Review of 'Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon'

Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon by Larry Millett, and John H. Watson

sherlock_holmes_and_the_red_demon.jpg A “long-lost” tale of Sherlock Holmes and his companion, Dr. Watson discovered by the “editor” Larry Millet. This adventure takes place in Minnesota when they are hired by a railway magnate, James Hill, to discover who has been sending him letters threatening to burn down his railway. Their investigation leads them to meet several interesting characters in the remote logging town they find themselves in - A large brute of a man known for murder and stealing of lumber, the madam of a local brothel, or any of a number of locals who have their motives…

Written in the style of the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle this is a pleasant novel that sheds interesting light on the American mid-west in the late 1800s. Larry Millet is a writer with a local paper in St. Paul, Minnesota who paints quite a vivid portrait, particularly of the tragic disaster that befalls at the end of the novel. Characterisation of the classic detective is quite good with perhaps only a few minor points that a true Sherlock-ian would be able to spot…

An interesting story with quite a good mystery though there are some plot points that can be spotted a mile away the final reveal is still surprising in many respects.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2010-04-18


Genre: Crime/Mystery

Publisher: Penguin Books

Publication Date: 1996

ISBN: 0140258825