An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson

I had high hopes going into this book. For approximately the first 40ish pages or so, it seemed that Faye was going to both spin an exciting Ripper yarn and give us a good Sherlock Holmes pastiche. Dust and Shadow really does start off that strongly. We are immediately thrown into an action sequence that is still highly reminiscent of the original stories and characters. Throughout the novel, her 'voices' are impeccable, this is undeniably well written, so the reader believes this book is going to satisfy in all aspects... which makes the subsequent letdown that much harder. Unfortunately, the story only fizzes out from there.

The first letdown came with the inclusion of an original female character, a Whitechapel prostitute who lacks even a shred of credibility. She is relatively well spoken, makes Holmesian deductions, is taken on by Holmes as an "associate", and overall is the epitome of a nifty wish fulfillment character whose very description is remarkably similar to the author's. Mary Ann Monk would have been more aptly named "Mary Sue", I believe. This is a very immature writing device even in fan fiction, but for a published writer to have allowed a Mary Sue to have free reign throughout the book is unforgivable. It detracted from Faye's credibility as a serious author, but more importantly it took away from the story, causing the scenes she was in to drag terribly. It's not that she just wasn't believable, it's that the attributes given to her were ridiculous, laughable, even.

While Dust and Shadow did prove to be wonderfully atmospheric, and showed a great deal of research went into the Ripper slayings, including how well the facts were woven into the fiction, there wasn't much of a plot to speak of. She pulls off Holmes' deductions quite well, but we do not witness Holmes actually solving the case through his own ingenuity. What we are given is allusions to off scene action, Holmes receiving tips that sway his investigation, tight spots being magically fixed by characters who appear on scene at Just The Right Moment, etc. These are basic writing techniques of a plotted novel that Faye cannot seem to grasp. It was so disappointing because when she did get things right, the story picked up pace and was, at times, eerie and enthralling. But those instances were few and far between. The ending was also anti-climactic.

To sum it up, the reader was never really kept in suspense. We were not drawn into the story, but rather, it felt like we were outsiders looking in. There was very little action, only fortunate and unfortunate events that were overcome too easily. At the end I was just speed reading to get it over with, and felt cheated out of an exciting read, a good mystery. I did love her grasp on the characters, but it takes so much more than that to make an enjoyable, memorable, well constructed novel. On those latter accounts, Dust and Shadow fails.

Captured the essence of the Victorian London within which Sherlock Holmes existed and worked. Am not that familar with the original Conan Doyle - although have seem many film and TV interpretations - but felt that Ms Faye distilled the quintessence of the period, and the terror that went with the Ripper murders, with sympathy for the victimes whatever their social status. Highly recommended.

I, for one, found this novel extremely thrilling. I have made an extensive study of the Ripper murders, and have always thought they were actually solved, but that the person was somehow either too well connected, or was killed in the hunt, and the whole thing hushed up. (We are talking about Victorian England here, after all, where even the writing by the Ripper on that wall was destroyed without even a photograph!)

This novel makes perfect sense in its treatment of who the villain might have been, and I don't think that the author makes it at all obvious who it is until the reveal. She has obviously done her research, and even finds a good reason for the indoor bloodbath that has always appeared to be the last killing.

All in all a good read, and true to the form of Holmes and Jack the Ripper.

Quoth the Raven...

Once again, Sherlock Holmes defeats Jack the Ripper. The plot was creative with plenty of twists and I enjoyed the attempt to give S.H. a worthy female ally. But the dialog just lacked snap. One of the best parts of Holmes stories are his startling insights. This was relatively lukewarm in this book. Most of the original stories were short stories where every word was well chosen while this book is somewhat overstuffed. This time we see Ms Faye trying to enrich the story with authentic references to the ripper and government's concerns abour potential revolution due to the Irish problem. I enjoyed the book but not that much.

Lindsay Faye's research shines through her books - not the least - Dust and Shadow. Loved the ride-along with Holmes and Watson and even though this and its characters are fiction, London, at the time of this tale (Jack the Ripper) is available history and well done. Thanks Lindsay - keep 'em coming.

I'm familiar with Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes of course, but I'm no great fan who is familiar with all the details. I even surprised myself by buying this book, but I downloaded the sample, loved it, and just had to have it.

I liked Mary Ann Monk, and didn't see a "Mary Sue". Watson's descriptions on her looks came the closest to making her a Mary Sue, but she is based on a real person who was described as having a flushed faced and a haughty air. She was observant, yes, but she wasn't doing Holmes job for him. For example, she saw that the reins were slack, but like Watson she had no idea why that upset Holmes. I expect that most prostitutes are very aware of their surroundings. Holmes wouldn't work with a stupid person.

Lyndsay Faye did a great job of writing in Arthur Conan Doyle's style while still making allowances for modern readers, I believe. I thought the friendship between Watson and Holmes was a little warmer than Doyle usually allowed in the works of his I've read.

The information on Jack the Ripper had me searching the internet for more. Her conclusion surprised me, but I like that it wasn't an easy choice like a royal family member. And that it wasn't an easy case for Holmes, because even with all the scientific breakthroughs of today, serial killers are still hard to catch.

This author takes you back to 1888, when saucy Jack takes through the streets of London, and environs. The story is well worked and contains some gruesome details and tells of nightmarish activities, which happened to these downtrodden women of the streets. They chose terrible haunts to live because of the circumstances of the times in London and Whitechapel streets. Characters in that period are shown in their really poor lives and their struggles for food, clothes and home.

I've been hearing good things about this book for a few years. Now that I've read it I'm not sure why people are saying good things about it. It made it into the category of "okay." Which, based on what I was expecting, was disappointing. It was just another attempt to channel Conan Doyle and Holmes that failed, as most of them do.

Starting with my compliments to the author Lyndsay Faye, who did an excellent job of writing the story in the style of C. Doyle himself

There are many other reviews done already, no need to re-tell the story line. But who can resist the classic headline of " Sherlock Homes and the Case of Jack the Ripper"

The Watson narrative is classic Doyle in it's telling. There are many references to other of Holmes's cases to please any fan of Sherlock. It was fun to include a bit of interaction of the elder brother Mycroft as well

The reading is very enjoyable and there were times I could not put it down. What finer compliment to the author is there ?

Any fan of Holmes and Watson should enjoy this very much

The temptation to pit Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper is a "natural" and has drawn efforts, many of them quite good, over the years. For instance, Ellery Queen's "A Study in Terror" was a good but loose adaptation, and Edward B. Hanna's "The Whitechapel Horrors" was workmanlike if ultimately unsatisfying. "Murder By Decree" is an excellent film (and book) approach. Most others are long the lines of Ray Walsh's "The Mycroft Memoranda": entertaining perhaps, but not particularly memorable. There are, in fact, literally dozens of pastiche versions of the idea.

Undaunted, Lyndsay Faye has produced a very well-written and credible contribution to this sub-genre, with characterizations of Holmes and Watson that certainly work, an atmosphere of Victorian London that is believeable, and some pretty good research to make ths novel (not a history, of course) fit the known facts of the Ripper murders well enough. Best of all, she comes up with a "solution" that makes sense and provides a rationale for the "mystery" of the Ripper enduring to this day. Recommended. Probably the best of the Holmes-Ripper pastiches.

Just finished and what a pure joy. Took back to Victorian London. Sherlock and Watson were true to Doyle and miss Mott was a delight. Now to start Lyndsay Faye's latest The Gods of Gotham. Actually from the reviews this is supposed to be another wonderful book ,so think I will wait for a while get things done watch the Ravens beat New England tonight.

If you love reading the original Sherlock Holmes mysteries then you'll enjoy this book tremendously. Lyndsay Faye has captured Doyle's writing style perfectly. The plot was interesting and Holmes was his observant and deductive self. But, like the original Sherlock Holmes mysteries, the language used made this book a slow read.

Being a fan of Sherlock Holmes and the Ripper case, I generally avoid fiction on both. Books about the former tend to be poorly derivative, and books on the latter usually force the facts to fit the author's plot. The excellent reviews of Dust and Shadow prompted my reading it. Ms. Faye has Sir A.C. Doyle's tone spot on and her knowledge of the Ripper case is excellent. However, Holmes' brilliance is a little dulled and the plot leaves a lot to be desired. The identity of the Ripper is out of left field and his motives pretty muddy. A few handfulls of background are tossed in at the end but do little in the way of explanation. The appearance of Mycroft Holmes seems obligatory and it is not at all clear why he and the Home Office needed to be petitioned in the matter. I would have liked to give the book 3.5 stars but that not being possible, I am giving it 4 stars, the extra .5 star for Lyndsay Faye's bravery in attempting the subjects and also for the lack of any glaring historical errors. That said, were the author to write another historical mystery, I would certainly pick it up.

A wonderful journey back to Baker St. I really enjoyed the meshing of Jack and Holmes. This tale could have been from the pen of the creator himself and I thank the author for this! A great plot and a few new characters into the mix, made for an amazing read. I could not put it down!

This was a very gripping, well written Sherlock Holmes story. The tone was so close to Conan Doyle's I many times forgot I was not reading an original Sherlock Holmes story. Can't wait to read more by Lyndsay!

A wonderful journey back to Baker St. I really enjoyed the meshing of Jack and Holmes. This tale could have been from the pen of the creator himself and I thank the author for this! A great plot and a few new characters into the mix, made for an amazing read. I could not put it down!

This author gets it just right. Dr. Watson's voice is spot on. Holmes is as intriguing and complicated as ever. This one does what all the other wannabes claim to do. We can only hope she will be writing more soon. Thank you, Lindsay Faye!

Very interesting alternative history of what could have occurred during the "Jack the Ripper" slash and dash rampage in London in the late 1800's.
Faye's well presented characterization of Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr.Watson as the main protagonists in this bizarre case provide a very
plausible and interesting read.

Like numerous other women authors who write Sherlock Holmes pastiches, Lyndsay Faye has produced a fair story, but she fell into the trap of injecting into it a female character who would never have appeared in one of Conan Doyle's tales. At least Faye had the decency to avoid making her a love interest for Holmes (as in the Mary Russell novels). Besides being non-Canonical, the character is simply not believeable.

Having grown-up on a steady diet of Sherlock Holmes' stories as well as the macabre tale of Jack the Ripper [thanks to mom who is an ardent true crime fan], my interest was piqued by this latest pastiche of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes' stories. Though I'm no Sherlockian scholar, I thought Lyndsay Faye's debut was well-written and made for a riveting read, engrossing me in the period details as much as the intriguing plot and character development.

In "Dust and Shadow", the master detective Sherlock Holmes, and his able sidekick Dr John H Watson undertake to solve a series of gruesome murders committed in the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. Those familiar with the story of Jack the Ripper know that the number of victims attributed to the Ripper totaled five in all: Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth "Long Liz" Stride, "Catherine Eddowes", and "Mary Jane Kelley". In this pastiche, the author attributes another earlier murder to the Ripper, that of Martha Tabram, who was murdered on Aug 7th 1888, a victim of multiple stab wounds [39 in all].

In the process of solving the murders and uncovering the killer's identity, Holmes himself falls victim to the press of the day, and his very reputation is put on the line as he has to deal with speculations that he himself may have something to do with the murders. Thus the stage is set for a true potboiler, with rich period details and complex characterizations that had me racing through the pages.

I am amazed that this is a debut novel by the author - she writes with flair and assurance, and through the authentic re-creation of Whitechapel in 1888, manages to transport readers into a world that seems altogether familiar. The resolution of the Ripper's identity is also deftly managed, and though this is once again pure speculation, I'd have to say, Ms Faye made quite a convincing case. "Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings" is a great period thriller, and will appeal to fans of the genre as well as fans of both Holmes and "the Knife".

After the praises heaped upon this book, there is really nothing new that I can say. If you like Sherlock Holmes, this is the book for you. The vocabulary, the atmosphere, the suspense, the psychology, the inner workings of the detective's mind and the endearing naivety of Watson are all there. I truly believe that Lindsay Faye is THE heir to Conan Doyle! The story is based on real events, the horrific murders by Jack the Ripper, and the final explanation provided by the writer is plausible - although, of course, impossible to verify. I could not put the book down and gave up several hours of much needed sleep because I could not deny myself "just one more chapter." The book is suitable for adult readers, in my opinion, because there are some slightly graphic descriptions of the mutilations inflicted upon the victims. But on the other hand everybody can google Jack the Ripper and find out about his perversions. Enough said! If you like thriller and mystery books, Sherlock Holmes and Victorian London, you are in for a treat.

Excellent effort and a thoroughly enjoyable book. The author is to be commended for the manner in which she stayed true to the style in which the original stories were written. She really did an excellent job of conveying the world of Holmes and Watson. Doing so had to be very difficult as so many people love the characters, not to mention that Jack the Ripper has been done to death so there is little room for a fresh take on him either.

All in all, this was very well done, particularly for the first time writing for Holmes and Watson, and I am very hopeful that she will choose to do so again in the future.

This book kept me captivated from start to finish! Sherlock Holmes versus Jack the Ripper got my attention but it was Lyndsay Faye's descriptive, gripping narrative that made me wish I could keep reading rather than go back to work. After all the theories I've read about Jack the Ripper, I must say the theory this book takes made a lot of sense although we'll never really know the definitive answer of those terrible crimes. Her portrayals of Holmes and Watson were spot on. I look forward to reading more from Lyndsay Faye.

As a fairly dedicated Sherlockian, I tend to avoid most pastiche publications because they so rarely hit the target. Some, like Michaell Chabon's The Final Solution, are decent books in their own right without attempting to imitate Doyle's style. Most however, are just poor attempts to sell some books that wouldn't have a copy printed if it wasn't for the famous character in the title.

I was pleasantly surprised by "Dust and Shadow." First-time author Lyndsay Faye does an admirable job capturing the tone and feel of Holmes and Watson. She captured me right from the beginning, and I found myself plunging into her world, turning foggy corners and picking my way through bloody corpses without too much thought that this wasn't the "real" 221 Baker Street.

Pitting Holmes and Watson against Jack the Ripper is a classic pairing done countless times. The Last Sherlock Holmes Story is a version that is particularly awful. Murder by Decree, along with its movie adaptation, are actually quite decent. A Study in Terror is also a solid B-mystery that even features a young Judi Dench. The trick is to have Holmes solve the case and yet not make the solution public because we all know that A. Jack the Ripper was never caught and B. Sherlock Holmes isn't going to fail to find the culprit.

Faye found a good solution to this, without relying on any of the established Ripper theories. She plays tight with the details, altering things just a little to move along the story, but keeps all the necessary key features. The "Dear Boss," "Saucy Jack" and "From Hell" letters all make an appearance in their entirety. I was impressed that she didn't take the easy way out by going for the obvious of "trick" solutions (Moriarty is Jack the Ripper! Mycroft is Jack the Ripper! Irene Adler is Jack the Ripper!...please...). The story comes out in a nicely wrapped and believable package.

I felt the first half of "Dust and Shadow" followed the tone and language of Doyle's books more faithfully than the second. There is a distinct shift in style about half way through, once Faye has sold you on the fact that she knows the world of Holmes, when she allows her own voice and vision to come through. Faye's Holmes is more emotional, and more of an action man than Doyle's, and far more sentimental. The "detective" portion of the book falls to the wayside, which is common of pastiche-authors as they lack Doyle's power to summon up complex problems and solutions for Holmes. It is far easier to focus on Holmes's boxing ability as a writer.

However, all in all "Dust and Shadows" is one of the finest Holmes pastiches I have read. While it is no competition for the Canon, exemplified by The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes and The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Novels, it is a fair entry and one that I am confident most Sherlockians will enjoy.

One more very minor complaint. I thought the book title, "Dust and Shadow," was fairly weak and didn't sound like a Holmes story. I know new authors often have no control over the title of their work, and that titles are often decided by publishers in order to sell copies, but surely they could have done better.

In this arresting debut novel, Lyndsay Faye combines two of the nineteenth century's greatest enigmas: the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes and the mysterious Jack the Ripper. Although both subjects have been exhaustively explored in literature, Faye artfully resurrects them and manages to write a compelling and respectful novel in which the two characters cross paths. Pitting the inimitable Sherlock Holmes against the figure who is arguably the most famous murderer of the nineteenth century, at least in British history, Faye creates a page-turning story that will satisfy not only Sherlock fans but also anyone who enjoys a well-written mystery. The liberties that Faye takes in composing "Dust and Shadow" extend only to the interplay between the detective and the murderer, as her research retains the integrity not only of the Whitechapel murders and the involved law enforcement but also the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's timeless creation while positing an intriguing theory regarding Jack the Ripper's possible identity.

"Dust and Shadow," chronicled mostly in the first person by Dr. Watson--whose predominant perspective lends the story a factual and conspiratorial air--begins with the onset of what comes to be known as the Whitechapel killings. When it becomes apparent that a serial killer is terrorizing London and targeting the city's "unfortunates," Sherlock Holmes takes on the case with his customary zest and carefully-honed detecting skills. With tips from the Baker Street Irregulars and Miss Monk, an astute lady of the streets whom Holmes employs for her shrewd eye and connections, the renowned detective carries on his investigation as more bodies appear bearing the Ripper's signature. When the press, led by one particularly avaricious journalist, begins targeting Holmes himself, however, the case takes a sinister and hampering turn. Holmes' deductive reasoning and incredible logic ultimately lead him to a shocking supposition, and in his own words: "it is the maximal error, the unpardonable sin, if you will, to twist facts to suit theories rather than twisting theories to suit facts." As such, it is uncertain whether the Ripper will ever be identified, and if he is, whether London--or Holmes--will ever be the same.

Sherlock Holmes Versus Jack the Ripper, history meets fiction, the all out drag out knock down fight between two amazing characters. What could be better? Lately I have been very much showing my fandom of the great detective Sherlock Holmes and reading everything I can get my hands on. So when I cam across this I was just waiting for the right opportunity to begin this. Now, I have read another Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper novel and wasn't sure what to expect from this, but I went in with an open mind.

I like to think of myself as a traditionalist when it comes to Holmes and Watson. I am extremely critical of authors who write there own versions of Holmes. I get it, it is very hard to live up to the quality and characterization of Doyle's original work, but some authors take liberties that never should have been taken with these iconic characters. Lyndsay Faye was not one of these authors, she did it. She wrote Holmes and Watson in such a way there were times I felt like I was reading the words of Doyle himself. She captured completely the essence of these characters and in my opinion did Conan Doyle proud.

Another Holmes Vs Ripper novel I read was good but the author took several liberties and wrote Holmes in his own character image. I was not please with how he treated these beloved characters and it made it very difficult for me to truly enjoy the story. Lyndsay Faye held very true to the characters as they should be, and was able to keep the story engaging, and upbeat in a way that kept me coming back for more. I even felt like I couldn't wait to get to bed so I could pick this book up again and continue.

Not only were Holmes and Watson very well written and full of depth it is easy to see that Lyndsay Faye did her homework when it comes to the Ripper. The crimes were steeped in historical fact but written just so that they were not as horrendous as the real killings but still accurate. She wrote very well to keep her audience reading and not gross out or offend the readers. She took a different approach to the ending but made it very believable that it fit amazingly well with the story and the history of the Ripper Killings.

When it comes to the Holmes Vs Ripper Faye's is by far my favorite, and when it comes to Holmes Pastiches this is my favorite. She has blown me away with the quality of her writing and how well she handled these characters. I can only hope she finds the inspiration to write another Holmes novel. I think this should be a must read for any fan of Holmes, Mysteries, and the Ripper Killings. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and give it a read. It has easily become one of my favorite books and I look froward to re-reading this book in the future.

Thanks to the extensive research and superb writing skills of Lindsay Faye, the reader of "Dust and Shadow" is able to travel back in time to when the notorious Jack the Ripper is terrorizing London's Whitechapel. Faye's knowledge of the dialect, dress and customs of the local citizenry is uncanny; one might think she actually lived there. She also writes a convincing portrayal of the renowned Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Watson as though Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had advised her.

Reminiscing on the brevity of life, Holmes says we all eventually die and become mere "dust and shadow." Unfortunately, the Ripper is turning prostitutes into "dust and shadow" before their allotted time and doing it in gruesome fashion. The deaths are gory and graphic, adding a horrifying dimension to this superb mystery. There is a tremendous amount of action and suspense as the demented serial killer puts Holmes' life in danger by publicly implicating him in the crimes. Holmes must labor to catch the killer and clear his name. This novel also contains a strong element of romance. A prostitute, employed by Holmes to gather information, develops a crush for a suspect upon which she is pursuing and vice versa.

Mutilated corpses, stabbings in the dark, fiery explosions, angry mobs and cryptic letters make "Dust and Shadow" a page turner that is not to be easily forgotten. It offers a plausible explanation as to why Jack the Ripper's identity was never revealed. Just the name sends chills up and down my body. I've always been fascinated by the mystique and intrigue of Jack the Ripper. Also, Sherlock Holmes and Watson are icons of historical mystery fiction. Lindsey Faye combines them, like vanilla and chocolate ice cream, into a delicious sundae of gothic mystery, suspense, horror and romance.

The following consists of DVD recommendations:

I am a devoted fan of gothic horror and "Dust and Shadow" definitely satiated my appetite for it. If you enjoyed this novel, I recommend the film "Murder by Decree," available from Anchor Bay Entertainment. Highly acclaimed, it also depicts Holmes and Watson investigating the infamous Jack the Ripper.

As a fan of gothic horror films from the famous Hammer Studios, I recommend the hard to find "Hands of the Ripper" - a sad account of Jack the Ripper's orphaned, abused daughter, Anna, and her murderous spree in Whitechapel. "Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde" is another Hammer film in which Dr. Jekyll's female alter ego slays prostitutes for their hormones and is labeled the Whitechapel Murderer by the media. Hammer's beautifully filmed "The Hound of the Baskervilles" stars horror icons Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee and is a great introduction to the Sherlock Holmes legend. It is also the first Sherlock Holmes film released in color.

I stumbled upon the audio version of this on Audible. I was not expecting much. As a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, I went into it with a purist and snobbish attitude. My pleasure was enormous when I was hooked within a few minutes! The storytelling is taut and believable, but, more importantly to me, the characterizations are absolutely perfect. One could almost imagine ACD wrote it himself. Wonderful.

In fiction, there are few more iconic figures than Sherlock Holmes. Dracula, Tarzan, maybe one or two others are as universally known as Holmes. Similarly, among serial killers, while others may have been more prolific or more gruesome, it's hard to top Jack the Ripper in infamy. Both the fictional Holmes and the real Ripper occupied the same place and time, Victorian England, so it's a natural enough question to ask: what if Homes pursued Jack?

Although I cannot cite exact stories, I'm sure a number of writers have attempted to answer this question. The latest is Lyndsay Faye, whose debut novel Dust and Shadow is a worthwhile stab at this plot. Appropriately mimicking Arthur Conan Doyle, the story is narrated by Dr. John Watson, the companion and biographer of Holmes. As the book opens, Holmes is wrapping up a case involving a missing ring by using his keen logic and observational skills.

Soon enough, Holmes is recruited to look into the murder of a prostitute, and it is soon apparent that it is not an isolated incident, forcing the World's Greatest Detective to match wits with a foe like no other: a truly psychotic killer who not only delights in provoking Holmes, but is also orchestrating events to make it seem like Holmes is the Ripper.

I came into Dust and Shadow as someone who's read little of the Doyle stories (although I'm a big fan of the Rathbone movies). Despite my limited experience with the original Doyle stories, I get the feeling that Faye has done a good job imitating Doyle's literary style. She is obviously a devoted Holmes fan, but is that enough to write a good novel? In her case, yes, though it's only good and not great. Nonetheless, Dust and Shadow should be good enough to please most fans of the Holmes canon.

Dust and Shadow is a remarkable effort by Lyndsay Faye for her first novel, especially when you consider that she is attempting to craft a Sherlock Holmes tale concerning Jack the Ripper. Many authors would be intimidated by the canon of Holmes stories that have come before. The book is subtitled "An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson." This is in keeping with the other Sherlock Holmes stories that Dr. Watson has supposedly given readers over the years. I have always been a fan of the Sherlock Homes books, but I am far from being a true aficionado. It has been quite a while since I read any of the stories, but I thought Ms Faye pulled it off admirably with Dust and Shadow.

The main characters in the book are well known. A. Conan Doyle's immortal detective has been a favorite of readers for years. We are all familiar with his amazing deductive skills, and we follow his escapades through the eyes of his trusted companion Dr. Watson. Both characters remain true to form in this book, and they are still great fun to read about.

The Jack the Ripper killings have held great fascination for people since the late 19th century. The killings took place in 1888 in a largely slum area of London called Whitechapel. Victims were prostitutes. Usually their throats were cut and their bodies mutilated. The killer was never identified, and the murders have been fertile ground for authors since that time.

Ms Faye has done an excellent job of maintaining the expected Sherlock Holmes atmosphere while telling the story of his efforts to identify and stop Jack the Ripper. If you enjoy the Sherlock Holmes stories, I trust you will also enjoy Dust and Shadow

In her debut novel, the author pits the iconic fictional detective Sherlock Holmes against the very real murderer Jack the Ripper. With Ripperologists and Holmes purists aplenty out there, writing such a book had to be a somewhat daunting task; sticking to the confused historical record of the Whitechapel murders while not marring the Conan Doyle tradition. To her credit Faye does a pretty good job at walking - writing - this historical/literary tightrope.

Writing - as Doyle did - in the voice of Dr. Watson, the author does an excellent job in capturing Victorian London, its sights and sounds and smells; the shock of the Ripper murders; and to a lesser extent, Sherlock Holmes, with all his quirks, intelligence and methods. Faye blends Watson and Holmes into the investigation without intruding, all the while sticking close to the historical record - or at least what we believe is the historical record of Jack the Ripper.

The narrative was somewhat lacking for this reader with the inclusion of a female character that Holmes adds to the team. Unfortunately she reads more like a 21st century character than a late 19th century one. Also the solution and the culprit responsible are ascertained well before the conclusion and may not satisfy Holmes' purists.

That being said this is still an entertaining historical mystery, i.e. beach or airplane reading, and if that's your cup of tea, you won't be disappointed with Dust and Shadow.

In 1888 London is shocked by the brutal murders of two prostitutes in the East End. Inspector Lestrade knows this is no run of the mill killer and he will need help. He asks renowned private sleuth Sherlock Holmes to investigate the homicides. Already fascinated by the accounts Holmes welcomes the case.

As Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson investigate, more vicious murders occur by the same killer the media dubs Ripper for his brutality. In an ironic twist one reporter claims Holmes is the Ripper, which is why he insists the famous detective has failed to end the reign of terror.

Holmes fans will welcome Lyndsay Faye to Baker St as her Watson comes across as a winner telling readers the tale of Holmes and Ripper. Fans will enjoy the great detective's efforts even as the press badgers him to solve the case; which ironically readers do earlier than the sleuth does. Although Holmes and Ripper co-starring has been used before by Carole Nelson Douglas (in her Irene Adler series) and Michael Dibdin in THE LAST SHERLOCK HOLMES STORY, etc. Ms. Faye provides a fresh entry.

Harriet Klausner

First time novelist Faye does commendable job in atmosphere, characters, and dialogue as she pits Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper. In fact, she channels Conan Doyle's style eerily well. But there are two missing ingredients: plot and pace. Though this match-up has been done a few times before in fiction, it should still produce chills given the true gruesome murders and the deducing detective.

Unfortunately, there are not enough twists and turns to really hold interest. I did enjoy one misdirection in the book but it did not derail me long. So then it became a question of how long it took Holmes to arrive at the correct conclusion and, more importantly, how he does it. And given that, I would argue that one will get more out of this book if they are versed in Ripper and White Chapel facts as Faye accurately integrates the real events.

Overall, very enjoyable especially for the setting and mood but if one is looking for true thrills - seek elsewhere.

Dust and Shadow is an excellent new mystery that rings true to the world of Sherlock Holmes! Arthur Conan Doyle would be proud to see this addition to his stories. The author, Lyndsay Faye, catches the mood of Victorian London, and vey well reflects the speech and attitudes of that time.

In this book, Holmes and Watson confront Jack the Ripper! What a story possibility! We are led wonderfully, with perfect logic, until we can deduce (elementary, my dear Watson!) who the Ripper is, and why the information is never made public.

I particularly enjoyed the author's description of the slums, the trades, and the people who lived in the White Chapel area of London during that period. Her treatment of the murdered women, their lots in life, the workhouse, alcoholism, etc, added a lot to create a very well drawn background.

More information would constitute a spoiler, and I hope everyone who loves a good period mystery will read and enjoy this lovely book. Good job Ms. Faye!

Summary:
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Dust and Shadow is the first novel by Lyndsay Faye; it is a very good effort and better than most books being published today. The writing is crisp, effective but a bit simplistic at times. The use of facts from Jake the Ripper is very nicely integrated into the story. The novel does take a modern view of police vs. social views from the time of the murders. It is a quick read and you will not want to put it down. Overall, this is a very good book and worth your time.

World development:
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It has a good grasp of the time period and fairly affective descriptions of the Whitechapel area, the inhabitants of Whitechapel and a good feel for the Sherlock Holmes mythology/milieu. The descriptions were a bit light for my taste. I would like the author to add more descriptions as it would helped suck the reader into the story to an even greater degree.

I am not a Sherlock Holmes scholar, so my view of how well the Holmes milieu was executed is based on my reading of the stories by Sir Authur Conan Doyle not studying them in detail. The integration of the Holmes milieu into the London of Jack the Ripper was well done.

Characters:
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The character development was minimal as the main characters are based on set canon. Holmes was very frustrated and angry in many parts of the book which seemed a bit out of place given how his character is known for intellectual control and mastery. Some frustration makes sense given the nature of killings and having to build tension in the story. Dr. Watson seemed a bit inconsistent on his switching between overly sensative to willing to wade into analyzing mutilated bodies in a clinical manner. Miss Molly was well done but was a bit too high brow at points for someone living in Whitechapel and working as a very lowly prostitute.

Action:
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The action is well executed -- descriptions and timing. A very good job done in this area.

Prose:
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The writing style is the only part of the book that I have a bit of an issue with. Lyndsay overall writing is quite good but left me wanting for more in several spots in the book. The area descriptions are not gritty enough -- Whitechapel was a aweful dirty place and she does not quite capture it appropriately. The descriptions were too short; where she does more description the book does shine as it helps to suck the reader in very effectively and affectively.

Holmes' seemed a bit overly short with other characters and bit borderline unstable to me. My guess is that the author was trying to get a sense of urgency worked into the story that she was fairly effective at doing. However, it would help make the Holmes' character more interesting -- the tone became a bit shrill and annoying near the end of the book (monotonic with frustation and anger which becomes off-putting with repetition).

Summary: 4 stars
World: 3.5 to 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Action: 4 to 4.25 stars
Prose: 4 stars
Plot: 4 to 4.25 stars

Nothing, but be sure to lock your homes!

1600 Pennsylvania Ave., No. 10 Downing St. and 221B Baker St. are perhaps the most famous addresses in the world. What is amazing is that one is fictitious. A. C. Doyle had no idea what he had started - and it appears we have no idea when it will end. Over the years there have been dozens (hundreds?) of Doyle pretenders. This is the best of that group that I have read.

Faye has done a very good job of capturing Doyle's style of writing and has presented us with a new case for Holmes - catch Jack the Ripper. There have probably been more books written about the Ripper killings than Holmes books by non-Doyles. Based on my far from expert opinion, Faye has presented a plausible theory.

This was enjoyable to read. All the normal pieces that make up a good mystery were here and her take on Watson and Holmes was well done. What is most impressive is that this is a first novel.

There are a few books that deal with Sherlock Holmes chasing Jack the Ripper, but this is, hands-down, my favorite. Holmes's inability to catch the Ripper until the end is very believable as is the reason the culprit was never recorded in the history books. Watson's voice in the narrative is gotten just right and rigorously researched facts are woven seamlessly into a detailed knowledge of Holmes canon. Holmes's behavior is perfectly in character and even when the case and the guilt of not being able to catch the Ripper get to him, the emotion shown is perfectly in character and written in such a way that you know there is tides more rushing beneath the surface than what is escaping his comparatively controlled countenance. I simply could not put it down.

For reasons that are entirely obvious, fans wishing to write new adventures for Conan Doyle's great detective have been drawn to the idea of placing Holmes in pursuit of Jack the Ripper. After all, the same setting easily encompasses the fictional protagonist and the serial killer who's reign of terror, real and murderous though it was, reads like the stuff of fiction. Lyndsay Faye does an impressive and mostly successful job in adding to this cannon with her fine debut novel, Dust and Shadow.

In the most crucial areas, Faye hits the mark. The characters are presented in a way that entirely captures Holmes's world: Lestrade, Mycroft, Watson, and the rest are all brought to life. Likewise, Faye succeeds in capturing that elusive voice which Doyle created for Dr. Watson, making one often forget that this novel was written by a different author and a hundred years later than the original. Where a lesser writer would have fallen into the trap of using anachronistic language which might ruin the illusion, Faye avoids this at every turn, fully inhabiting Holmes's Victorian milieu. The author also crafts a wonderful and gripping setting. London in general, and White Chapel in particular, are offered in all of their grim, dirty, charm. Part of the joy of Doyle's original works is being transported back in time through the story and Faye's novel likewise takes us to a world lost to us in time.

My only complaint about the novel was that it lacked the extraordinary conclusion of Doyle's Holmes stories, which force the reader to flip backwards to previous pages in order to assemble the dispirit facts that the great detective assembles to solve the case. Faye's conclusion regarding the Ripper's identity and fate offers few surprises. Other reviewers with a deeper knowledge of the Ripper than I possess praise Faye for crafting a theory that fits all the evidence and I take them at their word. Yet absent is the surprising and large conclusion offered in works such as Alan Moore's complex and labryntine From Hell. I can understand Faye's inclination to maintain fidelity with the facts of the case rather than bending them in order to create a more dramatic identity for the murderer, but still I could not help but be a bit disappointed.

Despite this short coming, Dust and Shadow will surely entertain and please readers, both fans of Doyle and those merely curious. Her skilled prose speak for themselves and I look forward to enjoying her future work. No doubt, the game is afoot.