Barely recovered from his trip to the US and finding himself in need of clients and with dwindling resources, Reggie is glad to finally have a client. He is even more thrilled with the outcome of that case. But this just the beginning of a clever setup by a person seeking revenge. And Reggie is the scapegoat even though the real target is Sherlock Holmes. It’s a well-crafted mystery, both exciting and entertaining. ( )

I picked this up because I'm a bit of a sucker for Sherlockiana. I didn't expect much from it - I'm used to such works being more "look how much cannon I referenced!" than well plotted mystery.

I've been pleasantly surprised :) While there are bits that stretch suspension of disbelief, they weren't really noticeable while I listened. The narration was outstanding. The characters were appealingly real with intriguing depth. I plan to read more in this series. ( )

The Brothers of Baker Street - Michael Robertson
Audio performance by Simon Vance
4 stars

This one was fun. It’s a good contemporary mystery with a bit of a Holmesian twist. It is the second book in a series about a pair of London barristers who happen to have offices with the same address as the fictional Sherlock Holmes. The lease for the office includes a clause that all mail addressed to Mr. Holmes will be answered with a dismissive form letter.

But, what should be done when someone writes to Mr. Holmes with a tip that will prove a client’s innocence? The client is a London Black Cab driver. There seems to be an evil plot designed to undermine the integrity and expertise of the Black Cab drivers. (I always did think that GPS devices were just one more way for Big Brother to watch us.)

I didn’t read the first book in this series, but I didn’t have any trouble following the story. I’ll go back and listen to the first one as soon as I can get it. Who could turn down Simon Vance?

If you haven't yet read The Baker Street Letters, you might want to do so before picking this up. It's the first in this series about a couple of barrister brothers who set up chambers at 221B Baker Street and the mayhem that ensues when they make the mistake of opening some of the letters addressed to Sherlock Holmes; and this second volume in the series makes frequent allusions to the events in the first.

Having said that, I skipped volume 1 and still managed to make it through this without too much confusion. The plot is breezy if not exactly plausible, the characters more 3-dimensional than the usual sort that show up in Sherlock Holmes pastiches, and there's nothing in the prose to slow you down.

You'll figure out what's going on long before the characters do: not because of your keen Sherlock Holmes-like investigative skills - sorry! - but rather because the author wants you to figure it out. Adds to the suspense of the ending but does detract from the mystery ... a compromise I have to believe Conan Doyle would never have tolerated.

In short, nothing you'll remember a year from now, but just right for a breezy beach read or popping into your purse for a long ride on the metro. ( )

This is a charming mystery, albeit with one too many coincidences. I find myself drawn particularly to the character of the female lead, who seems to be caught between two potential mates. It becomes clear during the solving of the mystery that she prefers the barrister to the media baron, but he needs to commit.

The author plays fair with the puzzle itself, but coincidences are necessary for the denouement. Nevertheless, this is a satisfying read and I will read the next book in the series happily. ( )