The Strangest Forms

The Adventures of Holloway Holmes, Book 1

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Greg Tremblay

Watson is dead. Holmes is alone. And Jack is desperate.

Sixteen-year-old Jack Moreno is managing to hold his life together. Barely. After a terrible car accident leaves his father unable to work, Jack makes ends meet by dropping out of school and covering his dad’s custodial shifts at a school for troubled teens, high in the Wasatch Mountains. Everything is going all right until the night Jack finds Sarah Watson—yes, descendant of that Watson—dead.

When the icy but intriguing Holloway Holmes—yes, descendant of that Holmes—learns of Watson’s death, he is determined to discover the killer on his own. But Jack and his father are the prime suspects in the official investigation, and Jack refuses to sit by and wait.

In an uneasy alliance with Holmes, Jack must hurry to learn what really happened to Sarah Watson, which means facing down a Moriarty, unearthing secrets and blackmail, and trying to solve the other murder at the Walker School, one that happened more than 20 years before. Working together is the only way Jack and Holmes might find the killer before he catches up with them, but both boys are keeping secrets of their own—secrets that threaten the fragile trust they’ve managed to build between them.

©2023 Gregory Ashe (P)2023 Gregory Ashe

Excellent new YA series

This is the first book of a wonderful new YA series. This is the adventures of Holloway Holmes (yes a descendent) and Jack. It begins with the murder of “a Watson” discovered by Jack and launches these two 16 year old boys into an intriguing who dunnit. But this is so much more than that. Both boys come from dramatically different backgrounds, and both have been traumatized by past events. Around that is this legacy history of the Holmes, Watson, and Moriarty descendants that have apparently decided to uphold each respectively legacy in mysterious ways. Not doubt that will be explored in future books.

The relationship between Holloway and Jack is a slow burn. Jack is bi-sexual and has a girlfriend. Holloway is still figuring out his sexuality and is burdened with his family’s legacy complete with a dysfunctional family life. There is obvious chemistry between the boys, but as this is a YA book, no explicit on page sex. The mystery, as is GA’s style, is full of twists and turns and red herrings. Solved in the end with a “twist.” All and all I loved it and can’t wait for more.

This is a HFN but satisfying end and an eagerness for more adventures with this couple. Greg Trembly is one of the best voice actors in the business and he delivers a masterful performance. A++++ Highly recommended.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Another winner from Greg Ashe

I gave this book a four-star review and am waffling between four and five here. (Bear in mind that I'm stingy with five-star ratings.) I'm basically delighted by this Sherlock Holmes–related series and even more delighted that the main characters bear striking resemblances to my all-time favorite Greg Ashe characters, Jem and Tean (though they're definitely not the same people, not at all). YA/NA isn't my favorite genre, because I'm easily frustrated by the foolish choices made by teens, but the opportunities for growth (obviously) and character development are certainly rewarding.

The narration was very good, though I don't think British accents are one of Greg Tremblay's strong points.

I'm mildly side-eyeing the "Holmeses, Watsons, and Moriartys are fated to interact across the generations" concept, but that's a quibble. Overall, I was engrossed and will be eagerly awaiting the audio version of book two. Bring it on!

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

Nice to meet you fellas!

Talented is an author who can create so many characters with completely different personalities. You would think that now that Mr. Ashe has written several series, the characters would blend like members of the same family. But no. The seemingly robotic façade of Holloway Holmes has become my new favorite iteration of the mystery-solver. As always, I was able to fall into the mystery with ease. I look forward to continuing down the sleuth-y path with these young fellas and, dare I hope, a new romance?

I’ve listened to this narrator many times in the past and he’s a solid listen every time.

I'm loving Jack and Holmes

Really enjoyed this first book of a new series by Greg Ashe, and Greg Tremblay is a fantastic narrator. His narration brings the characters to life.

A spin on the Holmes you didn't know you needed

Ok, first of all - I swear Gregory Ashe can make me love anything. A YA tale that takes place in modern times and tells the story of the Holmes descendants - from the POV of Jack (not The Ripper).

The book is clever. It has a depth to it that I wasn't expecting and it hit really close to home. I love when books surprise me, and though I figured out some stuff early on, the story did very much capture my attention. It was a surprise that I would enjoy it as much as I have.

If you love Sherlock Holmes and Watson, you might be uncomfortable with some of the liberties taken, but it is worth it. I love how Ashe adds nods to the original tales and respects the lore while adding his own voice to it.

Look - it's a fun mystery with great characters, drama, and the kind of frustration only teenagers can induce. It's perfection.