The Ghosts in Baker Street: New Tales of Sherlock Holmes : Book Review

"The Ghosts in Baker Street" is a collection of mystery stories edited by Martin H. Greenberg, blending two popular genres: Sherlock Holmes and the supernatural. Each tale in this anthology is penned by a different author, resulting in a diverse and captivating range of narratives.

The book kicks off with "The Adventure of the Red Leech," a thrilling story by Barbara Hambly that delves into the intriguing connection between a vampire and a stolen ruby. From there, readers are taken on a spellbinding journey through various other supernatural mysteries, including haunted paintings, vengeful ghosts seeking revenge, and chilling encounters with werewolves and zombies.

Greenberg's selection of authors for this compilation is impeccable, with celebrated names like Tanith Lee, Peter Tremayne, and Nancy Holder among the contributors. Each writer skillfully captures the essence of Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved characters, particularly Holmes and Watson, while seamlessly incorporating supernatural elements.

One standout story is "The Problem of Mary Anne," penned by Alan Rodgers, which introduces a fascinating twist in the form of a female consulting detective who aids Holmes in solving a perplexing case. This tale not only showcases the author's creativity but also injects a refreshing dynamic into the familiar world of Holmes.

Overall, "The Ghosts in Baker Street" is a captivating and enjoyable read for fans of both Sherlock Holmes and supernatural fiction. It successfully combines these two genres, offering a unique and entertaining anthology that will keep readers enthralled from start to finish.

What are readers saying?

"The Ghosts in Baker Street," a book by Martin H. Greenberg, has generated a range of opinions from readers. This collection features Sherlock Holmes stories with a unique twist of the supernatural, written by various authors. While some readers found the concept intriguing and praised the creativity of blending these two genres, others were disappointed with the execution and felt that the stories did not live up to their expectations.

Many reviewers appreciated the original premise of combining the supernatural with the famous detective character, Sherlock Holmes. They found it to be a fascinating and refreshing take on the classic stories, enjoying the imaginative twists and turns that the authors brought to their respective tales. Some even mentioned that the supernatural elements added an extra layer of excitement and suspense to the narrative.

However, others felt let down by the execution of the stories. Some reviewers criticized the quality of the writing, stating that it did not match the caliber of Arthur Conan Doyle's original Holmes stories. They also noted inconsistencies in the portrayal of Holmes and his abilities, pointing out that some of the authors failed to accurately capture the character's essence.

Another common complaint among readers was that the stories lacked the depth and complexity expected from Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Some reviewers felt that the supernatural elements overshadowed the detective work, making the stories feel unbalanced. They were left wanting more of Holmes' deductive reasoning and analytical skills, which they found lacking in these tales.

Additionally, a few readers mentioned that while some stories were enjoyable, others were forgettable or felt forced. The anthology format allowed for a variety of writing styles and interpretations, leading to varying levels of satisfaction among readers. Some stories resonated more strongly with certain individuals, while others fell flat or did not leave a lasting impression.

TheGhostsInBakerStreet SherlockHolmesMystery LiteraryThriller