Holmes, Margaret and Poe

Holmes, Marple and Poe is the first in a new series featuring the descendants of three literary sleuths. Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe jointly own and run a private investigation agency, aptly named Holmes, Marple and Poe Investigations.

Set up in Brooklyn, New York — one does not have to be a mind-reader to work out their business address. Just think of one of the most famous addresses within detective fiction and you can easily work it out. These three are not only intriguing but they are also smart (each with their own idiosyncrasies) and styles to boot.

When the three detectives manage to solve the baffling case of the disappearance of attorney Sloane Stone (much to the chagrin of the authorities), they find themselves being the toast of the town and the unofficial help for the police force, and become involved in three cases — a kidnapping of a rich husband, stepdaughter, and dog; the art heist of a Shakespearean folio and Gutenberg Bible, and the discovery of a cavern filled with old and new skeletons.

If you are a fan of the original Holmes, Marple and Poe stories, then you will appreciate the slight nods to the original stories and events, and will smile at the quirky behaviour of all three characters.

Patterson and Sitts weave through the web of these complex cases, each more challenging than the last. In doing so, it showcases the different detectives' unmatched skills and unorthodox methods. This enigmatic trio of fictional characters form a narrative that is funny, clever and inventive. However, the novel does read like a series of interconnected short stories which, for this reader, was a tad frustrating. But in saying that, I am looking forward reading more in this series.

Note: Co-written by Brian Sitts