Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Needle's Eye

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE NEEDLE’S EYE by Len Bailey

Len Bailey tackles an ambitious concept of combining Bible study and the classic character Sherlock Holmes.  In Sherlock Holmes and the Needle’s Eye, Holmes and Watson gain access to a time machine and are sent on a series of time traveling adventures for a mysterious client to explore ten of the Bible’s “ultimate mysteries.”  The mysteries include why Ahithophel hangs himself, what Jesus writes on the ground

in the account of the woman caught in the act of adultery, what is the “more opportune time” that Satan was waiting for to tempt Jesus again, why David selected five stones when he fought Goliath, and others.   

I was both eager and reluctant to read this book.  I love the Bible and I enjoy Sherlock Holmes.  Combining the two could easily have been a stroke of genius or a disaster.  Bailey pulls this off very masterfully.  The book is arranged to be read as either a Bible study or as a novel, allowing the reader to wrestle through the mysteries along with Holmes and Watson.  Bailey does an excellent job of allowing, as much as possible, Scripture to provide its own answers to these mysteries.  Along the way, excellent Bible study methods are put on display.  Some of the mysteries aren’t very challenging, while others force you to wrestle.  Not only does Bailey stay faithful to Scripture, he also does justice to the characters of Holmes and Watson, creating a believable Sherlock Holmes mystery.  Sherlock Holmes and the Needle’s Eye is worth the read if you are looking for a fun and educational book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”