Originally published on Set The Tape
The Classified Dossier: Sherlock Holmes and Mr Hyde is the second book in a new series that’s blending together several popular works from the Victorian era into a shared universe of the supernatural and the bizarre, all told through the eyes of Doctor John Watson. The first book in the series, Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula, introduced Holmes and Watson to the realm of the supernatural when vampiric killing began in London, perpetrated by none other than the recently transformed Professor Moriarty. Whilst the duo were able to stop his plans, with the help of Count Dracula and his wife Mina, Watson was transformed into a vampire.
In the second book, the now vampire Watson and Holmes begin to investigate a series of killings across London; killings that suggest the return of Jack the Ripper. However, when a new client arrives at Baker Street claiming that his friend has been accused of the crime the two detectives encounter a whole new realm of the paranormal, as the two men, Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde, are more closely connected than the two first believe. Over the course of the book, with the assistance of some old allies, Holmes and Watson will face off against other powered individuals as they try to get to the bottom of the strange killings.
Klaver’s previous entry in this series did a lot of world building, and spent a good portion of the first part of the book introducing the supernatural and fantastical elements and making them work with a grounded character like Holmes. And whilst all of that was wonderful to read, it’s stuff that you don’t really need in a second volume, and as such, Sherlock Holmes and Mr Hyde feels a lot quicker paced, and more filled with action. Part of this is because yes, there is more action to it, and the mystery elements take something of a back seat as the characters deal with the hunt for the Ripper. They’re not really examining crime scenes in great detail, nor are they solving puzzles. Instead, Holmes gets what he needs from them, and then sets out to catch the killer in the city with the help of his allies. It feels like a more decisive and driven Holmes than some versions, but it’s still unmistakably Holmes.
Klaver manages to bring several well known characters together in a new and interesting way, and makes a shared supernatural universe that Holmes not only works well in, but one that I want to read more of. The two volumes we have for this series have already managed to pack a lot into them, but it also feels like there’s the potential for so much more. If you’re a fan of Victorian era horror fiction, and love Sherlock Holmes, this title is going to be a must read for you.
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