8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty and Delightful--Holmes and Moriarty, 3 Nov 2001
By booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Great Game (Professor Moriarty Novels) (Hardcover)
At the end of the 19th century, Europe teeters toward war. Anarchists and assassins have taken aim at the crowned heads and Sherlock Holmes, at least, sees a connecting thread. Someone, for some reason, is conspiring to overthrow the existing order.
England lacks a professional spy organization--that role being served by aristocratic young men playing 'the great game.' When one of these amateur spies is accused of murder, his father calls on Professor Moriarty to help.
Despite Holmes's profound mistrust of Moriarty, the two can find common cause against the enemies of peace in Europe. Their enemies plan to strike soon, but can either uncover the conspiracy before it is too late?
Author Michael Kurland has created a delightful novel. Holmes fans might initially resist seeing Sherlock as improperly fixated on Moriarty, but Kurland's writing draws the reader in. Moriarty himself, as well as his friends Benjamin and Cecily Barnett are well crafted and interesting. Kurland throws both from one adventure to the next letting the reader chase after.
Sherlock Holmes takeoffs are plentiful these days, but THE GREAT GAME is a huge step ahead of the mob.
Highly Recommended
BooksForABuck.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable read, 28 Dec 2001
By Kurt A. Johnson - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Great Game (Professor Moriarty Novels) (Hardcover)
It is 1891, and political terrorism and assassination are sweeping Europe. Professor James Moriarty, a brilliant if often amoral scientist, finds himself sucked into the maelstrom when certain shadowy organizations take Sherlock Holmes' maundering accusations seriously, and decide they need to deal with this "Napoleon of Crime." Collecting an unusual assortment of allies, Moriarty must use all of his talents to penetrate this mystery and stop those who would set the world at war.
I must admit that this is the first book by Michael Kurland that I have read. I found it quite by chance, and was intrigued by the story's premise. The story's main weakness is that none of the characters seem the least bit Victorian (I couldn't shake the idea that the Barnett's were modeled directly on the Blues (Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid), from the movie Undercover Blues). That said, though, the author does spin a great yarn, that succeeds in gripping the reader all the way through to the end.
If you are interested in a story that features the famous (or infamous) Professor Moriarty, or simply like a good thriller, then I highly recommend this book to you. I enjoyed it immensely!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Total Page Turner, 29 Nov 2001
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Great Game (Professor Moriarty Novels) (Hardcover)
Michael Kurland has written a terrific book that contains clues and subplots that will keep the pages turning. As a reader, you get an deep understand of who each of the characters are, and you develop a new perspective of Professor Moriarty. In all honesty, I think this would make a great movie. It has all the suspense and mystery.