An interesting, engaging and thoughtful pairing of spiritual truths with the irresistible methods of Sherlock Holmes. Delving deeply into the canon, wrought with fantastic research and anecdotes and excavating the humanity behind the somewhat automatonic detective, Priebe extols the virtues of the science of mystery against the fascination of religion. Indeed, is there any better parallel of faith than Watson believing so greatly in Holmes' methods despite his all-too-human limitations when it comes to understanding his friend's great mind?

Discovering the mysteries of God in a very Sherlock Holmes style.

I'm a Sherlockian since long ago, and I like to read almost everything that mentions his name. However, sometimes I don’t like the adaptations or new novels that are written because I don’t think it's the same Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote.

Instead, this book was a delight to my eyes and my heart.

The author has sharp detective skills, because she takes the novels and stories of Holmes and turns them into daily lessons about God. This is not a book of finding God in Holmes stories, but learning from him to know God.

Each page was a refreshingly new way to discover the mysteries of God, besides it’s very enjoyable and an entertaining read. I also liked that included Bible verses to accompany each lesson, and thus lead to further reflection.

If you haven’t read about Holmes, you can still read this devotional because it can also function as an introduction to his books.

I wish everyone would read this book, because so far this year, is one of the best books I've read!

Excellent devotional!

BRAVO BRAVO!

At first, I didn't have too high hopes for this book. "Ho-Hum" I thought, when I saw the approach of the author. Sherlock Holmes and Christian theology? How will that work?

Oops--I was dead wrong.

The author takes selected passages from the Sherlock Holmes "Canon" and relates them to the Bible and Christian life. Each chapter is just a few pages long, and starts with an interesting theme from the stories. Usually, it involves an observation or quotation from Holmes. Then, Trisha relates that to some key aspect of the Christian life.

For example, the author explains what true humility is. It is not a focus on your own flaws--it is a focus AWAY from yourself. Nicely stated! I had never thought of it that way.

The author is obviously a well-read Christian, and thoroughly sound in her Christian doctrine. (How many authors know enough theology to quote Jonathan Edwards and Andrew Murray?)

Honestly, I am HUGELY IMPRESSED with this book. I seriously misjudged both the book and the author. Fun to read about Holmes, and inspiring (and sometimes sobering) practical theology.

Sample copy for impartial review.

This is a fun and decent read, The comparisons offered in each section are close but don't seem to "hit the mark" for me. Example:

"'Have a care! Have a care! You can't play with edged tools forever without cutting those dainty hands.' ... In this case, Holmes' language is consistent with the words of scripture. 'Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?' (Proverbs 6:28 NIV). Proverbs' hot coals and Klein's edged tools are one and the same. Never in the Bible is sin taken lightly."

I completely agree with the author. I feel like there could be better, smoother transitions, however, from example to topic of discussion.

Overall, it's a fun read and really makes me want to dive into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's masterpiece again to find my own connections to the life I live as a Christian. Realistically, I'd give it a 3.5 stars.

Thank you, Trisha and Barbour Publishing for sharing these thoughts with us.

Sherlock Holmes, a beloved fictional detective who could always uncover the solution to a crime. Using practical and observational knowledge, he put the pieces together to find the answers. Could this same logic be used to study the Bible? Come along and find out!

In this wonderful devotional, Trisha Priebe brings Holmes to life in a Biblical setting. Readers are not only treated to some of Sherlock Holmes' best moments, but they are tied in to practical Bible study. Devotional titles include: "The Art of Listening," "A Study in Silence," "The Not-So-Humble Holmes," and "Person of Interest." These studies will not only help readers delve deeper into the Scriptures, but will also bring out some of the Sherlock Holmes found in all of us.

I really enjoyed this book and will continue to pick it up. Having always enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes stories, this was a no-brainer to pick up. But, I did wonder how it would all work. It is really neat to apply the skills we can find in Holmes to my study of the Bible. If you enjoy a devotional that challenges you and helps you to dig, this one is for you.

This book provides readers with how to look at the literary character of Sherlock Holmes from a Christian perspective, and furthermore, using the art of deduction to find God's everlasting mercies in your life. It's a unique, one-of-a-kind book, which combines two big things in my life: a fictional detective who has stood the test of time and God, who created time itself and everything in it.

The author grabs your attention immediately by beginning each devotional with an introduction on a topic either about Sherlock himself, a case he encountered, or the characters that frequent 221B Baker Street. She than switches the lens to focus in on the subject paired with scriptures that uncover the true motives behind popular features of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. As the layers peel off, it is fascinating for me to see further into these snippets of literature than ever before. While reading Trisha White Priebe's book I began to perceive more things about Holmes and to renew my thoughts towards the Almighty.

"Truth: Sherlock Holmes found more of a friend in Dr. Watson than he ever did in his own brother, Mycroft. We, too, have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Chapter 10, A Sherlock Holmes Devotional)

Fans of the Victorian-era detective, will delight in all of the interesting facts and "behind the scenes" information concerning their favorite fictional character and his author. While you're learning these thrilling things of historical import, the author is also revealing amazing truths about God and His unending love for His children.

"Even if our trials never make sense to us in this life, we can be certain they make sense to God. The tangles and knots we view from this vantage point will appear as a perfect work of art when studied from the perspective of heaven." (Chapter 5, A Sherlock Holmes Devotional)

Page after page, be prepared for awe and surprise. There are 60 devotionals in the book, and while I tried to pace myself to only read 1 a day (thinking that I could enjoy it for 2 whole months), I finished it quicker than I anticipated to, by "sheer accident".

I took many notes while reading it... of well-phrased words to remind me of His amazing grace, and also many intriguing things about a certain detective who never even took a breath. It's all just TOO GOOD. Wouldn't you like to know about Doyle's posthumous story just published in 2001? Or how U.S. presidents such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman took to Sherlock Holmes? Or even whom the evil Moriarty's character was based upon?

This was the perfect book for me --- so happy to have found it when I did! I'll probably have to read it again one day, after I finish reading the entire Holmes canon.

Keep "A Sherlock Holmes Devotional" in mind for your Holmesian friends who enjoy the art of deducing.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the free review copy.

A Sherlock Holmes Devotional Uncovering the Mysteries of God
by Trisha White Priebe

Sherlock Holmes - it is a name that should turn the most ungodly of criminals white with fear. I do not know if the author saw this parallel as he wrote, but it explains why Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and the variety of crooks, thieves, and murderers, their paths crossed can serve up a month of spiritual lessons for us mere mortals.

Most devotionals leave me wanting - they are so shallow that they do not touch my heart. This book is not deep - but with the blend of insights into the world of Sherlock Holmes and into the spiritual world in which we find ourselves I found myself wanting to read more and more. I returned nightly to Ms. Priebe's thoughts, not because I had a review to write, but because I was learning increasingly more about one of my early heroes and about the God who loved me.

"A Sherlock Holmes Devotional" by Trisha Priebe brings together Sherlock Holmes and the Holy Bible in an interesting way. Each chapter of this book discusses various facets of Christianity and the Holmes universe.

As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I admire how the author handles this part of the book. She clearly loves ready Holmes stories, and accurately describes the detective and his unique methodology.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a mystery and wants a different method to worship.

As a Sherlockian and a Christian, I was pleased that these two things were put together, and very pleased at it's outcome! It uses bits and pieces of Sherlock's skills and adventures. It then relates them to a Christian Devotional topic. Thank you, NetGalley, for this free review ebook!

I was pleasantly surprised to love this devotional. The author clearly has an extensive knowledge of Sherlock Holmes, but the devotional shows so much more than that. Each devotional starts with an idea, concept or example from an episode of Sherlock Holmes, then applies it both to the bible (accurately) and makes it relevant to people's trials, trouble and lives today. New, very engaging, different, outside the box, relevant and biblically accurate not just feel good. An excellent and surprising devotional!

Title: A Sherlock Holmes Devotional



Author: Trisha White Priebe



Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Spiritual



Plot: In a world filled with devotionals for everyone in every walk of faith at every age and written for every schedule type, there are a few that stand out as unique and this is one of them. Using the classic mysteries which have entertained and fascinated us for over a century, Trisha Priebe delves into the mysteries of God with a detective's enthusiasm and comes up with some surprising insights into our favorite detective as well as some words of truth and encouragement which have stood the test of time.



And since this is such a unique devotional, it is perfect for the novice Sherlock reader and the die-hard fan alike as well as fitting in perfectly with a season of time with the Lord or a unit study on Sherlock Holmes and the Victorian era.



Likes/Dislikes: While I didn't finish this book (I had a baby which can really take away from book reading, sadly), I did enjoy the first half and fully intend to revisit it again. And when my kids are older, I'm going to go all homeschool mom on them and incorporate this into their Sherlock Holmes/Victorian era faze for maximum benefits. I liked how there were new insights into Sherlock which I missed or didn't remember when I read the mysteries. So cool.



Rating: PG-12 and up, mainly for reading level. Geared more toward teens and adults.



Date Review Written: August 24th, 2018



I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.