Murder in The Vatican

Hello Fellow Book Lovers:

I'm reading a delightful novel (actually 3 semi-short stories) called "Murder in The Vatican: The Church Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes" by Ann Margaret Lewis. I'm into the second story right now and can heartily recommend this relatively new book (published in 2010). For devoted fans of Sherlock and Watson as originally given to us, I can say that reading this book by Lewis is just like reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I was afraid that it would be a big let-down ~ it isn't. I was also afraid that it would be full of Catholicism in a hokey way ~ it isn't. Not only is it well written, but it's got just the right amount of authentic, orthodox Catholic-ness to it, very seemlessly inserted into the situations and dialogs. How fun it is to travel along with Sherlock and Watson to the Vatican during the papacy of Leo XIII!

Elizabeth

Thank you! Sounds great!

Thank you so much for mentioning Murder in the Vatican, Elizabeth! Here is my interview with the author:
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2010/09/murder-in-vatican.html

Based upon snippets in the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Ann Lewis has ingeniously woven tales of mystery amid the liturgical cadences of Pope Leo XIII's Vatican and against the backdrop of international intrigue. Holmes and Watson are there, just as Doyle created them; it is fascinating to see the famous duo in the corridors of the papal apartments, matching wits with Leo XIII himself.

Pope Leo comes convincingly to life in the stories so that I often felt that I was sitting in the same room with him, listening to his pithy insights, sparkling with humor, a very saintly old Italian gentleman. Holmes' own religious skepticism is confronted and for once in his life he realizes that there are places where his brilliant intellect and spectacular process of discernment cannot go. Another English detective, none other than Fr. Brown, appears in one of the stories, as Ann subtly mingles literature with history, pulling together many loose threads to make a living tapestry of the past.

Murder in the Vatican is a welcome addition to Catholic-themed literature and to literature in general. As is the way with well-written books, it would be perfect for reading aloud at night by a roaring fire. I recommend it for all ages, especially for those who can never get enough of the one and only Sherlock Holmes.

Thanks, Elena, for the link and your review of this book. I had no idea that you'd already reviewed the book ~ already old news! Oops. Well, it's new to me and I'm really enjoying it. I also enjoyed reading your review of it very much!

Oh, Elizabeth, it's not old news at all. I am glad you brought it up since many people have not read it yet. I am sure Ann Lewis would appreciate out discussion of her wonderful book!!

Elena:

As a newcomer to this forum, I was feeling a bit silly upon discovering that my posting/book recommendation was redundant, but your reply was sweet and very welcome. Thanks for making me feel "at home"

Elizabeth

Oh, it was not redundant at all, Elizabeth.

Truly! We have never discussed it here on the forum and there are many people who have not read about it since it was awhile ago that I reviewed it for the blog.