Am I the only person who has never read a James Patterson book ? having read Holmes, Marple and Poe I now know what I have been missing.
Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and August Poe (yes you read that right) purchased an old bakery, in the Brooklyn area of New York, the same bakery where a young girl had previously been murdered. The trio were all Private Investigators and needed to make a name for themselves, they do this by solving the mystery of the disappearing attorney, a mystery that had baffled the powers that be, this was the step on the ladder that they needed, their fame spread and soon the work was piling up.
This story unfolds to find the intrepid trio taking on and solving complicated cases leaving the long suffering, suspicious NYPD in their wake. The NYPD were keeping a close watch, especially Detective Helena Grey who had taken a shine to Auguste Poe.
The author has written wonderful, diverse characters, each with their own little quirks, Holmes with his exaggerated sense of smell, Marple who is sharp as a knife, has a penchant for a tipple of sherry and an unrequited attraction to Holmes and Poe with his passion for high performance cars and a certain NYPD detective, and not forgetting Virginia, the PA who keeps the whole show on the road.
I love the wit and repartee between the characters, I love the authors descriptive powers, I love the short, sharp chapters and mostly I love that no one knows who Holmes, Marple and Poe are, do they exist ? not according to the records, there is no trace. I don't know if this book is the start of a series but in my humble opinion it aught to be.
Thank you to Net Gallery for this ARC

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I like the Womens Murder Club series and realise that the books are co-authored but this seemed to be three separate stories in one book and there was no correlation between the three detectives.

The book was well written and researched but all through one wondered where their names came from but there was no explanation.

I found the book very ponderous and the outcomes were very unsatisfactory and contrived in my opinion.

If this becomes a series then sadly it isnt for me.

I finished the book and felt very underwhelmed and disappointed

Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe run a detective agency in New York City, but who exactly are Holmes, Margaret and Poe?

The story follows the 3 as they tackle a number of crimes, and the authors hint at there being more to the private detectives than meets the eye. I loved how all 3 have traits of their namesake fictional detectives, but at the same time were also very different. The books ends in a way that suggests this may be the start of a series, and I'd definitely read more.

The book is written in the classic Patterson style, with short sharp chapters that hold attention, and very easy to read.

Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe run the most in-demand private investigation agency in New York City. But…. who really are Holmes, Margaret and Poe?
This is a great novel which is hopefully the start to a brand new series!
From the beginning your introduced to 3 very different characters who make up the excellent and successful private investigator firm along with their quirky assistant.
I did guess the outcome of the sub plot very early on, so no surprise in the ending of that part of the story. But overall an enjoyable read

Holmes, Margaret and Poe - James Patterson

If you need a quick fast paced octane delivered read then look no further.

Three New York private investigators, Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe are involved in three cases — a kidnapping an art heist and a massed burial site. At the same time other cases crash in linked to the main stories. The detectives work closely with Detective Grey who gets romantic with Poe and the FBI to solve the crimes. This tale draws you in and you don't put it down until the end.

If I had one criticism it is there felt like there was too much going on and my head was spinning every which way trying to keep up with all the cases at once and it would have been nice to have had more detail in each case to be able to draw breath. However I would certainly read any future adventures of this trio and generally loved the read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

I really rather enjoyed this book. If you've come looking for some hard boiled Private Eye novel, you're in the wrong place. As the title might suggest, there is an element of the tongue in cheek about this book and the characters from whom the title is taken. Don't come expecting some light and fluffy cosy crime either, because it's not that. What we actually have here is a blend of humour, mystery fabulous characters that kept me entertained from start to finish.

I rather liked the characters of Auguste Poe, Margaret Marple and Brendan Holmes. Three Private Detectives setting up a brand new agency, it stands to reason that they need to get some high profile cases under their belts to build their reputation. That is exactly what they get, not necessarily to the pleasure of the NYPD. It's safe to say that their success where the police have failed ruffles more than the odd feather with the top brass. But as for the characters. they are wonderful - very diverse in personality, and with hidden depths the facts of which we only really get the slightest glimpse of during this particular book.

Holmes is a troubled soul, Margaret a woman whose observation and intuition are unrivalled, and Poe the charming partner with an obsession for all things mechanical, and an overwhelming regret which can often lead to melancholy. It's fair to say that they have certain qualities in common with their namesakes, but do not underestimate them as they all have hidden talents too. Margaret, in particular, is a stark contradiction to any and all expectations that her style, and name, may suggest. She is far from the mild mannered busybody of Christie fame. In fact, she's quote hard core. Holmes is hyperosmic, able to smell what others can't which often leads them to a key clue, a 'talent' he manages in very self destructive ways. Poe loves tech and fast cars, but is grieving the loss of a former love, some that maybe Detective Lieutenant Helene Grey, perhaps the only officer on their side, may help him recover from.

The team face a myriad cases over the course of the book, one particular mystery leading them through the majority of the book resulting in some very stark revelations and the darker side of the story line. Some of the cases are more light hearted than others, although all have a bit of an edge, and it's a bit of battle of wits of the reader verses the Detectives to see if you can figure out what has happened before they do. They are a little like vignettes in some cases, a way of establishing the teams credentials and talents for us as readers, whilst the main case - a missing family and a ransom demand - are playing out in the background. There is also the mysterious death of a young woman that happened in the factory the team have converted to their offices, many decades before. The story has captured the attention of Margaret Marple, and one thing you can guarantee is that she will solve it.

I'm hoping that these are characters we are going to see again and that this wasn't a one off. A lot of time has been put into setting up these characters through these smaller cases, and I'd love to see a really in depth investigation through their eyes. Their camaraderie, their banter, and their mysterious back story, have me completely intrigued. Don't tell anyone, but this is actually the first book by or about Holmes, Marple or Poe, but I'd definitely come back for more. Great pacing, fun stories and brilliant characters - what's not to love.

The last thing NYC really needs is another PI business. But one with the names Holmes, Marple and Poe attached? That's going to generate some interest. So just who are these detectives who have taken the surnames of some of fictions best known and most loved amateur detectives and a celebrated author?

They have set up shop in a renovated bakery in Brooklyn - one with its very own murder to solve. They soon get involved in a kidnapping, a murder, artifact theft and more. They irk the local police and FBI and now have their very own watchdog in the shape of Det Lt Helene Grey.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. Each sleuth has some of the characteristics of their namesake such as Holmes and his sense of smell, Maple’s love of a Sherry or Poe’s collection of hot cars. It's quirky and the secondary characters such as Helene and Virginia, who has to be the most capable new PA in the world, really add to the story. We do learn a little of the history of our trio of 'tecs but by the end of the book they are still quite mysterious. I really hope that further stories would let us see "behind the curtain" more.

The pace is quick with shorter chapters to keep the action full throttle. The strands of the various investigations intersect and overlap and you're never quite sure where each investigation is going. Hugely enjoyable and well worth a read.

Thanks first must go to Netgalley, the publisher and James Patterson for the ARC copy of ‘Holmes, Margaret and Poe’. I absolutely love everything James writes and am an avid reader of his and this book again didn’t disappoint. Well written, enticing and revealing in all the correct ways. Was a joy to read and would highly recommend.

Holmes, Margaret and Poe, an interesting clever title for an interesting clever book.
Meet the three private investigators with an intriguing past and a rollercoaster of a present.
As usual from James Patterson the short snappy chapters keep you turning the pages as do the twists in the plots and the brilliant character development. A trio I'd definitely like to hear more from

There is a bit of a mystery about this book, beginning with the title! The main characters surnames are after some very famous fictional detectives and as you read the book, half of you is expecting it to be a joke/one big dream a al Dallas! However it is a decent enough read and at times you do have to somewhat suspend belief to get with the book.

I am a fan of this author and have read most of his books. Unfortunately I have found many of his more recent books fell well below par and some I didn't finish. However this is back to the Patterson style which has me constantly needing to read 'one more chapter '.

I thought the storylines were interesting though a little far fetched at times. For me the greatest attribute were the characters. All very individual, interesting, funny and clearly flawed. I am looking forward to the next book in this series to hopefully learn more about their former lives.

This writer churns out books quicker than I can read them all. Mostly they are very good, but occasionally, like this one, I’m not over impressed. It’s good but not great, having set such high standards previously. This is probably because this felt like several stories connected by a thread. I thought I was reading one book and then it turned into another and when I thought it was ending, it moved into another story. I do expect this to become one of a series because the premise is good. The three detectives held a very different life before this role, but their names and lives had to be changed after they left what they did before. I don’t like the choice of the three names; Marple, Poe and Holmes, because of their obvious links to greatness. I found this idea was more distracting than useful. Nevertheless, this is typical of the writer’s quick and easy read style, making the words move quickly on the page. The need to read with speed is directed by the writer’s pace and style. I will read the next in the series as it can only improve. The range of characters are as good as always.

The first in what I’m sure will be another Patterson influenced detective series, this one in collaboration with Brian Sitts.
Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe run a New York detective agency and surprise surprise they can run rings around the NYPD and the FBI. I found this book very formulaic but enjoyable all the same. I may not want to, but I probably won’t be able to stop myself reading the next in the series!

Holmes, Margaret 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.

I love a good reinvention, from all the many Holmes-es (Charlotte Holmes, Miss Sherlock, etc.) to all the various Van der Valks and Professor T's out there. This first in what I assume will be an extended series where Patterson and Sitts attempt a triple reinvention: of Sherlock Holmes, Miss (Jane) Marple, and ... Auguste Dupin...? Brendan Mark Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe. Did they not trust us to recognise Dupin, here, and so kept Auguste and replaced the detective's name with the author's? Who knows. The inconsistency niggles a little, though, as if the reader is either being condescended to or baited.

I enjoy some of the quirks of well-manufactured examples of this genre, in particular the short chapters, which make this easy to drop in and out of as a commuter read. There is detectively knowingness in all the ways you would expect. The characters are thinly drawn but recognisable, like in all good AU fanfiction, and recognisably distinct from each other. There is inexplicable wealth and an almost preternaturally capable assistant who appears partway through. All the tropes are slotting in nicely. On the other hand, there are odd little celebrity namedrops (Alicia Keys and Adrian Brody...), which I suspect are a Patterson thing, but I haven't read much of his recent output to know for sure.

My primary issue with this was the excess of cases that get introduced over the course of a relatively short book. We have the breakthrough case that introduces Holmes, Marple and Poe to New York—the murder of a young lawyer—and then an assortment of additional ones: grisly cross-generational serial killings; the murder of a young immigrant in the building they now occupy; the theft of two priceless books from an unsavoury billionaire; bringing down an art thief who begins to threaten them; the kidnapping of a man and his stepdaughter; and the murder of a young model from Texas. (And I do wonder whether I've forgotten one or two, although I only finished reading yesterday.)

Some of these weave together, so could reasonably have been combined, but most of them do not. I think these could have been pared back and still achieved the same amount of character development/introduction (which seemed to be their primary purpose).

It all sounded a bit twee - three private investigators called 'Holmes', 'Marple' and 'Poe'. Really? But actually they are all rounded characters, occasionally with a nod to their more famous literary counterparts, and the story itself was really gripping. The three have set up in New York, and having sold one tricky case with maximum publicity, find a queue of potential crimes at their door, ready for solving.

The result is a real rollercoaster, and just like in real life, they have to multi-task, following different clues at the same time. They are not shy of publicity, and bring some unusual talents to help solve cases. I really enjoyed it and hope to read more of the intrepid trio.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Cornerstone for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Huge thanks to the author and publisher for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this, it had such a fun premise, who’d have thought a trio of detectives named after our beloved literary detectives. It was suspenseful and gripping, my only thing was the quickness of the chapters.

Gripping, fast paced and cleverly plotted this was a great detective story with a few twists. The characters were really interesting, plenty of crimes to be solved and some rather lovely relationships unwound. One to read.

The title alone catches your interest as a new PI business opens in New York run by these three main characters – Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe. Lots of fun, lots of mysteries and surprise case twists and short chapters which lead to a fast paced story. Really enjoyed the character interactions and air of mystery surrounding themselves as well as the cases.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This was a readable story with reference to the originals. Some fascinating cases solved in very clever ways. Lots of great interactions and a lovely conclusion.