The third and final in Kel Richards' "Sherlock Holmes' Tales of Terror" series, and perhaps the most disappointing of them all. (Please note: another three stories, probably intended for the series, have been published as 'Footsteps in the Fog').

As is probably obvious from the cover, this the repulsive story of Crosby the Banker and the red leech. In this book we are introduced to Dr. Grimsby Defoe, who is set up as the replacement for Professor Moriarty. Of course, we know there never was anyone who could assume the role of Moriarty and Holmes regularly complained that there was no challenge left in the London underworld after Moriarty's death.

The other thing about Dr. Defoe is that the description given of him is, practically word for word, that of the Devil Doctor himself, Fu Manchu. A little originality would not have gone astray!

There is some slight improvement in other areas: Holmes is not depicted as being willing to accept supernatural matters (a quote from 'The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire' is included). While there is a Christian homily at the end of the book, at least this is delivered by a priest instead of Holmes.

Not really worth your while, unless you want a basic story that borrows far too liberally from other sources.