reading (The Last Sherlock Holmes Story)

I finished "The Last Sherlock Holmes Story" sometime early in the week, maybe Tuesday. It takes a lot of guts to title your book "The Last Sherlock Holmes Story", because, let's face it, there will always be another pastiche. But reading this book you realize that the author doesn't just have guts, he's got large brass ones as well. You'd have to have an incredible talent to pull this story off.

I will avoid writing spoilers even though the author doesn't seem to mind them. Mr. Dibdin gives away the main mystery about halfway through the book and spends the remainder of the book justifying. I didn't buy it. Sorry, to me it's the kind of thing that would come out of a discussion of three people sitting on a floor at the tail end of a long night of drinking.

Many people may try to write in the style of the canon stories, some succeeding better than others. Mr. Dibdin makes an excuse for not trying to write in the voice known as Watson, then doesn't even bother to stick to Victorian mannerisms. I'm no expert on the time period, but the words didn't feel right for either the characters or the time.

Overall, if you must read everything Holmes, then pick this up. If you're looking for a mystery or to get lost again in the voices of the characters you love, pass this one up.

51. Michael Dibdin "The Last Sherlock Holmes Story"

reading (HP & the Deathly Hallows)

I finished "The Deathly Hallows" while waiting for the traffic to abate after the Arlo Guthrie concert last night. I'll keep this review general and avoid spoilers for those who haven't read it yet.

I enjoyed most of this book immensely. I liked the humour. I liked the pace. I liked the plot and action for the most part.

I was rather put off by the ending. Not the results, but the way it gets there. Although I would have preferred different results, I can see the reasoning behind the ones that were written. To me the climax felt contrived. The same result could have been brought about more smoothly.

Also, it would have been nice to hear the fate of all our characters, not just the few Rowling decided to tell us about. People care about minor characters after seven books!

52. J. K. Rowling "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"