Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders by Gyles Brandreth, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Arthur Conan Doyle assumes the role of narrator in revealing the circumstances surrounding his discovery of severed body parts included in a suitcase full of fan mail — and his help from Oscar Wilde in solving the mystery — in Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders, the fifth entry in this series by Gyles Brandreth.

The success of his Sherlock Holmes stories has overwhelmed Conan Doyle. He decides to vacation in Germany where he meets up with his good friend Wilde. It is there, while answering some fan mail, that Conan Doyle discovers letters postmarked from Rome that include bones of a finger, a man's hand, and other body parts. Conan Doyle thinks they may merely be pranks from a deranged fan, but Wilde is insistent that they travel to Rome to investigate. There they uncover clues that lead to secrets, miracles, and murder within the heart of the Eternal City, the Vatican.

In what may be Oscar Wilde's most gripping — and colorfully entertaining — case yet, the suspects are six priests, close advisors to the Pope, one or more of whom may be guilty of any number of sins. But which is guilty of murder? Wilde explores the motives behind each of the men's actions and learns that only one has a reason to kill. But how to go about bringing him to justice?

Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders is a wonderful mystery, one that incorporates real historical figures into a creatively devised story that does not disappoint. It is highly recommended.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders.

Acknowledgment: Simon & Schuster provided an ARC of Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders for this review.

Location(s) referenced in Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders: Germany, Rome, Italy

Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders

An Oscar Wilde Mystery by Gyles Brandreth