I’ve read all the Sherlock Holmes stories, the same with Edgar Allan Poe, and Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries. So I was a sucker for James Patterson and Brian Sitts’s Holmes Marple & Poe. And 118 chapters later, I’m here to warn you that very little of the greatest Holmes, Marple, and Poe show up in this novel.
Who are the Holmes, the Marple, and the Poe operating together in this book? We don’t find out. What we do find out is that their original names have been deliberately obscured and their Past thoroughly buried. We are given hints that the trio shared a history of military adventures and spy craft before entering their current investigative business. It’s also clear the Holmes-Marple-Poe Agency is a well-funded operation. And, if these three have lots of money, why do they need to run a private detective Agency? Questions for another book, perhaps…
Like his namesake, Brendan Holmes is a narcissist and drug addict. But brilliant. Miss Margaret Marple, like Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple, can analyze a situation from perspectives her partners lack. This Miss Marple is younger than her namesake and is no stranger to combat. Lastly, Auguste Poe has a tragic backstory with a fiancé who died. Poe blames himself for her death. Poe also collects muscle cars, is an expert marksman, and very physical. Together, this trio takes on cases that baffle the police.
Holmes Marple & Poe might develop into an entertaining series, but the first book is sketchy. Do you read James Patterson books? GRADE: C
Not a fan of even really good pastiches, so this will be a hard pass for me. Plus, I suspect that the most “writing” Patterson did on this book was when he signed his name on the contract. I’m not sure if that’s a positive or a negative, lol.
Deb, Patterson claims he “outlines” each of these books and “oversees” the final product. A loyal fan base keeps buying these books…
I actually get angry when I even see his name.
Patti, apparently Stephen King gets angry every time he sees Patterson’s name, too.
Supposedly, Patterson is very involved in writing his “books,” and does whatever re-writing that is needed. Supposedly. I will pick up his books if he ha a talented “co-author” I like, and I am usually not disappointed. In the main, however, I avoid his books like the plague. Sadly, I did not avoid this one. On the bright side HOLMES,MARPLE AND POE was better than the first three books Patterson wrote with Brian Sitts, which updated the pulp heroes Doc Savage and The Shadow — a very low bar indeed.
How best to describe all four of these books? Meretricious is the word I’d use.
Jerry, I agree with your description of the mertricious aspects of the Shadow, Doc Savage, and HOLMES, MARPLE & POE books. Bright, shiny objects that falter badly in execution…
Sounds awful. I’ve read a few of his books. But not this one.
I am reading his (sic?) THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS, a very different thing, and really worth reading. But then, he and his co-author just let the booksellers and librarians talk for themselves.
Jeff, I admire James Patterson’s efforts to encourage reading and his support for booksellers and librarians. I wish he had better Quality Control over his latest novels.
Bubble gum still outsells high-cocoa chocolate…