Sherlock Holmes meets Oscar Wilde in this brand-new mystery inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest.
It is 1897, and Sherlock Holmes is called in to investigate a mysterious death at a society ball, hosted by a family with a remarkable past.
After an unidentified man pitches to his death from a balcony during a party hosted by the famed Ernest Moncrieff, Viscount Goring asks Holmes and Watson to prove the innocence of his wife, who is suspected of the crime. But members of this elite circle, including the indomitable Lady Bracknell, are just as concerned with their interference as they are the identity of the murderer. For though the history of Ernest Moncrieff, alias Jack Worthing, is well known, there may be more to the story of his discovery as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station. And why did the dead man give his name as 'Mr Bunbury'? Soon Holmes and Watson are on the trail of a mysterious blackmailer who trades in the shameful secrets of an elite circle.
"Displays the author’s remarkable facility at conjuring the spirit of Conan Doyle’s originals. Sherlockians and Wildeans alike will embrace Purser-Hallard." Publishers Weekly starred review
Praise for the author:
"A very good locked-room puzzle" Morning Star
"One of the cleverest locked room mysteries ever tackled by Sherlock Holmes... John Dickson Carr and Anthony Boucher fans will be gratified at the logical explanation the master rationalist devises. This ranks among the top novel-length Sherlock Holmes pastiches." Publishers Weekly
“The best kept secret in British genre writing” the British Fantasy Society
“[Purser-Hallard’s] writing is crisp and clever… the cast of characters appealing, interesting and consistent” the British Fantasy Society on The Pendragon Protocol
Sherlock Holmes meets Oscar Wilde in this brand-new mystery inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest.
It is 1897, and Sherlock Holmes is called in to investigate a mysterious death at a society ball, hosted by a family with a remarkable past.
After an unidentified man pitches to his death from a balcony during a party hosted by the famed Ernest Moncrieff, Viscount Goring asks Holmes and Watson to prove the innocence of his wife, who is suspected of the crime. But members of this elite circle, including the indomitable Lady Bracknell, are just as concerned with their interference as they are the identity of the murderer. For though the history of Ernest Moncrieff, alias Jack Worthing, is well known, there may be more to the story of his discovery as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station. And why did the dead man give his name as 'Mr Bunbury'? Soon Holmes and Watson are on the trail of a mysterious blackmailer who trades in the shameful secrets of an elite circle.
Praise
"Displays the author’s remarkable facility at conjuring the spirit of Conan Doyle’s originals. Sherlockians and Wildeans alike will embrace Purser-Hallard." Publishers Weekly starred review
Praise for the author:
"A very good locked-room puzzle" Morning Star
"One of the cleverest locked room mysteries ever tackled by Sherlock Holmes... John Dickson Carr and Anthony Boucher fans will be gratified at the logical explanation the master rationalist devises. This ranks among the top novel-length Sherlock Holmes pastiches." Publishers Weekly
“The best kept secret in British genre writing” the British Fantasy Society
“[Purser-Hallard’s] writing is crisp and clever… the cast of characters appealing, interesting and consistent” the British Fantasy Society on The Pendragon Protocol
