Who Would Like This Book:
If you're into wild, witty stories that mash up fantasy, Sherlock Holmes-style mysteries, and a heavy dose of playful absurdity, this book is an absolute treat. With a delightfully snarky, quasi-Victorian voice, a queer-centric cast, and an imagination that borders on bonkers (think: sky pirates, vampires, eldritch gods, and cross-dimensional shenanigans), it's perfect for fans of Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, or anyone looking for something distinctly offbeat and clever. Lovers of found family, unconventional heroines, and sly social commentary will find plenty to adore - plus, the dynamic between the prim John Wyndham and the irrepressible sorceress Shaharazad Haas is pure gold.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers may find the book a little much - it's densely packed with world-building, moves at breakneck speed, and leans hard into a whimsical, almost parodic narrative style that can be as confusing as it is charming. If you prefer your mysteries neat, your fantasy worlds neatly explained, or want a concrete Sherlock Holmes homage that sticks closely to the original formulas, you might not click with its chaotic energy and frequent narrative asides. The off-the-wall humor and lack of a traditional romance plot may also not be everyone’s cup of tea.
About:
In "The Affair of the Mysterious Letter" by Alexis Hall, readers are taken on a fantastical journey through a queer fantasy world where Sherlock Holmes is reimagined as the pansexual sorceress Shaharazad Haas and John Watson becomes Captain John Wyndham, a shy and polite trans man. Set in the alternate universe of Khelathra Ven, the duo navigates through a steampunk urban center, encountering sky pirates, vampires, underwater cities, and necromancers. The narrative, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, is filled with humor, surreal elements, and intricate worldbuilding, culminating in a thrilling and imaginative adventure.
The story unfolds with a captivating twist on the Holmes-Watson dynamic, as Wyndham narrates their escapades with Haas in a charmingly Victorian style peppered with modern slang. The plot intricately weaves together elements of mystery, fantasy, and humor, offering a fresh and queer take on classic tropes. As the duo investigates a blackmail case involving Haas' former lover, the narrative takes readers on a wild ride through reality-bending gods, time-travel, and various magical realms, all while exploring themes of friendship, adventure, and self-discovery.
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Has Romance?
While there are romantic elements and flirtations in the story, it lacks a central romance plot.
From The Publisher:
In this charming, witty, and weird fantasy novel, Alexis Hall pays homage to Sherlock Holmes with a new twist on those renowned characters.
Upon returning to the city of Khelathra-Ven after five years fighting a war in another universe, Captain John Wyndham finds himself looking for somewhere to live, and expediency forces him to take lodgings at 221b Martyrs Walk. His new housemate is Ms. Shaharazad Haas, a consulting sorceress of mercurial temperament and dark reputation.
When Ms. Haas is enlisted to solve a case of blackmail against one of her former lovers, Miss Eirene Viola, Captain Wyndham is drawn into a mystery that leads him from the salons of the literary set to the drowned back-alleys of Ven and even to a prison cell in lost Carcosa. Along the way he is beset by criminals, menaced by pirates, molested by vampires, almost devoured by mad gods, and called upon to punch a shark.
But the further the companions go in pursuit of the elusive blackmailer, the more impossible the case appears. Then again, in Khelathra-Ven reality is flexible, and the impossible is Ms. Haas' stock-in-trade.
Ratings (5)
Incredible (3) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (15):
Read It (5) | |
Want To Read (7) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (2) |
1 comment(s)
I've listened to the Nicholas Boulton recording of this five times now. It's that good.
What can you read after
The Affair of the Mysterious Letter?
About the Author:
Alexis Hall is a pile of threadbare hats and used teacups given a semblance of life by forbidden sorcery. He has a degree in very hard sums from a university that should, by all rights, be fictional.
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