Where does Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sword Princess rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It was very engaging. I think the narrator did a grand job bringing the characters to life – especially considering the primary character is not really Sherlock, but a feisty female protagonist. It had wit and humor to it and the sparring between the lead characters was enjoyable. The tone of the narration was well matched to the comedic energy of the book – this is a frothy, lighter spin on the Holmes character. The narration has real wit and gives Sherlock a dry, Noel Coward-esque bite that was great fun. It had the feel of a classic old Hollywood mismatched romantic comedy to me…. Hepburn and Tracy. It was charming and would really appeal to people who love the idea of a kind of Jane Austen meets Conan Doyle mash-up.
What did you like best about this story?
I think the lead character was very engaging. She was fiesty and not your typical Victorian delicate flower. It had a kind of Disney heroine whimsy that I thought was an original way to approach the classic characters.
Which character – as performed by Joel Froomkin – was your favorite?
Probably Mirabelle – he did a great job bringing her to life.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I think the final scene – during a ball – was really charming.
Any additional comments?
I think there are elements that will certainly displease die-hard Conan Doyle purists… but if you are a fan of various incarnations of the character – from Cumberbatch to Downey Jr., this novel uses the Holmes character as a springboard for an engaging heroine who has real pluck. If you’re intrigued with the idea of a kind of Sherlock meets Anne of Green Gables pairing… then you’ll find it a delightful diversion.