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Reviewer: veradee Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 11/16/2005 07:50 pm Title: Epilogue

I came across your fourth story by accident and decided to start at the beginning instead. This is a delightful story. It must be at least 15 years ago that I read any story by Conan Doyle, but your story seems as if it were the "real thing". I think you have managed to capture Holmes' character very well. I read your other reviews and just want to remark that there is this film by Billy Wilder where Holmes is gay, if I remember it correctly. But I think he and Watson are no couple.

Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review! And yes, I heartily recommend reading from the beginning! *nods* Especially by the fourth one. I haven't seen any films with gay!Holmes, but actually if you read the canon you'll notice that he wasn't. Watson was a ladies man to the core and Holmes - well, he distanced himself emotionally from such things but there are signs he noticed girls. :D Again thank you for the kind words, we really do try to keep the flavour of the times and canon. ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/11/2005 05:19 pm Title: Epilogue

*gives standing ovation* Hurrah! This was just wonderful, ladies! Most definitely earns its place in the Featured Stories box, and I shall pimp it to all I can! I hope the dearth of reviews isn't bothering you at all; some of the best fics I've read at SH had few reviews when I read them, for reasons I have yet to figure out. *shrugs* But it certainly has zero bearing on the quality of the fic. This must have taken ages to put together, and the careful research really shows, and pays off. Your characters are also very believable and lively, the dialogue is great, and the mystery itself is wonderfully executed. *wanders off to find some Holmes/Watson slashfics…* (You understand, of course, that I have zero information about these two, and have therefore made them out, in my mind, to be handsome thirty-somethings. If they are actually incontinent sixty-somethings, don't ruin it for me just yet, OK?) ;-) ~Lee

Author's Response: LOL...good luck on the slash fics. Personally I can't see that pair, but hey to each his own. Again thank you so much for all your reviews...and I see in my inbox that you are pimping us via Yahoo! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!! You've made my month! Really! We worked really damn hard on this (not that we don't on the Snape one either!), and I'm thrilled with the response it has gotten here and on ffn. Please, please come back when we post the next one...I'm sure you'll love it (though again...sorry...no slash...*looks very apologetic*). Merci beaucoup, Lee. You are the sweetest! ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/11/2005 05:17 pm Title: The Serpent's Tooth

Oh. Haha! Let me count all the different, WRONG guesses I had! Um, OK, just two. :) Well, at the risk of someone reading this review before reading the story, I'll share. (Gah, I had a well-meaning soul do that to me recently, too – posted a review at chapter 1, that was really about chapter *4*, and gave away some massive, massive plot points. So, I shall try not to do that!) SPOILERS! Don't read if you haven't read the story!

Ahem. After chapter 6 I thought it was Helen. There's a line near the end about Holmes giving Helen some strange look, like he knew something Watson didn't (*is too lazy to go and get the actual line to quote*), so it made me think that maybe Helen was secretly evil and had feigned the poor castaway daughter thing to get back in with Dad, then KILL HIM! Alas. On further reflection, I'm glad that didn't happen. :) Then after chapter 7, I thought maybe Helen wasn't the target (eye for an eye, ie: daughters), but rather Alice was (eye for an eye, ie: mothers). Alas. Wrong again! *pouts*

But really, excellent suspense work! And now that this chapter explains everything it all falls perfectly into place. I never would have suspected the real culprit, but now looking back, you placed him very well throughout the early parts of the story, so now it's like, "Of course!" I think it's seriously hard to write a good mystery like this, and not have the readers going, "wtf, who's that guy?" at the end. *applauds* And the government's all involved and shit! That's terrifying. But realistic, and well-explained. :) Now, what are these looks between Holmes and Helen, if not culprit-suspicion?? ~Lee

Author's Response: Yea! I get here first to say...Thank you so freaking much!!!! :D I'm squeeing happily in my chair that we fooled you not only once...but twice! (does happy dance around the room) Lfire gets a great deal of credit on this one...she poured blood, sweat, and anxious tears into this...I got a break with this one...not so with the follow up (gulps loudly). Ah the Holmes and Helen looks...I'm sorry but I must take the fifth and a half ammendment that states that anything I say can and will be used to give Lfire and excuse to beat me senseless...*snicker* Nah...She wouldn't...but I think if you come back for An Unforseen Occurance, you'll get all the explanations you desire....maybe...possibly...very likely. To conclude...thank you so much for all your kind and thoughful reviews! I'm off to go answer the last one! And yea! We made a fan!!! ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/11/2005 05:23 am Title: Love's Labours Lost

Gah! Gah! OK, my guess was wrong, but you are still GENIUSES! It's not the daughter! It's the mother! Gahhhhhh!!! Cannot review; must keep reading. *races to click on chapter 8*

Author's Response: LOL!LOL! I think that's the best non-revelatory summation behind whodunnit I've ever seen! Still wanna know what your guess was though!

Author's Response: ROFLMAO! Thank you so much for the review and not revealing the culprit! We had that happen on fanfiction.net...but the reviewer was kind enough to add a comment after with a nice...spoilers below alert. Heh. You guess was wrong? Yea!!!!! Yes...go read! Squee...you think I'm a genius!!!! *gives Lee a giant hug!* ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/11/2005 04:37 am Title: Matters of the Heart

OMG, those kids! I think I just woke my neighbour up I was laughing so hard about the wedding talk. *shakes head* Now how does old Mrs Thurlow fit into all this, hmm?? I dare say she has a major part to play yet... *hurries to turn the page* ~Lee

Author's Response: Heh heh... there's a great deal bubbling under the surface with Mrs Alice Thurlow, an astute observation my friend! ;)

Author's Response: Yeah! You love the twins! I love them too...got a soft spot for my boys...heh. Ah Alice Thurlow...she's an interesting woman indeed. Also a favorite of mine...not surprising since I voice her! Heh...I'm soooo biased. Thanks again for such a sweet review! Your a peach! ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/11/2005 03:57 am Title: The Pride of Princes

Ohhhh, something at the very end of this chapter has me thinking… I have an idea about this mystery, and if I’m right, you are both geniuses! Will say no more till the end, in case I’m wrong. :) No, wait, you’re both geniuses even if I’m wrong, of course. :) Love the descriptions of Claridges, and the hero-worshipping clerk was a hoot! Holmes is just so appealing. I might be the first person ever to start into canon because of a fanfic! And jeez, Ellen is terrifying. I liked Arthur’s admission in the last chapter that their marriage was just a business transaction – very honest, and hey, it certainly would have been more common than love matches back then (and the cynical part of me argues that not much has changed today!) It’s nice that you haven’t fallen into some sort of stereotype about “the Victorian wife” – Ellen really shows a diversity to the characters. Onto chapter 6! ~Lee

Author's Response: LOL, You know I think that might be the nicest thing I've ever read in a review! Not the Geniuses thing...geniuses indeed ...(not me anyway that's for sure, Aeryn maybe! ), no rather the idea of you perhaps starting to read canon because of a fanfic! Thank you for that, I'll be grinning all week!! BTW Now I'm curious as to what your idea was!! Heh, Holmes IS vastly appealing, to read and write. It's weird to say so, as so many view him as an empty vessel or cold fish, all pure rationalism and logic, with accompanying wit and snarkiness, but I find him very very human with all manner of foibles, flaws and fears, and to me that makes him very appealing. And you have no idea how glad I am you said that about Ellen and how she adds to diversity of characters...heh...Aeryn will know why!! :) ~ LFire

Author's Response: Indeed...I do know why...(about Ellen). Thank you so much, Lee! I am far from being a genius...far far from it...but the compliment of starting into cannon due to our fic...it takes my breath away. I love Holmes, he is far from the cold logical fish that many wish to make him. He's got childish fits, a cocaine addiction, snarky behavior (occasionally), and yet he's a total bloodhound when on a case! What was your idea? I'm dying to know!!!! ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/10/2005 06:46 am Title: The Prodigal Father

Wow, wonderful character development in Thurlow! I would have thought after chapter 1 that he was unredeemable (irredeemable?), but this chapter shows a much greater depth to him, while keeping him subtle and believable. I also know how difficult it is to write such expository segments, with one character explaining a long history of things to another (see chapter 4 of 'Habit', which drove me so crazy my head almost popped off), and you've really done well with that here, during Thurlow's speech.

And - "I'm Andrew! And I'm sure we're going to get along famously! Do you like cards? Or pirates?" *dies* Oh, these kids are too adorable! LOL. Now, to deal with that bitchy second wife, and those bothersome death threats, and- *skips off happily to chapter 5* ;-) ~Lee

Author's Response: Exposition Sucks! You've no idea how glad I am to hear you say that about that section! I never wanted him to be one dimensional 'nasty father' and wanted to unfold him gradually, but was petrified when I wrote his history that it would be draggy and get bogged down in minutae or worse that it would come off as an 'apology' for the rotten things he had done in the past. So Phew! And thank you for that! LOL...Andrew is Aeryn, and she continuously comes up with lines for him that crack me up.. Much like she does for herself really!

Author's Response: Sniffs...I am not Andrew! LOLOLOL! Okay...I am...but to give me credit I am also Miss Helen....and occasionally Watson. Talk about having a split personality! Thank you so much for your kind thoughts! Can't tell you how thrilled I am (we are...but Mzzz Lfire already spoke so I get the added pleasure of just squeeing for one) that you are enjoying this story! :D ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/10/2005 06:08 am Title: Family Reunion

Oh, I love the boys' banter! I would never in a zillion years try to write children (lest they come off as those god-awful kid actors in soap operas), but these kids had me laughing out loud! Very realistic dialogue. If I had a tiny critique it would be that after reading the emphasis at the end on how Thurlow is a Bonaparte, a Caesar, a maharajah in his own right... I can't help but wonder why he doesn't have a hundred suitable guest rooms for his former wife and daughter! I know, I know - you need the plot point of the boys having to give up their room, but it still sort of made me go, hmmm... But no matter. Off to see if Helen gives her father a piece of her mind! ~Lee

Author's Response: :) You're so kind! I love the twins, to my mind they remind me of the Darling boys from Peter Pan. One of Aeryn's great ideas for OC's, they're a hoot to write, in that we take one each and bounce their different personas off them releasing our inner kiddies in the process. As for the rooms, yes, admittedly it was a plot point to help introduce the boys, but with the lateness of the hour of Helen & Alice's arrival and rather than having them share a bed (as twin single beds wouldn't have been prevalent in guest rooms) and with Arthur bending over backwards it seemed the expedient thing to do...plus it pissed off Ellen. *evil grin*

Author's Response: Ah Ellen...how I love to piss her off! Really...she's a right bitch. Heh... Actually, when I conceived of the twins, I had the idea of the young Weasley twins without magic. LOL I can't get rid of my Pottermania...*snicker* However, though they still share elements, they are rapidly becoming their own boys in their own right. Yea! Squee! Thank you again! ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/10/2005 05:08 am Title: A Prize Catch

Lovely attention to detail, in painting us a portrait of late 19th century life, such as the cab, horses, streets, mannerisms, etc! It’s rare to see that kind of detail in a fanfic, so I applaud your research!

You may rest assured that every expense accrued on this case will be coming from the purse of one Mr. Arthur Wendell Thurlow...as part of our rather exorbitant case fee." A small smirk played around his lips, as he looked at her. "You may even tip the cabbie most heavily if you wish." Ahahaha! “Repellent” really is a nice word for that man, isn’t it? I love that Holmes and Watson are repelled by him, too. :) Oh, and Holmes’s banter about women at the end! Infuriating, but I love his smugness with himself for trying to distract her. He is a most charming character, isn’t he?

And I’m still kind of shipping Holmes/Watson, with the added possibility of Watson/Helen. *ducks, flees* Onto chapter 3! This is great fun. ~Lee

Author's Response: Thank you most kindly! :) The research has been time consuming, but illuminating and fun and has paid off well for us I think. You're so right, Holmes IS , smug, infuriating distrustful (read scared in my book) of women and somehow utterly charming, don't know how he does it really. LOL, if you're still shipping Holmes & Watson then the chemistry is ticking over and I'm happy! As for Watson/Helen yeah they do have a chemistry for me too. ~ LFire

Author's Response: Thank you again! Um...Holmes/Watson huh...I rather hate to disappoint. Sorry...*blushes madly*, but I'm thrilled you see the warmth! They are good friends, but I'm afraid nothing more. Watson/Helen? Hmmm...yes, I could see that...heh...I will neither confirm nor deny any rumors of a Watson romance in the future... Nope...not telling...you can send Snape to give me Verasitum...or just send Snape...LOL! ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Snegurochka Signed star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 04/10/2005 04:45 am Title: A Repellent Client

Oh, shut up! It’s about India!! Why didn’t you say so in the summary??? I’m a historian by trade, with a vested interest in Britain and its empire (though that ain’t my main field). This is delightful. I love Watson’s reactions to Thurlow’s story, especially regarding the slave trade and the treatment of women. There is a danger of him sounding too 21st century, but I think you’ve captured him well, by using arguments about it being ‘unChristian’ and such – fits the time very well. I like your attention to class issues, as well, with Thurlow not fitting in with other gentlemen, or his first wife’s family. A very intriguing case! I look forward to seeing how it plays out. (Blasphemous thought: is it wrong to be sort of slashing Holmes and Watson? OK, it is, I know. But still! They have great chemistry.) ~Lee

Author's Response: Thank you! And yes as a Historian by inclination and college degree, the Victorian era, class issues, and India's (and other colonies) relationship to Britain has always fascinated me, which is why I was kind of pulled towards it plotwise. As for H&W heh heh, you wouldn't be the first to slash them that's for sure! There is plenty of slash fic out there, and they do have great chemistry. Though with certain plans ahead in the long view and Watson a thrice married man, with a weakness for the ladies, Aeryn 'n I are taking the more conventional Het view on it this time. ~ LFire

Author's Response: We're all historians here! Though I am a classicist...yup, my first degree is in Latin with a classical studies concentration. However, Mzz Lfire is the bomb when it comes to research (she makes Hermione proud...or a Scoobie...depends on your genre), and has done massive research into this and the mannerisms and customs of Victorian England for a, dare I say it, a follow up... Sorry on the slash...*pats Snegurochka on back sympathetically*...however, if there is to be any romance...and I'm neither confirming or denying any...it will be of the Het variety. It's well documented that Watson has *known* women over 3 continents, and a very confirmed ladies man. Holmes...well...the man has issues emotional wise. Thanks so much again...I think I just answered all these backwards! LOLOLOLOL ~Aeryn

Reviewer: Dame Niamh Anonymous star star star star star [Report This]
Date: 03/09/2005 11:14 am Title: A Repellent Client

An absorbing beginning! You've drawn quite a loathsome villain, and your portrayal of the relationship between Holmes and Watson is strong. The plot, too, is fascinating! I'm very partial to Holmes myself - you might enjoy my story, "All Will Be Revealed," in Lumos. Blessed be! Niamh

Author's Response: Greetings! And yes, I have heard of your story, and indeed it is on my list of stories to read. :) Thank you so much for the review! We have tried incredibly hard to make this as cannon as possible, and to know that we got the relationship between the characters down is quite the relief. Stay tuned...I'll try and get chapter two up tonight. ~Aeryn

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