Sherlock Book Review - The Devil At Prayers
Posted by Steve Emecz on
Reedsy 4/5 Stars
The Devil at Prayers is an extremely intriguing Sherlock Holmes novel that follows Emily Watson, half-sister of Dr. John Watson. Emily lives with her twin sister at a manor in the English countryside. When James Moriarty, infamous adversary of Sherlock Holmes, comes to visit, Emily learns she is related to John Watson. Emily goes to London and introduces herself, soon getting involved in a class Sherlock Holmes case. In the process she learns more about herself, her past, and her relationship with her brother.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The twists and turns of the plot were exciting, and the characters were all well rounded and multi-faceted. The writing style, specifically Emily’s voice, maintains a balance between casual and formal that makes it easily digestible for readers while realistically fitting its 19th century historical period. I also enjoyed the inclusion of chapter titles, quotes, and recommended playlists. All of these contributed to a greater reading experience, especially the music suggestions. They fit the tone and themes of the novel nicely and make the story feel more immersive.
The Devil At Prayers is available from this site with a contribution to Share The Meal but also:
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Emily Watson lives in a quaint English manor house with her twin sister, confined to a 20-mile radius around the estate for reasons she has never known. When the mysterious Professor Moriarty comes to visit and her sister goes missing, she discovers she is the half-sister of Dr. John Watson.
Traveling to London to meet him, she finds that he is the biographer and flatmate of famed consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, in whom Professor Moriarty has expressed a sinister interest.
Soon after her arrival, Emily becomes embroiled in the kidnapping of a Russian diplomat, which could cause political havoc if the culprit is not quickly brought to justice. The case has ties to her past, and a curious thread throughout that threatens to topple the already precarious balance of Europe's empires.
This short novel is a revolutionary re-introduction to a universe that has been the object of fascination for over a hundred years, and promises a series full of diverse circumstances and many twists and turns before the final problem is addressed.