I found this book to be very enjoyable. It was very well written and the author was very descriptive in describing how things were during her life, and how they changed. I found it very interesting to see how much race relations have changed since the time the author was a girl.

"The Unfortunate Tobacconist" showcases how well Anthony Boucher and Dennis Green can craft a Holmes mystery. The plot is well-constructed, the characters engaging, and Holmes is refreshingly humble. The story's only real flaw is that it suffers from a somewhat obvious solution--a shortcoming of many of the Boucher-Green collaborations. "The Paradol Chamber" on the other hand is as contrived and silly a piece of work as one could hope to imagine. In Boucher's and Green's defense, you must admit that Conan Doyle, who only wrote 56 Holmes stories, wrote several stinkers himself. Boucher and Green cranked out over 200 stories, and they did it on a much tighter schedule than Conan Doyle worked against. Regardless of the poor quality of "The Paradol Chamber," the chemistry between Bruce and Rathbone is perfect, and they never fail to entertain.

The book aims to be realistic - the fog of
war is foggy indeed, and Wellington sometimes makes mistakes. The
casualties at Waterloo are appalling, and the battle almost lost.
Lt.-Col. Trant of "Sharpe's Rangers" fame actually appears, an excellent soldier but "the most drunken dog there ever was" in Wellington's words.

Unusual is the emphasis on Wellington's Indian campaign and on the
Peninsular War - the period of Sharpe's Rangers is the most important in
the book. The Battle of Waterloo is treated as somewhat of an
afterthought, as I suppose it was (if Nap had won it would have been a
very different matter, of course). There are a number of good plates,
including a daguerrotype of the Iron Duke himself in his mid-70s, looking
buth shrewd and oddly sympathetic.

This book is a chronologically-arranged series of biographies of important figures active in English history from 1485 to 1603. It's highly useful for students and for people with an interest in the period trying to find out quick but accurate information on someone they see mentioned elsewhere. It's not a great browsing book, but is an excellent reference resource. It's one of a series of books covering most of English and, later, British history. The only drawback is that its confinement to England means that some important players in Tudor history, such as the rebel Irish leaders of Elizabeth's reign, are omitted. However, it does include key Scots like Mary Stuart and Darnley.

If anyone has an interest in the character of Sherlock Holmes beyond the stories and pastiches, this book is for you. This book provides great background information on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a chronology of the life of Doyle and the "life" of Holmes and Watson, plus plenty of full-color pictures, and even info on the many different portrayals of Holmes on stage and TV, from William Gillette to Jeremy Brett.

I had already been impressed by "WWI In Photographs" by the same authour. WWII, however, has been more impresed and contains a larger number of pictures than the former. Do not expect too much from the comments from the authour -please, do not missunderstand- since although they are accurate, they are also brief (this is clearly a "pictures" book).

When I read the Beekeeper's Apprentice, I found King's writing and plotting to be ingenious and compelling. I've read each subsequent novel with high hopes, but have become more and more disappointed. This latest addition contains little appeal of the first two books--sharply drawn and interesting characters, a clever, edge-of-your-seat pacing, and clever plotting and detection. While King is still a stellar writer, Justice Hall dragged from beginning to end, with Mary and Holmes trudging through the leg work of present-day police procedurals, relying upon luck rather than their characteristic keen insight to make sleuthing headway. Some authors sacrifice fast pacing for meaningful character development, but that is not the case here. Needless scenes have been inserted to buoy the thin plot, while Russell and Holmes behave out of character at several key points. What draws readers like me to this series are Russell and Holmes' powers of detection and their unusual and fascinating relationship. I hope King gets back on track and offer readers the wonderful plotting and characters that have made many of us her fans.

After finishing O Jerusalem I was ready to pick up the next book in the series. Unfortunately I did not realize how long I would have to wait. Luckily, in the end it was everything I had hoped for. I am a big fan of the Russell/Holmes series and I feel that this was a wonderful episode in their advenutres together. We meet a great variety of new characters (perhaps we will see Iris again soon?) and spend a lot of time with Mary. One reviewer was somewhat upset by the lack of direct time spent with Holmes but considering that these are "Mary Russell Novel"s I can't see how that could be terribly surprising, although while reading the book I personally never found Holmes conspicuously absent from the story. There is still plenty of collaboration between our heroine and her partner we just get to see a lot of Mary's perspective rather that Holmes's perspective reflected through her. I found Gabriel's mystery heartwrenching and I thought that the entire plot was well developed. I think this is an excellent continuation of the series and I hope the next book will be as equally well written! If Ms. King happens upon this, I am waiting anxiously!

Wonderful! The return of the Hazr brothers! I have waited two years for this book, and it was worth every second of the wait!
A reluctant, yet dutiful, heir. A loyal and desperate cousin. A surprise wife. A murdered and righteous man. A secret. And, of course, the remarkable pair of Holmes and Russell.
This was a great read. I would have to rank it right up there with "O Jerusalem," just behind "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" and "A Monstrous Regiment of Women." I absolutely devoured every page of this great book!

I have eagerly anticipated another Irene Adler book from Carole Nelson Douglas for several years now. I learned about "Chapel Noir" several months ago and eagerly rushed to the bookstore as soon as my copy arrived in the store. That said, I can admit I am a fan, albeit a slightly disappointed one.

No, I do not mind that the book is darker than the previous ones in the series. It fits the story. I love the growth and development of the characteters, so no complaints there. I can even handle a cliffhanger as much as I personally detest them. I hate waiting at least a year for a resolution in books I read primarily for entertainment.

What I didn't like was the constant change of narrator in the book. Yes, I understand it was necessary, considering the inevitable cliffhanger. Yes, I even like Pink (or whatever you want to call her). But although she is vastly different in personality from Nell, her narrative voice is not sufficiently different. I kept having to keep the narrative clues straight as to who was speaking, since the voices were all too similar. It's not that I was confused, but I had to work too hard to read the book just to keep the narrators straight, let alone the clues and story developments. It was horrific when I had to put the book down for a break and come back and figure out who was speaking before I could become immersed in the story. The narrative clues are dense, actually, and also slowed the flow of the story. It was as if the editor knew the voices were not different enough so we were peppered with narrative clues, not mystery clues, since the conceit had to be maintained to obtain the ending.

Still, Irene is back, and so is Nell. If you love them, reread the other books and venture onto this one. If you haven't read the former books, please start with them. Nell is a jewel, a Dr. Watson and an Archie Goodwin rolled all into a Victorian woman. Don't miss her. I love her. I just wish the book had been more about her again than Irene. Irene is wonderful, but Nell is the true heroine. Nell humanizes Irene's perfections.

If you also enjoy Holmes tempered with a strong female character, I highly recommend Laurie R. King's "The Beekeeper's Apprentice."

Chapel Noir is a great read. I've never read any Irene Adler mysteries and I actually picked up the book because Jack the Ripper was named on the cover and was greatly suprised. I couldn't put the book down and quickly became attached to the characters and the story line. Beware though, if you read Chapel Noir you'll have to read Castle Rouge because where Chapel Noir ends Castle Rouge begins. I hope Ms. Douglas doesn't wait another seven years to write another Irene, Nell and Godfrey adventure. In the meantime, I'll have to go back to the beginning and try to find the first books of the series.

Those are just some of the words that could be used to describe this book. Fantastic! "Chapel Noir" is the first book I have read by Carole Nelson Douglas. It definitely won't be the last. This is an incredible book. "Chapel Noir" is set in Paris, France during the late 1800's just a few months after the Whitechapel Jack the Ripper murders. Irene Adler, one of the main characters, and her friend, Nell, are in search of a murderer crusading around Paris, which they think might be the same Jack the Ripper who committed those in Whitechapel. Many of the famous historical sites of Paris are included in this book, as well as the famous Sherlock Holmes. The mystery begins at an amazing pace, and will not let you go until the very last page. Compared to my favorite book, "Bloodline" by Jill Jones, this lies on the same scale. It is definitely as good as my favorite book, so now I have two favorite books. There are some French words and phrases in the book, which I am able to translate. I love Paris, France, and the French language, and everything about France, which also motivated me to read this book. There are some factual information charts and sayings in the book from the real Jack the Ripper evidence which is amazingly interesting! This book has little sayings out of different books and such at the beggining of every chapter. DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK, IT IS FANTASTIC!!!!

Perhaps if her debut novel, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, had been less dazzling in conception and execution, perhaps if the second Mary Russell novel hadn't provided us with one of the most superbly complex and intriguingly crafted villians cum pawns in recent literature, perhaps if those books hadn't exploded on the mystery genre with such scintillating firepower, A Letter of Mary wouldn't seem a disappointment. Well, it is. It suffers mightily in comparison with its two fresh and splendid predecessors--particularly Beekeeper. The overall impression of A Letter of Mary is that the author needs a vacation from her characters--and, most definitely, from her theological themes, which are wearing very thin. The book seems strained in many places. There is a long, digressive red-herring section involving an ex-army Colonel that represents truly shabby plotting and is almost at "pot boiler" level compared to what we've come to expect from Mrs. King. The conjugal relationship between Holmes and Mary Russell frequently borders on the fantastic (as in unbelievable). And the use by Holmes, while in disguise, of the name "Mr. Basil" is such a wincingly awkward reference to Basil Rathbone's immortal film characterization as to suggest an author whose imagination and judgment are running on empty. Reading any of the Mary Russell books is better than reading about 75% of anything else in the genre, but these characters need a rest--perhaps too many books too fast are exhausting the author's wonderful talents. We should look forward to more adventures featuring the brilliant invention that is Mary Russell (and, perhaps, but not necessarily, Holmes)--however, first let them repair to Sussex for a long, richly deserved winter's nap. #

For those who wonder how Sherlock Holmes could love a woman, all you have to do is read the "chair" scene at the end of Chapter 11. Sherlock Holmes explains to Mary and therein the reader.

This character study of Holmes and his wife and partner Mary Russell was just as good as Laurie King's debut novel in the series, The Beekeeper's Apprentice.

That being said, I would have to agree with many on this board who were disappointed with the mystery. The wrap-up at the end does seem a bit contrived given the potential of the mystery, a problem King had with her previous work Holmes work, A Monstrous Regiment of Women.

Very good, but don't expect a top-notch mystery. Enjoy it for the characters.

Laurie king has taken the old holmes and provided a new spin. these are not for everyone, but the heroine is not sloppy nor precious, but intelligent and interesting. A good match for holmes. the book is an interesting one, when a letter is recieved by Mary Russell claiming to be one written by the virgin mary. the tail takes them to the holy land and other interseting places. if you liked anything Sherlock Holmes like, you will enjoy this book!

While it is true that this book might be a little hard for some people to understand, mainly the satirical situation of contrasting one of the most respectable fictional characters ever created with 19th century Brazil, which I assume must be hard for people unfamiliar with the traditions and culture of that country to understand completely, this book must be understood in its own context. Jo Soares was very succesful in properly presenting its readers with a delightful satire by mixing two elements with almost nothing in common. The image of Holmes in this book should be interpreted as one representing the polite British gentleman who shares no characteristics with those of most Brazilians - mostly characterized as friendly and casual people with a lot of sense of humor - and watching as it develops. The result is a very well written book which proves to be a good read in many different levels. To those thinking they will find thriller in the same level of the original Sherlock Holmes'novels should not count on it. But even then, Jo does not disappoint, for after all there is a crime involved, along with a very clever ending. Take this book for what it is, and you're in for a good time!

What many people do not understand here is that you must go beyond the Sherlock Holmes story and try to understand the Brazilian culture and how, in this book, were Holmes and Watson important to Brazil and its history. Holmes's fans, please do not be upset. I would really like to meet the person who invented the "caipirinha", and on this book Watson did as you might recall. However, if you are narrow minded and can only see in Holmes a tough detective who knows everything about decyphering a crime, I am sorry, this is not a book for you. Jo Soares is a very intelligent man, and I agree he has had his ups and downs. "Xango de Baker Street" is definitely one of his highlights. You foreign readers should visit Brazil before making conclusions on how stupid or not stupid Jo Soares is. In my opinion this is an enjoyable book, and it is possible to have some laughs as well, but again, you must first break that ice barrier some of you might have in regards to foreign cultures. After this book I see Sherlock Holmes as a better all around private eye. The dude is cool and sometimes I wish the "real" Sherlock had some of the characteristics Jo gave to him. Sherlock, you should become a Brazilian citizen!! We love you!! Take care, and keep charging in life!

-BORACEIA-BLACK's-EU E RODSNEY

This is definitely one of the most entertaining, enjoyable, and well-written books I've read in a very long time. While it might not be filled with the poetic lyricism that bogs down so many more "literary" novels and its irreverence towards Sherlock Holmes may fluster the feathers of his most loving aficionados, Soares's story, writing, and conclusion is nothing short of fantastic. While comments on the site have been mixed, this book is definitely not one of the worst books ever written (it may well be one of the best of its genre- literary thriller) and is certainly enjoyable to people who are not Brazilian. The evocation of the city of Rio and the long-forgotten Brazilian empire firmly immortalizes both city and era. A truly wonderful, fast, and smooth read.