Murder Island by James Patterson & Brian Sitts

This new take on Sherlock Holmes masterfully reimagines the detective’s world, blending his classic intellect with the pulse-pounding excitement of adventures reminiscent of Indiana Jones. It takes readers on a journey full of intrigue and danger.

The plot kicks off when George Reynolds, an actor, seeks Holmes’s help, alleging fraud and reporting strange occurrences at the theater where audience members appear to be in disguise. Simultaneously, Professor Moriarty becomes embroiled in a deadly conflict between two rival gangs after one leader is mysteriously killed. The crime’s peculiar details suggest that their uneasy truce is on the verge of collapse, with Moriarty himself falling under suspicion.

What follows is a complex, high-stakes web of schemes that draws Holmes, Watson, Moriarty, and Moran into perilous territory. As they untangle the conspiracy, Holmes and Watson uncover a chilling plot tied to a Shakespearean play, threatening the Crown’s reputation and the nation’s stability. The mastermind behind the chaos is found gruesomely murdered, escalating the tension and putting the detective duo in grave danger as they race to uncover the truth.

The story’s strengths lie in its ability to delve into universal conflicts—loyalty versus betrayal, justice, and the blurred boundaries between good and evil. While richly detailed and layered, the narrative occasionally stumbles with scenes that feel overly intricate or messy. Yet these minor flaws pale in comparison to the overall depth and excitement of the story.

Holmes and Moriarty by Gareth Rubin

This new take on Sherlock Holmes masterfully reimagines the detective’s world, blending his classic intellect with the pulse-pounding excitement of adventures reminiscent of Indiana Jones. It takes readers on a journey full of intrigue and danger.

The plot kicks off when George Reynolds, an actor, seeks Holmes’s help, alleging fraud and reporting strange occurrences at the theater where audience members appear to be in disguise. Simultaneously, Professor Moriarty becomes embroiled in a deadly conflict between two rival gangs after one leader is mysteriously killed. The crime’s peculiar details suggest that their uneasy truce is on the verge of collapse, with Moriarty himself falling under suspicion.

What follows is a complex, high-stakes web of schemes that draws Holmes, Watson, Moriarty, and Moran into perilous territory. As they untangle the conspiracy, Holmes and Watson uncover a chilling plot tied to a Shakespearean play, threatening the Crown’s reputation and the nation’s stability. The mastermind behind the chaos is found gruesomely murdered, escalating the tension and putting the detective duo in grave danger as they race to uncover the truth.

The story’s strengths lie in its ability to delve into universal conflicts—loyalty versus betrayal, justice, and the blurred boundaries between good and evil. While richly detailed and layered, the narrative occasionally stumbles with scenes that feel overly intricate or messy. Yet these minor flaws pale in comparison to the overall depth and excitement of the story.

The Black Swan Mystery by Tetsuya Ayukawa

A man's body was found near the railway tracks, initially classified as a simple case of suicide. However, the police discovered a bullet hole, leading them to conclude that the victim had been shot and then dumped at the scene. The deceased was identified as Gosuke Nishinohata, the director of Towa Textiles Company.

Before his death, a strike had begun among the union members of Towa Textiles, who were complaining about their working conditions and wages. The director's death could be seen as beneficial for the union members, but it also raised questions about possible motives. Nishinohata had previously coerced workers into joining a cult for spiritual edification, only to betray the organization afterward. Various opinions about him emerged: he was considered devious, egotistical, and a womanizer.

To unravel the mystery, Inspector Onitsura and his team faced an intriguing game of cat and mouse, as the suspects provided watertight alibis. There were two additional deaths linked to the case, complicating matters with a slew of exhausting theories. I admire Onitsura's methods, which rely on patience, perseverance, and keen insight. The murder mystery was subtly engaging, a masterclass in alibi deconstruction and psychological intrigue, and the conclusion was very satisfying. "The Black Swan Mystery" by Tetsuya Ayukawa is set in the 1960s and won the prestigious Mystery Writers of Japan Award.

The City And Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

A boy and a girl, both unnamed, fell in love during their teenage years. They were only sixteen and seventeen, experiencing the raw, unfiltered desires of young love. But one day, without warning, the girl vanished, leaving the boy with nothing but memories of their shared dreams. Almost thirty years have passed since then.

One morning, he awakens alone in a hole near the gate of a walled town—a place eerily familiar, resembling the dreamscape they had once imagined together. The Gatekeeper finds him and asks if he wishes to enter. The town is no utopia; entry requires sacrificing his shadow and enduring the wounding of both eyes. Despite the cost, he chooses to stay, taking up the role of a Dream Reader in the library and there, he is reunited with his long-lost love.

But nothing is ever straightforward. The next time he opens his eyes, he’s back in the “real” world. He encounters his shadow again, stirring a deep confusion about where he truly belongs. Driven by an inexplicable pull, he leaves his big-city job and finds work at a small-town library—one that feels uncannily similar to the walled town of his dreams.

Here, he meets the ghost of Mr. Koyasu and a boy named M, whose extraordinary abilities. The three are kindred spirits, bound by their shared loneliness. Together, their fates intertwine, leading to revelations that piece the narrative's many mysteries. As for the ending, I must say it is superb; when the boy’s mission is fulfilled, every question finds its answer in a stunning, unforgettable conclusion.

Hail Murakami! He’s done it again, weaving a tale of magical realism that lingers like a dream just beyond reach. This novel is a masterpiece—a journey through love, memory, and the labyrinth of the soul. I couldn’t ask for a more rewarding experience. This novel was based on a novella that the author published in 1980. 5 ⭐

Of The Flesh: 18 stories

Of The Flesh is a collection of 18 modern horror short stories that delve into themes such as eerie fairy-tale prayers, eating disorders, societal outcasts, immigration struggles, and even unsettling encounters with rats.

Standout Stories:

Sketch

Orla, a withdrawn bargirl, is grappling with her mother’s recent disappearance, which leaves her with a peculiar sketchbook. As her emotions take a darker turn, the sketches seem to come alive with an eerie force. Told in a striking comic strip format, this story adds a visual edge to the horror.

Fight, Flight, Freeze

Set in Malaysia, this tale follows Sara, who is entangled in an affair with a married man, Julien. After Julien’s wife dies, his behavior grows increasingly erratic. Sara begins receiving cryptic warnings that may be connected to the deceased wife, escalating tension and paranoia.

The Fruiting Body  

Paul and his fiancée, Jen, buy a house with rotting walls, suspecting they’ve made a terrible mistake. As Paul struggles with unemployment and Jen navigates her pregnancy, hallucinations and nightmares begin to plague Jen, straining their relationship and unraveling their lives.

Daisies  

Lucas is tasked with relocating his late mother’s remains to an urn. The twist? His mother’s body hasn’t decomposed—even after 30 years. This unsettling discovery leads to chilling revelations about the past.

The Broccoli Eel  

Benny lives in a tense household where his parents argue frequently, and his mother enforces strict dietary rules. But after a tragic accident involving his mother, Benny’s life takes a disturbingly dark turn.

Apples  

Recently divorced, Karen moves into a new home with an apple tree in the garden. After eating the apples, she begins experiencing strange and unexplainable phenomena that blur the lines between reality and nightmare.

Bob-a-Job

Richard works for a sinister requisitioning company, trapped until he pays off an overwhelming debt. His latest assignment seems straightforward: use his marketing position to gather personal information from a reclusive client to push a product. But as Richard delves deeper into the man's life, he uncovers a chilling conspiracy involving exploitation and manipulation that threatens to consume them both.

Overall, Of The Flesh offers a diverse blend of horror, ranging from chillingly atmospheric tales to stories that challenge genre norms. While some stories stand out as captivating reads, others stray from traditional horror, offering more subdued or unconventional takes on the genre.