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Title: Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara
Author: Alan Vanneman
Narrator: Simon Vance
Format: Unabridged
Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
Language: English
Release date: 12-12-05
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 70 votes
Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective
Publisher's Summary:
A late-night summons takes Holmes and Dr. Watson from the cozy Victorian comforts of Baker Street to the Orient Express, where they travel the breadth of Europe to exotic Constantinople. But danger's afoot, for death, too, is traveling first class.
As Holmes strives to unmask his most cunning, ruthless, and elusive foe, he is transported into a world of high finance rife with intrigue and crime. With a cast of characters that includes historical greats like Winston Churchill as well as a beggar girl whom Watson adopts, Holmes follows a trail that leads ultimately and unpredictably to the fabled and fabulous lost Hapsburg Tiara.
Critic Reviews:
"Narrator Simon Vance adopts the dry, literary tones of a classic Holmes radio drama, imparting wry humor detectable only to listeners paying close attention to the plot....Winston Churchill sounds just like a recording of the man himself." (AudioFile)
Members Reviews:
Quite remarkable!
Having listened to myriad narrations of, and watched probably all movies of, the tales of Sherlock Holmes, as written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I was quite impressed by Vanneman's tale, Vance's narration, and how closely they adhered to the 'classic' Sherlock Holmes (with just one somewhat shocking exception.) The tale's plot, characters, and setting could easily be mistaken as the fruit of Doyle's own pen, which he plausibly would have written a decade before his death in 1930. Vanneman's thorough and insightful descriptions of places and people in the tale are 'first rate'! The plot has copious twists and turns Doyle would have approved of (and NEVER assume you've heard the last twist!) A warning though; Vanneman went FAR beyond Doyle with some explicit details of how Watson was the lady's man, so if you listen to this tale with an elder parent or young child, save yourself some embarassement by being ready to sensor a bit of this story. All told, this listen will take many a Holmes-fan to that place Doyle was so adept at sending us.
Watson has sex
I am not opposed to sex scenes in novels but this is supposed to be a Sherlock Holmes story, not Watson's lusty life. The authors detailed descriptions of the marginal and irrelevant does nothing to inspire listening even though the plot has some interest, it isnt enough to keep me. Though Mr Vance gives an excellent performance, this book is being returned.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Would Have Been Pleased
Would you listen to Sherlock Holmes and the Hapsburg Tiara again? Why?
Yes; the story was excellently crafted, peopled, developed and brought to a conclusion.
Who was your favorite character and why?
For Holmes, there was no diminution in this story of his talents and incisiveness; his side kick and companion Watson was treated with respect and appreciation, rather than with condescension or exasperation, which triggers in me disgust and rejection; and, to one's delight and full enjoyment, a third hardy character is born: Dr. Watson decides to befriend and befather (through adoption) one of the Baker Street Irregulars, saucy and smart 9 year
old Jenny. The story weaves through 8 years of adventure wherein one gets to observe
his daughter growing up into a judiciously saucy and even smarter young lady.