THE CASE OF THE GREEN CARNATION – David Gerrold
The renown Sherlock Holmes is being brought in to a meeting with noted author, Oscar Wilde. Wilde is being blackmailed and is looking for help from Holmes. There is an answer, but without true willingness on Wilde’s part, there won’t be the resolution he hopes for.
I found David Gerrold’s writing to be very true to both Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. There’s a nice back and forth tête-à-tête with the two larger-than-life characters (not a true tête-à-tête, I suppose, given Watson’s presence in the room), each displaying their brilliance. It’s almost as though Wilde is trying to show Holmes that he is just as smart and clever, with Holmes showing Wilde that while he is certainly clever, his brilliance blinds him to the truth.
This is very nicely done and the suggestion that Holmes’ relationship with Watson is something more than just business associates really made me pause and think.
This ebook also includes a short story, “The Fan Who Molded Himself”. This is Gerrold’s pun on his own work, The Man Who Folded Himself. You might want to be familiar with that book before reading the story, but it isn’t required. (Honestly, you should just read it because it’s a really good book.)
In the story, Dr Watson receives a package from a descendant with some frightening information about how Sherlock Holmes has really been able to solve the mysteries so well.
All in all, a really fun read. I’m not a huge Sherlock Holmes aficionado but I do think that The Case of the Green Carnation was one of the most true to the Doyle stories that I’ve read.
The Case of the Green Carnation
author: David Gerrold
publisher: DG Media
Kindle Edition, 41 pages
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THE CASE OF THE LITTLE BLOODY SLIPPER – Carlie St. George
From the Goodreads description for this book: “Jimmy Prince is a private detective with a tendency to make bad decisions, take on hopeless cases, and ask too many questions. But no one is answering his inquiries about Ella, the mysterious dame who slipped into the Prince family gala, stayed for a dance, then disappeared at midnight leaving just a single bloody glass slipper behind.”
I really enjoyed this dark, pulp fiction mystery take on the classic Cinderella tale. Instead of being Cinderella’s story, it’s the prince’s story and the prince here is a gumshoe detective in the vein of Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe but a little more down on his luck. The characters are well crafted despite their brief appearances (only 80 e-pages).
This is a quick read but very much in the classic, pulp detective fiction mold.
In addition to the pulp-ness of the story, this appeals to me on a couple of other levels. I enjoy reading different takes on familiar stories. I also enjoy a good pun and this story takes place in Spindle City and we definitely have a ‘spin’ on a classic tale.
I initially got this book through the Kindle Unlimited reading program but I see it’s no longer available through Amazon. Which is too bad, as I went to spend money to buy the next two short books in the series. A little searching and you can find the books free on other websites.
The Case of the Bloody Slipper
author: Carlie St. George
series: Spindle City #1
publisher: Book Smugglers Publishing
ISBN: 9781942302131
ebook, 80 pages
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THE GIRL WITH THE GREEN TINTED HAIR – Gavin Whyte
A boy finds a girl singing and dancing under his favorite tree. He had no way to know that he had been chosen to be a part of this out-of-this -world, one-time event.
The girl, blonde with a green tint to her hair, shows the boy how to live a life in joy and to follow the path that is meant for him. Where he once feared growing old he comes to understand that age and dying are not to be feared but welcomed when the time comes.
This is a really sweet allegorical tale, well written and meaningful. Author Gavin Whyte describes it as a ‘miraculous fable’ and often I find that sort of thing to be annoying hyperbole, but in this case the label fits quite aptly.
This is a quick read and probably a free read if you keep an eye out for it.
The Girl With the Green-Tinted Hair
author: Gavin Whyte
publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781508760276
paperback, 68 pages
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