Looking back at the first mystery in this series, The Baker Street Letters, its hard to believe that I read it in 2009. THat being said, at the time I found it a disappointment. again I went in assuming things, my Achilles heel if I ever had one. The premise was that Reggie and Nigel Heath share law offices at 221B Baker Street, the former address of the world's most famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. Reggie is the dependable hardworking lawyer (barrister in Brit talk) while Nigel is the...how to put it delicately? Better not even try, lets stick with less than reliable barrister. His job consists of answering the letters that still arrive for Sherlock Holmes, a requirement in their lease of the building. I was expecting a good old fashioned British cozy, and what I got was more of a shoot 'em up thriller/Western mostly set in L.A. and rather depressing at points. I was reluctant to dip my toe in again, however I'm glad I did because I finally got what I was looking for the first time around. This story had all the hallmarks of a good mystery, false identities, red herrings, car chases, gun fights, crazy people, and of course Sherlock Holmes. The descendants of Professor Moriarty show up (who knew the crazy old guy procreated)? It was fast paced, funny and there was even a particularly good scene where our damsel in distress Laura dangles from Tower Bridge, sweet huh? The characters, which were the one saving grace in the first installment come back strong, even though it is painfully obvious this book is written by a man at some points. In Robertson's defense he does try very hard to make his character seem very sensitive, even if it doesn't always work or make sense. This was my gym book for the past two weeks and I have to say it kept me on the elliptical which not many a tale can, bravo Mr. Holmes.
