I Will Find the Answer

By: Kate Workman

Narrated by: Alexander Clifford

Erik has returned and has brought an interesting character to Holmes's attention: Dr. Henry Jekyll.

It appears Jekyll is experimenting on an unsanctioned patient in an effort to prove his theories concerning human nature correct. But who is the patient he's found?

Is it his mentally ill father, shut away for years in an institution? Is it Simon Stride, the jealous former suitor of Jekyll's fiancée? Or could it be the mysterious, unsavory murderer, Edward Hyde, with whom Jekyll seems to have intimate knowledge?

Sherlock Holmes, along with Erik and Watson, investigates this bizarre case. Holmes uses a very unorthodox method that brings him to the brink of insanity as he delves into the mind of a man obsessively devoted to his work. Will Holmes's own mind crack under the strain of this case?

©2011 Kate Workman (P)2017 MX Publishing

Not very engaging

The story was a bit too Mary Sue (as was the previous, if I’m being honest). Erik is an interesting character, but he definitely “crowds the stage.” I’m not sure why so many authors want to pair Holmes with Mary Sue, but it is far from uncommon. And to me, that defeats the whole point of the story. I want to see the Great Detective at his, triumphing over cloth-headed inspectors from Scotland Yard, and villains who overestimate themselves whilst underestimating Holmes. Watching Mary Sue steal part or all of his thunder is not what I’m looking for.

Meanwhile, besides the usual mispronounced and misread words, there were places throughout where a line was repeated, sometimes more than once. It was especially bad in chapter 17, where nearly every line was read twice at a minimum. This COMPLETELY ruined the audiobook for me.

So my feeling is, unless have a major need for more Mary Sue (I mean Erik), or are a huge fan of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, I’d give this a miss.

An interesting concept and story

I have not read the first book in this series and this fact might be affecting my capacity to be fair to the story. And, although I have read [book:The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde|31117045] I haven't see the musical and this seems to be the source of this crossover, not the book.

That said, the story is interesting and, some anachronisms aside, well-written. I'd have liked of the book had delved more deeply into the obvious conflict between Erik, who has been a monster, and Dr Jekyll, who has become one. But this may be just me, who always wants a bit of struggle between the characters.

Aaaaand... by now you all know that I adore Watson. I always found the partnership between Holmes and Watson one of the main attractions to their stories. And here, Watson seems to be relegated to the background (he doesn't even know Dr. Jekyll by name!) and Erik is taking his place. Having Holmes asking Erik to become his partner... well... not my cup of tea.

But if you don't have my hang-ups, I'm sure you'll be enjoying the story :)