The Shadow Of Reichenbach Falls (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I wanted to like this book. I wanted to like it so badly. But it turns out that was simply not possible. This story purports to carry on the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective literature has ever known. But instead of offering a clever continuation of the master logician and observer, King takes this beloved character and skull-humps his legacy into an unrecognizable pile of nonsense. Less a detective story than a lazy, half-baked occult tale, King picks up where AC Doyle left off: with Holmes and his nemesis Moriarty plunging over the titular waterfall/cliff to their certain demise. Except... Holmes lives, though he is stricken with a severe amnesia and can't remember who he even is. Great premise, but it's all downhill from here. Instead of positing what the world's most brilliant sleuth might become when stripped of his memory, this book reads like a dashed-off screenplay for a third-rate action movie. Every second chapter sees Holmes and his companions not gathering clues or solving problems, but rather escaping from preposterous dangers in even more ludicrous ways. This is Holmes as played by Vin Diesel in a film directed by Michael Bay. There's little detecting and even less logic. It's as though Kong wrote this book with the Robert Downey Jr movie as his only exposure to Holmes. And that's BEFORE you add the completely unnecessary shortcut that is the "occult" twist. It makes me angry just thinking about it, honestly. If you're looking for a Holmes adventure this is absolutely not it. This is embarrassing pulp that's a half-step away from young adult vampire nonsense. I don't know of Arthur Conan Doyle has any descendants left but if I was one of them of sue this hack for mangling Holmes' legacy (though I suppose the character is in the public domain by now). GARBAGE. Before you read this book find the Star Trek Episode "Wolf in the Fold" and watch it. The plot line is completely taken from that one episode of Star Trek. I loved the scenes with an Amnesiac Sherlock Holmes and made the book worth reading. It was fast paced and well written. The story is in three parts: Holmes without his memory, Moriarty trying to justify his evilness, and Holmes with his memory. I would tell you to skip the middle part except that one key plot device is located there. I hate ruining endings and maybe the Star Trek hint is already too much but really! Jack the Ripper! Why do stories set in the victorian era always have Jack the bloody Ripper?Kirk needed a Wide Dispersion Transporter beam to get rid of him. Interestingly enough Sherlock Holmes uses a simerlar method to vanquish his demonic foe.Very off Canon but I think that Holmes Spiritualist Creator would approve.
What do You think about The Shadow Of Reichenbach Falls (2008)?
Very entertaining even with the weak ending. Takes place between Holmes' "death" and his comeback.
—Tim
One of the worst Holmesian pastiches I have read.
—noon
I am a sucker for Sherlock Holmes. Well done.
—austynh
