The longest and most involved book of the series told from both March Middleton’s perspective, and in one section from Sidney Grice. Pleased to say I worked out the culprit, though the plot certainly kept me guessing for a long while. The most engrossing, complex plot yet. Some readers don’t like Sherlockesque ‘personal’ detective, Sidney Grice, but I find his arrogance and unpleasantness hysterical. Contrary, I’ve experienced split emotions regarding March Middleton. For an intelligent woman ahead of her time, the plots tend to rely on her making some questionable choices, forgivable only because of the time in which the author set the books. But in a surprising conclusion, she shows a different side to her nature in this novel, which gives deeper meaning to her character. ( )

This is the third in a series of crime novels featuring the private detective Sidney Grice and his ward and goddaughter March Middleton. This is intended as an hommage to Sherlock Holmes, and Grice out-Sherlocks Sherlock at every turn - he knows more about more arcane and seemingly irrelevant things, he is more eccentric, has an even lower opinion of the police and has even less understanding of human nature.

Here, March Middleton is involved in a set of increasingly bizarre events resulting in her being charged with murder and then confined to an asylum having been driven insane with psychotropic drugs. Eventually Grice saves the day with the help of Inspector Pound from Scotland Yard.

Intended to be humorous I think this just misses a beat somewhere; I could see the jokes rather than be entertained by them. I think the grotesquely malapropistic maid Molly has too much exposure in the book to be a great comic character. A rather tortuous plot left me a little disappointed I had not enjoyed the story more.

All in all, this is a good story and a fine idea that just fails to clear the bar in some areas. ( )

Sidney Grice is a great creation - but although this is the third in the series I'm afraid this one suffers plot-wise from that troublesome 'second album syndrome': it's a total mess! If you're a completist, you'll read it; otherwise, skip it. ( )

Sidney Grice is a great creation - but although this is the third in the series I'm afraid this one suffers plot-wise from that troublesome 'second album syndrome': it's a total mess! If you're a completist, you'll read it; otherwise, skip it. ( )

Death Descends on Saturn Villa is the third book in the Gower Street Detective series by M.R.C. Kasasian. (Go here for the review of the first book and here for the second.) The tension continues to ratchet higher and higher between the famous detective Sidney Grice and his protege March Middleton as we inch closer and closer to the truth about Grice's past and his connection to March's mother. Kasasian is finally starting to clear up some of the mystery revolving around their pasts but he's still weaving webs of intrigue around them both (only fitting I suppose). This book centers on a case which is high stakes and multifaceted with March as the prime suspect. DUM DUM DUUUUUM (That's supposed to be menacingly tense music not a commentary on the intelligence of the storyline by the way.) Once again, I feel I need to caution readers who might have sensitive stomachs because Kasasian has a gift for detailed descriptions of gore. I must also mention that if you get triggered easily then you should approach this book with caution. (You'll probably be fine but I just want to make you aware.) This book ultimately raises more questions than it answers but one thing it does do is make Grice a little more human. If you've enjoyed the first two books in the series then you're sure to enjoy this continuation. The fourth book in the series, The Secrets of Gaslight Lane, is due out on April 4th of this year so get caught up while you still have plenty of time. XD ( )