Nazi London 1936.
Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson, and Mrs Hudson, marked for death and relentlessly pursued by Inspector Lestrade and the Gestapo as the trio seeks to destroy the fascist occupiers.
A labyrinthine plot with a supporting cast including the likes of the Baker Street Irregulars, Professor Moriarty, Sebastian Moran, and Irene Adler will introduce the reader to Sherlock Holmes as he has never been seen before.
In a time that never was.
Nazi London 1936.
Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson, and Mrs Hudson, marked for death and relentlessly pursued by Inspector Lestrade and the Gestapo as the trio seeks to destroy the fascist occupiers.
A labyrinthine plot with a supporting cast including the likes of the Baker Street Irregulars, Professor Moriarty, Sebastian Moran, and Irene Adler will introduce the reader to Sherlock Holmes as he has never been seen before.
In a time that never was.
“That was a right bloody cock-up, and no mistake.”
Sirens wailed past the building we hid in, panting, out of breath.
“Where are Watson and Mrs Hudson?”
“Haven’t the foggiest. They’re on their own,” Sebastian Moran replied.
I nodded.
Moran rose to his feet “I’m not waiting. By now they’re dead - or soon will be – by the hands of the Gestapo. See you in hell, Sherlock Holmes.”
***
Seven days ago, Nazi London, 1936:
“Mycroft dies tonight.”
Mrs Hudson and Watson applauded; the sound slamming off the rough bare concrete wall like bullets.
“To England.” Mrs Hudson toasted, took an un-lady-like swig of whiskey and passed the bottle to me. It was throat-scalding good. I took another gulp. Then passed it to Watson.
To Edward VIII King, Wallis-Simpson Queen - Death To Tyrants.
***
One of the cool things about Sherlock Holmes is the breadth of his fans' imagination. In the Shadow of the Swastika reimagines England under Edward VII as it proves that cleverness of the ascribed author, J. G. Grimmer. Fans will love how the story draws on nearly every character from Holmes lore to shield a fantasy England from ruin. The consulting detective is the main target of his brother Mycroft and Adolph Hitler's NAZI regime. Mycroft, in turn, is Sherlock and the other defenders' singular target.
Readers might wonder whether Grimmer is a real person. Readers will find the name descriptive of this noir thriller.
The full weight of the English Nazi jackboot fell on London like the hammer of the gods. The contents of entire apartment buildings, hotels, and homes were turned out into the street. Rain or shine, the SS, Gestapo, and City police swung their clubs and truncheons, setting their vicious dogs on any person foolish enough to stand in their way.
From Wiggins and the Baker Street Irregulars to fan favorites such as Dr. John Watson, Mrs. Hudson, Professor James Moriarty and Col. Sebastian Moran, as well as Inspector Lestrade, the novel bends history to fit a tale about British resistance in the face of tyranny. Sherlock who narrates the tale is the main target because Mycroft knows his brother is likely to bring him down. The best thing is that most characters do not play their usual roles. Then again, almost.
For example, Minister of the Realm - GB Reich Mycroft Holmes, portrayed in so many stories as a secretive servant of Queen Victoria is the top NAZI. Sherlock explains:
Mycroft had always been an Empire man. He saw to it that the rapprochement with Hitler was signed, because it brought peace, stability, and most of all, order to the British Empire. For Mycroft, the Reich-British Alliance was essential to preserve the English way of life.
From his usual haven at the Diogenes Club, the man threatens the lives of Lestrade and several others in the legal establishment to literally bring him Sherlock's head. As to how it ends, Holmes fans and history-lovers will enjoy the imagined encounters, lies, cloak-and-dagger twists and turns. The great detective knows who-dunnit, but will either he or Mycroft escape their fates.