As England's greatest specialist in criminal detection, Sherlock Holmes is unwavering in his quest to capture the killer responsible for terrifying London's East End. He hires an "unfortunate" known as Mary Ann Monk, the friend of a fellow streetwalker who was one of the Ripper's earliest victims; and he relies heavily on the steadfast and devoted Dr. John H. Watson. When Holmes himself is wounded in Whitechapel during an attempt to catch the savage monster, the popular press launches an investigation of its own, questioning the great detective's role in the very crimes he is so fervently struggling to prevent. Stripped of his credibility, Holmes is left with no choice but to break every rule in the desperate race to find the madman known as "the Knife" before it is too late.
A masterly re-creation of history's most diabolical villain, Lyndsay Faye's debut brings unparalleled authenticity to the atmosphere of Whitechapel and London in the fledgling days of tabloid journalism and recalls the ideals evinced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most beloved and world-renowned characters. Jack the Ripper's identity, still hotly debated around the world more than a century after his crimes were committed, remains a mystery ripe for speculation. Dust and Shadow explores the terrifying prospect of tracking a serial killer without the advantage of modern forensics, and the result is a lightning-paced novel brimming with historical detail that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
My review: When I heard about "Dust and shadow" and the idea of reading the account of the Jack the Ripper murders as investigated by Sherlock Holmes, I was intrigued and immediately added it to my TBR. I also recommended it for purchase for both my libraries since I figured it would interest enough people. Well, if people love it as much as I did, it will never stay on the shelf for long.
I've read only one Sherlock Holmes novel, "The Hound of the Baskervilles", while in high school and haven't retained much of it in my memory. At the same time, I am only vaguely aware of the Ripper case. In this manner, I felt at times to be in-the-know and on the outside at the same time. I frequently wondered just how much of what I was reading was fact.
This book is well-written and absorbing. The wit and sarcasm make this a fun read, which sounds contradictory considering the content. I loved the characters, especially Miss Monk, and the language of the time period. There were times where a description implied a reference to a previous Holmes novel. "Dust and shadow" is so brilliantly written that I, a decidedly non-murder mystery-reader, loved this book so much that I am buying myself a copy for rereading in the future AND buying the complete Sherlock Holmes works.
Unfortunately, this book has further solidified my conviction NOT to read the Mary Russell series by Laurie King, no matter how good people tell me it is. Although I'm normally fine with romances with an age gap, I just don't feel comfortable reading about a 38-year difference.
"Dust and shadow" is now my favourite read of 2013. That's how much I loved it! Oh, and I love that it was written by a female author.
Read on,
Paula
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