The Last Moriarty (Volume 1 of the twenty-nine-volume Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James Mystery Series)
GENRE
DETECTIVE ACTION MYSTERY SUSPENSE
Core Theme
INVESTIGATION, AND BEING BRAVE FOR THE SAKE OF OTHER PEOPLE.
TIME PERIOD
19th Century
COMPARABLE TITLES
SHERLOCK, ENDEAVOUR, PRIME SUSPECT, ELEMENTARY, MARPLE
CHARACTER LIST
• SHERLOCK HOLMES: 41. A SUPERIOR INTELLECT, INTRACTABLE, BRAVE.
• LUCY JAMES: 21. CHARMING, FUNNY, SKILLFUL. REVEALED TO BE SHERLOCK’S DAUGHTER.
• JOHN WATSON: 43. EDUCATED, MODEST, SELFLESS. SHERLOCK’S BEST FRIEND AND SIDEKICK.
Logline
On a cold November morning, a young American actress visits 221B Baker Street, desperate for Sherlock Holmes to protect her from the threats of a mysterious, menacing man who has recently appeared in her life. Holmes agrees to help, even though he has just promised the Prime Minister to solve the murder of John D. Rockefeller’s security agent before the incident can derail an upcoming British-American summit. To find the agent’s killer―and help the young actress―Holmes will need all his talents for both deduction and deception. But when another lovely woman, this one from Holmes’s past, reappears and clues to the murder point to the late Professor Moriarty, the famously analytical detective must also look inward. Can Holmes prevent chaos on both sides of the Atlantic and unmask his newest client’s shadowy antagonist? For Holmes and Watson, this is the case that will change everything.
Target Audiences
Age: 35-54,55+,18-34
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
London: 221 B Baker Street, the St. Thomas Hospital, Whitehall, Piccadilly, the Docklands, Clapham Common, Princetown Kent, the Savoy Hotel, the Savoy Theatre, John D. Rockefeller's yacht, JP Morgan's yacht, a warehouse overlooking the yachts at the docklands
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: with a Publisher
Publisher: Thomas and Mercer
Year Published: 2015
Starting Description
Holmes meets the Prime Minister at St. Thomas Hospital and proves that Mr. Rockefeller's security agent has been murdered. Some of the Prime Minister's men want to hush the matter up. Holmes resolves to investigate.
Ending Description
The young actress, Lucy, believes she is the daughter of the late Professor Moriarty, but she nonetheless insists on helping Holmes. With her, Holmes stops a murderous attack on the conference, killing the last members of the Moriarty gang. Finally, Holmes discovers that Lucy is his own daughter.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
Yes
ISBN
ISBN-13 : 978-1477829721
Mature Audience Themes
Extreme Violence
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age, Happy Ending, Meaningful Message, Philosophical Questions, Twist,,Twist
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,,Internal Journey/Rebirth
Main Character Details
Name: Sherlock Holmes
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Decisive, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Heroic, Honorable, Lone Wolf, Adventurous, Aggressive, Confident
Additional Character Details
Name: Lucy James
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive, Beautiful, Charming, Funny, Skillful, Decisive, Educated, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Adventurous, Complex, Outspoken, Strong Moral Code, Blunt, Confident, Heroic
Additional Character Details
Name: Adam Worth
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Confident, Leader, Villainous, Adventurous, Educated, Manipulative, Narcissistic, Unapologetic, Blunt, Extraordinary Powers and Abilities, Skillful, Sophisticated, Aggressive, Badass, Criminal, Greedy, Power-hungry,Villainous,Narcisstic,Power Hungry,Sophisticated,Manipulative
Additional Character Details
Name: John Watson
Age: 43
Gender: Male
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous, Confident, Educated, Modest, Selfless, Strong Moral Code, Perseverance, Empathetic, Faithful, Heroic, Honorable, Masculine, Patriotic,Patriotic,Blunt,Selfless,Empathetic,Faithful,Heroic
Brief
Unofficial Sherlock Holmes novel. The esteemed detective is called by England's Prime Minister to investigate the murder of John D. Rockefeller's security man, on the eve of an important conference.
What We Liked
- Sherlock Holmes is a very famous name in literature and television, and for good reason;
- Very cinematic backdrop;
- This adult thriller with a recognizable brand that's true to its roots would be a fun
theatrical experience.;
- The structure is in place and the pace is fast;
- Witty dialogue and moments of suspense; surprising yet inevitable conclusion.
Synopsis
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are summoned to view a corpse who was an associate of JD Rockefeller, who is in England to attend a summit meeting along with Andrew Carnegie and JP Morgan concerning enhancing England’s naval fleet. Young Johnny Rockefeller is there, and he meets with his old friend Lucy, who is the star of a play at the Savoy theater. When the Prime Minister’s carriage is blown up, Holmes deduces that a foreign government wants to stop the meeting, and this can only be the work of Moriarty’s criminal enterprise - even though Moriarty himself is dead.
At the Savoy Theater, Watson meets a violinist, Rosario, who is concerned that Moriarty is still alive. He was a student of hers, and in fact raped her and she had his child. Lucy asks Holmes’ assistance in finding out who her mother is - Worth is administering her trust and she doesn’t trust him with her life. They find out that she is Rosario’s child and Moriarty is her father. Her trust administrator is Mr. Worth, an unsavory investor in the theater, turns out to be the brother of Moriarty. The theater is providing entertainment before the meeting on the rich American’s yachts. Everyone is in danger, since more dynamite was found to have been stolen recently.
One of Moriarty’s criminal associates, Moran, escapes from prison and Holmes thinks he must be behind the terrorism. Holmes and Watson investigate Worth’s home, and are shot at. There must be a traitor in the government of England since only they knew Holmes would be going there. They go to the prison to investigate Moran and are shot at, but escape on horseback. Back in London, they meet with government officials and find that the traitor is Clevering, who is being blackmailed by the Germans into helping them. When he’s arrested, the police carriage blows up and kills him before he can reveal key information about the espionage.
As the theater troupe prepares on the yacht for their performance before the big meeting, Holmes and Watson find fake bombs in some of the instruments. Holmes thinks the attack will come from the adjacent buildings so they investigate. They’re captured and brought upstairs where Worth is - with a huge gun pointed at the people on the yachts. After some banter, they free themselves and fight with the criminals and kill them all. It’s all over. Holmes turns out to to be Lucy’s real father since he was also a student of Rosario’s and they had an affair. Lucy and her mother Rosario go on a trip to Italy. Moran, however, is still on the loose.