Cover Image: Elementary

Elementary

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Another new Sherlock Holmes story is unfortunately nothing really new. I did find the plots interesting enough to finish.

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Hi, I lost the eARC of this book so I won't be able to review this book. I hope you understand. I really wanted to read it but unfortunately my phone got formatted and I lost the copy.

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i really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I thought it was true to the Sherlock Holmes series.

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I received an uncorrected, advanced reader copy of “ Elementary” by William Todd from the author via Net Galley.
The book is made up of four short stories about the famous consulting detective, as told by his sometimes flat mate and friend , , Doctor Watson. The stories are a pleasant addition to the many Sherlock Holmes books and collected stories which have been written over the years by authors who wanted to add to A.C. Doyle’s canon.
The four stories that make up “Elementary” range from pretty good( both the first one and also the fourth story In the book) down to the third story, in which the killer’ s method was a bit of a stretch. The final entry is a good one., too. Mr Todd got fueling , settings and aura of the Holes books done Well enough to satisfy the need of some new Holmes and Watson adventures. I enjoyed the book and think readers looking for some diversion that will transport you back to when the famous detective prowled the moors and fogs of England.
Note: as an uncorrected proof, my copy had many formatting errors in paragraphing and punctuation, as well as some autocorrect type of word substitutions. I assume such errors with be edited out in finished editions. There were also a few of what I thought were anachronisms of speech. One example both Holmes and Watson used , in different stories, the phrase, “ cut to the chase”, which I think did not come into common usage until used in cowboy movies of the 1930’s . Also, to nit- pick a bit, at one point the author has Holmes “grin brilliantly“, which I doubt he ever would. He hardly ever even smiled. Grimaced, maybe, but grin?
Still a nice bit of fun for all readers.

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A collection of stories that were surprisingly true to the original style and tone. I enjoyed these tales probably more as they kept to the original style.

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When I was in my early teens I devoured every bit of the Sherlock Holmes opus, all 4 novels and the 5 collections of short stories. In fact I think I read most of them twice! Since then I have read a few attempts to extend the series, some have worked quite well (e.g. The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz) and some have fallen short.

Elementary by William Todd comprises “4 mysteries from the case files of Sherlock Holmes” which Dr Watson had not published. It didn’t work for me, it felt formulaic and somewhat predictable. To be honest I couldn’t bring myself to read all 4 of the stories, 2 were more than enough!

Unless you have read and remember all of the original Conan Doyle stories you might do better to go back to the originals and even if you do remember them I would still rather read the originals again than these wooden homages.

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4 Stars

Thank you Netgalley, William Todd and BooksGoSocial for the Netgalley review copy in return for an honest review.

Having read a few original Sherlock Holmes book, I can say that William Todd definitely embodied the writing style and atmosphere of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I had really fun reading these short Sherlock Holmes stories. It were 4 very different cases and different methods were used. All of them were well explained in a Sherlock Holmes fashion.

The four cases are:
1. Death of a Salesman in a hotel during Sherlock Holmes vacation
2. An alchemist is found shot to death
3. Death and Robbery of a ruby Necklace in a locked and guarded room
4. 3 men poisoned in a church

I do have to say that my kindle edition had a few formatting errors, but I didn't take that into account in my rating.

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There is Sherlock Holmes after the Sherlock Holmes. Numerous authors and producers tried to re-incarnate the great detective and his side-kick. Some of the attempt are more successful than others. Some are complete failures. And some of them are like 'returning home'.
William Todd's version of Holmes' cases is just like that - 'returning home'. A cozy, light, smooth and witty collection of 4 cases that finish as quickly as Holmes manages to say 'Elementary' (or doesn't).
Todd rememberd to include most of Holmes' peculiarities and traits, Watson's stoic respect and loyalty for his friend. He (Todd) even made Holmes more animated, more lively and friendly. That's a new.
The book reads well and very quickly. The language is light and voice is dynamic. The reader knows exactly what he/she is getting into as with the original stories.

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I am thankful to Netgalley for my review copy of Elementary by William Todd!
This is a nice little package of four short-stories, one of them longer than the others, featuring Sherlock Holmes and narrated by his friend, Dr. Watson. The author has succeeded in recreating the writing style of Doyle and the result is quite enjoyable. The settings of the stories are varied, as are the plots, and all are engaging, with interesting characters and well described scenes. As with the original stories by Doyle, there are some elements that feel implausible, but that does not affect the fun of the stories much. Elementary is a book that will appeal to all those fans of Holmes who can't get enough of the great detective.

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An entertaining collection of four short stories involving that great detective, Sherlock Holmes. The author's style of writing and approach to recreating Sherlock Holmes and his unique characteristics is commendable.

The characters and scenes, created in the short stories, bear enough resemblance to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle without comprising the author's writing. He allows the reader to reflect back and encourage us to want to read further. These stories have the ability to stand on their own and at the same time be a compliment to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with the respect he most assuredly deserves.

I want to thank Net Galley for an advance copy and I would highly recommend it.

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Quite right. Entertaining and I enjoyed it immensely. There was a bit of a problem with the formatting of the first story which is suspect may be corrected later. It didn't stop me from reading however.

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Four Sherlock Holmes- like mysteries in one book, very enjoyable, Sherlock is a little softer in personality in this book, and I think I enjoyed it a little more. The mysteries are good, well written with good story lines and intriguing plots. Dr Watson is a little smarter, and there is a real friendship that come through

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Nice set of Sherlock Holmes short stories. I enjoyed author's style close to the original works. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the free arc.

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I love all four stories! Usually, in an anthology of Sherlock Holmes stories, I'll only like one. Each of these were interesting and didn't leave me feeling that more story was needed to make it feel completed.

Each story has a consistent "Dr. Watson" voice, and an interesting Holmes!

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This Book is a Collection of four short stories. All the four stories include Murder Investigation by Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I liked the Todd’s style of writing, pretty simple, yet so descriptive. Plots have been developed well with intrigued story line. Characters and Scenes have been described well especially in the context of murder investigation. All the stories are fast paced with great twists and mystery. I was surprised by the ending which was so unpredictable in each of the short story.

Formatting errors throughout the book were the only let down for me.

Four Short Stories in this Book are:
1) Murder of Suit Salesman Newbury
2) Murder of Chemistry Professor Harold Austin
3) Murder and Theft in Hotel
4) Four Murders in Woodford-UponLea

If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes, you would certainly these short stories.

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189 pages

4 stars

This book is an anthology of four short stories during the life and times of Sherlock Holmes and his ever faithful sidekick Dr. Watson.

I enjoyed reading this book very much and felt that Mr. Todd did a remarkable job of staying faithful to the true Sherlockian style. Dr. Watson speaks with the same “accent” and authority with which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle imbued him. I felt like I was visiting an old friend. I've got most of Doyle's books and have always treasured them. The stories are not connected and can stand alone for a more leisurely reading pace.

The formatting was awful. Perhaps it is just my Kindle? So I didn't take any stars off for that. Hopefully, this problem will be fixed for the final publication.

I want to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book for me to read, enjoy and review.

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1 Death of A Salesman - Holmes and Watson are off on holiday to the Kerrek House on the Penwith Peninsula in Cornwall. Many of the passengers on their train also arrive at the hotel. But the next morning Watson witnesses a murder - a man standing near the cliff edge is shot from the hotel by an arrow. But what is the motive and who is the guilty party.
2 Elementary - Lestrade invites Holmes and Watson onto his case. The murder of a Professor Harold Austin in his laboratory in his home. Is his death connected to his experiments
3 The problem at Witney - Holmes receives a telegram from hotel owner Milton Hughes. A guest Francis Erdley has been murdered in his room. A room that was guarded at the door and around the hotel. A necklace was also stolen, but how did the murderer enter and leave the room unseen.
4 Mass Murder - Holmes and Watson are visiting their friend Phineas Whympenny in Woodford-Upon-Lea, when they come across a crime scene. The police are investigating the death of four men and attempted murder of a female.
Four enjoyable and well-written mystery stories.

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This book is a compilation of four short stories that feature Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. I felt that the author was very true to Arthur Conan Doyle in his style and writing manner, in the way he developed his characters and his plots. I love how they were done in short stories so that you didn't have to read the book all at once you could read it a story at a time.

If you, like me, are a fan of golden era mysteries featuring the famous Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Doctor Watson, you will definitely enjoy this book. I appreciate the fact that the author did not try to add any new characteristics to the characters. Hee held true to the beloved mystery icons.

Sitting down with this book and a cup of coffee while mmersing myself in further adventures with Holmes and Watson was like revisiting an old friend.

I would like to thank William Todd, BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Disclosure: I received this book from Books Go Social on NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is a compilation of four short stories featuring our favorite detective, Sherlock Holmes, and of course, Dr. Watson.

I felt the author was very faithful to the Conan Doyle style and prose. Each of the 4 stories was different, but all 4 were interesting. The nice thing about short stories is that you can read one, wait a couple of days, and read another...the next one being fresh and new.

If you like Sherlock Holmes stories, regardless of whether written by Conan Doyle or by more current authors, you will enjoy this set of short stories. Todd did not try to reinvent the Holmes character; rather, is entirely faithful to the original. Thus, it's like meeting with an old friend.

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