Victorian Villainy

A Collection of Moriarty Stories

By: Michael Kurland

Narrated by: Steve Coulter

After the last shots of World War II were fired and the process of rebuilding Germany and Europe began, the Western Allies and the Soviet Union each tried to obtain the services of the Third Reich's leading scientists, especially those involved in rocketry, missile technology, and aerospace research. Naturally, this was a delicate affair due to the fact many of the German scientists were not only active Nazis but had helped the Nazi war machine terrorize the world. At the same time, near the end of the war, the Anglo-American Allies formed a clear picture of the Soviet state. Though forced to ally with the USSR's dictator, Joseph Stalin, the West came to understand Communist Russia represented yet another hungry totalitarian power, and thus a very real threat to an independent Europe.

Of course, both the Western Allies and the Soviets knew of the Nazis’ V-2 rocket program, the forerunner of ballistic missiles and the Space Race. Indeed, the efforts to snatch up Nazi scientists reflected the fact that everyone recognized the immense strategic value of these technologies and wished to secure their benefits for themselves. As the Soviets contemplated additional expansion following the “Great Patriotic War” and the U.S. military came to understand the putative allies of 1945 may emerge as enemies in the future, the men possessing knowledge of the V-2 rockets and other Third Reich military technology programs became seen as crucial pieces in the incipient standoff between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

The British were only too aware of the dangers and potential of the Nazi rockets because the Nazi V-weapon bombardment of London and the south coast of England in 1944 and 1945 involved some of the most frightening attacks on civilians during the war. Not only did the V-1 missiles and V-2 rockets land unpredictably on civilian areas, causing damage and casualties, but they also represented the use of strange new technologies developed by Nazi scientists. After all, if the Nazis could design and develop rockets long before the Allied nations, perhaps they were also working on other, even more devastating new weapons.

To counter the V-weapons, the Allies implemented Operation Crossbow, which aimed to find ways to stop or at least reduce the number of V-weapons reaching their targets, and to reassure the population of Allied nations that these terrifying new weapons could be understood and overcome. The importance of Operation Crossbow was high enough that, despite being involved in massive military operations in Sicily and preparing for the Normandy landings, the Allies diverted manpower and resources to counter the V-weapon threat. This decision was made at the highest level, and those in charge were determined to ensure that Operation Crossbow would not fail.

Operation Crossbow: The History of the Allied Bombing Missions against Nazi Germany’s V-2 Rocket Program during World War II looks at one of the war’s most unique operations. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Operation Crossbow like never before.

©2011 Michael Kurland (P)2012 Michael Kurland

I doubt The Professor would approve

This may come down to personal taste. If you get something out of this book I’ll be genuinely happy for you. I however did not. I’m a bit of a connoisseur of villains and villainy. I love a book about villains or a story told from the villains perspective. Professor Moriarty is one of my all time favorites. There have been some truly incredible and original Moriarty stories published. John Gardner’s Revenge Of Moriarty series and Kim Newman’s Professor Moriarty: The Hound Of The D’urbervilles both get recommendations from me, the latter being the best outside the Holmes canon in my humble opinion. The Professor can be so many things. He can be a Victorian gangster, a nefarious Blofeldian player on the international stage, a vindictive and hateful math professor, a noble father of the criminal underworld, or even a committed man of science dabbling in crime to finance his endeavors. I’ve read stories where he is all types. It’s very difficult to make the good professor boring yet I’m sad to say that I think Kurland found a way. For one, the title and summary are both very misleading. If you’re looking for true Victorian villainy you won’t find it here. There’s no real enmity or rivalry between Moriarty and Holmes, no Don Corleone-esque master of the underworld, no spider at the center of a web of shadows. He’s more a bored middle aged scientist who uses crime to pay his mundane expenses than anything else. In the 100+ years since his first appearance he’s been many things to many people yet I struggle to think of a more uninspired interpretation of one of the best villains ever created. His choice of sidekick had potential but again it goes nowhere. I was pining for Colonel Moran before long to bring some color to the story. If nothing else Moran would’ve given the reader insight into Moriarty’s very very vaguely described “villainy”. If you’re looking for something that fleshes out the good professor in a fun or interesting way you would do well to give Victorian Villainy a pass. I think most readers or fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s greatest villain will get much much more out of the aforementioned books by John Gardner and Kim Newman.

Moriarty = More Holmes than Holmes Himself

Michael Kurland's collection of four stories features Professor James Moriarty as the protagonist (and even, one might say, hero). All four fit within Arthur Conan Doyle's canon -- or, at the very least, they don't contradict it -- but offer a very different perspective. From Kurland's Moriarty-centric point of view, Moriarty is a consulting detective in his own right, called "criminal" only because he's more practical in his means and willing to be creative in how he funds his scientific experiments. Despite the fact he operates in a "grey area" with regard to the law sometimes, he is consulted by various officials including Inspector Lestrade and even Mycroft Holmes when necessity requires it.

The portrait listeners get of Sherlock Holmes is of a petulant, adolescent-like personality, at once willing to learn from Moriarty but also terribly jealous and suspicious of him. Throughout the course of the four stories, we see Moriarty offering pearls of wisdom that Holmes would later mimic and claim as his own insights.

"Years Ago and in a Different Place" explores how Moriarty and Holmes first met (when the former was a lecturer and the latter a student) and the tragedy that caused Holmes to develop a lasting antipathy for his nemesis -- and, for that matter, distrust of women.

"Reichenbach" tells the "real" story of why Holmes and Moriarty together staged their deaths at Reichenbach Falls and what they were up to as their respective circles mourned them.

"The Paradol Paradox" and "The Picture of Oscar Wilde" are told from the perspective of Moriarty's very own Dr. Watson -- alas, no Sebastian Moran here! -- an American news reporter turned partner-in-crime. Moriarty's solution to the latter mystery, a case first refused by Holmes, shows how Moriarty is willing to act in ways Holmes is not while tidying up an investigation. (To be fair, this is a question of degree, not kind, as Holmes proves willing in canon to break all manner of laws.)

These stories are very well written and engaging, with entertaining glimpses into the international affairs and personal politics of the era. I personally would have preferred a different Moriarty, not one who is more Holmes than Holmes himself, and a study of his relationship with Moran and perhaps even the other Moriarty brothers. Even so, I enjoyed listening to this solid collection.

Steve Coulter's narration is well done.

Moriarty, Front & Center

This was a very entertaining collection of stories featuring the famed nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, Professor James Moriarty. Having listened to a wonderful audio only collection of Moriarty stories, I decided to look for similar books in this focus. While Sherlock receives the lion share, I enjoy the approach that Moriarty wasn't simply a criminal. He is also a consulting detective with links to the underworld. The first tale is Moriarty's version of how he and Sherlock met. The second is Moriarty's version of what happened at the Reichenback falls. The Parasol Paradox and Picture of Oscar Wilde are both enjoyable original tales on their own. His amazing powers of deduction and willingness to take cases Holmes won't make him a popular option for clients seeking assistance. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audio book. Steve Coulter does a wonderful job with the various accents and brings the tales to life. Change your point of view and enjoy.