Unfortunately, I could not suspend belief enough to enjoy this book.

I'm not sure if it is the book or me, which is why I have gone with 1 star rather than no stars. I did not finish this book, I stopped reading at 39%.

Apologies, it just was not for me. I could not engage and stay interested and it was a little too far fetched for me. Didn't sit well having loved everything else Sherlock I've ever seen or read.

I am a great Fan of the world best detective, and I am thankful that I got the chance to read this book.
But it is not what I would have expected from the Cover and the description.
I am not a big fan of the walking dead, and all the other Zombie stuff and I am missing the classic detective vibe.
But for fans of the walking Undead, a great read.

Watson & Holmes are at it again but this time the new case is out of this world. Watson knows that Sherlock is keeping something from him and he knows that he will just need to be patient as he will tell him eventually. Their new case involves missing patients and a doctor with a dark family history. Will they be able to stop him from raising an army of dead? But is there more to the story is someone else involved? Will they be able to stop evil was taking over their town? A good read full of twists & turns. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Netgalley & the publishing house in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent ... takes up the characters well... in fact a bit deeper on Watson who seems genuinely caring doctor, worried about his friend horribly assaulted,
Sherlock holmes .. the story of fatal disappearances become as darker as we read history of a vicious doctor transported from elsewhere who has set up in London. It gets very dark .. beware. If you love Sherlock Holmes like I do, this is great and refreshing addition to the tales.

Sherlock, zombies and Jack the Ripper?
What a fun romp! Yes, you have to suspend disbelief, and no, you can't approach it seriously but this was a riotously fun book. Not anywhere close to canon, in my opinion, but still, fun, energetic and engaging.
Watson's behaviour jarred in one or two points, but that's my only major criticism. Really enjoyed this one!

I received an ebook copy of this book on Netgalley, and chose to review it.

This book piqued my interest as I am a fan of mysteries and Sherlock Holmes and find theories about Jack the Ripper interesting. However, I have mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed this version of Sherlock but I had issues of how Dr. Watson was portrayed. I enjoyed the theory behind who Jack the Ripper really was. The origin story about the zombies was interesting but I felt like the zombie part of the story some times made the storyline drag. I felt like the book would have been more enjoyable if it was a little shorter. Overall I enjoyed the book and can honestly say I have never read another book like this one. With this said if you like Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper, and zombies you might enjoy this book.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

This book was received as an ARC from Burns & Lea books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes book the most due to the fact that Watson has now taken over as the lead character and in a dilemma himself when fair maiden Anne Prescott reveals a case of her missing fiance and sister and that there is a killer on the loose but in this case, the killer is the least of Watson’s problems when he is newly we’d to Mary but feels a deep attraction to Anne and as the reader I was more interested in who he was going to choose instead of who is a killer. Our community will love this book because of the new approach taken by this book,

We will consider adding this book to our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review



So, I’ll be really honest here.. While I am usually a fan of all things Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch..I love you <3) this book just fell short for me. It just didn’t hold my attention. I found this to be an easy read, but also easily forgotten. I enjoy stories that stay with me for days at a time, but this one just wasn’t a win for me. I did love Watson in this book. He was pretty entertaining, and I love reading from his perspective (as true to the Sherlock series.) I am not usually a fan of zombie stories, but Downing has a great writing style.


I gave this book 2 stars because of Downings ability to create a great story, however it just wasn’t the story for me.

I am a fan of Sherlock Holmes. My whole family is. I read Sherlock Holmes stories to our son when he was in kindergarten - The Blue Carbuncle at Christmas time naturally. I may be the only one open to reading Sherlock Holmes stories written by authors other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and have had varying degrees of enjoyment from them. Sometimes Holmes has been a woman, or it takes place after his retirement and he is beekeeping, or he is a ghost advising a young woman. This time he is fighting zombies.

This book is not for me, it is not for my family. The problem isn't the zombies exactly although they didn't care for the idea but with the way the characters are written. Holmes would not wish to be like anyone but himself contrary to what the author has written mid-story in reference to Anne Prescott and her strength of character. Watson would not cheat on Mary, he just wouldn't. I also believe he would have more regard for the people assisting them and would not recklessly endanger them for what he admits are his own selfish motives.

There are inconsistencies in the story also. For example, in the latter portion of the book, Watson notes that Anne not longer has the capacity for speech yet later she is described during what would be her final battle as screaming "Jack". Did she suddenly regain the power of speech?

I found the general tone of the writing overwrought and melodramatic. The modern flair did not resonate with me. I was surprised upon reading some reviews (upon completing the novel) that several note this is a "must-read" even if or especially for canonical fans of Conan Doyle. I don't think this is for canonical fans at all. I am inclined to think that zombie fans who may be aware of Sherlock Holmes would enjoy this. People who may know of the characters by the Robert Downey, Jr. films will likely enjoy it as well. But fans who know them through the books, Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, et,al. may be in for disappointment. I can not recommend this book for them.

I have to admit this is the first Sherlock Holmes book I have ever read. I know what you are thinking and the answer is yes, I am nuts. I really enjoyed this book and how Holmes and Watson complete each other. Together they make the perfect person. I will be going back and reading some of Conan Arthur Doyle's stories of this great pair.

Truthfully, I did not think this novel stood up with the other Sherlock Holmes novels originally by Arthur Conan Doyle. I had just finished the original Sherlock Holmes novels the week before reading this one which may have caused this opinion but I had high hopes that this would be a good one to join in the series.

Unfortunately, for me it did not.

Things i did like:
I liked that it was told my Watson's point of view which is the same as the originals. I also didn't mind the mystery aspect. There is a Jack the Ripper story which was interesting and added a little something to the overall mystery.

Things i didn't like:
I really didn't like the Watson issues in this novel, with Anne and Mary. In the original stories, Mary wasn't a huge character and Watson never thought of another woman. However, this novel may be more like the BBC TV show than the original novels as Mary was not only a larger character but had a background that was very interesting. This Watson didn't seem like the same Watson that was in the original novels.

I am giving this novel ⭐⭐ review. I decided to give it two as Downing's writing was still very well done. Unfortunately the story itself was not one i would recommend if you love the original novels.

#Sherlockholmes #NetGalley

Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Undead Client by M.J. Downing
Released on June 1, 2019
Thank you to Burns & Lea Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this novel!

While I wanted to enjoy this book, I found it fell short at most turns. The concept of Holmes & Watson vs zombies has a lot of potential, but instead is presented with a disturbingly racist slant (the zombies are controlled by voodoo and one of the main villains is a disabled black man who is constantly described as animalistic himself). Arthur Conan Doyle was of his time: modern writers using his world should absolutely not be.

In addition, Watson veered more towards the buffoonish Jam Watson (of Kate Beaton's wonderful comic) than someone who would have Holmes's trust, and Watson's extra-marital affair was difficult for me to buy. The ending suggests more stories in this 'verse: I would not recommend this, or any of the potential follow ups.

I'm a fan of Sherlock Holmes and I loved this book.
The style of writing and the character development reminded me of Conan Doyle books.
I found the plot entertaining and engrossing.
I look forward to reading other books in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A really good descriptive story. A bit more violent than you might expect from a Holmes story! I was a bit surprised by Dr Watson’s behavior. It was a page turner, I really enjoyed it!

** Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
El libro esta bien escrito, mantiene algunas cosas tradicionales y aporta nuevas a la narrativa de Sherlock. Tengo que decir que tenia grandes expectativas, y aunque esta bien escrito, y en parte lo disfrute, la cuestión ”zombie” arruino todo para mi. Una historia que tenga este tipo de personajes, necesita tener determinadas características para que me guste, sino no las disfruto, cosa que me pasa también con los Aliens por ejemplo. Pero si no tienen problemas con eso, lo recomiendo ampliamente.

Loved it!! Mystery at its best. You need to read this if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes at all. Definitely one to add to your summer reading list.

Having read all the Conan Doyle Holmes books I was excited to see this book. It didnt disapoint me.

Its told from Watsons point of view and was very enjoyable. Loved the Jack the RIpper plot in it too.

Well written and a great paced read, especailly if you love anything to do with Sherlock and Victorian London.

Thanks to Netgalley and Burns and Lea Books for the ARC. My review is my own opinion.

I really liked this book which is a surprise I must say. The author has done a good job of depicting the characters and the emotions that the characters give off. The writing is entirely my jam but I made do.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Undead Client is a horror Holmes and Watson homage with zombies. Released 1st June 2019 it's the first in a new series by M. J. Downing, is 289 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is supernatural horror with loads of zombies, blood-soaked and stomach turning in a lot of places. The violence is unrelenting and graphic. There are several disparate plot threads (zombies, shady British government goings-on, Jack the Ripper killings, voodoo, etc) and it's not surprising that in some ways, the central plot gets lost in the details.

The author has a strong and deft touch with characterization and detailed flowing period dialogue. I felt, however, that the central characters weren't quite Holmes & Watson. There was much less cerebrating than braining zombies with blunt instruments, or beheading with swords. I felt that most of the plot was action and reaction, fight and retreat. Actually, I was curious enough to search online about the kukri sword which features prominently in the book. Hats off to the author for the quality of historical detail in his background research. (Kukri can, indeed, reportedly decapitate in one stroke (a goat, at least, which is probably more muscular than a zombie)).

There are elements of sexual tension in the book, but nothing graphic. In fact, the attraction subplot was well written and added an element of melancholy to the work.

This is a bit more grisly horror fare than I am strictly a fan of, but it's well written and I'll be looking for the next book(s) in the series. For fans of completely canonical Conan Doyle this will no doubt be a shade beyond the pale. For the rest of us, it's a ripping yarn (with zombies).

Four stars

I was disappointed by this book, not because it's poorly written, but because I just didn't find it a good fit with the Holmes canon, and I'd chosen to read this book because I was hankering for some Holmes. This books lack the kinds of ratiocination that make the Holmes stories so engrossing. In the canon, it's not just that Holmes and Watson solve mysteries; it's that these mysteries become solvable because of the complexity of Holmes' thinking. The Case of the Undead Client reads more like an action movie. Attack, respond, retreat; attack, respond, retreat; attack, respond, retreat. Gun, sword, dagger; gun, sword, dagger; gun, sword, dagger. There is some thinking involved, but the book is propelled by brute force. If you like books where brawn is a key part of solving mysteries, you'll probably enjoy Undead Client. If, like me, you were looking something with a more cerebral core, you'll be disappointed.