Did not realise this was the fourth book in a series and I have not read and do not have access to the first three. I dislike reading series out of order even if they can be and I'm not sure if this one can or not

James Lovegrove really knows how to write Sherlock Holmes stories well, and the genre mash-up is always a fun ride. The cosmic horror, sci-fi, mystery soup is Lovegrove's specialty and he's in top form here. All of the Cthulhu Casebooks are very enjoyable, and this one is a great addition to the series, although it would also work well as a standalone. Highly recommended for fans of Holmes and/or Lovecraft.

I've been a fan of James Lovegrove for many years now, and his Sherlock Holmes stories are always a pleasure to return to. This is a definite highlight of the series, with emphasis on the gothic that kept me held to the pages!

I loved the return to London, Holmes' traditional stomping ground, but also the broader tale, familiar faces and the undercurrent of horror and threat that pervades the mystery. Lovegrove nails Watson's narrative voice perfectly, and it's great to see Conan Doyle and HPL work together in this way. The original Holmes may not have been a fan of magic, but his author certainly was, so this pairing seems a natural match.

I've been returning to this series recently with the audiobooks (excellently narrated and equally immersive), with this next on the Audible stack to reread soon.

Always a recommend.

James Lovegrove's Holmes stories are always an entertaining mix of horror and classic Holmes story as they maintain the charm of the original stories and are able to add some very chilly moments.
This one is a gripping and well plotted story that kept me on the edge. I had fun and enjoyed it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

James Lovegrove is a name that fans of the Titan Books Sherlock Holmes novels will know well, as he’s written a number of books for them, including festive mysteries, and a sequel to The Hound of the Baskervilles. But he’s also veered somewhat away from the traditional Holmes tales on occasion, blending horror into the world of the consulting detective with The Cthulhu Casebooks series. As the title suggests, this series of books brings the work of H.P. Lovecraft to that of Sherlock Holmes, and crafts a story where Holmes and Watson face off against otherworldly horror in order to protect our world from begins of cosmic power.

The Cthulhu Casebooks: Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors might be the fourth book in this series, but it’s as accessible as if it were the first, and doesn’t rely on the reader having knowledge of what came before. As with the original stories, the books are written in such a way that they’re episodic and isolated, with only small references to things that have come before. This book tells several short stories set in this universe, all of which could stand on their own as superb supernatural tales, but together make for a wonderful collection.

Despite blending these two classic literary worlds together the book never loses the charm that the Sherlock Holmes stories have, and it’s still very much one of his books. I’ve read a lot of pastiches where Holmes is blended with other properties or genres, and there are occasions when that melding becomes a bit too much, and the book basically ceases to resemble what it was drawing from. Lovegrove knows how to avoid this, and can have Sherlock Holmes confronting zombies and monstrous creatures whilst still being the same character that you’ve read in the original tales.

Whilst the reading experience for this book is enriched if you have already read the other books in the series, its ability to stand on its own means that anyone leaning towards reading it can pick it up and try it out. It acts as both a great companion piece to the series, and a stand-alone book that fans of the two genres can enjoy.

Having previously read books by this author, I have enjoyed his interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. More recently, I have taken in an interest in reading Lovecraftian horror, so I was excited to be approved for a copy of this.

Based on my previous experiences of Lovegrove's work, he captures his characters and brings them to life very well, as well as creating an atmosphere. I felt he did the same here, and this book was a very interesting combination of classic detective fiction and eerie horror. There are other titles in the Cthulhu Casebooks series, so I will look into reading them also.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors by James Lovegrove is the final book in the Cthulhu Casebooks. The narrator is always Dr Watson and deals with supernatural/alien cases which Watson never revealed.

Lovegrove captures the essence of the Conan Doyle novels and adds to the mix a good dose of Lovecraftian horror.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publishers for the ARC! I love a good re-telling of Sherlock Holmes! I'm not a huge fan of H.P Lovecraft and haven't had a ton of experience with his works, but my brother in law is a huge fan. So, even for someone with limited Lovecraft knowledge I really enjoyed this, Would recommend to all my fellow Sherlock fans & Dr. Watson fans.

Yet another great book in this series, it’s really good fun to see the world of sherlock Holmes interspersed with HP lovecraft

"Cthulhu Casebooks - Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors" by James Lovegrove is a thrilling addition to the world of Sherlock Holmes, merging the brilliant detective's investigative prowess with the eldritch horrors of the Cthulhu mythos.

Set in 1929, the story is narrated by Dr. John Watson, who, aware of his impending mortality, decides to document the untold tales that provide the real events behind his previously published accounts of Sherlock Holmes's adventures. In this volume, readers are treated to a series of chilling and mysterious cases that bring Holmes and Watson face to face with the eerie and supernatural.

The cases range from reanimated corpses haunting Highgate Cemetery to encounters with a very different Irene Adler. Lovecraftian elements weave seamlessly into the narrative, introducing grotesque organic machines, tales of madness and murder in the Arctic, and the enigmatic Mi-Go aliens with their sinister designs for Earth. Each case brings Holmes and Watson closer to unraveling the terrifying truth lurking beneath the surface.

James Lovegrove masterfully captures the essence of both the Sherlock Holmes and Lovecraftian genres. The language and tone mimic Arthur Conan Doyle's writing style, immersing readers in the familiar world of Victorian-era London. The seamless integration of Lovecraft's cosmic horror elements adds depth and intrigue to the narrative.

One of the strengths of this book lies in its ability to maintain suspense and mystery throughout. Lovegrove keeps readers on the edge of their seats, constantly questioning what is real and what is supernatural. The dynamic between Holmes and Watson remains as engaging as ever, and their characters are true to the originals, with Holmes's deductive genius and Watson's steadfast loyalty shining through.

"Cthulhu Casebooks - Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors" is a captivating and skillful blend of two iconic literary universes. It offers an engaging narrative filled with mystery, suspense, and the eerie dread of Lovecraft's cosmic horrors. Fans of Sherlock Holmes, Lovecraft, and historical mysteries will find this novel a delightful and chilling read that pays homage to both classic genres.