Book Review: Warlock Holmes: The Finality Problem by G.S. Denning
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Warlock Holmes: The Finality Problem by G.S. Denning
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 5 of Warlock Holmes
Publisher: Titan Books (August 5, 2020)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Until I read this, I didn’t realize how much I needed the laugh. Also considering The Finality Problem is the fifth book in the Warlock Holmes series, I was pleased to find this was one of the funniest and most entertaining installments yet!
Picking up from the end of the previous book, The Finality Problem begins with an agitated John Watson feeling quite lost and cast adrift following his ban from 221B Baker Street, which Warlock Holmes had enacted for his partner’s own safety. Furthermore, the wizard had taken an extra step and soul-bound Watson to a wealthy wife he cannot stand, in the hopes that his new domestic duties would keep him out of trouble, but that plan soon proved to be unsuccessful. Now that his eyes have been opened to the magical world, nothing can keep Watson from seeking out his own supernatural cases to solve. After all, in this humorous retelling by G.S. Denning, it is Watson who is the real brains behind the operation while Holmes is a dopey but well-meaning demonologist detective who often stumbles into his successes by accident.
Still, what is Holmes without Watson, and Watson without Holmes? The two of them need each other, and despite his partner’s insistence on keeping him away, Watson is determined to prove to he is not afraid of a bit of danger. No sooner had the duo reunited for their next adventure, however, than that conviction is about to be tested. As always, the shadow of Moriarty looms over our characters, which may or may not have something to do with the unleashing of a great terrible evil, heralding the coming of a demon apocalypse.
Once again, it was a joy to return to this uproariously funny series which reimagines Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic characters with a unique and magical twist. Besides the first book, because nothing can beat the original, this might be my favorite one so far. I continue to delight in how Denning has remained true to the source material while still adding plenty of new and original ideas to make this world his own. The version of Holmes and Watson seen here may have a completely different dynamic, but they nonetheless share a bond that is rich and genuine, a point that still comes through despite the series’ lighter, tongue-in-cheek tones. It’s also tempting to underestimate Warlock or write him off to be a complete nitwit, but his protectiveness of Watson in this book reveals a depth of character that’s easy to miss unless you dig deeper.
I also think the fact that the storyline is so strong despite the two main characters spending so much time apart is a testament to how far this series has come. Like the other novels, The Finality Problem is written from Watson’s point-of-view and is structured in a way that ties together a sequence of mini-vignettes containing their own mystery in order to make a whole. However, there’s also an all-encompassing series arc that I believe is only working as well as it is right now because of how invested readers have been made to feel towards the characters. Both Warlock and Watson have strong motivations and individual goals that help keep the overall narrative interesting even when they are not working a case together.
Another pleasant surprise was that the humor has not subsided a single bit. More than once I found myself laughing out loud at many of the clever jokes, and it’s good to see that Denning’s wit and sense of timing has only grown sharper over time. Since the comedy and entertainment value is one of the main reasons I keep returning to this series, I’m so glad to see this aspect remain strong. It’s nice that I can always count on the hilarity of a Warlock Holmes book to brighten up my day, or to help lift me out of a reading slump.
Once again, I just can’t praise these books enough and feel as a whole that this series is severely underrated and deserves more attention. I always finish each volume wishing it didn’t have to end so soon and praying that it won’t be the last, so here’s hoping the author will continue writing more Warlock Holmes adventures.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of A Study in Brimstone (Book 1)
Review of The Hell-Hound of the Baskervilles (Book 2)
Review of My Grave Ritual (Book 3)
Review of The Sign of Nine (Book 4)
The BiblioSanctum 
I think I really need to give this series a try – you sell it all too well, Mogsy! 😅
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I remember reading about this series and being intrigued, but your comment about it being “uproariously funny” just turned it into a priority! 🙂 We are all in dire need of a good laugh…
Thanks for sharing!
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Indeed! In these times, we all need a bit of humor in our lives 🙂
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Nice, another sherlock i can add to my list for my sundays with sherlock reviews. Great post👍🏻
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this one would make a great addition to your feature 🙂
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Great review, Mogsy. 🙂 A magical twist to the Sherlock Holmes’ books sounds nice. Will need to check it out.
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Glad I was able to put it on your radar!
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I’ve got this series on my tbr. Just waiting for a good place to add it. Even if this book isn’t the final one, does it end in such a way as to make you feel like you HAVE to read the next one?
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Well, it’s hard for me to say, because I ALWAYS want to read the next one 😛 But it does end in an “okay” place if that’s what you mean, but none of the books so far have been really that bad when it comes to leaving you high and dry on cliffhangers. It’s clear there’s definitely more story though, and I REALLY hope things doesn’t end here 😀
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That is all I needed to know, thanks! 🙂
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I wish I were reading this series, it would be nice to read something that makes me laugh out loud!
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Yeah, I really needed this mood lifter!
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I’m putting this series on my list. We can all surely do with a laugh these days. Thanks fort the review, Mogsy.
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I absolutely agree! We need humor in our lives now more than ever!
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Glad to see this series is still enjoyable! I think I have the first one in my TBR from when you had mentioned the series previously. I need to get on that haha. 🙂
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That’s awesome! I hope you can get to it soon! 🙂
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I’m amazed I haven’t stumbled across this before! A good laugh sounds just the thing – thanks!
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I think this series is so underrated! I’m glad I was able to put it on your radar 🙂
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Do they borrow plot from the original stories, or mostly characters, background, behaviors, setting, etc? I often shy away from these sorts of “retellings” but I think I’ll have to keep my eyes (and mind) open to this one. I love the idea of something light and humorous.
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It’s sort of a mix, but yes, he definitely borrows heavily from the source material but also makes up a lot of his own stuff, especially when it comes to Holmes’ behavior and of course the paranormal setting. I think there’s enough to make it the best of both worlds 🙂
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I have just nicked across to Amazon and got the first one on KU… Thank you for the recommendation – I really could use a good laugh after reading a rather intense historical thriller!
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I am so happy to hear that! I hope you’ll enjoy it, I remember the first one was soooo funny! 😀
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Thank you, Mogsy:)). I’m in dire need of a splash of escapist humour with my reading right now. This bleeping year just goes ON getting worse…
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I read 2, I should get back to them 🙂
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You should catch up, yes yes yes! 😀
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I could do with some lol moments and I do already have book No.1 So what’s stopping me? apart from a burgeoning tbr, a severe lack of time and massive guilt about starting and not completing so many series already, still,… you do sell this.
Lynn 😀
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LOL! Well, I can understand that feeling 😛
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