In Review: Big Finish: Sherlock Holmes: The Fiends of New York City

Synopsis: London swelters during the summer of 1901. In Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes is visited by a peculiar American. He arrives with a warning about a strange new kind of murderer.

In the West End, Dr. John Watson is watching his wife, the actress, Genevieve, prepare for her greatest role to date. Unfortunately, she’s confronted by a terrible ghost from the past.

There are surprising connections between these events. There’s a web of apparent coincidence that soon draws in others. 

Colonel Sebastian Moran, Mycroft Holmes, and a dangerously ambitious young politician all have parts to play. Waiting patiently to finally make her move, the Seamstress of Peckham Rye introduces herself at last.

Review: Sherlock Holmes: The Fiends of New York City continues an excellent storyline. Regrettably, I can’t go into much detail.

First, the mystery is the story. Second, the story ends on a cliffhanger. Put the two together, and the above synopsis will have to suffice.

Story

That said, I can discuss the character beats and thematic developments. These can be divided into two categories for the protagonists and antagonists.

First, I really appreciated how writer Jonathan Barnes furthered the relationship between Watson and Genevieve. The parallels to her new role of Cordelia in King Lear were organically on point.

Second, the Holmes brothers continued to be superb on every level. Creating that sibling dynamic was one of the best choices Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ever made.

However, the most surprisingly affecting pair have to be Lestrade and Fisher. The depth and nuance in Lestrade’s efforts to help his young colleague demonstrate Barnes’ grasp of character.

For their part, the villains are equally layered. The Seamstress’ relationships alone could carry entire box sets in their own right. Indeed, her scenes with Colonel Moran are arguably a highlight of the entire Sherlock Holmes range.

Acting

Nicholas Briggs and Richard Earl remain superb as ever. That said, this set belongs to Juliet Aubrey as The Seamstress.

Deciding to replace Moriarty is one thing. Actually finding an actor to embody that replacement is another thing entirely.

Aubrey’s Seamstress not only credibly inhabits the Sherlock Holmes universe. She could also take part in the wider Big Finish universe as well. I would love to hear Aubrey play opposite Neve McIntosh’s Madame Vastra, Alexander Vlahos’ Dorian Gray, or Blake Ritson’s Dr Kemp. 

Overall

Thank you, Big Finish, for another wonderful box set. I can’t wait to hear how the cliff-hanger plays out.

You can purchase Sherlock Holmes: The Fiends of New York City here.