The Glendower Conspiracy: A Memoir of Sherlock Holmes: From the Papers of Edward Porter Jones, His Late Assistant

Biggle follows The Quallsford Inheritance with a second successful borrowing from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Historically accurate and capturing the brooding air of Wales, this story is told by Edward Porter Jones, assistant to Sherlock Holmes. Although Jones expects to help the famed sleuth investigate allegations against a murderer in Wales, the case turns into a different and extremely twisted affair as Holmes penntrates the secret life of a mad impostor. Falsely claiming fellowship with patriotic Welsh citizens, the impostor dupes them into funding a scheme that would destroy their country. The author creates eerie effects with details on isolated locales and characters--almost all far from what they seem--where the villain sows dragon seeds that Holmes uproots on time. Adding to the pleasures of a lusty tale, Jones handles his exacting duties nobly, providing himself worthy of promotion from the ranks of the Baker Street Irregulars. (July)