Art in the Blood: A page-turning historical murder mystery (A Sherlock Holmes Adventure) (Book 1)

I recently reread The Complete Sherlock Holmes which contain all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels and short stories. It prompted me to purchase over a half dozen more Sherlock Holmes books by contemporary authors. Most were good; however, Art in the Blood was the best Sherlock Holmes books I've read since the originals. I've ordered two more of her books in this series and am anxiously awaiting their arrival.

In addition to having almost everyone attacked or being harmed in different violent ways, Holmes is presented as a bumbling detective who is constantly making mistakes. Holmes gets savagely beaten but comes back to take more. The author should use her considerable talents to write a book with plot twists and not savage beatings.

I read a lot of Sherlock Holmes pastiches and the quality varies from the excellent to the dire. Even professionally-published works can be very patchy in quality.Which is why I was very pleasantly surprised by this, now three-volume, series. The characters are definitely influenced by some recent pop culture takes, and they wear those influences openly, but lightly. In the main, the characters are true to canon - something you can't always take for granted.The author takes the liberty to explore parts of Holmes' past that we never learn about in canon, and while it's not completely my view of what happened, it's acceptable. That may sound like faint praise but believe me, it's not. Everybody has their own views of the characters and some of the backstories invented by authors both amateur and professional go very far afield from the Holmes created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Ms MacBird is to be congratulated for creating a plausible and even possible background for Holmes that can be accepted or rejected by the reader, according to taste, without adversely affecting the cases presented in the novels.Her view of the relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft seems rather more adversarial than presented in canon, but she's won enough credit from me that I'm interested in seeing how she develops this and what is behind it. There's hints at the Holmes' family past, that intriguing but unexplored area about how Holmes and his brother developed from children into the men we see today.And that family heritage gets its chance to shine with the eponymous "art in the blood". There's the creation of a French rival to Holmes (though it's doubtful if either Holmes or Vidocq see themselves as rivals, for opposite if complementary reasons - neither seem overly impressed with the other's abilities and plainly don't think of the other as a challenge, though Vidocq is at a disadvantage when on English soil and dealing with English institutions). Vidocq looks like he'll be a recurring character, and I hope he gets some development - he's teetering on being annoying rather than amusing but manages to maintain a footing on the right side of that line. He must have some abilities, otherwise he wouldn't be in the position he has attained, so it would be nice to see him demonstrating that he's not just all surface flash and charm.Overall, I'm converted to Ms. MacBird's Holmes and Watson, because Watson is still as splendidly loyal as ever, a bit of an adrenaline junkie who despite living in truly wedded bliss still hankers for the thrills of an adventure with Holmes, and Mary Watson née Morstan is as obliging as in canon about conveniently being called away for visits or family emergencies to give Watson the chance to indulge, without guilt, in running alongside Holmes as they travel to France and then back to England to solve a case involving art theft with international political repercussions, a kidnapping, and a series of horrific murders in the North of England.

Well written and exciting. New Holmes and Watson stories are rare and even rarer when done this well. ENJOY IT!

Action, plots helter-skelter, appropriately villainous villains and a surprising lot of death. A fic that deals with the many drawbacks of cocaine (and one of its costly "features".TW. Torture, pedophiles.

I have found that I am very picky when it comes to Sherlockian stories. If 2020 taught me anything that is it. I have gone through many and only liked a few. Most of them were never finished. I am soo happy to say that this one does not disappoint.I was pulled into this story from the beginning. I loved the writing in this story it mimics Doyle’s well and it made me feel like I am really reading additional stories. The pacing was spot on I did not feel the story lag at any point.If you enjoy Sherlockian stories then I highly suggest you picking this one up.I can not wait to pick up the next book in this series!

MacBird’s "Art in the Blood: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure" is another entry in the many Holmes’ pastiches which seem to litter the bookscape today. I have actually had this book for over two years, and I finally read it. Although it is not an excellent rendering, it is without question better than the average Holmesian story. I found the story engaging, and I was left interested in reading the author again."Art in the Blood” is fast-paced with several intriguing subplots and some nicely thought out twists and turns. MacBird captured the era and atmosphere of the period convincingly and the dialog rang true. The local color was certainly well done; facts about the historical period were well detailed in language, setting, and in society’s detail. It's interesting how divided people are on this book - they either loved it or hated it. If you enjoy Holmes, I recommend that you simply ignore the negative critics, read the book, and judge for yourself. I really don’t think you will be disappointed. I will not wait two years to read MacBird again.

I confess I was planning on rating this book with four stars but the last 100 pages shot it to 5. The shocking event that happens to Holmes as well as the outcome of the mystery is tremendous.I am a Sherlock Holmes fanatic and am eager to grab all new books that I can. I had heard of this series for several years now but had not found the time to start it.Holmes starts the story damaged and goes through many events but finds some peace at the end.Great real-life people are present in this story including Toulouse-Lautrec and Vidocq.I am eager to start the next book in the series.

There are altogether too many pastiche Holmes and Watson stories out there but it seems by all accounts that Bonnie MacBird has been one of the most successful in nailing the original Conan Doyle style, despite one or two linguistic anachronisms (eg. was the currently modish term 'mindfulness' really employed back then?) Still and all, the first of a series one hopes will prosper ('Unquiet Spirits' already out.)However, the main purpose of this review is to recommend the author's annotations online to each of the chapters in the book, which add a treasure trove of information about the story. If only other others would follow her example!

REBEL WITH OUT A COATA Brilliant pastiche. Many others have given this book five stars, which it truly deserves. This book is a wonderful tribute to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Bonnie MacBird has Dr Watson telling the tale in exactly the way that we have come to expect, with lots of twist and turns right up to the last page's. Normally I can work out who the villain is. I must admit I was surprised by who really was the villain, it was a very clever twist. This is a must for any Sherlock Holmes fan, who likes the traditional writings of Conan Doyle. I'm really looking forward to reading Bonnie MacBirds next Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson adventure, which I believe is due out in the autumn of 2017.

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson have two mysteries to solve. One is a missing child and the other relates to stolen art. This book had me gripped, I could not put it down. I really enjoyed it, I can't wait to read the next one. Well worth five stars.

It is nothing like the original stories or their pastiches from the likes of Laurie R King and Donald Thomas. Sad to say that the Sherlock Holmes portrayed in this book was not the Sherlock I know and love from the Conan Doyle books. There were quite a few cringe inducing moments, including some inaccuracies to do with background stories concerning such characters as Mary Morstan, which only an avid reader of the original stories would probably spot. I had hoped much more from this book as I thought its title was a brilliant one.

Interesting read. Written in the style of Arthur Conan Doyle.Worth reading once, not sure about re-readability.Good plot. Has some action as per Adventures of Sherlock Holmes stories.Clear, easy to read text.