Book Review: HOLMES, MARPLE & POE by James Patterson and Brian Stilts

HOLMES, MARPLE & POE is one of those books where the premise alone is enough to hook you—and thankfully, it actually delivers. James Patterson and Brian Sitts take three of the most iconic names in detective fiction and reimagine them as a modern private‑investigation trio operating in New York City. It sounds a little gimmicky on paper, but in practice, it’s surprisingly fun, fast, and easy to get invested in.

HOLMES, MARPLE & POE by James Patterson and Brian Sitts

The story centers on Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe, who run a high-profile PI firm and seem almost too good at solving impossible cases. Each character loosely echoes their famous namesake, but they’re very much their own people. Holmes is hyper-logical and intense, Marple is sharp and quietly observant, and Poe brings muscle and emotional volatility to the group. Their chemistry is the real strength of the book—you can tell the authors put thought into how these three personalities clash and balance each other.

Patterson’s signature short chapters keep the pacing quick, which makes this an easy book to tear through. The plot jumps between multiple cases, including cold murders, corruption, and high-stakes mysteries, but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, it feels like watching a crime show where each episode feeds into a bigger picture. There’s always something happening, and the momentum rarely slows down.

One of the more interesting aspects of the novel is how self-aware it is. The book knows you’re thinking about Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, and Edgar Allan Poe—and it leans into that without becoming a parody. There’s a playful tension between homage and originality that works well, especially for readers who enjoy classic mysteries but want something more modern and edgy.

If there’s a downside, it’s that the book doesn’t linger too long on emotional depth. Some darker character moments feel like they could have been explored more. That said, the brisk pace is clearly intentional, and it fits the thriller vibe the authors are going for.

Overall, HOLMES, MARPLE & POE is a solid, entertaining mystery with a clever hook and strong characters. It’s not trying to reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to. If you like fast-paced crime novels, ensemble casts, and a modern twist on classic detective tropes, this one is well worth the read.