Moriarty (Professor Moriarty Book 3)

Moriarty may be the title of this book, but the character in it with that name bears precious little resemblance to his namesake in the Sherlock Holmes stories. In those he is a sophisticated villain and a worthy intellectual opponent of Holmes. He does not operate sordid protection rackets, demanding money from small street traders and others. Nor does he run brothels. The Moriarty here is nothing more than a mafia-style gangster whose underlings remain loyal due to fear. We are even told that members of the gang often kiss the signet ring on Moriarty's finger as a sign of allegiance. How `Godfather ` is that?So, forget about this crime novel being anything to do with the character in the Holmes stories, and instead judge it as a crime novel set in Victorian London. Here it substantially fails in several respects. The dialogue is a stilted parody of London street language, where dropped `haitches' abound. The author has gone to some trouble to include just about every underworld slang word and phrase possible, however inappropriate. He provides a Glossary of these, but curiously only includes a few examples, whereas the text is awash with them. At least he spares us cockney rhyming slang. There are numerous irritating repetitions. For example, almost every time the Chinese gangster is mentioned we are told his name; and very often if a slang term, or nickname, is used we are reminded what it means, or what the real name of the villain is. I lost count of the times Moriarty's habit of running his thumbnail across his face is described. What was the point of this anyway; it seemed to have no significance? (As do several other actions in the book, such as the Black Mass scene and the curious `worshipping' of a painting of the Duchess of Devonshire in the early sections of the book.)The plot is about Moriarty's attempts to regain power in the London criminal scene from Idle Jack, the alias of Sir Jack Idell, a `rogue' nobleman, who has taken over during the Moriarty's forced absence of several years from England, and finding out who of his former henchmen is betraying him to Jack. This involves much violence, including many vicious murders, both of villains and bystanders. In the final few pages the traitor is found and dispatched, as is Idle Jack himself, but by this time I had lost any interest in the all-to-predictable outcome. The only slight surprise was a final revelation about the real parentage of Moriarty's son, although we are then expected to believe that a man with a character as depraved as that of Moriarty really knew this all along, but did nothing to punish the woman who had deceived him.

A fitting end to the trilogy of "Moriarty" novels by John Gardner and far superior to the very disappointing novel of the same name by Anthony Horowitz. Great characters, superb atmosphere and a detailed and plausible plot that manages to make us sympathetic to what are really most unpleasant people -- something "The Godfather" novels and films failed to achieve. So sad we will se no more from this great author.

This works well especially with me enjoying Sherlock Holmes interesting view from the other side is there more?

A great Victorian thriller, with no Holmes the book is written and researched. To put plainly " a bloody good read" well done Mr Gardner just keep them coming.

John Gardner brings the Moriarty trilogy to a conclusion that neatly wraps up the story. As a fan of Conan-Doyle's works on the great detective these books offer a well thought out and well constructed counterpoint; a must read for all Holmes fans.

A reasonable continuation of the series.

I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and when I saw this book I had to read it. I wasn't aware at the time it was the last in a trilogy, not that it really matters as it stands on its own well enough.For some reason the Napoleon of Crime as depicted in Conan Doyles books has become nothing more than a Mafia Don to the point that his minions kiss his signet ring to show allegiance. It feels somewhat disappointing, or at least it did to me. I always thought of Moriarty as Holmes mental equal, here all he does is give advice and say yes or no to his 'Family's' choices of villainy. The main antagonist, Jack Idell, is built up throughout the book to be this nemesis of Moriarty, a man who moved in and began to take over the Moriarty crime family when the Professor had to flee the country, and yet he is taken down at the end like a punk. It feels like a rushed ending, as if Gardener having created this threat to Moriarty couldn't think up a decent ending to that threat.Another problem is the insistence of the author to continually use Victorian era slang terms and criminal speak. He takes ever opportunity to have a character say something and then he has to explain it fully for the reader. That and actually writing out music hall songs in the books for no apparent reason. To my mind it feels more like he is puffing up his chest and saying 'look at me, look at all the research I did, my knowledge if Victorian underworld slang. Isn't it amazing!'.