The classic horror novel "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson ends with the evil Hyde permanently taking over virtuous Jekyll's identity and, having left a confession, taking his own life. But what if Jekyll didn't really die but had been thrown onto a ship bound overseas and then suffered from years of amnesia? When attorney and beneficiary of the Jekyll estate Mr. Utterson finds someone has taken over Jekyll's old mansion, claiming to be the long-lost doctor, Utterson can't help but think he's a fraud.

But what if he isn't? The new "Jekyll" seems to know everything about everyone who was formerly in his life and is endlessly charming and kind to all, even the suspicious Utterson. But strange things are afoot too and there are some mysterious deaths of those who ostensibly know the most about Jekyll. It's no surprise that Utterson begins to question his own sanity, a path that leads nowhere good. Soon the paranoia wraps Utterson completely, to the concern of his friends and colleagues. Who is this Jekyll person?

In the style of the original novella, "Dr Jekyll & Mr Seek" proves to be a short, breezy, and entertaining read that faithfully continues the story and serves as a surprisingly ingenious (and ambiguous) sequel. Recommended, but read the original first for maximum effect.

This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it. thanks for letting me have an advance copy. I'm new to this author.

A great, fun book paralleling Stevenson’s classic tale. Have recommended to my students who have enjoyed the novella.

This is a great retelling of the original Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, set 7 years after the events of that book.
I highly enjoyed this book it was slow and creepy, while been completely immersive and atmospheric.
Definitely recommend for those who enjoy a spooky read set in London at this time of the Scott!

I am currently purchasing books for our secondary school library for our senior students. I am trying to provide a balance of genres and periods and really try and introduce them to a wide range of modern fiction. This book would definitely go down well with a hypercritical teenage audience as it has a bit of everything - great characterisation and a narrative style that draws you in and keeps you reading whilst also making you think about a wide range of issues at the same time. I think that school libraries are definitely changing and that the book we purchase should provide for all tastes and reflect the types of books that the students and staff go on to enjoy after leaving school. The Military Wife is the kind of book that you can curl up with and totally immerse yourself in and I think it will definitely go down well at my school. I think that it was the perfect blend of page-turning fiction with a literary twist. I think it would be a big hit with our seniors and will definitely recommend that we buy a copy as soon as we can.

A really interesting idea for a sequel to Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde. Being a modern telling (and from a different author) the writing is different but does still hold some of Stevenson's style. It evokes the gothic style of Victorian London well and the characters are well-rounded.

A very respectful sequel that can be read as a stand-alone too.

A thrilling sequel to the original Jekyll and Hyde, as told through the eyes of the good doctor's friend in the years proceeding the original events. The tone and writing style stayed true to the original work and breathed new life into the story, which I was very happy to read.

I really, really wanted to love this. I love Gothic literature, and The Mysterious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was one of the first that I read. I loved how weird and dark they were, and how they spun the supernatural in it as if it were real life. The original Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is all of that shoved into a novella, so it was just my thing. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek, the so-called sequel, took everything I loved about the original, and threw it out the window.

I'm not trying to say that the idea was bad or that the author did a horrible job doing it. I just think . . . O'Neill went about writing a sequel to the original in the wrong manner. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek attempts to follow the general outline of the first while giving it it's own spin. It doesn't do a good job of that. O'Neill warps Gabriel Utterson's character to serve his idea of what the sequel should be, and it just didn't mold with the old story. It felt artificial, like he was using the old story to benefit his.

What really frustrated me was the ending. Without spoiling it, I Just have to say that O'Neill tried shoving a very odd ending in a space it didn't fit into. And yes, I'm aware that the old one did a similar thing, but the difference is this: While this sequel shoved all of the explanation into the last chapter, the original spread out a few hints here and there, pointing to the fact that Jekyll was doing something a little impossible. In this one? All there is an explanation that points to facts that were barely there, and that, when explained, didn't make much sense.

Final Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Overall?
This book is the definition of trying to be something it's not, and failing miserably. O'Neill's writing wasn't bad, and it echoed the classic Gothic writing pretty well. However, the story didn't fit what it was trying to be, and nothing clicked with me. I hate what was done with the characters, and how Utterson was diminished to . . . well, his character was ruined.

Would I Recommend?
If you like Gothic literature, maybe. Like I said, it echoes the feeling of classic Gothic lit very well. It's just, if you're a fan of the original Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I would maybe skip this. So many things happened and weren't explained, and it just wasn't worth the time it took to read.

I started this but couldn't get into it and haven't finished it. I haven't read the original so maybe that is part of the problem. Not for me.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36175083-dr-jekyll-and-mr-seek" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504458492m/36175083.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36175083-dr-jekyll-and-mr-seek">Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/220734.Anthony_O_Neill">Anthony O'Neill</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2123914421">2 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
NETGALLEY #2<br /><br />Many thanks to Anthony O' Neill, Black & White Publishing, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.<br /><br />"If he be Mr. Hyde," he had thought; " I shall be Mr. Seek."-R L Stevenson<br /><br />Good lord, Utterson be any more greedy? Regardless of the mystery of " Is he or isn't he?" I found Utterson's behavior atrocious. Constantly talking of possessions, deeds, culinary specialties. And his collection of canes is close to obsessive, but it is a bright connection to the original story. Utterson truly lost all sense of rationality in his pursuit of truth, which ultimately led to his ruin. <br />I thought this book deviated from the personality given this character in the original book. He seemed more concerned with winning his earnings than reuniting with his friend, or possibly reuniting. He was losing everything he had set all of his hopes on down to his woman. Sore loser. <br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6595648-bam-the-bibliomaniac">View all my reviews</a>

Dr Jekyll and Mr Seek not only convincingly reimagines Stevenson's novel, but it does so in such a way that expands on and enhances the original. O'Neill's writing puts us very convincingly in the world of Victorian London; everything from the setting, style, and even narrative structure is reminiscent of Stevenson. The novel starts as a Gothic romp in Victorian London, but it quickly unravels. As Utterson fights to prove the new Jekyll is an impostor, he is assailed by doubts and mistrust. The Gothic romp becomes a deeply unsettling portrayal of a deteriorating mind, of madness and obsession. A dark and discomforting tribute to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, this is also an excellent read in its own right.

I honestly could tell by the writing of the first 2 chapters that it wouldn't be a good fit for our box and had to put it down. I may read it again in the future!

So I had high expectations going into this one. "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" is one of my personal favourite classics and I love how in the original, the twist about the two men being the same isn't revealed until the very end of the novel. So I was interested to see how a sequel could live up to the original.

"Dr Jekyll and Mr Seek" more than managed the task. The creepy, gaslit Victorian feel of it was spot-on and it really fit the writing style of the original, making it seem a natural continuation. I barely put the book down, I was so obsessed to see how it would all work out and enjoyed every twist and turn. Utterson is such an obviously unreliable witness too that it's hard to completely trust his version of events.

My only wish would have been for a more obvious ending which resolved the drama, but that would have just been the icing on the cake for one of the best books I've read recently.

The events of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Seek take place seven years after the death of Mr. Hyde when a mysterious man arrives in town claiming to be Dr. Jekyll. The book is told from the point of view of Jekyll's lawyer and someone very close to the man named Gabriel Utterson. Utterson finds himself trying to uncover the mystery behind this man. This leads him on a perilous path which ultimately leads him to him questioning his own sanity and losing it. I have not read the book this one follows from, but know the premise and can appreciate the approach the author took in an attempt to make this a sequel. There were a few things I had issue with regarding this book. I had a hard time connecting to Utterson and understanding what was driving him to make certain decisions. He just seemed to spiral out of control for no reason at times. I also felt like there was no real resolution to the story. It just ended with a lot of unanswered questions, especially about the mysterious man calling himself Jekyll that the book revolves around. Interesting concept, but the book was a bit short and the story could have been developed a bit better.

7 years after the death of Mr.Hyde and the mysterious disappearance of Dr.Jekyll,the doctor reappears in London and lays claim on all of Dr.Jekyll's assets. Mr.Utterson,chief beneficiary of the doctor's estate,knows that this Dr.Jekyll is a fraud. He,and only he,read the confession of Dr.Jekyll. Unfortunately, he kept everything to himself so not to sully the good doctor's name. The impostor(is he?)wriggles his way back into society. His esteemed friends are all convinced that he is the real Dr.Jekyll. Only Mr.Utterson remains more than sceptical. And then accidents,deathly accidents,start to happen. Mr.Utterson is more than ever determined to unmask this fiend. But will he succeed...?
This is a very well written(short)novel,it keeps the reader's attention, there is an increasing tension and the return of Dr.Jekyll is not to be dismissed lightly.

Short sharp, well paced. tightly rewritten callback to the classic.

If ever a novel did not demand a sequel it is the beautifully formed Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but reason not the need when there is a writing challenge
Set some years after the original the story is narrated by the lawyer and friend of Dr Jekyll who has been in change of his effects and property since his mysterious disappearance after the death of Mr Hyde. Mr Gabriel Utterson is also the only person who is in possession of the true facts-he knows Jekyll to be dead because he has read his confession about the experiments resulting in his split personality. Utterson now must make the decision under law to declare Jekyll dead so the estate can be distributed, and he will take possession of the house. He may have a slight underlying motive as since the demise of Jekyll he has been looking after a widow called Nora Spratling. A collector of hearts is Nora and Utterson is another who for many years has nurtured an attachment he knows is unlikely to be returned.
Just as the date arrives to legally declare him dead a person arrives claiming to be Jekyll and takes possession of the house, even changing the locks so Utterson cannot gain entry. Utterson determines to find out the truth and so begins another mystery story even darker than the original. It’s a clever and carefully plotted tale that will make even those who read the original question the events in it. It’s not overly long but a succession of events rolls up, faster and faster until the satisfying conclusion.
It would be worth re-reading the original story first to get more of a fix on the characters here. The slightly awkward exposition at the beginning of the book tries to quickly explain the story as the two characters of Utterson and his friend Enfield exchange information for our benefit. Other than that, though it works well as a direct follow on to the original with enough content to make it an entertaining read. Told in a very clever, faux-Victorian style we are quickly drawn into the whirlpool of madness, desire, danger and fear. It’s a dark tale indeed with uncertainty marking every step we take.
The idea of the split personality and divided self was very popular in Victorian times. Subsequently the adoption of Freudian ideas and studies on mental health make the story even more relevant. At its heart though this is a mystery imagined in the gaslight streets of old London unleashing the repressed desires of the main character and making us doubt the words on the page. A veritable penny-dreadful.

This book is one of the cleverest I've read. Ever. I loved The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde so when I was approved on Netgalley to read this book I was thrilled, if a little nervous that it wouldn't live up to the original, or my expectations. I needn't have worried on either count.

Anthony uses evocative descriptions and a clever recap to draw us back into the world of Dr Henry Jekyll, who disappeared prior to this novel, leaving his close friend Utterson set to inherit his entire estate of he does not return within 7 years. Utterson believes, from papers left by Jekyll, that his friend is dead.

Then a butler answers the door to the Jekyll home claiming he has returned and Utterson sets out to prove him an impostor. At times, Uttersons actions are completely outrageous and I loved seeing this side of him.

There is a great continuation of characters from the original story, and the format (Utterson's tale followed by a statement) mimics the format of the original.

Anthony offers us a very plausible alternative to the well-known story of Dr Henry Jekyll, which makes the reader doubt everything they have previously known about the doctor. We also have several possible truths in this story and it is difficult to be sure whose version of events is the reality.

I loved that it kept me guessing and doubting until the end. This was the perfect follow-up to Jekyll and Hyde's story and anyone who considers themselves a fan of the original should read this: I promise you will not be disappointed.

This book just didn't live up to the hype for me. It started off great, and then it became boring and redundant, and the ending left a lot to be desired.

It is just a week short of seven years since Mr Hyde was found dead and Dr Jekyll disappeared. Mr Utterson, who was Jekyll’s closest friend, confidant, and legal adviser, is his only beneficiary. But then he hears that a man claiming to be Jekyll has moved into the house Utterson expected to occupy. He is sure this man is an imposter – in fact, he has irrefutable proof that Dr Jekyll, the real Dr Jekyll has been dead these seven years. But it seem like everyone else is convinced he is Dr Jekyll returned and many of them assume that Utterson’s attempts to discredit the fellow are based on his lost fortune. But then all of the people who could possibly unmask the man start dying, albeit in what appear accidental ways, Utterson is driven to extreme measures:

<i>If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek</i>

Dr Jekyll and Mr Seek is yet another sequel to another classic books, in this case, Robert Louis Stevenson”s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. But I have to say author Anthony O’Neill does an excellent job of recreating not only the period of the original but Stevenson’s style of writing including evoking the same sinster atmosphere. In Utterson, he provides the perfect protagonist for this Gothic tale - an unreliable narrator and a fascinating portrait of a man who may or may not be descending into madness so that the reader is never sure of how much, if anything, is real. This is one creepy good read perfect for those dark winter days ahead.

Thanks to Netgalley and Black & White Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review