Dr. Mortimer and the Aldgate Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Holmes fans, rejoice!
Review: As readers of the Canon will recall, Dr. Mortimer brought Sherlock Holmes one of his greatest challenges, the case of The Hound of the Baskervilles. In the Aldate Mystery, Mortimer fills in as locum for a London physician. One of his new patients is Lavinia Nancarrow, a mysterious young woman who is kept a virtual prisoner in her room. Dr. Mortimer and his friend Dr. Violet Branscombe discover that Lavinia's past holds a dreadful secret, one that an old family tutor will do anythng to learn--even commit murder. When Lavinia vanishes and the tutor is found dead in Lavinia's bedroom, the doctors fear for her safety. Will they be able to find her in time to save her from a charge of murder?

Well-written and nicely paced, this book brings the much-loved London of shifting fogs and hansom cabs to life once again!

Rating:
Summary: boring
Review: I tried to read the whole thing but couldn't stick it out. It is a Victorian mystery but it is not clever, as one of the other reviewers indicated. It is tedious, and though the author seems to try, it does not hold the reader. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is for it's minor suucess in convincing the reader that it is Victorian London.

Rating:
Summary: A wondeful Victorian mystery
Review: In 1890 Dr. James Mortimer is unable to continue practicing medicine following the death of his wife due to diphtheria so he sells his practice. At the urgings of his friend, Dr. John Watson, James moves to London and joins the medical practice of Dr. Ferraby as an associate so as too not dwell on his loss.

James' first patient is Lavinia Nancarrow who seems to be a virtual prisoner of her guardian, Archibald Boynton-Leigh. Unable to resist the urge to find out about this unusual arrangement, James begins to investigate what hold Archibald has on the charming Lavinia. However, unlike his good friends Holmes and Watson, sleuthing is a relatively new game for the doctor, who is not prepared for the impossible murder that he feels obligated to solve.

DR. MORTIMER AND THE ALDGATE MYSTERY is a wonderful Victorian mystery that brings to life a more ominous and creepy side of London. The story line is very entertaining and the brief appearance of Watson should thrill the Holmes crowd. The mystery is clever, but Mortimer, whose first starring role is a smashing success (see HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES for a secondary role), will bring accolades to Gerald Williams.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A wondeful Victorian mystery
Review: In 1890 Dr. James Mortimer is unable to continue practicing medicine following the death of his wife due to diphtheria so he sells his practice. At the urgings of his friend, Dr. John Watson, James moves to London and joins the medical practice of Dr. Ferraby as an associate so as too not dwell on his loss.

James' first patient is Lavinia Nancarrow who seems to be a virtual prisoner of her guardian, Archibald Boynton-Leigh. Unable to resist the urge to find out about this unusual arrangement, James begins to investigate what hold Archibald has on the charming Lavinia. However, unlike his good friends Holmes and Watson, sleuthing is a relatively new game for the doctor, who is not prepared for the impossible murder that he feels obligated to solve.

DR. MORTIMER AND THE ALDGATE MYSTERY is a wonderful Victorian mystery that brings to life a more ominous and creepy side of London. The story line is very entertaining and the brief appearance of Watson should thrill the Holmes crowd. The mystery is clever, but Mortimer, whose first starring role is a smashing success (see HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES for a secondary role), will bring accolades to Gerald Williams.

Harriet Klausner