Warlock Holmes: The Hell-hound of the Baskervilles

Last Updated on January 1, 2023 by ThoughtsStained

So. Warlock Holmes: The Hell-Hound of the Baskervilles.

Holy shit.

If you read my review of Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone, the first book in this series, you know how hard I’ve fallen for this retelling. How well the characters captivated my mind, captured my heart and did their best to give me abs (thanks to laughter–in case you had any idea that Warlock and his wacky impropriety or Watson and his esteemed passion for being properly English somehow encouraged me to work out. I confess that you are sadly mistaken and I’m still ab-less–but I might have laugh lines when I get older, just from this series alone).

I had really high expectations for this book. It does contain my favorite Holmes story, after all. And as I became, dare I label it, friends with the author, I became even more invested and my expectations continued to rise.

I’m delighted to report that those expectations were not disappointed.

I was given an ARC of the book by the G.S. Denning. Because he’s merciful and knows how eagerly I have been awaiting this book. He’s also horrible. Read on to find out why.

Table of Contents

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Book Info

Publication Info

Content Warnings

The game s afoot once more as Holmes and Watson face off against Moriarty s gang, the Pinkertons, flesh-eating horses, a parliament of imps, boredom, Surrey, a disappointing butler demon, a succubus, a wicked lord, an overly-Canadian lord, a tricycle-fight to the death and the dreaded Pumpcrow. Oh, and a hell hound, one assumes.

On the Page

Referenced

Minor

Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.

Book Depository

IndieBound

Raven Bookstore

Review

Likes

First off, I absolutely love the way The Hell-hound of the Baskervilles was organized. You get a couple, shorter sections covering various cases/stories before you get to the meat and potatoes of the book (which, in this case, involved the most interesting hell-hound I’ve ever encountered and a very unfortunate family). The stories before the main event were no filler or fluff, either. All of them were a joy to read and I actually read all four cases in one sitting, they were that un-put-down-able (because that’s a word).
I actually annoyed one of my coworkers because I kept switching between giggling and suppressed snort-laughter for the entire two hours I read those first four cases. But I couldn’t help it. You try and read about Grogsson’s SPOILER SPOILER or Warlock SPOILER sneeze SPOILER or Watson SPOILER SPOILER dang Canadian SPOILER SPOILER or Mrs. Hudson SPOILER that smut did what? SPOILER and try not to laugh. It’s practically impossible.
Mix in all of that humor, the clever one-liners and fantastic references, and you already have a recipe for a seriously awesome book. But then you read the tale of the Baskervilles and you get another element that you didn’t see as much of in the first part of the book, yet it also didn’t feel out of place sneaking its way into this case. Instead, it complemented this retelling and fulfilled all expectations.
The element of darkness. Don’t get me wrong: there’s plenty of grotesque details that threads throughout the series that is utterly fantastic (and sometimes makes me question my decision to eat while reading), but the darkness that surrounded the twist in Baskervilles surprised me. And I immediately loved it, even if reading about it made my heart hurt a little. It gave the story even more depth than it already has and complicated Warlock’s complexity. I finished the book feeling absolutely content.

Dislikes

Rating

I know what you’re waiting for. Nicole, you mentioned that the author was horrible in the first paragraph. I’m dying to know why. Oh, I’ll tell you why.

The ending.

That single bloody line.

How dare you, sir. *stares straight at Denning* That’s right, I’m talking directly to you, now. You know what you did. You know exactly what. *grumbles about book three’s unknown publication date and other spoiler-y unmentionables*

Now I realize that you, dear reader, have no idea what I’m talking about. Luckily, I have the perfect remedy for you. (Hint: it’s reading Warlock Holmes: The Hell-hound of the Baskervilles, which could actually be pre-ordered (before May 16th) or purchased (after the 16th) here or here or here. You’re welcome.)

A custom artowrk signature that reads, "Onward to Adventure, Nicole" with a feathered quill and inkpot bordering it.

Warlock Holmes: The Hell-hound of the Baskervilles