DUST AND SHADOW

 

DUST AND SHADOW

By Lyndsay Faye

Simon & Schuster Paperbacks

322 pages

 

This is another one of those Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper what-if adventures of which there have been several. Several were actual developed as films. Lyndsay Faye does a really great job with this fantastical plot in that her interpretation of Holmes and Watson is spot on. It’s obvious she knows the Doyle characters well and is comfortable putting them through the paces. We particularly liked watching the Great Detective in a more active hunter’s role aside from his strict detective process. Then there is Watson’s own daring exploits while an injured Holmes is incapacitated giving us a new slant on this veteran old war horse. 

Add to this Mary Ann Monk, an independent young woman employed at one of the dingy workhouses well versed in the ways of the Whitechapel community. Holmes, in recognizing her intelligence and daring, quickly recruits her much to the delight of this reviewer. She is a bold, fresh character. One we certainly wouldn’t mind seeing again. 

“Dust and Shadow” is an excellent Holmes adventure and we keep our fingers crossed Ms. Faye has a few more on the way.