Title: A Study in Emerald
Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrator: Jouni Kopen
Pages: 9
Genre: Fiction
Dewey Decimal: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Cost: $0
This is clearly an homage to Sherlock Holmes. But that's what makes it so much fun to listen to (or read). I'm still a bit of a "Gaiman virgin*" as I've only watched Stardust and listened to A Study in Emerald. I keep hearing great things about his other work and how people treat him as a literary god. So far, I'm pleased with his work, but still reluctant to worship his work.
In this short story there is a bit of a mystery involving the death of a royal family member. Most oddly the royal line sounds like a bunch of insects. I kept getting images of green blood and a praying mantis-like head. Aside from that, the mysterious inspector enlists the help of a wounded soldier for his newest case. The inspector solves the case and lays a trap for the two killers. But of course it doesn't end as simply as that.
Not too shabby for a brief, and free, read/listen. It was easy to follow and quick to read through. Certainly suggested for all the short-story fans out there (especially since it won the 2004 Hugo Award for Best Short Story)
* There is soooo much you can read into this phrase, I'll just let you think of them all for me.
6 comments:
I LOVED American Gods. It's one of my all time favorites!
It's on my list and better yet, my library just got a copy!
Mmm. Gaiman. Delicious.
John is right - American Gods is amazing - one of my favorite books. Also AMAZING (I've read it three times and I almost never re-read) is Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Amazing.
Check it out.
So far I'm okay with Gaiman, and of course I like his first name. We'll see when I pick up something longer to see if I like it.
Not insects, Great Old Ones from the Cthulhu Mythos...
Jacob - Thanks for the clarification. Never was a big on bugs or Cthulhu.
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