I enjoy reading about the exploits of Holmes' contemporaries - first Moriarty now Lestrade.

Finally the Inspector gets his own place in the sun, and Holmes is relegated to the shadows.

MJ Trow is one of my favourite authors - so I am looking forward to more.

I started to this but it seemed pretty heavy handed as pastiche/parody. I'm not sure I'm the best person to comment - there may be fans of this take on Sherlock Holmes but it wasn't for me.

The text of this document was too smal for me to read it, even on my iPad. I’m sorry to report that as I could not read it, I was unable to review it.

I'm a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, so I was so glad to get my hands on a copy of #TheAdventuresOfInspectorLestrade. It's what I have been reading on my commute. I really enjoyed it - some of the historical characters seemed a little shoe-horned in for the sake of namedropping, but the mystery was creative and enthralling! Recommended for fans of historical mystery and Conan Doyle. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy for review.

It is 1891 and Londoners are still coming to terms with the unsolved mystery of Jack the Ripper. Melville McNaghten, the head of C.I.D. tries to hide the file containing information about Ripper from Lestrade. Lestrade has played an important role in finding clues and suspects in the Ripper case and now, Lestrade is not allowed to proceed further. However, Arabella, McNaghten’s daughter, steals the file from her father’s desk and hands it over to Lestrade. Lestrade is happy to see the list of the final four suspects in the Ripper case.

The story is then divided into chapters where each chapter corresponds to an unsolved murder case. The first story is The Man in the Chine – the gruesomely murdered and decomposed body of a man is found in the Shanklin Chine and Lestrade is sent to investigate the case as it closely resembles the M.O. of Ripper. After a series of investigations – from a poet to the military, Lestrade is not able to find the murderer.

The second story is Ball of Lightning. Lord Frederick Herstmonceux is found brutally murdered while on a hunting trip. A pack of 40 or so foxhounds gores him to death. Frederick was notoriously known for torturing and killing animals in the gruesome way possible. Was someone trying to avenge the killing of these animals?

The vicar’s daughter is the story of Harriet Elizabeth Wemyss, a 17-year-old girl who is found burned to death in her house. The vicar and Harriet’s father – Wemyss, believes that his daughter was murdered. But why? Although Lestrade knows that the girl did not die as a result of instant human combustion, he cannot find the murderer.

Three of Spades – Atlanta Washington, an ex-slave is humiliated in public by three men. The three men are then found dead in the Battersea Park, covered from head to toe in black paint. This sinister-looking murder case takes a turn when Lestrade finds out that the paint was stolen from a renowned painter – Alma Tameda.

The subsequent deaths of Albert Mauleverer, Forbes, Augustus, Philip Faye, and John Torquil increase the body count to eleven. Who will be the next victim? Will Lestrade be able to solve the mystery behind these killings?



This is the second book by M.J.Trow that I have read and I absolutely loved it! Be it his writing style – which is weird, quirky and one of a kind, be the story – a Patische of Sherlock Holmes, or the characters – Lestrade, Dew, Bandicoot (yes, you read it right!), Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Artur Conan Doyle and Dr.Watson, everything in this book is interesting.

The story is a mixture of murder mystery and humor, and a little bit of romance – just a teeny-weeny bit of it. Never imagined Lestrade to be of the romantic kind, but one does get to see his cheesy side in this book. The characters are absolutely marvelous – the conversations between Lestrade and Sherlock Holmes are not to be missed!

There’s a whole lot of clues and good detective work, with a bit of silly humor here and there, which makes the story even more interesting. The ending is unexpected. With the most famous characters being on the list of suspects, the story takes a 180-degree turn in the end. The murderer, well, even Lestrade couldn’t believe his eyes when he knew who it was! And, nor could I!



My favorite part of the book is when Lestrade gets the name of the painter – Alma Tameda wrong. Initially, he says it right – Alma Tameda. Then it is Mala-Teda, followed by Alma-Mater and finally, Alda-Tamer. Then the conversation between Dr.Watson and Lestrade where Watson accuses Conan Doyle of copying his work and Lestrade points out that he is termed as an ‘imbecile’ in the book, which is of course not true because he just recognized the old-hag downstairs as Sherlock Holmes.



If you love to read a good pastiche of Sherlock Holmes, then This is The Book! I have decided to read all the books in Inspector Lestrade series. It is super funny, super quirky and super interesting.

As any fan of Sherlock Holmes, I had to read about Lestrade.
In a period where Jack the Ripper awful crimes are in the minds and mouth of everyone, Lestrade is sent to the Isle of Wright, thinking it could be less stressful than London. But he was wrong.
Lestrade uses tricks and his genius to get a hold of the "Agrippa".
A wonderful fresh- air book in the era of Sherlock Holmes.

I very much enjoyed this read, quite surprising really. I read a wide assortment of historical crime accounts, which is why I was thrilled to find another author to pursue. Too sorry about Sherlock dying in the Alps, but never mind. M J Trow May fill
a void. An enjoyable romp through some rather disagreeable.
Times.

I have read other novels by Trow and enjoyed them. Was delighted to find this one was up to par. I liked reading more about Lestrade, who never really got a lot of play time in the original Sherlock books, or was made out to be a bit of a moron. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, surprisingly funny at times, and full of lots of good mystery.

I thank my lucky stars that made me decide to pick up this excellent book, and whether you’re a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, love good crime fiction, or simply enjoy a well-written novel with a good dose of humor, do not let this pass you by.

Inspector Lestrade is probably the best known of all of Holmes’s police contacts, and like most of them, frequently bumbles his way through a case without the ability to see past his own nose. M.J. Trow decides to turn things on their head, certainly not a novel (ho-hum!) idea. After all, Sherlock Holmes wasn’t all he was made out to be in the fabulously entertaining comedy, “Without A Clue,” starring Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley. In the movie, Dr. Watson is the actual sleuth who invents a fictional detective to allow him to solve crimes incognito. He hires Michael Caine’s character, an unemployed actor, to step in as Holmes. Inspector Lestrade, played by Jeffrey Jones, is the familiar jealous doofus.

M.J. Trow, however, not only gives his Lestrade a first name (Sholto), but also a personal life and enough smarts to successfully navigate his career in the police force. If anyone finds Sholto reminiscent of an Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, you are not mistaken. “The Adventures of Inspector Lestrade” is peppered with literary allusions harking back to the Conan Doyle canon. I won’t give any others away in order to not spoil your fun, but I’d like to say that I enjoyed finding them strewn throughout the text.

There is also an imposing cast of characters, from Conan Doyle, Holmes, and Watson as themselves, to familiar faces such as Athelney Jones and Inspector Gregson. A few real-life writers of the time make an appearance in smaller roles, like Oscar Wilde and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. They may be small details, but they imbue the story with a wonderful sense of playfulness, while at the same time betray Mr. Trow’s background as a historian. A couple of scenes center around misadventures with surnames. I thought those were quite funny and not overdone.

Readers familiar with European children’s literature will cotton on quickly to the fact that the murder series Lestrade must investigate is apparently based on Heinrich Hoffmann’s “Struwwelpeter” (Shock-headed Peter) stories. On a side note: As someone who loves those frequently gruesome tales to this day, I am more than a little appalled at the clunky and inelegant English translations which lack a lot of the charm of the originals, but I understand that in order to preserve the rhyme, certain linguistic sacrifices had to be made.

Lestrade takes more than a few literal and proverbial beatings in the course of his investigation, as the murderer seems to remain a solid step ahead of the police, while pressure to solve the case mounts as the months drag on. Red herrings abound, and the conclusion is a well thought-out surprise (at least that’s what I felt). I feel utterly satisfied on many levels by this wonderful book!

“The Adventures of Inspector Lestrade” is published by Thistle Publishing. I snagged a free copy for review via Netgalley. All opinions are absolutely my own, unless otherwise stated.

I enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories, whether the Conan Doyle originals or modern thefts of his characters. However, I have never read one that was anything like this book.

Firstly, the negatives. This book has been published for five years and reviewers have been complaining about the obvious typos ever since. Why haven’t the publishers fixed them? It shouldn’t take a professional proof-reader very long to find and remove them. Ignoring all those readers for all that time does hint at arrogance, I’m afraid.

I cannot blame Meirion Trow for the typos. However, I can blame him for (a) sending one character to Rainow Station and (b) using the word “restroom” in a novel set in 1891.

A station in Rainow? He can’t have studied the local geography. Not only has there never been a station between Macclesfield and Bollington, where would a fictitious spur line go to? And how on earth would the engines pull coaches up that gradient? No – it’s ludicrous.

“Restroom”? an obvious translation from English into American. But by whom? The author? Or an over-anxious publisher who is confident that a novel set in Victorian England will sell in the US, but only if rendered in modern American? And yes, I know, the first recorded use of “restroom” as a synonym for toilet was in 1897, but still post-dates 1891 and is still American.

I also think it highly unlikely that a Victorian Head of the CID would call a subordinate by his first name, even when wheedling. I don’t know – I wasn’t around in those times – but I think it unlikely and it jars (but nowhere near as much as “restroom”).

Now, the positives. The book appealed to my sense of humour. But be warned, it’s probably fair to say that if you like Monty Python, the Goons and Police Squad, you might enjoy this book. If you dislike the surrealistic comedy espoused by those three, you will hate the book.

“Dew call me a cab in the Minories.”
And Dew’s voice echoed back as he disappeared into the darkness. ‘You’re a cab in the Minories.’

When a bag is caught in revolving doors:
‘Do you know your bag is going round in the doors?’
‘He’s a big bag now. […] He must go his own way.’

Well, they made ME snigger!

Would I buy another book in the series? Maybe… the typos were numerous enough and blatant enough to actually disturb my reading. I’m used to a couple in a Kindle edition and it doesn’t bother me. However, the volume of typos in this book is significantly higher than the norm. I think I would if it was cheap. If the quality of type-setting, editing (or whatever word is appropriate for an e-book) is acceptable for that one, I might continue with the series. I'm sorry, but the typos, Rainow Station and restroom reduce my rating to three stars.

Inspector Lestrade is fresh off the Ripper case when he is once again thrown into the middle of a bizarre mystery. He is called to a murder scene in which the victim was sealed up behind a wall. When he returns to the Yard, he finds a letter on his desk containing an excerpt from a book of poetry, the content of which bears a striking resemblance to the murder scene he just visited. When a second body is discovered and then a third, also followed by peculiar letters, Lestrade knows he is facing a very adept foe. As the body count rises and the pressure to catch the killer mounts, Lestrade will be tested to the very limit of his abilities.

"The Adventures of Inspector Lestrade" by M.J. Trow features not Holmes but a supporting cast member of the Holmes stories, Inspector Sholto Lestrade of Scotland Yard. Although portrayed by Doyle as something of a misfit, Trow allows Lestrade to shine in the way he solves a series of murders without the help of Holmes. I've been a Holmes fan most of my life and thoroughly enjoyed the first entry in this spinoff series. Anyone who enjoys mysteries should check out this series. I give it 4/5 stars.

*A copy of the ebook was the only consideration received for this review.*

Scotland Yards Very own Inspector Lestrade, works alongside Holmes, Watson and the Conan Doyle.
Great premise, but it got a little confusing for me in some spots. This is book #1 and I will say that book# 2 will be on my TBR list.
Thanks NetGalley for the chance to review.

This book is a tale of Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard as a stand alone character. Lastrade is famous for his Sherlock Holmes connection. He is known for coming to the detective for help in some of Lestrade’s more baffling cases. Sherlock Holmes always makes fun of the bumbling detective but solves his cases and lets him take the credit, thereby establishing Lestrade’s credentials as a famous Inspector. In this particular story Holmes makes a brief appearance but is in no way part of the narrative or the solution. As Lestrade struggles with a series of murders he is sure he can solve, he accepts a new constable to teach the ropes to and takes on murder after murder with only the wrong conclusions. The story is meant to absolve Lestrade of the contempt of Holmes and show he can do what he needs to do eventually. This makes him less of a hero and more of a laughing stock in the story, as the author intends. This is not a serious mystery but a good read if you are looking for something light and funny.

I am a fan of the original Sherlock Holmes so I wanted to love this and I think that maybe my expectations were just too high because it has left me feeling quite deflated. It felt like a slog, I was waiting to be gripped and it just didn't happen. I felt that the pace dragging. Overall - Disappointing

I love all the story of Jack the Ripper. This was a unique look on something that has been done a lot lately. This is not simple "another Jack the Ripper" book. This would be like reading an actual biography of the investigator.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Thistle Publishing and M J Trow for the opportunity to read The Adventures Of Inspector Lestrade.
I enjoyed reading this novel. The storyline was well thought out and grabs your attention. If you enjoy reading about Sherlock Holmes, give this book a go. Will definitely be on the lookout for more in the Inspector Lestrade series.

I'm sorry but I could not bring myself to continue with this book. I gave it a hundred pages waiting for a sparkle, waiting for the book to take me in. But it didn't.
This is disappointing given the premise: London, The Ripper, Lestrade and Sherlock...
Too much dust on the words. Too many words...

A bit different from the run of the mill mysteries, with a series of chapters all leading to the final conclusion. It was an enjoyable read, and one that once started, you want to continue to the end. The story was a little farfetched and reminiscent of a bygone era in writing, and it is very interesting in as such prospective.

I've read a few books by M J Trow before, so was keen to see how he would work with the characters from Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. Lestrade, in this book, is the police detective with the upper hand over the investigator (who, along with Dr Watson, very much takes a back seat). He is called upon to solve a series of crimes that follow the story of Struwwelpeter in their methods of dispatching their victims; I didn't know the original story, but this doesn't matter as it is explained.

There was much to like here - Lestrade is an appealing and humorous character; the story was well plotted and had some good twists; and the Victorian setting is one that I like. However, I found some of it quite disjointed (especially why Lestrade was investigating a random series of crimes across the country if he worked for Scotland Yard and the crimes were not obviously linked). It took a bit of perseverance to get to the end, although I was glad I did for the satisfying denouement.

Overall, an undemanding read, but not one of the best by this writer in my opinion.

Really enjoyed this rendition of a Sherlock Holmesian mystery story. You never really learn much about Lestrade during the Holmes sagas and in the older movie versions he was a bit of a buffoon. In this story he is a serious, hard working policeman dealing with some horrific crimes. The mystery is very compelling and has quite an ending. I am anxious to read more about this intrepid detective who seems to have come in to his own in this book.