Rating: 
Summary: Shocking and Quite Good
Review: As many other reviewers have noted, this is a book that hinges on an unexpected event that occurs halfway through the novel. So as not to spoil the surprise (which is what makes this novel so fun) I am not going to mention this shocking event.I will mention how much fun this novel is. The first 130 pages are a common Holmes pastiche. It's enjoyable, but nothing spectacular. We get to see Holmes' typical brilliance, Watson's affable loyalty, and Lestrade's bumbling ineptitude as Holmes hunts Jack the Ripper. This isn't a new idea. Holmes has hunted the Ripper in several other books. But the shocking & unforeseen ending sets this book apart from the others. When I read the 'surprising passage' I was stunned. I had to put the book down for a few moments to gather my thoughts. Then I continued and couldn't put the book down until I was finished. Dibdin has created a stunning piece of work that belongs in every Holmes aficionados library. This is a book that has generated quite a bit of criticism from Holmes loyalists however. It doesn't portray the Great Detective in the best light. Those who enter the book without any preconceived notions of What a Holmes Story Should Be Like, will find an enchanting, exciting and above all, wonderful Sherlock Holmes pastiche. I enjoyed this book tremendously. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Holmes in a different light
Review: As you can see, either people loved or hated this book--no in between. So, if you are still wondering if you should try this Holmes pastiche, answer these two questions: Do you like Holmes pastiche that tries to replicate the Arthur Conan Doyle stories as best as possible? If so, then skip this book. It's as simple as that. Do you prefer more insight into the great criminal detective and what makes him tick? For those of us who do not think Sherlock Holmes is a completely untouchable sacred cow, then you might enjoy this book. In my experience, a person is either VERY protective about Holmes' personality or is open-minded. You HAVE TO BE OPEN-MINDED about Holmes' character to read this book. I admit, when I read this book and got to the "shocking" part, at first I was p-o'ed by the author. But the more I read and the more I thought about it, the story line is not ENTIRELY implausible. And in fact, it is definitely one of the most ORIGINAL Holmes pastiche out there. If you prefer Sherlock Holmes the way Conan Doyle portrayed him, then go back to the canon of stories; I don't think ANY pastiche can capture what Conan Doyle did.
Rating:
Summary: A variation on the death of Mr. Holmes
Review: Brash, audacious, or perhaps blasphemous, are all expressions that the devotees of Arthur Conan Doyle could exclaim upon hearing that the final tale of Sherlock Holmes was to be re-written. There is literary precedent for this; at least two completed novels of Dickens were subjected to sequels by Authors who were not, and theories for solving the mystery of "The Mystery Of Edwin Drood", also by Mr. Dickens are vast in number. The latter exercise is not inappropriate as "Edwin Drood" stops in mid thought, as the Author left it for his dinner, and then a rest he was not to recover from. More recently "Gone With The Wind" was either the subject or the victim of a sequel as well. Why the fuss? The Bible is the most reproduced book in History, and if counted, might also take the crown for being offered in more variations than any other work as well. The revision here is to one story only, albeit the final one, but a challenge nonetheless. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is on record as not taking issue with others placing his creation in circumstances other than those he originally created. An example of his feelings is at the beginning of this work, but I leave that for the reader. The difference here is that the final story tells of the death of Mr. Holmes and his nemesis Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls. The first diversion that makes this tale unique is the inclusion of the Whitechapel Murders. These acts were not fictional, but rather the results of the still infamous Jack The Ripper. The primary players remain the same, Holmes, Moriarty, and Dr. Watson. Dr. Watson relates the tale as he wrote it, and per this story had it locked away for 50 years after his death, when it then could be opened. So the summer of 1976 is the setting Michael Dibdin begins his tale, and a very good one it is. It takes a great sensitivity to emulate writing that is so well known, to take the creations of another's pen and make them credible without being little more than a plagiarist. The more devoted of Mr. Doyle's readers may well refuse this read, but to do so would be to miss a great contemporary writer of the genre pay homage to, rather than besmirch the memory of Sir Doyle. Much of what you read is familiar, the fundamentals of course are not. If you choose to spend the time you will have a wonderful read, even if you are the strongest of advocates for the original Author's work.
Rating: 
Summary: Split-personiality, my dear Holmes?!
Review: Could this book possibly get worse? Let's see: Holmes and Moriarty are flip sides of the same man brought out by cocaine addiction used to combat ennui. Interesting, but already covered and much better by Nicholas Myers in The Seven-Percent Solution. Holmes is unable to solve the Jack the Ripper murders because he, or rather his Moriarty personiality is The Ripper. As good a therory as any I've read by so-called "Ripperioligests". And I've devoured every one I can get my hands on. The sad truth is, he got away with it! They didn't catch The Ripper, and it's ridiculious to try to solve murders over 100 years old now. Holmes commits suicide and Watson becomes a cocaine addict. One word: unthinkable. The whole book is a load of highly perfumed bs masquarading as a serious novel. I never read a worse interpertation of the great detective. The Blade says Dibdin should write books on fertilizer since he is imminately conversant with its main ingrediant, certain bovine digestive byproducts. He'd get a zero, but they won't allow it. The Blade is very disgusted.
Rating:
Summary: The Worst Sherlock Holmes Book EVER
Review: Don't bother with this one. Totally disappointing. I don't know what the author was thinking to make him write this. Holmes committing suicide and Watson becoming a cocaine addict at the end. I had a good idea to have Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack the Ripper, but the identity of the Ripper--Very Bad.
Rating:
Summary: Truly shocking, but truly rewarding.
Review: I have long been an adoring supporter of Holmes and Watson, in both canon stories and pastiches. This is one of those pastiches that will either outrage the fan or will be completely embraced. It truly is one of the most shocking Holmes stories ever written, if not the most shocking - the troublesome part about it is that it is all very possible. It is very easy to be repulsed. However, as another review said, keep an open mind. Dibdin tells his story with remarkable skill, giving Watson such a believable voice that is distinct (and with reason) from ACD's 'reminiscences.' He skirts around canonical plot holes and such with ease and simplicity. The Watson portrayed is true to form. Loyal and not as bright as his foil, but certainly highly intelligent and honorable in his own right. Holmes is the same way, and yet he becomes even more three-dimensional, even more hauntingly fascinating. As for the history, there are no garish alterations in the Jack the Ripper evidence - in fact, all evidence that is true exists in the book, and any evidence that has been added for the purpose of solving the mystery is so accurately detailed that one would believe it to be true. The line between fact and fiction truly blends into oblivion here. A Holmesian will either love or hate this book. I love Holmes more than anything - and I loved this book. My heart was pounding, my mind was racing, and it truly _frightened_ me. It will not have this effect if you are not familiar or passionate about Sherlock Holmes. The wonderful thing about _The Last Sherlock Holmes Story_ is that it brings up incredible debates and discussions. I recommend sharing it with a group of Holmesians and hosting group debates. I was hit with a number of fascinating thoughts - even an elaborate conspiracy theory regarding Sherlock Holmes being a real person rather than a fictional character. Do not read this book if you are not well-versed in the Holmesian world. In fact, I recommend that you NOT read it if you are even indifferent, or don't like Holmes at all. This is a book for fans, even with the potential for outrage. In order to get the full effect, one has to know Holmes's character inside and out. One has to know the troublesome holes in timelines and "The Final Problem." Otherwise, one will be left with a sense of "So what?"
Rating: 
Summary: The Literary Shot Heard Around The World!
Review: I've been a lifelong fan of Holmes and Watson, and you'd have to have been living under a rock not to have heard tall tales about "the horrid, ghastly, nightmare of a story that would make Sir Conan Doyle spin in his grave". Naturally, I became intrigued to find it. Let me warn you right off, Dibdin pulls ZERO punches. In his descriptions of setting, and in his portrayals of the characters. Holmes, at least in the beginning, is completely priceless. His reactions to ACD's mangling of "A Study In Scarlet", are worth stomaching the rest of the more gruesome aspects of this story if you bookmark that page and then go back to it when you need to laugh your head off in agreement. That drivel ACD put in the middle was so damn boring, I akways skipped over it when re-reading Study. But anyway. Back to this Dibdin account. Either you will love this book, or you shall hate it worse than Holmes hated A Study in Scarlet. There is really no middle ground, to reading this book. I digested it in two days. It left me with mixed feelings, to be honest. On the one hand, there were a couple plot twists that were left hanging... .... The ending was however, in a word, intolerable. .... Dibdin's use of Mycroft Holmes is if anything, tacit at best. One mention, from Holmes himself stating that the two brothers had been working on the case together. In the end, the book leaves me with one fact and one fact alone: on the issue of drugs, JUST SAY NO. Though there are some more vehement critics, who might well say the same for reading this book. All I can tell you is, come at it with your own perceptions, not other people's. And perhaps, Mr. Dibdin may have improved his writing skills since that... curious attempt at a Holmes fiction, in the late 70's. To those who think the story good... glad you liked it. To those who think it's horrid and ghastly.... blame the 70's, ........
Rating:
Summary: Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper
Review: The most controversial Holmes story is more like it. There have been a few original novels involving Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel killings, i.e. the Jack the Ripper murders. However, none of them are as controversial as Michael Didbin's The Last Sherlock Holmes Story. What differentiates this story is that this is a case in which some of Holmes' later classic cases take place inbetween murders, such as The Red-Headed League and Silver Blaze, and those are merely referred to as taking place. There are references to previous cases, such as "The Cardboard Box" and "The Speckled Band." And there is a proposed theory that maybe another Andaman Islander (like The Sign Of Four's Tonga) is on the loose. However, the chief suspect becomes Moriarty, usually the mastermind, but given the way Holmes has put a stop to many a criminal scheme, the actual killer. One clue is to the location of the killings and what letter they make. Lestrade is portrayed as a pompous idiot and someone who is more antagonistic of Holmes rather than deferential in the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories. One interesting aspect is that ACD is a character hired to publish some of Holmes' cases, and is given A Study In Scarlet and The Sign Of Four--"Mr. Thaddeus and Brother Bartholomew. Jonathan Small and Tonga!" Holmes is contemptuous of Doyle's glamorizing and bits of artistic license, whereas Watson doesn't seem to mind so much. The Holmes and Watson team dynamic is maintained here in exactly the way ACD portrayed it. Holmes' methods of detection and his classic arrogance is done to a tee here. The suspense and description of the defiled bodies are pretty graphic, so strong stomachs, please. Hardline acolytes will probably be in an uproar regarding the book's resolution. Others, such as myself, will be interested at this interpretation of the Whitechapel murders. Compare this to the graphic novel and movie From Hell, also about Jolly Jack--a far different point of view.
Rating:
Summary: Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper
Review: The most controversial Holmes story is more like it. There have been a few original novels involving Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel killings, i.e. the Jack the Ripper murders. However, none of them are as controversial as Michael Didbin's The Last Sherlock Holmes Story. What differentiates this story is that this is a case in which some of Holmes' later classic cases take place inbetween murders, such as The Red-Headed League and Silver Blaze, and those are merely referred to as taking place. There are references to previous cases, such as "The Cardboard Box" and "The Speckled Band." And there is a proposed theory that maybe another Andaman Islander (like The Sign Of Four's Tonga) is on the loose. However, the chief suspect becomes Moriarty, usually the mastermind, but given the way Holmes has put a stop to many a criminal scheme, the actual killer. One clue is to the location of the killings and what letter they make. Lestrade is portrayed as a pompous idiot and someone who is more antagonistic of Holmes rather than deferential in the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories. One interesting aspect is that ACD is a character hired to publish some of Holmes' cases, and is given A Study In Scarlet and The Sign Of Four--"Mr. Thaddeus and Brother Bartholomew. Jonathan Small and Tonga!" Holmes is contemptuous of Doyle's glamorizing and bits of artistic license, whereas Watson doesn't seem to mind so much. The Holmes and Watson team dynamic is maintained here in exactly the way ACD portrayed it. Holmes' methods of detection and his classic arrogance is done to a tee here. The suspense and description of the defiled bodies are pretty graphic, so strong stomachs, please. Hardline acolytes will probably be in an uproar regarding the book's resolution. Others, such as myself, will be interested at this interpretation of the Whitechapel murders. Compare this to the graphic novel and movie From Hell, also about Jolly Jack--a far different point of view.
Rating:
Summary: There Are No Words...
Review: This book absolutely disgusted me. Not only does it butcher the good name of one of the most outstanding and honorable figures of literature, but it is written with such precision and detail that you can almost imagine the words are Watson's! While this would otherwise be commendable, here it only serves to deepen the betrayal. If you seek a true-to-Canon pastiche, I recommend Nicholas Meyer or Loren D. Estleman. Please, for your sanity and your stomach, steer clear of Dibdin.
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