"These apparently motiveless crimes are always the worst," said the inspector dolefully.
Charity Buntington's husband describes his wife as the most lovely and inoffensive person, whom nobody would want to hurt. But someone enters their home in broad daylight, strangles her, then cuts off and takes away her right forefinger. Inspector Hopkins asks Sherlock Holmes to help him investigate the case, but Charity's friend Aurora Jones is also a private detective, and wishes to help bring her friend's murderer to justice. Holmes is impressed with Jones' skills, and although Hopkins is reluctant, he agrees to let Miss Jones assist in the case under Holmes' guidance.
A few days later, another woman is killed in exactly the same fashion. And then another. The press is in a frenzy. Holmes believes there is a pattern to the killings, but what it is no-one can determine. Slowly the clues accumulate, but so do the bodies. With Holmes leading the investigation, he, Dr. Watson, Inspector Hopkins and Aurora Jones all work together to discover the killer's identity, but can they solve the mystery before another woman loses her life?
"These apparently motiveless crimes are always the worst," said the inspector dolefully.
Charity Buntington's husband describes his wife as the most lovely and inoffensive person, whom nobody would want to hurt. But someone enters their home in broad daylight, strangles her, then cuts off and takes away her right forefinger. Inspector Hopkins asks Sherlock Holmes to help him investigate the case, but Charity's friend Aurora Jones is also a private detective, and wishes to help bring her friend's murderer to justice. Holmes is impressed with Jones' skills, and although Hopkins is reluctant, he agrees to let Miss Jones assist in the case under Holmes' guidance.
A few days later, another woman is killed in exactly the same fashion. And then another. The press is in a frenzy. Holmes believes there is a pattern to the killings, but what it is no-one can determine. Slowly the clues accumulate, but so do the bodies. With Holmes leading the investigation, he, Dr. Watson, Inspector Hopkins and Aurora Jones all work together to discover the killer's identity, but can they solve the mystery before another woman loses her life?
âYes Mother?â
âCome closer, dear, I want to tell you something.â
âYes, Mother.â
âI'm dying, you know.â
âYes, I know. The doctor told me.â
âWhat will you do without me when I'm gone? Without me to guide you, to look after you, to tell you what to do?â
âI am an adult now, Mother. I will make my own way in the world. Do not worry about me.â
âAt least you have had the best education. I have taught you all that I know, which will serve you well as it served me well.â
My education! Forced into me, usually by rote but mostly by the cane. Useless information, centuries old, beaten into me until I could repeat it to your satisfaction. I will have my revenge for all those years of suffering, Mother. Starting with you, you vicious old crone.
âGoodbye Mother.â
âDon't leave me! I'm dying you know!â
âI'm not leaving you, Mother. You are leaving... leaving this world, which will be a better place without you.â
âWhatever do â â
The pillow muffled her voice. Her arms flailed ineffectually for a few seconds, but eventually they fell back on to the bed, and soon she lay still. I kept the pillow there for a full minute longer to make sure. Then I removed it and studied her cruel features for a moment.
âGoodbye, Mother. I have work to do.â
Black and Deep Desires - A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by MX Publishing is a long-form Sherlock Holmes novel that distinguishes itself by pitting a Jack the Ripper-like, vile character against Holmes. The serial killer in this story is bold and cunning, with intelligence that nearly matches Holmesâs. The police and Holmes have a difficult time identifying them. Holmes and the police have to wait patiently while zeroing in, and the killer takes nine innocent lives before the police can arrest them, much to Holmesâ chagrin.
Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published the first Sherlock Holmes novel in 1887âa year before Jack the Ripper surfaced in 1888âhe never wrote a novel matching Holmes and the Ripper in his lifetime. This left a much-desired opportunity for a Holmes vs. the Ripper clash open, and itâs likely this bookâs author too seized it to craft this book (a crossover) that brings the two icons face-to-face. Doubtless, he has been successful in this endeavor.
The story takes place between 1887 and 1927, when Doyle himself was writing Sherlock Holmes novels and sets Holmes in his native surroundings. It successfully captures the atmosphere of dismay, horror, and mounting tension after the killer strikes for the first time, and despite Holmesâ intervention, takes one life after another in close succession. While speculations run rife about the identity and nature of the ghastly killer, the police remain tight-lipped. Top officials become aware of matters when public discontent can no longer be contained. Itâs just before things get out of hand that, in a brilliant move, Holmes and the police trap and arrest the nefarious killer.
What sets this story apart when compared to other Sherlock Holmes novels is twofold. First, a brilliant lady detective whom he mentors and teaches the art of deduction joins Holmes. Her performance under Holmesâ supervision is truly commendable. She is crucial to the arrest of the killer. Second is the âRipper effectâ: the unraveling of a lonely, insane, or psychologically twisted maniac who compulsively murders in cold blood without compunction!
The book sports a grisly and expressive cover that conveys its contents very well. Readability is excellent, and thanks to the authorâs commendable narrative skills, reading is both easy and a pleasure. However, the text does contain sporadic English language errors.
Taking the above strengths and weaknesses into account, I assign it 4 stars.
I recommend this book primarily to English-speaking fans of Sherlock Holmes. Additionally, lovers of detective fiction can also enjoy this book, as Holmes naturally appeals to those who love this genre.