Sherlock Holmes & the Hentzau Affair

 Sherlock Holmes & the Hentzau Affair (1991) by David Stuart Davies

Once again, Sherlock Holmes is called upon to prevent an international incident. Readers of Anthony Hope's books revolving around Kingdom of Ruritania may have thought that all was settled there. But Colonel Sapt comes to Holmes for help when the crown is in danger once again and the country is facing a threat from Count Rupert of Hentzau. King Rudolf the Fifth is deathly ill and Count Rupert plans to take advantage of his weakened state to take over the throne. 

Colonel Sapt has come to England to ask Rudolf Rassendyll to impersonate the King one more time to save the kingdom (not to mention Queen Flavia, who Rassendyll loves). But Rassendyll is nowhere to be found. What starts as a simple request to trace the missing Englishman soon leads Holmes and Watson through a trail of murder and deception to the wilds of Ruritania and a daring impersonation by Holmes to save not one Rudolf, but two. 

This is one of the best Holmes pastiches that I have read from Davies. It is a much shorter work (mirroring the length of The Prisoner of Zenda) and I think he does a very good job weaving Holmes into a swashbuckling tale. A fast-moving and engrossing tale and I'm glad that Watson (through Davies) was finally able to allow it to be published. The romantics among us will be happy to know that there is a (at least temporary) "happily every after" ending for Queen Flavia and Rassendyll...and for Ruritania as well. The kingdom is in much better hands than when King Rudolf the Fifth was in charge and we're definitely glad that Count Rupert has been taken care of. ★★★★

First line: I have often reflected that of the many investigations carried out by my friend, the celebrated detective, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, those which had the most dramatic openings often led on to even more dramatic conclusions.

Last line: "However, in this instance, old friend, I believe you may be right."
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Deaths = 4 (one natural; two stabbed; one shot)

(Finished 11/5/26)