Sherlock Holmes and the Giant Sumatran Rat

The Confidential Files of Dr. John H. Watson, Book 1

De: Joanna Campbell Slan, C.J. Lutton

Narrado por: Tim Campbell

The first book in a new series featuring Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, written by a USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author.

The world was not prepared for this story, a conspiracy hatched in the highest levels of the British government. A rogue Minister of Defense plans to turn soldiers into blood-thirsty animals—and Holmes and Watson may be among their first victims.

The adventure starts when Holmes is warned away from investigating Jack the Ripper’s heinous crimes. Despite Holmes’ well-known skills, he is sidelined. He must content himself with a straightforward case, finding a bolting beau, the result of a simple lovers’ quarrel.

But that “romance gone wrong” is really the key to a nasty secret with tendrils reaching all the way to a Sumatran island. That’s where four castaways made a difficult decision. They turned their backs on a society that sent them packing and allowed themselves to be infected with a deadly virus. After all, they never expected to ever come home again… And they certainly never expected to be considered lethal weapons! Can Holmes and Watson stop them from being used for evil purposes?

This fast-paced adventure will take Holmes and Watson from the dregs of London to its noble heights. The two friends will travel from Bedlam, the hospital for the insane, to stately Windsor Park. Sherlock Holmes and the Giant Sumatran Rat is a fast-paced thrill ride that’s sure to keep listeners on the edge of their seats. If you like historical thrillers with a hint of the supernatural, you’ll love this series. Each book stays true to Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend, John Watson, whilst featuring a cast of real people and issues pertinent to the times.

This series is perfect for fans of Laurie R. King, Preston Child, and Joanna Penn.

©2023 Joanna Campbell Slan,CJ Lutton (P)2023 Spotify Audiobooks

So many, many loose threads

The narrator does a good job, and how he does not at times stop reading and say "REALLY?!?" amazes me. I have listened to over 600 audio books and this one wins the award for the most dropped plot threads, inexplicable events (a hot air balloon escape with no context?!?), sudden unexplained mood shifts, completely inappropriate / impossible cause and effect.. just to name a few. I finished the book while on a many hours drive and laughed out loud when yet another absolute nonsensical event or statement reveled itself. And where is the editor?! Watson is an MD and makes some of the most blatantly foolish comments and medical decisions. Unbelievable.

A good story

I've downloaded so many audio books as a Sherlock fan. Some good, some terrible. This is a solid story, perhaps a bit rushed at the end but the performance and the production was well done and kept me interested even if the "mystery" wasn't too much of a mystery

Very disappointed.

I will not give spoilers, but I will not be purchasing the next in the series

Follows the form of Sign of Four

This follows Doyle’s style of novels with long backstory.

Excellent narrator

Characters are true to Conan Doyle’s writing

Mystery is decent

Ending tragic and unsatisfying

Depressing ending

The story was written well, and emulated Doyle's style very closely. However, the story revolves around the supernatural, which is something that I don't think belongs in Sherlock stories. I won't give anything away, but the ending is incredibly depressing and the actions that are described seem incredibly out of character for both Watson and Holmes. There was another way to resolve this story, and the authors actually came up with it themselves.