The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Ripper Legacy

A distressed father asks Sherlock Holmes and John Watson to investigate the kidnapping of his young son in broad daylight. But as Holmes and Watson pursue the few meager clues available to them, they discover a much more sinister plot afoot, all with the missing boy at its center. Who is really behind this kidnapping, and why does Mycroft believe the case’s outcome could shake the foundation of England itself?

The Ripper Legacy tackles a well-hewn plot hook in the expanded Holmes canon–Jack the Ripper–but unlike the many missteps and false starts we’ve seen before, this novel builds on that story in an intriguing new way, forging ahead and tying that near-cliche to a mystery that feels strangely modern in its sensibilities and execution.

Davies gives us a case that feels genuinely suspenseful–a kidnapped child–and never lets go, motivating Holmes and Watson like more casual mysteries never could. It’s a smart move, and he makes the most of it, delivering one hell of a rough finale.

Need a good bridge to bring new fans to Mr. Holmes? The Ripper Legacy is a great place to start.