STARTLING TOMES

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE GIANT RAT OF SUMATRA . Alan Vanneman. Carroll and Graf; 2002. The untold case of the giant rat of Sumatra was referred to in Doyle's stories and in at least one Holmes movie, but this is the first time the entire story has been revealed-- sort of. This is an entertaining pulp-type novel, but the Holmes and Watson it presents seem to come from an alternate dimension. For one thing, Holmes accepts supernatural and bizarre occurrences much too quickly and easily, and Watson not only beds a married lady and others, but writes gleefully about it in the narrative -- hardly the actions of a gentleman. (Besides, who cares about Watson's sex life?) These are ill-advised attempts to "modernize" or jazz up these famous characters, and they don't work. However, the story itself -- in which Holmes and Watson investigate when a widowed client is murdered, and find themselves embroiled in a far-flung conspiracy as well as with an unknown race and its grot...

A KISS BEFORE DYING . Ira Levin. 1953.  A young man at university has great plans for himself, but his plans seem to go awry when his wealthy girlfriend, Dorothy, gets pregnant. An early marriage, before he has a chance to win over his disapproving father-in-law, will undoubtedly mean that "Dorrie" will be cut off without a penny and that just won't do. Unable to convince Dorothy to get an abortion, he gives her some pills which don't work, and then decides all he can do is do away with dear Dorrie. So he concocts a highly sinister scheme ... A Kiss Before Dying  was Ira Levin's first novel and it was so well-received that it led into a long and successful writing career, with such subsequent books as   Rosemary's Baby, This Perfect Day, The Stepford Wives, The Boys from Brazil   and others. His fiction output was not that extensive -- there were 14 years between   Kiss   and his 2nd novel   Rosemary  -- and he actually wrote more plays than novel...