Sherlock Holmes and the Shadwell Shadows

A really enjoyable read. I wanted this to work beacause I really appreciate the work of Lovecraft and Sherlock Holmes is...well need I say more? However a crossover sounded like it would be very hard to pull off. I was pleasantly surprised that Mr Lovegrove has done an excellent job (I debated giving 5 stars).

This is told by Dr Watson in perfect Dr Watson style. The tone and the characters feel spot on. Dr Watson explains that this is the true account of how our two heroes meet and their first case together - an account that Dr Watson had not felt that the public were ready for. Avoiding spoilers this account deals with several suspicous deaths in the Shadwell district of London which leads Holmes into areas familar to fans of the great detective, such as the docklands and the opium dens... but also into darker and more mysterious realms more familar to readers of Lovecraft's work.

I started the book half expecting to put it down after a chapter or two because it just sounded like it couldn't work. I expected it to be over-the-top, contrived or just cheesy. Instead we really see Holmes being Holmes, applying himself to a case with his energy, interlect and drive for justice, in this case however the world he investigates reveals itself to be more complex than expected - but as ever our favorite Consulting Detective is up to the task even when Scotland Yard is a bit out of it's depth.

• If you are a fan of Mr Holmes, but are intrigued to see how he would react to some seemingly paranormal activity: this book is for you (hint: he reacts like Holmes, with observation and the application of reason).

• If you know nothing about the “Cthulhu Mythos” and are looking for an introduction/prequel: this is for you - it's easy to get into and touches all the main bases without anything I would consider spoilers for the Mythos tales. To be honest, this introduction is just what the Mythos needs.

• If you are a Holmes purist and the thought of any revision to the cannon fills you with nameless dread... then run, run now.