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Tuesday, October 01, 2019

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer and The Fixer: The Naked Man by Jill Amy Rosenblatt

Fake news is nothing new, and Nicholas Meyer uses a genuine 1905 case that illustrates the appalling consequences of a plagiarized document that is published as genuine.  

I read Meyer's The Seven Per Cent Solution years ago, and I still tend to choose books linked to Sherlock Holmes.  As in this case, many of these books have the premise of rediscovered writings by Dr. Watson.

Although based on true events, there are some unnecessary liberties taken pertaining to real people that bothered me.  The descriptions of Holmes differ as well.

I wish I'd liked it better.

Read in May.  Blog review scheduled for Oct. 1.

NetGalley/St. Martin's Press/Minotaur
Sherlock Holmes/Historical Fiction.  Oct. 15, 2019.  Print length:  246 pages

A novella introducing Katerina Mills, college student, who has worked for a lawyer and is now doing temp jobs to help with her expenses.  Katerina gets a call from one of her ex-boss's clients and finds herself in a room with a naked man pacing erratically, an unconscious woman in his bed, and a termagant wife due to arrive shortly.

Katerina's successful extraction of the woman, sending her home to her husband before either spouse becomes aware of the affair, leads to an offer she finds hard to refuse:  fixing problems for the rich and powerful.  Kat needs the money and reluctantly accepts the offer.

I like the premise, but there were a number of things that I found less appealing.  The next book, which is full length, is on my list.  I'll make up my mind about the series after reading the next entry. :)

NetGalley
Suspense.  2015.  Print length:  349 pages.

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I've been busy with Halloween projects.  I seem to have paint or glue on my hands all the time now because my favorite decorations are for fall and/or Halloween.  :)
The bottles have been fun.


I love playing with tiny skeletons--this one went in a cone.

13 comments:

  1. Oh that bottle looks CREEPY! The fixer definitely holds my interest more -- you've made me curious about the full length novel.

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    1. The eye seems to bother people--who knew? :) I gave the next in The Fixer series a try, but I think it will be DNF.

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  2. I'm drawn toward the Sherlock/Watson books, too, but they have to be true to the characters if I'm going to read and enjoy them. I have an old book of Sherlock Holmes stories on my desk pretty much all the time and enjoy dipping into it when I'm feeling nostalgic for whatever reason.

    I agree with Verushka. That bottle is really creepy, making it just about perfect for the season. I was in Target last night and noticed that someone had placed a little plastic monkey skeleton in the book display among the horror books. Definitely caught my attention.

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    1. Strangely, it has been years since I've gone back to the original stories about Holmes; maybe it's time to go back to the beginning.

      Someone at your Target has a good sense of humor!

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  3. I love all those strange little things that you make. Very nice!

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    1. Thanks, Kay--Halloween is my favorite holiday!

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  4. I hope you'll share with us more of your Halloween projects, Jenclair. That bottle is sure eye-catching. :)

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    1. I've been busy with Halloween on my other blog, Melody. "Eye-catching" ;p

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  5. That's too bad that The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols wasn't better. It's got such a great title. And I love those Halloween projects. How fun!

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    1. I was sorry not to like The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols better. I did find the situation, the forged document, and the real people the plot was based on interesting. Thanks, Lark, I have a good time working on Halloween projects. :)

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  6. The Fixer sounds really intriguing. But I seen in the comments you have already read the full length follow up and it didn't impress. Too bad because the idea is an interesting one.

    Your Halloween crafts are AMAZING! :D

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    1. I DNF the second book in The Fixer series. I did like the idea, but found the second book...not so interesting. :(

      Thanks, Ruthiella--I love making Halloween stuff. Those went to my daughter, but I just keep making Halloween figures, decorations, and postcards and decorated envelopes in October. Even giving a bunch away, I still have trouble finding places to put things!

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  7. That's disappointing about The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols and the second book of The Fixer series. I'm sorry they weren't better for you. I love the Halloween themed bottle! You are so creative, Jenclair.

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