Outstanding! A well written and riveting tale of fictional Molly Maguires, with Holmes thrown in for a wonderful bonus. A must- read!

As with his first novel, the first half of this book (with Sherlock) is excellent, but the flashback is overlong, sensational, and factually dubious. As for the flashback, ACD outright lies on various points and contorts history to fit his one-sided narrative. Here are some of the more egregious examples: He states that people had been dying for 10 years before the detective’s arrival, when in reality, the murders began after he arrived. He narrates that the victims were mine owners, foremen, etc, when in reality they were mostly union leaders and workers who were striking as a result of a recent 20% pay cut carefully designed and executed to undercut union power. History is undecided whether the secret group even existed or if they were a fabrication used by the coal barons to demonize coal workers (which worked btw.) In reality the barons themselves caused the conflagration using straw men and tied them to the union. In short, this book shamefully finds itself on the wrong side of history. While it is in truth a thrilling read, ACD’s final novel smacks of the same confounding disregard for truth as his first, A Study in Defamation. Apart from the wretchedly biased “flashbacks” of his first and last novels, ACD is an excellent author, worthy of being read by all.

I enjoy this Sherlock Holmes' mystery very much. As usual I am a" Dr. Watson" is keeping up with his deductive reasoning. The Birdy Edwards character was easier to deduce. I was a bit confused/disappointed at the end. Given that Holmes was aware of Moriarty's involvement early on could he have or did he intervene to change the outcome at the end? Was it " Dear Mr. Holmes! Dear me!"?

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Excellent writing a Sherlock Holmes Novel! Roger

First third of the book reads like a typical Sherlock Holmes mystery, in typical style. Very fun. The last two thirds are dominated by a side story that doesn't involve Holmes, Watson, or seemingly anyone from the first section. The second section is in a very unusual and awkward style. It feels a little tedious at times, but it is still an interesting story. Last three or four pages very abruptly tie the two story lines back together in a very rushed and dissatisfying manner.