“Look down the valley! See the cloud of a hundred chimneys that overshadows it! I tell you that the cloud of murder hangs thicker and lower than that “Look down the valley! See the cloud of a hundred chimneys that overshadows it! I tell you that the cloud of murder hangs thicker and lower than that over the heads of people. It’s the Valley of Fear – the Valley of Death. The terror is in the hearts of the people from dusk to dawn.”
A formulaic murder mystery which can be easily seen as a trailblazer-like story for the pulp era whodunits common in dime and drug stores during the golden era of the genre. THE VALLEY OF FEAR is perfectly placed among the Hard Case Crime novels it so shares the commodity with – one of the many where the artwork adds to the story.
Cosmetics aside, the story sets out as a straight forward murder mystery true to the Sherlock Holmes formula. Called in to assist the police in what seems a straight forward suicide, Holmes' investigation quickly becomes a case of murder; the origins of which spanning back many years prior. Enter the Freemasons, violent gangs, a community in fear, and a few twists to keep the reader on their toes.
The Valley of Fear is a tale of two novellas; the first, a pulp mystery, the second a cult of fear where control of a small community is attained by-over-the-top violence. A.C. Doyle does a great job at rounding out the plot and linking the two stories perfectly while added some really nice twists.
I found myself enjoying the book moreso the second time round (having read it some 6 years earlier). ...more
As a reader who hasn't read all that much by way of Sherlock Holmes, I have to say this was a great way to be introduced to the character for the moreAs a reader who hasn't read all that much by way of Sherlock Holmes, I have to say this was a great way to be introduced to the character for the more novice readers out there.
Set in 1890, Sherlock and Dr. Watson (the character responsible for chronicling Sherlock's adventures) are accosted by a desperate art dealer, Mr Carstairs, who is being harassed by a dangerous criminal from Boston, with whom he has a history; this mysterious flat-cap wearing man has been seen standing outside of Carstairs lavish homestead and has been terrorizing his every waking thought - with murder most prominent.
Intrigued by the case, Sherlock accepts to delve into this cross-continent connection to find out the why's and wherefore's of the mysterious happenstance with the aim to rid Carstairs of his troublesome tormentor.
What Sherlock didn't envision, was the case taking a turn for the worst; a turn which hits all too close to home with the ramifications being blood spilled and multiple murder.
My rating; 4/5. Anthony Horowitz does a great job at recreating that Sherlock Holmes feel with a slightly modern pop fiction twist. I loved the way the story evolved, taking the reader on a journey much more in-depth than what I had expected. Highly recommended. ...more
A collection of 17 short stories featuring a private eye and a murder/missing person mystery, some written by some very accomplished crime fiction autA collection of 17 short stories featuring a private eye and a murder/missing person mystery, some written by some very accomplished crime fiction authors such as Max Allan Collins, Gary Phillips, and Robert J. Randisi who founded the Private Eye Writers of America and created the Shamus Award while others by authors who were new to me in C. J. Henderson and Mike W. Barr to name a few.
The collection whilst largely sticking the to private eye theme comprises a diverse collection of stories touching upon the supernatural in The Mind of the Dead by C. J. Henderson, horror in Laying Hands by Fred Van Lente, and superheroes in The Doxy Next Door by K. G. McAbe.
The best of the bunch include Murder Gone Wylde by Mike W. Barr, The Most Vulgar of Insanities by C. J. Henderson, Unreasonable Doubt by Max Allan Collins, Ashes in the Wind by Robert J. Randisi and The Doxy Next Door by K. G. McAbe.
My rating: 3/5 stars, I was hoping for more stories centered around the traditional pulp private eye. Overall the collection lacked a little, with 1/3rd serving as 'filler'. That said, the stories mentioned above (and that cover art) are well worth the price of admission. ...more
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