Unquiet Spirits: Whisky, Ghosts, Murder

A Sherlock Holmes Adventure, Book 2

By: Bonnie MacBird

Narrated by: Simon Darwen

The new novel from the author of Art in the Blood. December 1889. Fresh from debunking a “ghostly” hound in Dartmoor, Sherlock Holmes has returned to London, only to find himself the target of a deadly vendetta.

A beautiful client arrives with a tale of ghosts, kidnapping and dynamite on a whisky estate in Scotland, but brother Mycroft trumps all with an urgent assignment in the South of France.

On the fabled Riviera, Holmes and Watson encounter treachery, explosions, rival French Detective Jean Vidocq… and a terrible discovery. This propels the duo northward to the snowy highlands. There, in a “haunted” castle and among the copper dinosaurs of a great whisky distillery, they and their young client face mortal danger, and Holmes realizes all three cases have blended into a single, deadly conundrum.

In order to solve the mystery, the ultimate rational thinker must confront a ghost from his own past. But Sherlock Holmes does not believe in ghosts…or does he?

©2017 Bonnie MacBird (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"If the original 60 Holmes stories aren't enough for you, read Bonnie MacBird's Unquiet Spirits for another dram of the Great Detective. MacBird deftly blends a series of grisly murders and dark secrets from Holmes's past into a strong brew!" (Leslie S. Klinger, editor of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes)

"A superb Sherlockian adventure. Bonnie MacBird's take on Holmes and Watson is inventive and true to the canon, a splendid blend of fast-paced action and detection in a deliciously gothic Highland setting. I can't wait for her next book." (Dana Cameron, BSI, Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity award-winning author of the Emma Fielding mysteries)

"Pour yourself a wee dram, toss another peat on the fire, and prepare to be swept up in the great detective's Highland fling. MacBird's spooky, scholarly, thoroughly 'spirited' follow up to Art in the Blood is a triumph of voice, place, and plotting. Highly recommended for fans of Sherlock, Scotland, and whisky lovers everywhere." (Catriona McPherson, best-selling author of the multi-award-winning Dandy Gilver series)

I thought it was a good extension to Sherlock

I read some reviews that thought the characters were not true to the original. I disagree. Holmes maybe more human than in other books, but that’s okay.

I don’t know that the preface was necessary.

This story would make Doyle proud!

This novel would make Arthur Doyle proud. Bonnie MacBird delivered a gripping Sherlockian novel including a murder, bombing, ghosts of Braedern and Scotland winter. Sherlock and Watson are given as assignment from Mycroft which takes them to Paris and Scotland. They solved current and past mysteries with their usual flourish.

There are twist and turns, which kept me reading late into the night. While Holmes was flummoxed at points, he had the pleasure of foiling his nemesis, French Detective Jean Vidocq, and his schoolboy nemesis August Clarion.

Watson uncovered secrets of Sherlock’s past. As a student, Sherlock began his studies in science, chemistry and boxing. Holmes’ teacher told Watson many stories, which offered an explanation to Holmes eccentricities. Unknown to Holmes incidents from his youth will encroach upon solving his current case. Sherlock who is always private and hidden shuns Watson when he realizes that Watson knows his secrets.

The McLaren family are Sherlock’s clients. They are whiskey barons of Scotland on the cusp of renowned success. Their family secrets would be an encumbrance if uncovered. The Larid Braedern tasked Holmes to prove his reputation by solving the case before the arrival of the Royal Family.

I am so excited that Bonnie MacBird did a fantastic job. I have new Sherlock stories to enjoyed.

Engaging, satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable.

"Unique Spirits" is my third MacBird book. The characters are beautifully drawn and fill my imagination of them. The story is so engaging, I hate to interrupt the listen. The performance by Simon Darwen is perfect for MacBird's skillful storytelling which takes me back in time to an era, while I didn't live in it, I was transported there nonetheless less. I can't wait to hear the next one.

Plot twists and descriptions—both excellent

Both the performance and the plot made this a really engaging book. As Holmes would say, “Well done!”

Is MacBird the Ghost of Watson?

As a fan of Sherlock Holmes novels, having read the whole collection, I love MacBird’s treatment of the Holmes/Watson duo. As all familiar with the genre know, the narrator is Holmes’ sidekick Dr. Watson, of whom MacBird is obviously a reincarnation. The voice is perfect Sir Arthur Conan Doyle right down to the asides and quips. Unquiet Spirits is my favorite of MacBird’s two Holmes novels. Her writing and plotting are sublime and there are enough twists and turns to keep the interest of the most jaded mystery fan , as well as some dips into Holmes mysterious youth only alluded to in Doyle’s series. This is a great read; I eagerly await novel #3!

Great sequel but average voice acting

The narration is not as good as the first book’s in that Holmes’ voice is often quite similar to Watson’s, and that leads to occasional confusion. Great plot, but I wish they had gotten the narrator from the first book.

Best Sherlock Holmes story I've ever heard

Out of dozens of Sherlock stories over listened to, this is the best. Great plot twists and turns. It's really long, but with the time it takes.

Sherlock and watson take on epic family secrets.

great sherlock and watson. epic mystery and family secrets. provides backstory for holmes time at university. as required, watson's manuscript discovered in tin box.

Holmes Lost Love

I was interested to the end, although Dr. Watson’s journey into Holme’s early years seemed like a side story. Only later, I understood why it was important to the overall book. I enjoyed the intelligent female character and her hidden past. The ending seemed to go on a bit too long for me, but still a solid 4 star read. I will try another of Bonnie MacBird’s books.

Kept me from getting my work done

What did you love best about Unquiet Spirits: Whisky, Ghosts, Murder?

In other reviews, I was quite disappointed with “The Beekeeper’s Daughter” and “The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes.”
Now we have the books those could have been.
Ms. MacBird has two very similar women in Mlle. Emmeline La Victoire (Art in the Blood) and Aila MacClaren (Unquiet Spirits).
Smart enough to be confident, their primary affect is not the need to prove themselves, but rather the confidence not to hide their own light. They are smart, but open to the insights and accomplishments of others. Holmes and Watson are not dumbed down to make these women shine; they don’t need that.
They earn our respect without themselves being disrespectful, and without doubling down on Holmes’s more Asperger traits.
I never tire of well-written Holmes and Watson, but Aila MacClaren is poised to become the female detective the genre’ has been waiting for.
As compared with Doyle’s writing, Ms. MacBird’s characters feel right, but are more three-dimensionally developed. Watson, in particular, is more fleshed out and admirable, without breaking character.
The plots are more complex than Doyle’s, and the solving bits are comparable. The adventure element is brought out more, and I don’t how much physical abuse Holmes can survive at Ms. MacBird’s hands …
It’s been a long time since a book was so engrossing that I actually shirked some of my duties to keep reading, but both of MacBird’s books had that effect on me.

What other book might you compare Unquiet Spirits: Whisky, Ghosts, Murder to and why?

Nicholas Meyers' Holmes books.

What about Simon Darwen’s performance did you like?

Darwen was fine. His rendition of Sherlock is a bit querulous, and he has a little trouble juggling a Scottish accent and nuanced inflection simultaneously.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh, my. Yes!

Any additional comments?

More, please.