Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Undead Client: Being Book One of the Unpublished Case Files of John H. Watson, M.D.

Set in 1888 London, Downing’s middling first Sherlock Holmes pastiche offers yet another take on the Jack the Ripper murders. The case proper begins with former prime minister William Gladstone introducing Anne Prescott to Holmes. Anne is trying to locate her missing sister, Katie Rose, who has fallen into a life of prostitution. The recently married Watson, reminiscent of the Watson character as played by film actor Nigel Bruce, develops an almost obsessive passion for Anne, who blushingly seems to return his admiration. Watson and Holmes go chasing through the alleyways of London, meeting mad scientists and observing voodoo rituals involving zombies. “Fascinating, is it not, what can be done when science and the dark arts work hand in glove, eh, Doctor?” says one of the dastardly villains. Despite such weaknesses as cardboard characters and tedious digressions, this novel might just appeal to those keen on Victorian zombie fantasies. Agent: Victoria Lea, Aponte Literary. (June)