The Italian Secretary

Both Sherlockians and fans of Carr's Alienist series will enjoy this re-creation, commissioned by Conan Doyle's estate and a strong addition to the Holmes oeuvres. Simon Prebble delivers the sweetness and native intelligence of Holmes's documentarian, Dr. Watson, and the laser-like genius of the Great Detective himself as the two travel to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh to investigate a grisly murder and the possibility of a ghost. In a precise narration, Prebble paints all the atmospherics of the Scots settings and lends credibility to Carr's climax, which, while putting to good use his expertise in military history, is a bit over the top. Prebble's crisp narration helps integrate the historical murder of the Italian secretary and the further adventures of Holmes and Watson. E.K.D. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine