Review – The Reichenbach Problem

Martin Allison Booth in his new book “The Reichenbach Problem” Book One in The Reichenbach Trilogy series published by Kregel Publications introduces us to Arthur Conan Doyle.

From the back cover:  “I was still not quite sure when, exactly, my disinclination towards people began. I know, though, that it had a great deal to do with the bane of my life – the great Mr Sherlock Holmes.’

Arthur Conan Doyle is on the run from his own fame and the impact it has had on his life.  Having fled to a peaceful village among the mountains that house the Reichenbach Falls, he hopes to find the anonymity he needs to decide the destiny of his most popular creation.

Yet peace eludes him as he finds himself drawn into the mystery surrounding the death of a fellow tourist.

Who killed Peter Brown?  What does the local priest know that he’s not saying?  What effect is Holmes having on Doyle’s psychological state, and is it malignant?

Soon he finds the finger of suspicion is pointing at him, as the locals unite behind the troubled Holloway, who believes he is the embodiment of Sherlock Holmes.

A Sherlock Holmes story without Sherlock Holmes.  Actually the hero of this story is the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle himself.  A bit of history Mr. Conan Doyle had grown weary of Holmes and wanted to be rid of him so he wrote a story where Holmes and Moriarty both met their doom falling over Reichenbach Falls while Watson watched in horror.  It is at this time of Mr Conan Doyle’s life that Mr. Booth takes us to.  While visiting at Reichenbach Falls Mr. Conan Doyle finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery and he needs to solve it with all the mental powers of Holmes.  This is great fun.  Not only it is very interesting it is also very exciting.  And the idea of a Holmes story without Holmes but with the creator of Holmes is quite an interesting concept.  I liked this book a lot and look forward to the next book in the series!