When
Sherlock Holmes receives an urgent request for help from Lord
Cary, he and Watson waste no time in hurrying down to Devon
on the next train. They find themselves guests at ancient Torre
Abbey, where Lord Cary and his family are being haunted by a
selection of ghosts. Although nobody has been harmed, they are
all clearly terrified that they are being targeted by somebody
or something that wishes them harm. Soon things take a deadly
turn…
The game is afoot in this atmospheric tale, as the October mists
swirl around the spooky old abbey and surrounding moors. Told
by Watson, the momentum gradually builds as the appearances
start getting more physical and people start to die. The author
brings the tale to life with her tangible descriptions, which
are only marred by various Americanisms. I live in Devon and
you won’t hear the calls of katydids, whippoorwills or
mourning doves; nor will you anywhere else in the UK! These
and other mistakes pull the reader out of the story, which is
a pity as it is a good one, although not difficult to guess.
Personally I most enjoyed the wonderful descriptions of the
various places the characters visit, from the ancient, chilly
halls of the abbey to a hunt on a misty, damp October morning.
Add in a séance, old barn with a dark history, rainy
walk on Dartmoor and trip to the theater and you have a story
with plenty to enjoy. I look forward to reading more from this
author.
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