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pause_theframe's review
4.0
This was such an interesting and unique read! I remember reading similar storylines, when I was younger, and absolutely adoring the clever blend of detective work and history. However, as I grew, I started to notice there weren’t really any or many of these for adults. This book shows that there definitely are and they are so much better than even I remember!
I loved the blend of history and PI work. As the, somewhat failing, private investigator tries his hand at helping Anubis, fix an untimely issue for the Egyptians. I loved that it was such a brilliant blend of the two, with a little hint of humour, to really make the story both fun and very interesting.
The level of detail the author put into the story, from the main character’s personalities down to the smallest historical details, really made this read for me. It kept me completely hooked and I really enjoyed diving in and trying to solve the mystery.
I do hope to read many more books by this author, should they be of this same style. I think a lot of the historical sleuth readers, both young adult and adult will grow to love this book.
**I received and arc and chose to provide my honest review.
I loved the blend of history and PI work. As the, somewhat failing, private investigator tries his hand at helping Anubis, fix an untimely issue for the Egyptians. I loved that it was such a brilliant blend of the two, with a little hint of humour, to really make the story both fun and very interesting.
The level of detail the author put into the story, from the main character’s personalities down to the smallest historical details, really made this read for me. It kept me completely hooked and I really enjoyed diving in and trying to solve the mystery.
I do hope to read many more books by this author, should they be of this same style. I think a lot of the historical sleuth readers, both young adult and adult will grow to love this book.
**I received and arc and chose to provide my honest review.
katreader's review
5.0
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING SCARAB
by Columbkill Noonan
The First Barnabas Tew Mystery
Barnabas Tew had visions of becoming the next Sherlock Holmes. Apart from having an amiable assistant and a kindly landlady, Barnabas Tew was, sadly, nothing like Sherlock Holmes. In fact, he simply wasn't a good detective at all. However, he did have one satisfied customer who recommended his services. Unfortunately, said services were recommended to Anubis, Egyptian god of the dead, who had no problem bringing Barnabas to the Underworld to solve a kidnapping. Now Barnabas and his assistant, Wilfred, have to deal with a variety of difficult gods in order to prevent the destruction of the world!
I love this delightfully different book. I have always had an interest in Egyptology and enjoy the Victorian time period. Connect these two, add some humor and a mystery and I'm sold! One of my favorite things about the book is the humor. I was chuckling at the situations, and the dialogue, more than once, had me laughing out loud. Great characterization humanizes not only our detectives, but the assortment of gods they encounter. As silly as things sometimes get, there remains a depth of feeling. Barnabas and Wilfred try their best and we admire them and root for them to succeed and be happy.
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING SCARAB is highly entertaining and immensely pleasurable, if somewhat preposterous. A fussy, not too terribly clever Victorian detective is thrown into the Egyptian Underworld and forced to deal with capricious gods. It is simply great fun!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC in the hopes I would review it.
by Columbkill Noonan
The First Barnabas Tew Mystery
Barnabas Tew had visions of becoming the next Sherlock Holmes. Apart from having an amiable assistant and a kindly landlady, Barnabas Tew was, sadly, nothing like Sherlock Holmes. In fact, he simply wasn't a good detective at all. However, he did have one satisfied customer who recommended his services. Unfortunately, said services were recommended to Anubis, Egyptian god of the dead, who had no problem bringing Barnabas to the Underworld to solve a kidnapping. Now Barnabas and his assistant, Wilfred, have to deal with a variety of difficult gods in order to prevent the destruction of the world!
I love this delightfully different book. I have always had an interest in Egyptology and enjoy the Victorian time period. Connect these two, add some humor and a mystery and I'm sold! One of my favorite things about the book is the humor. I was chuckling at the situations, and the dialogue, more than once, had me laughing out loud. Great characterization humanizes not only our detectives, but the assortment of gods they encounter. As silly as things sometimes get, there remains a depth of feeling. Barnabas and Wilfred try their best and we admire them and root for them to succeed and be happy.
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING SCARAB is highly entertaining and immensely pleasurable, if somewhat preposterous. A fussy, not too terribly clever Victorian detective is thrown into the Egyptian Underworld and forced to deal with capricious gods. It is simply great fun!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC in the hopes I would review it.
zarco_j's review
4.0
Quirky, funny and a delightful read. Will definitely look for more from this author.
Thanks to Goodreads and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Thanks to Goodreads and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
andyn5's review
2.0
The cover of this book is just beautiful, and the "detectives in Victorian London" had me requesting it.
Unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The two detectives Barnabas and Wilfred consider themselves Sherlock and Watson, but they are quite the opposite. In the beginning, I thought it was humorous but it quickly kept going down hill. They’re absolutely terrible at their job, and are responsible for the deaths of a number of their clients. When one of the clients dies, they are pulled into a mystery into the Egyptian underworld, ruled by Anubis. They are hired to locate Khepre, the scarab beetle responsible for moving the sun in the sky.
The mystery seemed interesting enough, expect... there wasn't much of it. There is so much going on, that the mystery itself took the backseat. There's almost no narration and way too much dialogue, and there were moments I found myself skipping pages since it just dragged on with no real contribution to the story.
While the characters and their interactions are at times quite amusing, I've never met such dense protagonists before. They don't see what's right in front of them, are completely unable to interpret clues properly, and I quickly became annoyed with how obtuse they are, The book would have been way shorter if they had just seen what was right there for everyone to see.
I struggled to keep on reading the book because I didn’t find it all that compelling, I definitely won't be reading the sequel.
Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy.
Unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The two detectives Barnabas and Wilfred consider themselves Sherlock and Watson, but they are quite the opposite. In the beginning, I thought it was humorous but it quickly kept going down hill. They’re absolutely terrible at their job, and are responsible for the deaths of a number of their clients. When one of the clients dies, they are pulled into a mystery into the Egyptian underworld, ruled by Anubis. They are hired to locate Khepre, the scarab beetle responsible for moving the sun in the sky.
The mystery seemed interesting enough, expect... there wasn't much of it. There is so much going on, that the mystery itself took the backseat. There's almost no narration and way too much dialogue, and there were moments I found myself skipping pages since it just dragged on with no real contribution to the story.
While the characters and their interactions are at times quite amusing, I've never met such dense protagonists before. They don't see what's right in front of them, are completely unable to interpret clues properly, and I quickly became annoyed with how obtuse they are, The book would have been way shorter if they had just seen what was right there for everyone to see.
I struggled to keep on reading the book because I didn’t find it all that compelling, I definitely won't be reading the sequel.
Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy.
hugbandit7's review
3.0
This is quite a different concept (to me at least) for a cozy/mystery. The lead detective, Barnabus, is killed within the first few chapters (by a mummy) and is taken to the Egyptian underworld because Anubis needs his help to determine who kidnapped Khepra, the scarab beetle that controls the sun. His sidekick, Wilfred, is also killed (also by the same mummy) and delivered to the underworld.
There are quite a few upsides to this book - education on Egyptian mythology and the various gods that ruled their world; a different landscape for a mystery (some say it is steampunk or Victorian); and Sherlock Holmes type characters. (Of course, the resemblance to Sherlock Holmes ends with the fact that they are detectives.) And the mystery led me in circles and I didn't figure it out until it was revealed. There were some clues along the way but not too many that made it easy to figure out too early in the book. I loved how the female gods "saved the day" near the end. I won't say much and who, but it shows you should never count a woman out, even if she is a god!
I am not fond of Barnabus' character. He's a bumbling detective and I wonder how he ever solved any cases. Perhaps that is part of his charm? Wilfred is slightly better and at least he tries to keep Barnabus on track. I do wish there had been more of a description of the underworld. I really didn't have the best idea of what it might look like other than a river, sandy areas, and homes of the various gods.
I give it 3 1/2 stars
There are quite a few upsides to this book - education on Egyptian mythology and the various gods that ruled their world; a different landscape for a mystery (some say it is steampunk or Victorian); and Sherlock Holmes type characters. (Of course, the resemblance to Sherlock Holmes ends with the fact that they are detectives.) And the mystery led me in circles and I didn't figure it out until it was revealed. There were some clues along the way but not too many that made it easy to figure out too early in the book. I loved how the female gods "saved the day" near the end. I won't say much and who, but it shows you should never count a woman out, even if she is a god!
I am not fond of Barnabus' character. He's a bumbling detective and I wonder how he ever solved any cases. Perhaps that is part of his charm? Wilfred is slightly better and at least he tries to keep Barnabus on track. I do wish there had been more of a description of the underworld. I really didn't have the best idea of what it might look like other than a river, sandy areas, and homes of the various gods.
I give it 3 1/2 stars
jayfr's review
4.0
Quirky, funny and a delightful read. Will definitely look for more from this author.
Thanks to Goodreads and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Thanks to Goodreads and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
mad_about_books's review
4.0
Barnabas Tew fancies himself a detective. In school, he became enamored of the tales of Sherlock Holmes and decided he too had the requisite skills of deduction and logic. Upon graduation, he set himself up in Marylebone, got himself an assistant and waited for cases and acclaim. Sadly, our hero, who is as wide as he is tall, and tends to go off on verbal tangents at every opportunity, didn't do as well as he expected… at least not in this life.
In BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING SCARAB, Barnabas and his assistant, Wilfred Colby decide that without a case at hand, they will go to the museum to see the new Egyptian mummy exhibit. There was no entry fee which suited their sparse pocketbooks just fine. It is nearly closing time when Barnabas and Wilfred finally get close to seeing the main attraction. Suddenly, it would seem that they are alone in the museum. Thus begins their adventure in the Egyptian afterlife.
Along with Barnabas, Wilfred, and various Egyptian gods, there is an omniscient, if parenthetical, voice that explains much of what is said by our two English gentlemen as they navigate from one animal headed god to the next.
As is so often the case, the great detective in the story just doesn't know as much as he would like others to think he knows; therefore, he needs a stalwart companion to smooth the way and fill in the blanks. Columbkill Noonan takes us for a humorous romp through Egyptian mythology that is most unique.
There are four books in the Barnabas Tew series, and it would appear that they need to be read in order. At the end of The Case of the Missing Scarab, Barnabas and Wilfred are referred to their next case, thus one book runs into the next. So no cliffhanger, but continuity seems to dictate reading order.
In BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING SCARAB, Barnabas and his assistant, Wilfred Colby decide that without a case at hand, they will go to the museum to see the new Egyptian mummy exhibit. There was no entry fee which suited their sparse pocketbooks just fine. It is nearly closing time when Barnabas and Wilfred finally get close to seeing the main attraction. Suddenly, it would seem that they are alone in the museum. Thus begins their adventure in the Egyptian afterlife.
Along with Barnabas, Wilfred, and various Egyptian gods, there is an omniscient, if parenthetical, voice that explains much of what is said by our two English gentlemen as they navigate from one animal headed god to the next.
As is so often the case, the great detective in the story just doesn't know as much as he would like others to think he knows; therefore, he needs a stalwart companion to smooth the way and fill in the blanks. Columbkill Noonan takes us for a humorous romp through Egyptian mythology that is most unique.
There are four books in the Barnabas Tew series, and it would appear that they need to be read in order. At the end of The Case of the Missing Scarab, Barnabas and Wilfred are referred to their next case, thus one book runs into the next. So no cliffhanger, but continuity seems to dictate reading order.
jessbookishlife's review
5.0
I don't know how many books I have read in the mystery/detective genre, but I have found out that each and every book are unique to the authors' style, and that's so refreshing. With this book I found yet another book in genre that is so different from all the others I have read, including the classics.
This is the first book in the series, so we get to met the main character Barnabas Tew, and he's a private detective. The funny thing is, he's struggling. As I keep reading the book and get to know more about Barnabas, I found the all situation and his thought quite hilarious. That humor that Columbkill added to her book gave the plot some softness and uniqueness that I enjoyed.
But that's not the only unique thing about this book. When you read the blurb you see that there is this paranormal/fantasy kind of thing going on, since Anubis, the Egyptian God of the Dead, makes an appearance. When I read that, I didn't know what to think, but once I read the book... It works!
The reason why I'm using the word 'unique' a lot is because I don't know what else to say to describe the book. It was a different take on the usual private detective book, an unexpected story, with characters that leave a mark in the plot, with a storyline quite intriguing because, let's be honest, when was the last time you read a mystery/detective book with an Egyptian God as the client?
And if that paranormal aspect of the book hasn't convince you to read the book, can I just remind you that there is humor in the book?... Image Barnabas, an Englishmen, private detective with big dreams, but whose abilities are not that over the top, and Wilfred, Barnabas' loyal assistant and an interesting character, with perfect manners. And then imagine them going to the Underworld to find the Scarab God, who is responsible for rolling the sun across the sky each day.
Can you imagine the journey to uncover each mystery and in the end solving the case. Imagine how much troubles Barnabas would put himself (and Wilfred) in? Doesn't that sound fun? It does (and it was) sound fun to me. I went on a journey too, but to me is was a journey of laughter and having fun with Barnabas actions and how Wilfred would react to what's going on. I think I could see this book series turn into a TV show. I would certainly watch it.
Because I find Egyptian Mythology very curious, I was excited to know the authors take on that. I would love to know more about it, but the way the characters, the Gods, were portrait made the book even more fun to read.
I do recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next adventure this duo will have, and what kind of problems will happen.
[This review is part of a blog tour hosted by the amazing Rachel, at Rachel's Random Resources, so I want to thank her and Columbkill Noonan for the eCopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]
This is the first book in the series, so we get to met the main character Barnabas Tew, and he's a private detective. The funny thing is, he's struggling. As I keep reading the book and get to know more about Barnabas, I found the all situation and his thought quite hilarious. That humor that Columbkill added to her book gave the plot some softness and uniqueness that I enjoyed.
But that's not the only unique thing about this book. When you read the blurb you see that there is this paranormal/fantasy kind of thing going on, since Anubis, the Egyptian God of the Dead, makes an appearance. When I read that, I didn't know what to think, but once I read the book... It works!
The reason why I'm using the word 'unique' a lot is because I don't know what else to say to describe the book. It was a different take on the usual private detective book, an unexpected story, with characters that leave a mark in the plot, with a storyline quite intriguing because, let's be honest, when was the last time you read a mystery/detective book with an Egyptian God as the client?
And if that paranormal aspect of the book hasn't convince you to read the book, can I just remind you that there is humor in the book?... Image Barnabas, an Englishmen, private detective with big dreams, but whose abilities are not that over the top, and Wilfred, Barnabas' loyal assistant and an interesting character, with perfect manners. And then imagine them going to the Underworld to find the Scarab God, who is responsible for rolling the sun across the sky each day.
Can you imagine the journey to uncover each mystery and in the end solving the case. Imagine how much troubles Barnabas would put himself (and Wilfred) in? Doesn't that sound fun? It does (and it was) sound fun to me. I went on a journey too, but to me is was a journey of laughter and having fun with Barnabas actions and how Wilfred would react to what's going on. I think I could see this book series turn into a TV show. I would certainly watch it.
Because I find Egyptian Mythology very curious, I was excited to know the authors take on that. I would love to know more about it, but the way the characters, the Gods, were portrait made the book even more fun to read.
I do recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next adventure this duo will have, and what kind of problems will happen.
[This review is part of a blog tour hosted by the amazing Rachel, at Rachel's Random Resources, so I want to thank her and Columbkill Noonan for the eCopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]
tashalostinbooks's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this book to read and review.
Barnabas Tew is a huge Sherlock Holmes fan. He wants to be just like him so he becomes a detective, and even gets himself a "Watson," or rather Wilfred. Unfortunately, Barnabas and Wilfred are just not cut out for the detective business; they rarely solve any mysteries, and sometimes their clients even end up dead!
They do have some past successes though, and word of mouth is getting around. Anubis, the Egyptian god of death, has heard of them, and needs their help.
The writing is witty, charming, and irreverent. The protagonists are hapless and absurd. This made the book amusing and cutesy. At first I loved it, but then the style started to stale. I would then go back to chuckling and rolling my eyes, but then I would get bored again. I loved the story taking place in the Egyptian afterlife, and being introduced to a few gods that I wasn't familiar with, but I often found myself disinclined to pick the book back up. I think the novel has a bit of a pacing problem, but my reading habits come and go in waves. I may have been in a slump, or I may not have been in the mood for this book. Because overall I enjoyed it. In fact I noticed a sequel is coming out soon. I am definitely going to buy it. Columbkill Noonan can write!
Barnabas Tew is a huge Sherlock Holmes fan. He wants to be just like him so he becomes a detective, and even gets himself a "Watson," or rather Wilfred. Unfortunately, Barnabas and Wilfred are just not cut out for the detective business; they rarely solve any mysteries, and sometimes their clients even end up dead!
They do have some past successes though, and word of mouth is getting around. Anubis, the Egyptian god of death, has heard of them, and needs their help.
The writing is witty, charming, and irreverent. The protagonists are hapless and absurd. This made the book amusing and cutesy. At first I loved it, but then the style started to stale. I would then go back to chuckling and rolling my eyes, but then I would get bored again. I loved the story taking place in the Egyptian afterlife, and being introduced to a few gods that I wasn't familiar with, but I often found myself disinclined to pick the book back up. I think the novel has a bit of a pacing problem, but my reading habits come and go in waves. I may have been in a slump, or I may not have been in the mood for this book. Because overall I enjoyed it. In fact I noticed a sequel is coming out soon. I am definitely going to buy it. Columbkill Noonan can write!
shubhra19's review
4.0
Truly hilarious book! Read such a quirky book after long. When an incompetent detective is hired by an Egyptian lord, what happens? Gear up for a funny ride and know the fate of this detective and his slightly wiser, but not really, assistant.
Barnabas Tew is a detective who solve cases such that his employers end up dead. Of course he doesn’t kills them but somehow he is more of unlucky than lucky in solving his cases. But all that does not deters him from equating his case solving skills with none other than Sherlock Holmes. His abilities fall short of his ambitions and he knows that well, but thanks to his assistant Wilfred, who keeps Barnabas happy and does not let him feel bad about his failures.
In case of one such failure, he takes Barnabas to visit a museum to witness it’s latest attraction, an Egyptian Mummy, and what unfolds from here, is definitely worth reading. Their journey in Egyptian afterlife and solving the case is full of slapstick events. In spite of all the perils that adorn their way, Barnabas and his assistant never let go and though in a silly manner, try their best to solve the case.
Barnabas and Wilfred’s conversations are cute. The author has used beautiful language that would be a delight to go through, specially for younger readers. All in all I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves to read a comic-detective piece of fiction.
Barnabas Tew is a detective who solve cases such that his employers end up dead. Of course he doesn’t kills them but somehow he is more of unlucky than lucky in solving his cases. But all that does not deters him from equating his case solving skills with none other than Sherlock Holmes. His abilities fall short of his ambitions and he knows that well, but thanks to his assistant Wilfred, who keeps Barnabas happy and does not let him feel bad about his failures.
In case of one such failure, he takes Barnabas to visit a museum to witness it’s latest attraction, an Egyptian Mummy, and what unfolds from here, is definitely worth reading. Their journey in Egyptian afterlife and solving the case is full of slapstick events. In spite of all the perils that adorn their way, Barnabas and his assistant never let go and though in a silly manner, try their best to solve the case.
Barnabas and Wilfred’s conversations are cute. The author has used beautiful language that would be a delight to go through, specially for younger readers. All in all I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves to read a comic-detective piece of fiction.