Holmes, Marple & Poe (Holmes, Margaret & Poe #1) (2024)

Love the idea behind these characters coming together and forming a PI company in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Too bad the mystery side didn't quite grab my attention.

EXCERPT: Grey polished off her vodka in a gulp. She leaned in close to Marple. 'There is one mystery about this building that I'm dying to work out,' she said.
'What's that?'
'How three people were able to get New York State PI licenses without leaving any of their fingerprints on file. Almost as if they were trying to conceal their true identities.'
'Well, I try not to make a thing out of it,' said Marple, 'but we are very good at what we do.'
'Right,' said Grey. 'Whoever you are.'
Marple smiled. 'Yes,' she said. 'Whoever we are.'

ABOUT 'HOLMES, MARGARET AND POE': Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe run the most in-demand private investigation agency in New York City.

The three detectives make a formidable team, solving a series of seemingly impossible crimes which expose the dark underbelly of the city - from a priceless art theft, high-stakes kidnapping and a decades-old unsolved murder, to a gruesome subterranean prison and corruption and bribery at the highest levels of power.

But it's not long before their headline-grabbing breakthroughs, unconventional methods - and untraceable pasts - attract the attention of the NYPD and the FBI.

After all, it's no surprise that there's a mystery or two to unravel in the city that never sleeps . . . not least, who really are Holmes, Margaret and Poe?

MY THOUGHTS: I loved this - it's a lot of fun.

I run hot and cold on James Patterson's books, but Holmes, Margaret and Poe is definitely a winner. I read it in a little less than twenty-four hours and am hoping that this is the beginning of a series. I was left with the feeling that there is a lot more to be revealed.

Holmes bears many of the characteristics of his namesake, plus he is hyperosmiac - i.e. he has extraordinary olfactory senses. Marple has extraordinary powers of observation and is an extremely quick thinker. She also enjoys a good sherry. Poe likes to live on the edge, as evidenced by his love of fast cars and an addiction. NYPD detective Helene Grey is both attracted by the trio and wary of them - they seem to be ghosts, people with no past.

After solving a very high profile case the trio's services in demand and they find themselves working multiple cases at once.

Holmes, Margaret and Poe is fast-paced and exciting. It doesn't take itself seriously - there are plenty of humorous moments that I enjoyed. One of my favorites was when Poe meets ME Verna Crown. Although we meet her very briefly, she is a wonderful character.

A definite recommendation and my fingers remain crossed that we are going to read more of this trio.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#HolmesMarpleandPoe #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: James Patterson has donated more than one million books to students, focusing on some of the most under-resourced schools and youth programs in the country.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Holmes, Margaret and Poe by James Patterson and Brian Sitts for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

While not a frequent reader of James Patterson's novels, I have enjoyed them in the past, and when this title popped up in my queue, I had to give it a chance. One never knows how much Patterson vs. his co-author contributed, but truthfully, I'm more about the quality of the writing, the depth of the characters, the tone of the dialog and prose, and the locale of the setting. I very much enjoyed this one and hope it becomes a series. So many clues were dropped about possible future crimes and mysterious connections, I'm fairly certain it's intended to be one, but likely dependent upon how readers react to this initial release.

Focused on 3 detectives, each harboring a complex, mysterious background, the books covers 6 different cases in which they rotate who takes the lead while setting up a new agency. Partnering closely with local cops, they annoy and frustrate them to no end, yet one police person ends up falling into bed with one of the detectives. Each personality is somewhat modeled after their namesake but they also have differences and stronger affiliations to unexpected attributes than we would have assumed at the outskirts.

While not a single threaded mystery, there is lots of continuity between the supporting characters and the relationships between the three detectives. I look forward to seeing where this one goes, especially with the addition of my favorite new character, Virginia, the office manager, who can solve almost any problem, including predicting what everyone needs at all the right moments.

NYC plays prominently. Animals are abundant. The mysteries are mostly straightforward but present obstacles that need someone with a peculiar ability to find the truth. An easy read, completed it in one sitting over the course of three-ish hours. Definitely recommended as a good intro to the author's style (Brian Sitts). Solid foundation, but needs to add stronger layers and complexity to the drama in the background. That will likely come with time if this becomes a series.

Got a problem? Need a PI? Maybe you’ll call New York’s newest investigative agency of Holmes, Marple and Poe. That’s right, Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe have set themselves up in an old bakery in Brooklyn, where it transpires a young girl is murdered in 1954, case unsolved. When the disappearance of attorney Sloane Stone baffles the authorities, these three solve the case and become instantly famous, the phone is now ringing off the hook. They have an art theft to solve and and potential kidnappings. However, NYPD detective. Helene Grey is amongst those watching their every move. They may have made an enemy or two along the way, so watch your backs you three.

This book is such fun. I like how the authors catch the essence of the three sleuths, such as Holmes and his acute olfactory senses and Maple’s enjoyment of the old tipple of Sherry. Pope’s weakness for fast flashy cars gives much scope too for some exciting scenes. In places, the narrative is witty, funny and definitely as quirky as the main characters. I like the addition of Virginia, who becomes their efficient and much needed PA. Even better, is the air of mystery, that surrounds Holmes, Marple and Poe, who exactly are they?? What’s their story? Where have they sprung from? Like Grey, I’d really like to know…… and it’s a tantalising prospect!

The storyline takes several different directions which means there’s rarely a dull moment. The pace is fast with the short, snappy chapters, so typical of James Patterson’s style adding to that speed. It’s full of twists and turns as they encounter some nefarious and deeply unpleasant characters along the way . Poe’s penchant for cars and Holmes and Marple’s perspicacity adds an extra layer of excitement. All in all, a highly entertaining read and I’m already looking forward number two.

PS, I can’t be the only one that thinks it’s a bit strange that we have two of the greatest fictional detectives teamed with an actual author?? However, I really do enjoy the nods to all three which are so cleverly intertwined.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Ps. What a pity the U.K. cover hasn’t shown up, it’s a good ‘un.

Holmes, Marble & Poe was a surprising and fun read. It is about three people, Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marble and Auguste Poe who are the main characters in the story. It opens with Gretchen Wik, a realtor, who is trying to sell an old bakery building. Brendan, Margaret and Auguste come to see the building and buy it. They renovate it and set-up their business in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn called Holmes, MarbleI & Poe Investigations. They are all PI's.

This is where I will leave the story to the reader to enjoy. There is so much going on in the story that it would be hard to put all on paper. Each chapter deals with one of the PI's complex personality as well as the disappearance of people and how it is solved. The supporting characters add to the story that make it so much more interesting. The ending makes the reader hope that there will be more adventures of Brendan, Margaret and Augluste.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for this ARC.

I was drawn to this book because of the title. Right away, this book roped me in and never let go in true James Patterson form. If you're a Patterson fan, then I believe that this book will be for you.

Holmes, Marple, and Poe is a new private investigator firm in NYC solving cases. Who are the 3 who are running it?

This book was a wild ride and a great new series!

A big thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the this ARC in exchange for my biggest review. It will be released January of 2024.

For the most part I have grown weary of James Patterson novels.

However…

He is one of my most popular author check-outs from my Little Free Library Shed.

And…

He is also one of the most donated authors, as well.

So…

Whether I am weary of his formulaic plots or not, I do appreciate that Patterson was one of the first authors to co-write books with up-and-coming talented authors…

Thus…

Giving them the name recognition they deserve for their writing capabilities.

So…

When this title came up with two of my favorite characters, Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple, I needed to read it.

The question becoming…

What was Mr. Patterson, and his co-author, Brian Sitts, a go-to writer with Patterson on several other novels, as well as a television writer, going to deliver?

And…

Within a moment, just opening the first couple of pages, it is clear. This isn’t Sherlock Holmes, or Miss Jane Marple, or even Edgar Allan Poe. It is in fact, 3 characters with their last names and the infamous characters mannerisms in present day.

So…

What were the mannerisms that mimicked our famous trio?

First…

For Sherlock Holmes, we can always count on his detection and sharp observation skills and an ability to eliminate the impossible.

Brendan Holmes…

“Maybe, like the original Holmes, he considered himself the last and highest court of appeal in detection. Maybe he was self-destructive. Or maybe he just craved the drama.”

And an…

“Unnaturally acute sense of smell. A genetic fluke.”

Second…

For Miss Marple, mostly dressed in tweed, with a sharp logical mind and an understanding of human nature and their weaknesses.

“…seemed quiet and thoughtful.”

As well as…

“Don’t mind me, I’m just the little old lady in the corner with a book. No life at all.”

Third…

For the famous poet, Edgar Allan Poe, not always agreeable or conscientious, and typically argumentative and untrusting.

“…kind of brooding and rakish at the same time.”

So…

How do these 3 modern versions work?

And…

Most importantly, how do I feel now, knowing they aren’t the original Sherlock, Miss Marple and Poe?

For me…

As a reader I found myself following flawed characters with similar issues to the original characters.

And…

It left me annoyed and frustrated at times.

But…

They did their job and worked well with NYPD detective lieutenant Helene Grey. (And she with Poe, maybe, just a little too well? No spoilers from me.)

Still…

Was it really necessary to namedrop?

“…which is why guests spotted Alicia Keys at the piano and Adrien Brody behind the bar.”

And…

What about those cases they take on?

Predictable.

So…

Why keep turning pages?

Short chapters...

And...

I was simply curious if anything would change. Or liven up. Or be unique or twisty with a surprising reveal.

And…

Could there possibly be more to these 3 characters who just happened to have these names and enough money to transform a building into a showpiece that housed their business and their private apartments?

Was the true mystery these 3?

So…

I kept reading.

And…

One thing you can count on with Patterson…

He won’t let one detail go unaddressed.

Thus…

All was solved.

In this page-turning, predictable, easy-to-read story.

The question is…

Do I want more of these 3 in some future novels?

What do you think?

3.5 stars rounded up.

James Patterson is starting off 2024 with what looks like a potential new mystery series based around three private investigators – named after Brenda “Sherlock” Holmes, Margaret “Miss Jane” Marple, and August “Edgar Allen” Poe – who form a firm together to solve crime in New York City. The have mysterious pasts and each is carrying seriously hid secrets that threaten to destroy them, either physically or emotionally.

Does that sound like a great pitch for a book series? Yep, especially for a mystery based one.

However, my response after finishing my read of this book is a mixed bag of good and not so good. Mostly good, but some constructive feedback to go with it.

This book worked best when it focused on the individual characters, their unique individual skillsets, interactions between themselves and with others throughout the book. The wit and banter were interesting, as well as how each of them had their own weaknesses and foibles that they tried so hard to hide. The plotlines and mystery elements were okay, some better than others on the intrigue and creative level. There was a strong focus on each of the main three characters shine in their professional careers, as well as in their personal lives, which was a good touch. The fast and constant moving frenetic pace in short chapter format followed the usual Patterson novel pattern. I especially liked the secondary character of NYPD detective, Helen Grey. For some reason, I connected well with her. I also loved the ending scenes with Marple. That was a nice way to end the book for me.

This book didn’t work so well when it tried to do too much, which was more often than it should have. For me, the concept was strong, but it tried to do too much at times and ending up in overkill mode. There was not one or two mysteries in this one – there were four mysteries to solve. I think this was mostly so that every character got a moment to shine, but having so many mysteries, along with all of the characters private life development was too much to take on in the first book of a potential new series. And it showed. One mystery was never completely resolved I think, and another one I figured out almost immediately because it was telegraphed too easily.

In addition to overplotting, many of the scenes and character actions were over-the-top, way-over-the-top like a cross between the drama of the old television show “Dynasty” and the incredible synchronized mystery reveal of the “Now You See Me” movies where the team of magicians brilliantly trick and capture the bad guys. As long as you willing to eliminate almost all levels of reality and force feed the solving of complex crimes into small timeframes because our three superheroes are so good, then you are good to go. Solving four major crimes in 339 pages is a lot to ask when it comes to delivery.

Having said that, this was still an enjoyable, escapist read. Let me be clear. The good things outweighed my criticisms. If you’re looking for a fun mystery read with interesting, but not really fully developed characters, this will serve as fun mind candy delivered in Patterson’s well-known formula.

Also, there were a lot of clues dropped on Holmes, Marple, and Poe’s mysterious background, so I am assuming Patterson is planning on their return for at least another book, if not a continuing series. Even with my criticism, I am looking forward to seeing what the next challenges will be for these three private investigators. Although it may not sound like, I am hopeful some of the structure and plotting elements get tightened up.

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

HOLMES, MARPLE & POE: The Greatest Crime-Solving Team of the Twenty-First Century by James Patterson and Brian Sitts is a fast-paced P.I. mystery and suspense/thriller that I had to try as soon as I saw the title and I am glad I did. The three P.I.’s in this book are not only named after their famous predecessors, but also have many of the same traits, good and/or bad, as their namesakes. I really am hoping this book becomes a series.

Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe suddenly appear in New York City and open one of the most sought-after Private Investigation firms in the city. The only thing is law enforcement can find no trace of any of the trio’s pasts which I loved. They are obviously close and understand each other, but you never learn how they came to be a team.

The chapters are the usual Patterson style of short and fast, but I still did not want to put the book down until I finished. There are several cases to solve threaded throughout the story, rather than one main mystery. While this helped show each of the main characters strengths, I also feel that I did not get an in-depth case to solve that would have engaged me even more, but hopefully that will happen if this becomes a series. I also like all the secondary characters and the animals they acquired along the way.

I really enjoyed Holmes, Marple & Poe and look forward to more adventures.

Poorly plotted nonsense with superheroic masturbatory Mary Sues who are rich and beautiful and the best at everything solving crimes entirely by coincidence. Including at least one that they didn’t even know about. I was hoping for something either more clever, more post-modern, or more ridiculous, but this doesn’t even rise to the level of “so bad it’s enjoyable.” It’s just bad.

I haven't read a James Patterson in years, and this one, which boasted characters called Marple, Holmes and Poe, seemed intriguing. I'm not sure if it will be a series but it was enjoyable. I liked the small nods to the original stories, like the dog named Baskerville and the receptionist named Virginia. There were a lot of different threads/cases at play, some of them so minor that I forgot about them (the Lucy Ferry storyline most obviously - because she was in three chapters out of 100), and I wish there had been one overarching case that felt like higher stakes. It was a little like short stories broken up into alternating chapters.

Of the three main characters, I liked Marple, although I had no idea how old she was for most of the book and admittedly imagined her as old like her namesake. I also had trouble keeping Holmes and Poe straight because they are both only developed so far as their love of cars or weapons. Also one is an alcoholic and the other is a drug addict.

Also, as another reviewer mentions, it's weird that one character is named for the author himself, but the other two for fictional detectives. It should have been either "Poe Doyle and Christie " or "Holmes, Marple and Dupin." Lastly, I wish the cases had been more of a twist - it was clear about how some were going to resolve (notably the Zozi Turner case, which I called as soon as we met her mother).

A while back, I read some Patterson books that really had some clever solutions but his later books seem to not care about shocking twists or revelations. I did like Brian Sitts' narration style, and thought he described things well but succinctly. It was a fun read but nothing serious, which was fine for what I needed this past weekend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review!

I had so much fun with this book! A private investigation team in New York with names like Poe, Marple and Holmes, how could you go wrong.

I loved that the 3 investigators had similar personalities and traits as their namesakes. The reactions for people on the outside hearing their names were hilarious. I really do hope this is the start of a new series from James Patterson. We now have a good insight to these characters and they have formed a relationship with the police, it would be shame to not see them again.

As always with this author, we have short and punchy chapters that makes you want to keep reading. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours and I did not want it to end. Another triumph from one of my favourite authors.

Thanks so much again to the team at Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for allowing me early access to this book. Always an honour to read.

I've always looked past Patterson's books thinking they are probably hyped up. This is my 3rd book from this author and they are actually not too bad. Glad I was wrong!

Holmes, Marple and Poe by James Patterson

This has quickly become my favourite James Patterson novel to date. I have been a fan of his work for many years, but this book really reminded me why I love this author! His writing style remains one of the best around and his books never fail to bring me enjoyment, mixed with all the nail-biting suspense you expect from a mystery thriller novel.

James Patterson novels usually follow one crime or one criminal, but this one was packed full of different storylines which meant that this book was fast paced and gripping right from the outset. There were certain underlying plots, such as that of model Lucy, that make little sense when we first read of them, but the author very cleverly then interwines all of these storylines into one, all revolving around our trio of Investigators. I found myself totally enthralled by the world of Holmes, Marple and Poe Investigations and got sucked into the drama right alongside our main characters.

The characters are interesting, hilarious and unique. The trio of private investigators really made this book stand apart from the authors previous works. They are normal people, albeit highly intelligent and resourceful, so we feel they are relatable and root for them at every turn. The fact that each character had their own underlying plot line was also cleverly put together and kept the mystery/suspense alive throughout. Holmes' and Poe's addictions were an interesting addition and highlighted that everyone has problems they may be hiding beneath the surface, even those who may appear respectable and well put together on the outside. Marple was my absolute favourite character in this, and I loved the sense of humour between the three main characters. The humour added a nice break from all the heavy content and made me giggle out loud at multiple points.

I would love a sequel to this book, as I would love to hear more about these three private investigators. Believe me, if James Patterson writes it, I will definitely be reading it! I cannot recommend this book more. Its reminiscent of The Thursday Murder Club, so fans of that series should definitely give this a go!

Overall I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and James Patterson for this ARC.

Free eARC was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher for reviewing purposes.

Let me begin by saying that I am a mystery reader. I enjoy them. I love trying to solve it before the reveal. And to name your book and characters after two of the most famous literary detectives and one of the most famous mystery/horror writers of all time is really setting expectations high. I went into this book excited for a modern day mash up of some of my favorite detectives and I was sorely disappointed. Not only is the writing cheesy, the characters flat (Holmes is a drug addict, Poe is an alcoholic, Marple knits. That's about all you get from them.), the twists and reveals predictable, but some of the things that happen in this book are so far beyond reasonable or realistic that my suspension of disbelief was gone in the first 15% of the book. (SPOILER: Holmes' nose is so good that he solves a missing persons case by smelling a dead body buried in manure at a farm. This is not a joke or exaggeration). I wanted to quit then, but told myself to give it a chance and read to 50%- by that point I was skimming the text so quickly that the kindle bottom bar said I only had 30 minutes left in the book, so I decided to stick it out. This was a mistake. Reading the last half of this book brought it down from two stars to one star in my eyes.
To sum up if you don't want to read spoilers below: this was a waste of my time to read, and although it clearly wants to feel like dramatic, dark TV police procedural, I've watched many better written and more compelling episodes of SVU, Elementary, and NCIS.

SPOILERS BELOW but honestly I thought the solution to all the mysteries were so obvious this barely counts as a spoiler:
One of the last mysteries (the book is made up of several short story mysteries, some of which are intertwined) - a teenage girl moves from Texas to New York City to become a model. She is murdered by her ex-boyfriend who followed her there to "bring her back home". The female detective catches him and then feels sorry for him- WHY? This enraged me. There was no further background or reasoning why he killed this young woman who was clearly terrified of him (she reacted with anxiety after a photoshoot because he texted her "FOUND YOU" and the next thing we know she's dead). I cannot fathom why the detective felt sorry for an abuser who murdered a teenage girl.
Some other problems I had with the book: two serial killer brothers have prison and body disposal system that dissolves all the flesh, leaving only skeletons as evidence, at their house that is so perfectly hidden for 60 years that no one discovers them, and they also have a hideout in a mausoleum with tunnels under a graveyard and yet they choose to bury the skeletons in a subway tunnel rather than the actual graveyard?
Also, a man (who refused to adopt his wife's daughter) and his wife's daughter (who just turned 18) go missing, leaving the wife/mother behind to beg for the help of our detectives. Also missing are the girl's beloved dog, both their electronics and personal possessions. If you have already figured out that this is heading in a Woody Allen/Soon-Yi direction, congrats, you're doing better than all the detectives in this book.

This, like his reboots of the Shadow and Doc Savage this is entertaining reading, but the story seems forced at times and feels lacking. Obviously set up for a sequel it leaves the identities of the three protagonists somewhat of a mystery.

Back with another collaborative effort, James Patterson brings Brian Sitts along for the ride in this great thriller. Featuring three sharp private investigators with well-established surnames, the story explores a few mysteries in the heart of NYC. Patterson and Sitts provide significant action for the reader and leaves me hoping there will be more in this series to come.

When Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and August Poe emerge on the scene, there is sure to be something worth a mentioning. These aptly named private investigators have taken New York City by storm and they are ready to tackle any case, no matter how difficult. They make an amazing team complementing one another and taking no shortcuts to get tho the heart of the matter.

Tackling a number of cases, the trio work well at juggling them all while giving each their own individual touch. Hunting down a set of kidnap victims seems central to the story, but there is an art thief and a murder from decades ago that actually took place in their recently restored industrial office space. The seedier part of New York comes out, though Holmes, Poe, and Marple are ready to face it head-on.

Ther unconventional ways catch the attention of the police, though there are times when everyone basks in the abilities these three possess in solving cases and bringing justice to their clients. The intrigue is palpable and there is no doubt that they will be sought after for many years to come! Patterson and Sitts do well with this debut, leaving me to hope we will see the crime trio once again.

While I have often commented on the hot and cold nature of Patterson novels, it is strong collaborators who really make things click. Sitts does well to flavour to narrative with his ideas and keeps things flowing well. The story gets off to a bang and does not relax for the rest of the book, keeping the reader guessing and involved until the final page turn. There is much to enjoy within the pages of the book, not least the characters who bring their historical namesakes to life, as well as their own quirks that flavour the story for all to enjoy.

I cannot get enough of the plot points that the authors use throughout the piece. They keep things on point and provide stellar ideas to keep the story from getting too repetitive. The great use of historical characters helps add depth to the plot and leaves the reader to wonder where things are headed before seeing how everything aligns with ease. I am eager to see a second novel in this series, should Patterson and Sitts come up with something. I will be waiting with anticipation.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Sitts,for dazzling me when I least expected it.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
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I'm setting this aside at 39%. My disappointment is starting to mutate into a level of annoyance that's preventing me from engaging with the book. I'm not willing to spend another five hours on it.

I knew 'Holmes, Margaret and Poe' was a bit of a gamble but I bought the book because I liked the concept. If it worked, it would give me a whole new series to follow and if it turned out to be a graphic novel in prose, well, it might still be a smile.

As it turned out, I'm not smiling. I wouldn't finish a graphic novel with this quality of storytelling.

The book was disappointing from the start. The writing had a bare-bones, first-draft feel. It did just enough to carry the plot but not enough to stimulate my imagination. The characterisation was minimal and simplistic. The signs of wealth and sophistication were juvenile and unconvincing.

I started to lose sympathy with the story when I was told that the sophisticated, handsome, charismatic Poe dressed hid bed with black silk sheets (how 1970s teen boy fantasy is that?) and that the woman who has woken up in his bed is impressed by Poe's expertise in pressing and pouring coffee from a French Press. How does that count as expertise and why would a woman who is a prominent lawyer in New York be impressed by it?

Then there was the inconsistent image I got of Marple. Other characters assess Marple as young and attractive but she describes herself as 'an old lady in the corner'. What was that about?

The plot initially had a breathless pace and a level of implausibility that reminded me of an early episode of 'Scorpion'.

I almost set the book aside then.

I stuck with it because the plot branched off into multiple cases simultaneously and I hoped to get hooked by the mysteries. I was also curious about who these three people really were and how they'd come to be working together.

I was encouraged when the client in one case was an obnoxious, narcissistic, billionaire with no taste (imagine that). I liked that Marple assessed him as 'disgust at first sight'. The billionaire never became anything more than a lazily drawn stereotype. The increasingly caustic encounters between him and the team served mostly to make the team look like co*cky juveniles.

It seemed to me that the storytelling wasn't able to support simultaneous mysteries being investigated. The narrative felt thin and chaotic.

The characters of Holmes, Marple and Poe did develop a little but not enough to make them interesting. Individually and collectively they felt like plot devices rather than people.

Then I started to notice how the women in the book were always described as if through eyes of a hormonal teenage boy.

Nope, I wasn't smiling any more. I no longer cared what the backstory was. I felt as though I'd been sold characters who didn't live up to the expectations set by their names.

After a little over three hours, this was a book that I was glad to set aside.

Probably the best part of the book was the narration. I liked the use of multiple narrators, I'd have liked it more if the narrator playing Marple had voiced all of Marple's dialogue. Click on the SoundCloud link below to hear a sample.

https://soundcloud.com/penguin-books/...

Meet the modern-day investigators that carried their surnames like the legendary author and famous fictional detective characters; Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe in their adventure to uncover and solve the mysteries of few high profile cases in the city of New York.

The narrative jumbled up so fine with few intertwining cases filled me with thrills and suspense; from a love-hate related murder to art theft, father-daughter kidnapping case, a tunnel of skeletons, a model went missing and many years ago unsolved murder mystery at a bakery of which now is a home and office to these three protagonists. I delved into the intricacies of their investigations and deductions; an enjoyable one I would say because honestly, Patterson never to disappoint me yet with his storytelling esp when it involved a murder and crime plot, it will always enthralled me and a credit too for Brian Sitts in co-writing this!

Bit twisty with a slight humor and fun side characters— nothing draggy or red herring much and I love their interactions the most; they sound so stylish and ‘classic’, and those ways of thinking and observations struck me with admiration esp with Margaret— suddenly it feels like I want to read Agatha Christie(?) because of her. A fancy and protective character of Auguste Poe (expect to swoon a bit with his love story) and mysterious Brendan Holmes; his part was the most psychological and dangerous for a reason.

Great pick if you want a standalone crime mystery read; easy to grasp storyline even though those cases alternatingly told in between these three protagonist perspectives, fast-pacing, short chapters (Patterson really a master to this style), exciting ingenious progress, a devious villain as an extra with a cat and ghost story included. I personally love the second half the most (basically because of their friendship) and really wish this can be a series although I digress after reading its solid final chapter.

Thank you Pansing Distribution for the review copy!

First, I love the original characters these investigators are using and they do so splendidly. Indeed, their mannerisms and skills reflect the greats. NYPD Detective Helene Grey attempts to investigate the three detectives whose solve rate is impressive. But the more she investigates, the less she knows. Others are investigating too, and I had a blast watching them fail.

I adored the characters and had fun comparing them to the original characters/authors. This was a great introduction to the series and offered some curious cases. Holmes, besides his ability to smell, is much like the original detective. Marple is a quick thinker with keen observation skills. Poe loves fast cars, weapons and women. He is the edgiest of the three.

This was a fabulous whodunnit with rich characters. I devoured the audiobook narrated by Christine Lakin. She captured the personalities of these characters and enhanced the overall tale. I think Patterson and Sitts have a hit with this first in series. I for one, cannot wait for more.

Perfect for fans of the classics detectives and whodunnits This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

What a fun read!

Thinking Marvel hero characters or scenes from Red is no stretch of the imagination when considering this title.
There’s a brilliant lineup of characters who, apart from sharing names with three of literatures greatest detectives, are also about as mysterious as you can get.
Each with their individual, merging peccadilloes. Auguste Poe enjoys fantastic, glorious cars, and from what we can gather, has a dead wife he can’t get over. Brendan Holmes has an extended olfactory sense and a heroin habit. Margaret Marples seems retiring, drinks sherry and is a kick “a” person with a photographic memory and friends in places way beyond High.
They’ve recently opened an agency in New York in an improbable location. They are currently investigating at least three cases that look like extending into something else. Then there’s the case closer to home!
Normally I’m a tad “Ho Hum” with Brian Patterson but I well and truly bought into the idiosyncrasies of these three wonderfully crafted characters.
Then there’s NYPD Detective Lieutenant Helene Grey is quietly investigating the three!
Improbable and impressive! Sit back and enjoy a crazy ride!

A Little, Brown & Co. ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Holmes, Marples and Poe by James Patterson is a rollercoaster of mystery, intrigue, and suspense that left me captivated from the very first page. As a big fan of detective novels, this new series featuring the enigmatic trio of Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe did not disappoint.
Patterson weaves a web of complex cases, each more challenging than the last, showcasing the detectives' unmatched skills and unorthodox methods.
The novel reads like a series of interconnected short stories, creating a dynamic narrative that kept me engaged and guessing at every turn. The ingenious solutions to crimes, from high-stakes kidnappings to a chilling subterranean prison, are delivered with a finesse that only Patterson can master.
What sets this novel apart is not just its gripping mysteries but also the mysterious backgrounds of the protagonists. The identity of Holmes, Margaret, and Poe remains an elusive puzzle, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already exhilarating plot. The interplay between the detectives and law enforcement builds psychological tension, culminating in a final showdown that had me on the edge of my seat.
Holmes, Margaret and Poe is a delightful blend of smart plots, supernatural elements, and unexpected twists, making it a must-read for anyone seeking an entertaining and masterfully crafted mystery thriller.
Patterson has once again proven his prowess in delivering a fun, compelling narrative that I wholeheartedly recommend to any mystery lovers.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own.

Hmmm. This feels like the start of a series, but I'm not sure I'll follow up if it is. While I found a couple of the protagonists engaging, overall the storytelling was disjointed and jumped around too much.

tl;dr
With a quick pace and multiple cases, this book feels like watching a television police procedural.

Thoughts
This is my first time reading any James Patterson, but the title did its job thoroughly in catching my attention, so props there. I'm led to believe that the writing style of short chapters and concurrent threads is standard for Patterson, so any fans of his work will be right at home here. I was also zero percent surprised to discover the co-writer Brian Stitts also works in television, since this entire book feels like reading a television show. Prose is straightforward, reading in some places like stage directions on a script, and the pacing felt like a modern police procedural, complete with several ongoing mysteries and a light touch of personal lives from our three leads to keep the engine moving. Even the end of the book feels like a season finale stinger. The mysteries are all interesting, but this isn't a solve-along book, so results reveal themselves in a more Conan Doyle style than a Christie one. A handful of minor details that don't pertain to the mysteries feel a bit jarring (Marple knows not to refer to a Korean woman by her first name because it's culturally insensitive, but does not call her by her job title, which would be most ideal; A haute cuisine dinner menu includes "ferns" instead of "fiddleheads"). I think my only real complaint is that my biggest mystery remains entirely unsolved: Why aren't they Holmes, Marple, and Dupin? And why hasn't anyone inside the book asked that too?

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!

NYC has a new PI firm in town by the names of Marple, Holmes and Poe. There is mystery among this crew and agency as well as several high profile cases attempting to be solved throughout the book-this made this hopeful new series different than the rest just for that reason. Interesting characters, typical quick chapters, and NYC again as the backdrop makes this an exciting new series. I can’t wait for the next installment.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this intriguing book

well after reading this collaboration i am still unsure of it..... it was great to be back in the world of holmes, marple and poe and at times it felt right with the technology of today

but there was so much happening and so many cases though they were all wrapped up rather well but i do like the idea of these three characters working together in a mish mash sort of way

it was an enjoyable read though and look forward to seeing if these two authors write more stories together about these three characters

__________________________ >
> “Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself…” ― Arthur Conan Doyle
> “They tried to be too clever---and that was their undoing.” ― Agatha Christie
> “How I loathe them!” –– Edgar Allan Poe

The above quotes are comments on the three titular characters of Holmes, Marple, & Poe by some well-known writers. OK, that may not be the strictly perpendicular truth. I was not actually able to reach Doyle, Christie, and Poe for comment; but the quotes are real and they apply to this book, whether those critics realize that or not.

This novel takes mediocrity to a whole new level. It is the height of mundanity. It is the um in humdrumity. And yet, I didn’t like it.

Holmes, Marple, and Poe are asked many times if those are their real names. It turns out their names are the most interesting mystery in the book. The character Holmes is a caricature of the original Sherlock that you’ve seen dozens of times. The characters Marple and Poe are flatter than flounders. Even the crimes are weak. I, myself, solved one of the mysteries in the first two paragraphs that mention it––and you could too, I bet.

★★ Holmes character has hyperosmia: an extraordinary sensitive gift of smell that causes him to be repelled by things that stink. How he can survive being in this novel of reeking ratiocination, I haven't the slightest idea.

I didn’t care for this book at all. It seemed to have no “substance” for lack of a better word. Sure, the team solved crimes but it doesn’t get into HOW. The first body found they just knew where it was - no information on how they came to find it. And then, the fact that the police and FBI didn’t think to use a tracker? And the police and FBI set up a command post in the office of a private business?? I know this is fiction but it just didn’t work for me.

Listen, this is not high end literature. This is a Patterson book and it has one job which is the be entertaining and engaging and it does its job. In fact, I’d dare to say it does its job very well. I had so much fun reading this. It is ridiculous, completely unbelievable, over the top, but SO much fun. How could I possibly be upset about that.

Holmes, Marple, and Poe are enigmatic PIs who are ghost agents with no pasts but have blazed on to the NYC crime scene by solving an unsolvable case. Helene Grey is a NYC cop who finds herself begrudgingly working alongside these three on a number of cases and together this team may end up solving even the toughest of mysteries.

There are way too many mysteries. You have a missing bible, stolen art, a missing husband and daughter, a dead cowgirl, and a cold case of a murdered woman. Normally I’d be annoyed with so much going on along with getting to know the characters but I’m not reading this for a well plotted mystery - I’m reading this for the sheer joy of watching the good guys win all the time with sleight of hand, strong observation skills and a handy dose of luck. Some of the mysteries are easily guessed by any armchair detective but it didn’t ruin the fun for me because I loved seeing the PIs one up all the bad guys. Go in with the right expectations and you’ll have a great time too,

New James Patterson series with Brian Sitts.
Easy read.
FUN story with great characters.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
I recommend this book!

Please see other reviews for more detailed information.