The strange case of Eliza Doolittle by Timothy Miller

 

Name of Book: The Strange Case of Eliza Doolittle 

Author: Timothy Miller

ISBN: 978-1-64506-021-5

Publisher: Seventh Street Books

Type of book: 1912, mystery, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson mysteries, My Fair Lady, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, England, modern life, bachelorhood, duels, drugs, secret identity, gangs

Year it was published: 2021

Summary:

Sherlock Holmes has retired to the Sussex countryside . . . that is, until a most formidable puzzle is dropped upon his doorstep by a certain Colonel Pickering.

One Miss Eliza Doolittle, once nothing more than a cockney guttersnipe, has been transformed into a proper lady of London—perhaps even a duchess?—as if overnight. When Col. Pickering recovered from a bout of malaria, he was astounded at the woman before him. Is it possible this transformation is due to nothing more than elocution lessons and some splendid new hats? Or has Professor Henry Higgins surreptitiously traded one girl for another? And for God’s sake, why?

As the case unfolds, Holmes and Watson find themselves in ever stranger territory. Who are the four identical “Freddies” pursuing Miss Doolittle? What part do the respected Dr. Jekyll and his malevolent associate, Mr. Hyde, long thought dead, have to play in this caper? And who the devil is the devilish Baron von Stettin?

The Strange Case of Eliza Doolittle is an enthralling escapade starring some of Victorian literature’s most beloved characters—a historical mystery that will leave you delighted, perplexed, and positively bewildered.

Characters:

Main characters include Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. Sherlock Holmes is a brilliant and a genius investigator as well as a beekeeper. Often, he is ten or so steps ahead of everyone else. John Watson is the all too human sidekick to Sherlock Holmes and is very loyal to him, and will do whatever he can for him. Colonel Pickering is Watson's friend from army days and is often worried about Eliza Doolittle. Henry Higgins is a vain and pompous man who doesn't seem to understand humanity and often gets annoyed by small things and Eliza Doolittle is best described as a firecracker. There were secondary characters as well such as Dr. Guest, Edward Hyde and so forth, but it will take me a bit long to describe them in detail. 

Theme:

There is a logical explanation for what is going on

Plot:

The story is in first person narrative from John Watson's point of view. It's definitely not a straightforward mystery as I am used to dealing with, and it definitely has a lot of twists and turns to keep up with. What also makes it unique, upon this realization is that he reader is given information by John Watson, who tends to be behind Holmes in this case, a sidekick rather than the main investigator, and author isn't shy in letting the readers know that Holmes is way ahead of Watson in this case. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

Tim Miller was a wandering bartender for twenty-five years. From north Louisiana., he has lived in Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco, his beloved Chicago, Lincoln Nebraska, and even spent some time living la dolce vita in Milan, which un-English though it is, is where the inspiration for The Strange Case of Eliza Doolittle began.

A screenwriter, poet, and playwright, 'Doolittle' is his first novel, of which Booklist says "Holmes and Watson in a story perfectly suited for them make for a gripping, hugely entertaining, and very satisfying read." His second Sherlock Holmes novel is on the way.

Opinion:

Aside from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I am embarrassed to admit that I hadn't read Sherlock Holmes nor the My Fair Lady. But I do admit that I found THE STRANGE CASE OF ELIZA DOOLITTLE by Timothy Miller to be a pure delight in introducing me to the characters. I also highly enjoyed the writing style because it read quite a bit like a Victorian novel. The characters are also well drawn and will not bore the reader. For a reader seeking something from the past, THE STRANGE CASE OF ELIZA DOOLITTLE will be a wonderful treat.  

This was given for a review 

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)