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Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles
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5 out of 5 stars
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Summary
Imagine the twisted evil twins of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson and you have the dangerous duo of Professor James Moriarty - wily, snake-like, fiercely intelligent, terrifyingly unpredictable - and Colonel Sebastian Basher Moran - violent, politically incorrect, debauched. Together they run London crime, owning police and criminals alike. When a certain Irene Adler turns up on their doorstep with a proposition, neither man is able to resist.
An entertaining and wickedly humorous crime adventure from the best-selling author of Anno Dracula.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- James
- 23-12-11
Rather wonderful
Sebastian 'Basher' Moran (the 2nd most dangerous man in London) details a few of his adventures with a certain Professor Moriarty.
Whilst similar in structure to those of their more famous contemporaries, it's all just a lot more fun.
The book is a rather lovely combination of Kim's love of the original source topped with an application of some superior characterization and, I know I'm repeating myself here, 'fun'. I was a little uncertain before downloading, but both the book and the narration had me grinning like a loon throughout. It dovetails beautifully with the stories of the now almost insufferable goody-goody pair to such an extent I find myself wondering what these two were up to throughout those more pedestrian chronicles.
I want more of this. Please?
36 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Sara
- 05-01-12
Excellent
I listen to audiobooks while I do housework etc to make the time go a bit quicker and I found myself clearing out wardrobes simply to listen to the next chapter. I am not a huge Sherlock holmes fan but I know the basic characters and they are all woven very skillfully in this excellent tale.I would recommend to anyone.
32 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- K
- 28-09-16
A lively romp
Where does Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It's a really enjoyable read. It's not a masterpiece by any means and is, at times, derivative or a simple pastiche of other novels, although, I believe it was written to be so and is a great lark because of that.
What other book might you compare Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles to, and why?
Obviously, Sherlock Holmes - his nemesis Moriarty is the subject of the novel - but also George MacDonald Fraser's 'Flashman' has been mercilessly but appropriately ripped off in the guise of the narrator, Basher Moran.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
There are shorter tales in this larger work - they are all amusing and at times actually make you guffaw. The last tale is a little convoluted and not as jaunty, though.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
You could have done - it is a good old fashioned ripping yarn - but, you can also happily play as fast and loose with it as Basher does with his fillies.
Any additional comments?
A light-hearted cracker. Definitely one you could read again.
14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Dwiver
- 06-12-11
Awesome
This is a fantastic story, beautifully read. The author has put flesh on the bones of some of Sir Arthur’s villainous characters. It’s amazed me to discover how much they got away with before they fell foul of Mr Holmes.
17 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Batwench
- 08-04-13
Brilliant
Kim Newman writes this as an interesting take on the Sherlock world from the other side of the table, namely Moriarty and his 'right hand man' Colonel Sebastian Moran who is the main narrator of this book. Do not expect just one 'case' but a series of short stories that do link with each other. Also, it is very funny and I did get a few odd looks when laughing out loud when listening to this in a public place. It is book that I know I will be returning to time and time again. If you are a Holmes purist it may not be for you but give it a go and you might be surprised.
16 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Maria
- 22-03-12
Surprisingly entertaining
...and very well read. A series of stories in the vein of Conan Doyle but from Professor Moriarty's and Sebastian Moran's perspective. Sherlock Holmes people will enjoy this listen very much because I did.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bruce
- 09-06-13
WHAT A LOVEABLE VICTORIAN BOUNDER!
Would you consider the audio edition of Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles to be better than the print version?
I've not yet read the print version of this book but the narration is really excellent and captures the devilish mood of the infamous Col. Moran, Moriarty's villainous sidekick.
What other book might you compare Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles to, and why?
The listener will obviously want to compare this performance with Sherlock Holmes but although the stories in the performance are wicked variations of Conan Doyle's Holmes cases, the great detective and his sidekick are only mentioned once or twice.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The listener will enjoy all the stories in this performance but my favorite was the "Red Planet League", as it was very funny and pretty leftfield in places.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Overall, I found the stories very funny but flavoured with suspense, some mild horror, dubious morals and sheer inventiveness. A bit like modern day politicians, I suppose!
Any additional comments?
The happy marriage of an outstanding performance and creative and involving storyline, makes this a great and repeated listen.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- T. Norman
- 01-07-13
Amusing, but not a story that I'd come back to...
Lampooning many different authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H. G. Wells this book purports to be a memoir found in a safety deposit box at a bankrupt London bank. It tells the story of Professor Moriarty, and his henchman, Basher Moran. As it unwinds the two influence many events such as fooling the foremost astronomer of their time, busting a spy ring, and confounding Sherlock Holmes.
This book is largely inoffensive although there is some implied strong language and behaviour. It is an entertaining read, but not one I'll be rushing to listen to again anytime soon. I can only equate this to mental chewing gum; it's not bad, but not going to stimulate any brain cells...
11 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Slyboots
- 03-12-17
Sub Flashman parody
What disappointed you about Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles?
The narration was well executed, but the stories themselves were a rip off from Flashman - manuscript discovered which turns out to be the memories of a cad. Unlike Flashman however it provided no great insight into the events of the era described and the humour seemed forced and much too self aware.
Has Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles put you off other books in this genre?
Yes - specifically books by this author.
What about Tom Hodgkins’s performance did you like?
The narration was very well done, but that wasn't enough to keep my interest.
Any additional comments?
I'm out of step with most reviews of this audio book so you might like it. I would strongly suggest that you try the sample before you buy the product.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tod Werewolf
- 26-10-16
jolly good yarn
well written story in a modern Victorian style.
I enjoyed the slant on the sherlock Holmes books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Troy
- 01-04-13
Newman at His Best
Nobody spins Victorian literature on its ear quite like Kim Newman. I'm already a shameless fan of his Anno-Dracula series, and I have yet to read anything else of his that I thought was less than sub-par. This book fits right in with his proven track record.
This particular story is actually a handful of stories, all written from the memoirs of Moriarty's right-hand thug, Col. Sebastian Moran. What's inside? Depravity, cunning, top-notch characterization, and humor.
Not only do we get to see inside Moriarty's genius through the eyes of his loyal operative, we also get a look at the likes of Raffles, Lupin, Irene Adler (a rather obnoxious but humorous take on her), and of course, Holmes himself. And there are plenty others. The more you know about the pulp greats of that age, the better Newman's books are, but don't let that deter you. These books are gateways to discovery. The plots for this one are ingenius. My personal favorite from this one? Moriarty defiles the reputation of a former student by staging a martian invasion. The weapon of choice: vampire squid. It's priceless.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Natalka Roshak
- 16-03-12
Rollicking good story, great reader
I can't recommend this audiobook highly enough.
Kim Newman tells Moriarty's criminal exploits in his associate Colonel Moran's voice. Colonel Moran makes the novel. He's a charismatic, unapologetic sociopath with an unquenchable relish for action. He loves to hunt and bags tigers, natives and Moriarty's enemies with equal verve.
Tom Hodgkins delivers a pitch-perfect performance, with a very convincing accent for a Victorian English colonel. What really makes the performance is the way he transmits Colonel Moran's unabashed relish in his dastardly deeds.
Colonel Moran loves action, even when the odds are stacked against him. This is an action-packed narrative of unscrupulous derring-do, and Hodgkins' rendering of Moran's voice makes it come alive.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Darryl
- 23-02-13
excellent fun if you are a sherlockian
I enjoyed Anno Dracula and was so disappointed in Bloody Red Baron that I didn't go to this one for a long time even though it was already in my library. Mistake. This is by far Newman's best. I would take stars away from Anno and give extras to this if i could. at times funny, bawdy, adventurous. nod's to not only sherlock of course, but victorian lit all over the place and even some others. a lot of fun. the irene adler episode, the red planet league, and the hound are my favorites, but the others are fun too. narrator is great, the voice is great and the stories are great. enjoyed it.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- E. C. Schultz
- 11-02-18
Great Performance & Story
I really enjoyed this audiobook. As a major fan of Sherlock Holmes, it was great to hear the stories from the other side of the coin. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stefan Filipovits
- 29-12-17
THE Professor Moriarty novel
I’ve loved villains ever since my mother read me Peter Pan and I became fascinated with Captain Hook. Villains are often far more compelling than their heroes. It’s however surprisingly difficult to make them so compelling and relatable that they stay with you forever. Kim Newman does both here. Professor James Moriarty is at different points funny, horrifying, disturbingly intelligent, and utterly capable of anything he sets his fiendish mind to. While I hesitate to say he’s relatable, Newman does an excellent job of making the reader empathize with both main characters but with Moriarty especially.
Outside of the Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes canon I consider Newman’s work THE definitive Professor Moriarty novel. Moriarty isn’t the only villain that shows up to stake a claim to London however. The worst of the worst from literature and popular culture show up to work with and against the professor and his capable right hand Sebastian Moran. Fu Manchu, Rupert of Hentzau, Irene Adler, Raffles, Dr. Nikola, and many others are featured at different points. Particularly interesting is the war between Moriarty and his TRUE arch-nemesis where they fight for control of the criminal underworld of London and Europe. I can’t recommend this one enough. If you’re a fan of the Holmes canon or just really appreciate Victorian villainy you’ll love this book.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- L. Paul Evangelista
- 27-07-17
not really sure what to make of it...
I liked the story overall but the ending makes me dislike the journey. I say this because I'm not sure where to go with this is a memoir of colonel Moran's story. I as an audience member don't know if they are following the Holmes stories or going in completely different directions.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sherri
- 25-05-14
Lively action and equal opportunity insults
Unlike Newman's Dracula book (I didn't find Anno Dracula interesting), this one is fast-paced, humorous and worth a listen for the bon mots alone. Colonel Moran is hilariously amoral and cynical. The Holmes-Watson world is turned inside-out. Moriarity, for instance, cultivates wasps and takes great satisfaction in their deadly effects on experimental subjects. The action rushes along a little too quickly in places. I don't know if I cared whether there was any action at all; I was that captivated by the language.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ms. Patty
- 14-07-13
Interesting premise
I was excited to listen to this 'take' on Moriarty and Moran and enjoyed most of it. I especially liked to pick out the parallels between Moriarty's life and that of the "thin man from Baker Street", ie: the hound, landlady, the Woman, wasps vs bees, etc. It was occasionally cumbersome, however, with so many details and characters who had no part in the story. My only other complaint was the author's treatment of Irene Adler. Added to that was the narrator's voice of The Woman as a whiney Jersey girl.
Having said that, it did hold my interest. The ending was PERFECT!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Franklin
- 01-07-13
A darn fine time with replay value to spare
Just a fun, fun book.
Kim Newman handles these characters in a fresh, engaging way. His writing is entertaining and feels appropriate for a 19th century narrator without falling into the frequent pitfalls of a pastiche/vintage remix-I.E., slavishly following 19th century storytelling conventions that haven't translated well, shoehorning in too much period language, etc etc. He also manages to pack in plenty of cameos from turn of the century favorites without leaving the reader feeling like he's missing something if they don't pick up on them.
I also found narrator Tom Hodgkins' performance to be excellent. The characters sound distinct, and the numerous accents that crop up are handled well.
I will say that if you hold the canonical versions/stories of some characters-particularly the thin detective of baker street and his trusty companion-to be sacrosanct you may not like how Mr. Newman portrays them. However, to paraphrase a classic TV show, if you're wondering how this all can be reconciled with the original stories, and other literary facts, just repeat to yourself its just a book I should really just relax.
In short: its great fun.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 22-06-13
Disappointing.
I enjoy reading Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes but found this alternate version of Moriarty very tedious and difficult to follow. Most books keep my attention but this did not. I kept drifting away to other things while listening. I could care less about the characters or what they were doing. I didn't see any point to the story. I agree with Chelice's take on this novel, who said more eloquently what I thought.