Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Hounding by Sandra de Helen



Book: The Hounding

Author: Sandra de Helen

Release date (if applicable): Published

Synopsis: A play on Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 19 year old Goldenhawk Vandeleur hires the crime solving duo of Shirley Combs and Mary Watson to solve her mother, Priscilla Vandeleur's murder. Was it truly a pair of vicious pit bulls who devoured Priscilla as her dreams had been haunting her or something much more sinister?

My rating: 3.5 Stars

My opinion: A comfortable lil' cozy, I felt that The Hounding was a really well written Indie book. Keep in mind that it is a cozy mystery, but it doesn't beat the reader over the head with the traditional definition of the "silly" cozy mystery!  The book offered an excellent storyline, awesome twists and turns and wonderfully developed characters. Being a fan of Sherlock Holmes, I love to read "plays" on his character and Ms. de Helen did a wonderful job!

What made me smile most about this book is the underlying play and obvious research that Ms. de Helen did in comparing The Hounding to Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles". For example, the murder victim, Priscilla Vandeleur, is a direct descendant of Sir Charles Baskerville. She has the same phobias regarding dogs as in "The Hound of the Baskervilles". It was a hoot to read!

Source: Author

Would I recommend? : Yes...it was a really cute read!

Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Stand Alone...could be the start of a series

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