas Demon, my review here) and was pleased then, as now, with the closeness to the personality and actions of the genuine Holmes and narration of Watson. I will certainly continue to read Lovegrove's books.
I'll admit this is not going to be a book for everyone. Only a lover of Victorian adventures is going to appreciate it -- and goodness, how much I did! I can't give it five stars in all fairness, but I certainly got that much enjoyment out of it.
Note on the audiobook: At first, I didn't like Dennis Kleinman's voice for Holmes, but once I adjusted to that, I found him to be an excellent narrator.
(*I even have a pet named for him.)
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