ARROWOOD Sherlock Holmes Has Met His Match

A top-notch performance by Malk Williams makes Mick Finlay's debut novel as good as it gets. The setting is the London of Sherlock Holmes. A woman comes to ex-journalist turned private investigator Arrowood because she can't afford Holmes. Her brother has vanished, and she wants Arrowood to find him. The story is told by Arrowood's partner, Barnett, who soon makes it obvious that Arrowood is an anti-Holmes who is obsessed with his competition. Williams makes Arrowood's scorn palpable as he derides Holmes's deductive crime-solving techniques, declaring himself an "emotional agent" who relies on his gut to solve crimes. Dangerous criminals, gangs, murder, mayhem, and the arrival of Arrowood's sister, a missionary with salvation on her mind, make for entertaining (really!) listening. Here's hoping for more from Finlay and Williams. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2017]