Sheridan Haynes is currentlyplaying Sherlock Holmes on a TV series. The series has been a success and Sheridan is thrilled to be playing the part of his idol. It is a dream come true. But now it is looking like the series may be cancelled.

A series of murders occur, that seem to be unrelated. The Press had dubbed them the Karate Killings, as the method of murder is a blow to the back of the head. Sheridan announces that he can solve the crimes using methods that Sherlock Holmes used. Is it a publicity stunt or does he really think he can solve it.

Chief Superintendent Roger Devenish is in charge of the case. When Haynes makes his statement, Devenish states that he does not need the assistance of a Holmes want-to-be, but if Haynes feels he can find the murderer then he is welcome to try. Just don't get in Devenish's path. Devenish is a blustery type similar to Lestrade.

Meanwhile Val, Haynes' wife, thinks Haynes has tossed his marbles. She is also busy having a bit of an affair with Haynes' agent.

It is a fun read. There are no bones that Haynes isn't Sherlock Holmes. It seems that he is just trying to channel the great detective. Haynes also has a Watson to work with his Holmes! ( )

interesting story with satisfactory solution. ( )

Actor Sheridan Haynes is really Sherlock Holmes. Well, not really. But he does play him in a British television program. He has a bit of an obsession about the detective. They share the same initials. He even has a flat on Baker Street. If only life were as simple as it is in the books.

In real life, his Watson is an open homosexual, which bothers the intensely private Haynes. His wife is sleeping with the producer. They've rewritten his scripts to include a hint of romance. Traffic is horrible. And everyone seems to be laughing at him.

So when a new series of murders has all of London talking, Holmes - I mean Haynes - is determined to solve the case. Using the great detective's own methods, surely he can identify the murderer before Scotland Yard!

He starts by finding his own set of Baker Street Irregulars. The suspects - none other than his fellow cast members. Haynes seems to be getting close enough in his investigation to get himself into danger. Things escalate until no one - not Haynes, not the police, and not the reader - can tell who to trust.

I really enjoyed this book. The ending and the identity of the murderer was in question almost until the very end of the book. So many people looked guilty. This is more of a psychological mystery than a straight murder. Symons is brilliant at creating this sort of book, where you don't know what to expect at all. If you like cozy mysteries, this is very different, but if you prefer a book where there are more shades of gray than black and white, you will like this one. A well done twist on the classic Holmes story. ( )

Sheridan Haynes (sort of a cross between Charles Paris and Jeremy Brett) is a TV actor who is typecast as Holmes. He gets to do his Holmes stuff in real life. Excellent.