More about What Child is This?
“As long as there are writers as skilful and observant as Bonnie MacBird to keep the Holmes flame alight, I will be warming myself in its glow.”
— David Prestige, Fully Booked
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“What could be a better present this season than a new Christmas case for Sherlock Holmes? Bonnie MacBird’s worthy pastiche What Child Is This?, illustrated by Frank Cho, takes us back to 221B Baker Street in a snowy Victorian December.”
— THE WALL STREET JOURNAL (Holiday Books: Our Guide to the Best Gifts)
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“Any devotee of the dynamic duo of Baker Street will welcome Bonnie MacBird’s What Child Is This? (Collins Crime Club), subtitled “A Sherlock Holmes Christmas Adventure,” with illustrations by the inimitable Frank Cho…MacBird neatly emulates the style and tone of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories…If you’re in the mood for light seasonal entertainment, albeit with a serious underlay, look no further.”
— THE WASHINGTON POST (14 mystery books to savor during the long nights of winter)
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“Sherlock fans will rejoice at this brilliant revival of the world-famous detective from Bonnie MacBird…”
“The brilliant MacBird manages to produce a tale which is both authentic and original, yet pays homage to the genius of Arthur Conan Doyle…She perfectly encapsulates the trademark humour and quirks of the world of the world’s most famous detective, while cleverly drawing in elements to the story which are particularly pertinent to modern readers, such as gender non-conformity and the treatment of young mothers under an uncaring state….While the novel features two distinct plots, each requiring their own resolutions, the narrative interweaves effortlessly to create a heartwarming tale that is brilliantly puzzling while feeling familiar to fans of the genre and the characters…This book will make a wonderful stocking filler for anybody who loves reading. It’s a good read for a dark winter’s night.”
— DUNDEE COURIER
“What Child Is This strides the line between novella and short novel, giving readers enough depth to feel luxuriated and keeping the pace brisk but not hurried. Cho’s illustrations are delightful punctuations for Macbird’s crisp prose. Yes, this is your Christmas book gift for your friends.”
— Rick Kleffel, Narrative Species
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“Written with great spirit and pace, Bonnie MacBird’s latest Sherlock Holmes adventure is very engaging throughout…As a Christmas read it is immensely enjoyable and will certainly entertain you as you cozy up in front of the fire.”
— Emma Clarendon, Love London Love Culture
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“..the fifth book in MacBird’s enjoyable series featuring the famous detective in his traditional setting… truly enjoyable … made even more memorable by the illustrations from Marvel artist Frank Cho…. [What Child is This? is] free of any of the gimmicks and jokes of twenty first century ‘updates’ …a lovely gift for any Sherlock Holmes fan and a treat for oneself!”
— Joules Barham, Northern Reader
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“Two interesting stories… based around the Christmas period, both of which explore some disturbing aspects of Victorian society, and show the Christmas hating Holmes in a very different and more sympathetic light. At the heart of both cases are secrets, which have the potential to endanger the two sons of the families who require Holmes’ aid and rely on his unique skills to save two vulnerable young people.”
— Carol Westron, Promoting Crime
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“If you haven’t already encountered Bonnie MacBird’s take on Sherlock Holmes (Art in the Blood, Unquiet Spirits, The Devil’s Due, and The Three Locks), I wholeheartedly recommend them. I had a great time interviewing her last year about the series for the New Books Network, and I was impressed by how well she balances respect for the Holmes canon with her own take on the characters. What Child is This? follows through in both respects…. A delightful and ultimately touching read.”
— Carolyn Pouncy, New Books Network
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“Hollywood scriptwriter Bonnie MacBird’s quirky fifth Holmes and Watson pastiche is a delightful Christmas bauble of a book, but with surprising insights into the plight of children and social inequality in Victorian England.”
— Irish Independent
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“No one can surpass Conan Doyle at his best, but a select few pastiche writers get close enough that they can almost reach out and touch the master. Bonnie MacBird is one of those writers that, in my opinion, achieves this consistently. If you need a Holmes story for Christmas (and who doesn’t?) get hold of this immediately.”
— Alistair Duncan, The Doylockian
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“MacBird diligently writes in the style of Conan Doyle, and skilfully captures the era of late Victorian London, peppering her story with characters and phrases that could easily have come from the pen of the originator himself…. the novel will warm the heart whilst staying true to the essence of Conan Doyle’s world. [It’s] a very entertaining and often amusing read, and it will prove a Yuletide treat for any Sherlockian in your life.”
— Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus
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