Ken Courtenay | Updates

Review of “A World of Wolves: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery”

Ken Courtenay — Sun, 2 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Paula Hammond’s novel “A World of Wolves: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” brings us a brutal case based on a horrifying reality of Victorian times. The first incident, in 1868, is an investigation carried out when Sherlock Holmes was a teenager. Sherlock, with older brother Mycroft’s help, is still developing his observation and deduction skills. He and Mycroft are called to Cambridge to investigate a murder. They assist the police in finding the culprits but the case changes both men and provides insights into the traits the two men develop that will later define them.

Then, in 1893, while Holmes is presumed dead after Reichenbach Falls, Lestrade asks Dr. Watson to assist with solving a puzzling and gruesome murder. They make great strides, but in the end, they can only take the investigation so far. It’s not until Holmes’s return that the pieces are finally put together to reveal one can never escape justice.

I enjoyed this novel very much. I found the writing compelling and true to the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Ms. Hammond’s Sherlock, Mycroft, Watson and Lestrade stand up well to the original characters. The early experiences detailed for Sherlock and Mycroft are cleverly interwoven so that the reader can see how both men are changed.

Ms. Hammond also takes time at the end of the story to inform the reader, via a litany of “End Notes,” of various elements of nineteenth century history that are referenced throughout the novel. This demonstrates a significant level of dedication and commitment to provide a well-researched story. These notes provide some additional perspective in which to view the events and people during Holmes’s time. Lastly, there is some “brutal” documentation regarding the realities of Victorian society and morality concerning young girls.

You can get a copy of Ms. Hammond’s Holmes novel here.

Ms. Hammond has also published two well-received collections of Sherlock Holmes short stories titled “Sherlock Holmes: Eliminate the Impossible” and “The Infinitely Stranger Cases of Sherlock Holmes.” You will want to check out both collections.

While you’re there, you can take a look at my novels here and here.

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Review of “The Man Who Believed in Fairies”

Ken Courtenay — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What if Sherlock Holmes' greatest enemy wasn't a criminal mastermind - but his own creator?

Having abandoned retirement, Sherlock Holmes is drawn into a battle of intellects where, this time, the stakes are deeply personal. Lurking behind the shadows of his past is the true architect of his near-fatal encounter at Reichenbach Falls: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - a flawed genius whose beliefs threaten everything Holmes stands for.

When two young girls claim to have captured photographic proof of fairies, Doyle eagerly champions their impossible claims with unwavering conviction. To Holmes, this is an affront to reason itself. Logic clashes with belief, evidence with imagination - and neither man is willing to yield.

The conflict turns public when a biting cartoon in Punch binds Holmes and Doyle together in ridicule, igniting Holmes' determination to expose the truth and dismantle a fantasy that has captured the world's attention.

Inspired by the infamous Cottingley fairy photographs, “Sherlock Holmes and The Man Who Believed in Fairies” is a gripping tale of rivalry, pride, and the fine line between genius and delusion. In a clash between cold logic and fervent belief, only one truth can prevail. - Amazon

F. R. Maher’s “Sherlock Holmes and The Man Who Believed in Fairies” is a clever fantasy that pits Doyle’s real-life belief in spiritualism against Holmes’s unyielding belief in logic. Maher has cleverly woven an interesting story around an actual event.

The novel is an inspired study in how Holmes and Doyle might view each other if they actually met. I don’t want to give too much away but there were times when I found the book to be both humorous and insightful.

The Holmes and Watson characters compare well to the originals. We also meet Mrs. Hudson’s niece, Miss Hudson, who soon experiences the antics her aunt had to tolerate.

I liked this novel very much both for its unique premise and for its thoughtful portrayal of the two main characters as they interact with each other. I look forward to seeing future novels by Ms. Maher.

You can get a copy of Ms. Maher’s novel here.

While you’re there, you can take a look at my books here and here.

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Review of “The Clockmaker’s Bequest: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure”

Ken Courtenay — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

“When solicitor Phineas Larcombe telegrams Baker Street with two words - murder suspected - Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are drawn into a web of death that begins in a Clerkenwell clockmaker's workshop and reaches far darker places than either man could have imagined.

Ezekiel Brand, master horologist, is dead at his workbench. The police call it natural causes. His solicitor isn't so sure. Brand has left behind a singular clock - a masterwork of brass and oak with no numerals on its face - and a will that sets three former apprentices against one another to claim it.

Then a second man turns up dead. The clock, it seems, is not merely a timepiece. Brand hid something inside it. Something he could not say aloud in life.

Holmes and Watson must race to decode the dead man's final message before a third murder is committed - and before the truth Brand buried destroys more than just his legacy.

The Clockmaker's Bequest is a richly atmospheric Holmes adventure set in the fog and gaslight of 1889 London, where the most dangerous secrets tick quietly in plain sight.” - Amazon

Ed Gillow’s “The Clockmaker’s Bequest: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure” is quite a clever mystery.

It’s late March, 1889, and Holmes is contacted by the barrister of a master clockmaker who appears to have died of natural causes. The problem is that one of his three skilled apprentices has also died from apparent natural causes, which raises the suspicions of the barrister administering the estate of the master clockmaker. Holmes and Watson learn that the clockmaker bequeathed his considerable estate to the apprentice that could decode a message hidden in a special clock.

While Holmes continues his investigation, other attempts are made on the lives of the two remaining apprentices. Questions regarding what the coded message is abound as Holmes attempts to decode the message and determine who is behind the mayhem and murder.

Mr. Gillow’s Holmes, Watson and Lestrade compare well to the characters in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. Dr. Watson’s narration is clear and follows the original story style very well. I enjoyed this novel very much and look forward to reading any further cases that Mr. Gillow may set before Holmes and Watson.

You can get a copy of Mr. Gillow’s book here.

While you’re there, you can take a look at my books here and here.

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Review of Paul Metcalfe’s novel “Black and Deep Desires”

Ken Courtenay — Mon, 6 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

"These apparently motiveless crimes are always the worst," said the inspector dolefully.

Charity Buntington's husband describes his wife as the most lovely and inoffensive person, whom nobody would want to hurt. But someone enters their home in broad daylight, strangles her, then cuts off and takes away her right forefinger. Inspector Hopkins asks Sherlock Holmes to help him investigate the case, but Charity's friend Aurora Jones is also a private detective, and wishes to help bring her friend's murderer to justice. Holmes is impressed with Jones' skills, and although Hopkins is reluctant, he agrees to let Miss Jones assist in the case under Holmes' guidance.

A few days later, another woman is killed in exactly the same fashion. And then another. The press is in a frenzy. Holmes believes there is a pattern to the killings, but what it is no-one can determine. Slowly the clues accumulate, but so do the bodies. With Holmes leading the investigation, he, Dr. Watson, Inspector Hopkins and Aurora Jones all work together to discover the killer's identity, but can they solve the mystery before another woman loses her life?” (Amazon)

Paul Metcalfe’s “Black and Deep Desires: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” takes us on a psychological journey of murder and mutilation. Inspector Hopkins calls on Holmes and Watson to aid in his investigation when the first victim is discovered.

At the scene of the first murder, we meet Miss Aurora Jones who is a personal friend of the victim and a private detective establishing her own firm. Holmes finds her a competent, young detective with good observational skills and agrees to include her in the investigation under his tutelage.

Unfortunately, the bodies, and mutilations, continue to pile up. We get snippets from the mind of the killer after each murder. The clues are subtle and prove challenging, but Holmes, Watson and Jones prove to be up to the task.

Metcalfe’s Holmes, Watson and Inspector Hopkins are true to the original characters. Miss Jones provides a window onto the limitations and societal restrictions women faced at the time. But her tenacity and forthrightness help her to work around, and at times break through, those restrictions. Metcalfe treats those issues even-handedly and matter-of-factly without the lectures some authors feel compelled to inflict on readers who are just looking for a good story.

This is Metcalfe’s first novel following last year’s publication of his collection of eight Sherlock Holmes short stories titled “The Case of the Australian Atlases and other Sherlock Holmes Adventures.” I enjoyed this novel very much. I hope Mr. Metcalfe finds future cases that permit Miss Jones to again collaborate with Holmes and Watson.

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Local Authors Expo Was a Success!

Ken Courtenay — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The event was held by the Jefferson City Library and showcased Local Authors in the area. We had a great turnout. They're considering having another Expo next year.

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Author Expo Event a Hit!

Ken Courtenay — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone had a GREAT time at the Local Authors Expo in Jefferson. It was fun talking with other authors and making new friends. Thanks to the Jefferson City Library for holding the event.

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My Second Sherlock Holmes Novel is Now Available!

Ken Courtenay — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

My second Sherlock Holmes novel, "A Quarter Turn of the Knife," is now available to order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstore.org and of course MX Publishing. Holmes and Watson join forces with the Paris police to investigate a series of arson fires and three deaths that lead them to murder. As they uncover the clues that will eventually point them back to London, they themselves become the targets of murder in an attempt to stop their investigation.

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Debut Novel Now Available!!

Ken Courtenay — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

My debut novel "The Case of the Man Who Died Twice" A Sherlock Holmes Adventure, is now available to order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookstore.org and of course MX Publishing. Holmes and Watson must join forces with Scotland Yard to secretly uncover a deadly scheme that led to a miscarriage of justice, even as they themselves become targets of murder.

Also, here's a link to a 5/5 Star Review from Reedsy! https://bit.ly/4fjPhf7

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