July Online Book Club: Moriarty Meets His Match by Anna Castle

Was Moriarty just misunderstood?

I might lose some English major friends for admitting this, but I recall reading only one Sir Arthur Conan Doyle book starring Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of Baskervilles. It wasn’t my cup of tea. 

In contrast, I loved the BBC Sherlock TV series with Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes. His portrayal was intense, almost as though Holmes had Asperger’s the way his brain worked more quickly than anyone else’s in the room.

Equally intrigued by the character of Moriarty, I was delighted when I read Anna Castle’s fresh take on the Sherlock world. She flips Moriarty from maniacal bad guy to misunderstood professor who gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Holmes becomes an obstinate know-it-all, an annoying thorn in Moriarty’s side.

Even better, Castle introduces us to a new character, the wily Mrs. Angelina Gould. Moriarty’s equal in every way, their relationship allows for a character-driven story with mystery and romance. In Moriarty Meets his Match, the complex plot centers on missing letters and dark, family secrets. With twists and turns, this story becomes a light-hearted, romantic setup for a fun series.

I listened to the audiobook version and absolutely loved Jill Smith’s excellent narration! She brought the story to life, enriching the historical setting and the characters’ accents and emotions.

I’ve already listened to the next in the series, Moriarty Takes his Medicine, (also excellent) and there are four total available. As the author says, “Behind every master criminal, there’s a beautiful woman with expensive taste.”

If you like anything Sherlock Holmes, I recommend you check these out!