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    The Devil's Grin
    The Devil's Grin
    The Devil's Grin
    Audiobook5 hours

    The Devil's Grin

    Written by Annelie Wendeberg

    Narrated by Anna Parker-Naples

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    In Victorian London's cesspool of crime and disease, a series of murders remains undiscovered until a cholera victim is found floating in the city's drinking water supply. Dr. Anton Kronberg, England's best bacteriologist, is called upon to investigate and finds evidence of abduction and medical maltreatment. While Scotland Yard has little interest in pursuing the case, Kronberg pushes on and crosses paths with Sherlock Holmes. The detective immediately discovers Kronberg's secret-a woman masquerading as a man in order to practice medicine-a criminal deed that could land her in prison for years to come. But both must join forces to stop a crime so monstrous, it outshines Jack the Ripper's deeds in brutality and cold-bloodedness.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateFeb 7, 2017
    ISBN9781515985464
    The Devil's Grin

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    Reviews for The Devil's Grin

    4/5

    104 ratings18 reviews

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    • 1/5
      It might be a good book if you get past the narrators babyish fake German (?) accent. I couldn't so I'll leave it at that. Might try to read it one day.
    • 1/5
      Ruined by the narrator, a standard English accent would’ve been bette or a less grating and difficult to hear foreign one. The intro is worth skipping
    • 4/5
      A fun listen of Sherlock and his equal. If you like 19 century stories and Sherlock mysteries take the time to enjoy.
    • 5/5
      Free Kindle d/l in 2013. I was surprised to find Sherlock Holmes as a major character. I was also surprised that it was a good read except for: 1) I have no idea why the name of the book 2) the ending wasn't really an ending, and that's probably why there are 3 more books in this series! I've got many more books to read, but I would not be opposed to continue this series
    • 4/5
      Dr. Anton Kronberg is a bacteriologist who is called in by the police to the scene of a body - a cholera victim - who has been found floating in the city's drinking water supply. There he meets Sherlock Holmes who in the space of a few minutes has discovered the Doctor's secret. They then join forces to solve the crime of the cholera victims
    • 4/5
      Dr. Anton Kronberg is England's leading bacteriologist. Dr. Kronberg is called in to investigate a case of a cholera victim floating in the city's water supply. While the fact that the victim died of cholera is pretty clear cut, the way the disease was received and how the body found its way into the water supply opens up to many more mysteries. When Sherlock Holmes is also brought into the case, Dr. Kronberg has even more to fear as Holmes quickly discovers Dr. Kronberg's secret that Anton is really Anna Kronberg. Holmes and Anna find a tenuous relationship as the case brings them into dangerous scenarios with devious men and treacherous plots.The Devil's Grin is an engaging Victorian Era mystery. Dr. Kronberg is a very interesting character. Her choice to live as a man in order to practice medicine is honorable, yet has many difficulties and bears the consequence of death if found out. Since she could legally practice medicine as a woman in other countries, this seems like a strange and dangerous predicament to place herself into. Other than that, I really enjoyed the sharp and witty writing, the mystery and the passion behind Anna's character. The mystery was a slow burn and grew on me with a series of well crafted layers that started with what seemed like a simple case but quickly grew into a large conspiracy that took Anna under cover. Another interesting aspect of the story was Sherlock's character, a tortured soul and amazing detective, yet very different from the classic Holmes character. Overall, an engaging historical thriller in Victorian London. This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      This was a really excellent addition to the body of Sherlock Holmes style mysteries.
    • 4/5
      A relatively short novel, but one which figures Anton Kronberg, England’s leading bacteriologist in Victorian times, and Sherlock Holmes, England’s greatest detective at that time. Both of them have secrets, both know what each other’s secret is, and both could reveal their knowledge, but are bound by the threat that the other imposes upon them by that knowledge.
      This means that there is a need for them to work together, although not always with each other’s knowledge, on a strange case involving a washed up body that Kronberg works out was deliberately infected with tetanus and cholera. Victorian London’s grimy streets and utter poverty are graphically portrayed, and the activities of a shadowy, but very clever and manipulative, group that becomes simply known as the Club, become clearer and more despicable as the plot progresses. Kronberg is a damaged character (aren’t they all?) and yet is appealing in many ways – very clever and very articulate, a good foil for Holmes.
      The scientific background is well developed and entirely plausible, the descriptions of the era are bleak, with notable contrasts when the upper echelons of society become involved, and the whole book evokes a time when it was possible for the very rich and the very poor to rub shoulders, and the former to take serious advantage of the latter.
      The plot line is well worked out, with the ending being good and holding out the promise of more to follow. My only real criticism is that the last eighth (!) of the book, in my version, is the first 50 pages of the next book. Well worth a look at, particularly for those who are aficionados of Holmes – he comes across in all his Conan Doyle glory – irascible, yet brilliant.
    • 4/5
      This book is enjoyable on several levels. First, because it doesn't focus mainly on Sherlock Holmes, it has an originality that so many non-Doyle Holmes books lack. Second, the protagonist, Dr. Anton Kronberg, is actually a woman in disguise. If she wants to be a doctor in 19th century Europe, she has no choice, so she has left her native Germany, where she received her medical degree (in disguise), studied at Harvard, and finally landed in London, where she is a noted bacteriologist, searching for the cure for diseases such as tetanus and cholera. Third, the crimes themselves are interesting--horrid, but interesting, and the medical discussions in the book are well done and fascinating. Fourth, the portrayal of Holmes, while it may irk some people, shows an imperfect man, in his own way struggling as much with his identity as Anna Kronberg is with hers. This is a very fast read, and London is well-portrayed, as are the secondary characters in the book. I found Dr. Kronberg's emotions a bit hard to follow at times, and her relationship with Holmes was certainly complex, perhaps a little too complex for the writer to explain it! Lastly, the climax of the book, although long awaited and satisfying, seemed a little abrupt given the nature of the evil being confronted. Still, this was a fascinating, original story, and I would be interested in following the series further. (No wonder this one was free for the Kindle!)
    • 3/5
      Anna Kronberg ist Arzt - da es ihr im 19. Jahrhundert nicht anders möglich ist, lebt sie ein Doppelleben. Als Anton Kronberg ist sie tagsüber ein angesehner Epidemiologe, Nachts lebt sie als Anna in den Slums von London.Sie wird zu einem Cholera-Toten hinzugezogen und stellt fest, dass dieser absichtlich infiziert wurde. Nun ermittelt sie zusammen mit Sherlock Holmes, dem sie intellektuell mindestens ebenbürtig ist. Das führt zu witzigen und knisternden Dialogen. Dass dieses Buch bei mir kein totaler Volltreffer ist, liegt sicher daran, dass ich historische (Kriminal)romane in der Regel nicht so mag. Menschen, die wie heutige Menschen denken, agieren in Kullissen aus alter Zeit. Es ist bei diesem Buch besser gelungen als bei anderen. Das Paar Anna Kronberg und Sherlock Holmes ist witzig und interessant. Vom Schreibstil her ist es angenehm zu lesen, flott und kurzweilig.Eine deutsche Autorin, die auf englisch schreibt und dann wieder ins Deutsche zurückübersetzt wird- interessante Zusammenstellung!
    • 4/5
      this was a good read. i will look for more. i really like it.
    • 5/5
      Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher/author through the LibraryThing.com Members Giveaway program. I was asked to post an honest review (though not necessarily a favourable one). The opinions expressed are strictly my own.A Sherlock Holmes novel with a twist. Watch the Greatest British Detective team up with determined and brilliant FTM transvestite bacteriologist Anna/Anton Kronberg to foil a villanious plot and defeat cholera and tetanus at the same time.Contains bacteriology, sleuthing, horrible crimes, reflections on sexuality and gender roles and tons of UST. Anna/Anton Kronberg is a very likable character and Sherlock Holmes reveals an unexpected human side.Definitely recommended. Can't wait for the next one.
    • 4/5
      Excellent start to a series. Outstanding lead character with a nice finesse into the world of Sherlock Holmes.
    • 2/5
      Anna always wanted to be a doctor so she changes her name to Anton Kronberg, straps on a fake penis, and disguises herself as a man. Now recognized as Britain's foremost bacteriologist in the 19th century, it is up to her to help Sherlock Holmes solve a medical mystery and save his life.This story needs editing. There are may word usage errors [e.g. where for were, trails for trials, lead for led, fried for friend, nervous tick for tic, diseased for deceased, and loosing for losing).
    • 4/5
      The Devil's Grin by Annelie Wendeberg is the first book in the 'Kronberg Crimes' series. Set in Victorian England, this book is a mix of fiction and historical facts. Disease coats the streets and Jack the Ripper haunts the alleys. People will do anything to survive.The year is 1889 and Doctor Anton Kronberg has been asked for assistance in identifying a possible cholera victim at the Hampton Water Treatment Works by Scotland Yard's Inspector Gibson. Anton works at Guy's Hospital in London in the ward of infectious diseases. The best bacteriologist and epidemiologist in England. Cholera is one of many constant threats and the hospital is always packed three to a bed, leading to the further spread of disease. Going to inspect the dead man, Anton meets the famous Sherlock Holmes, who surprises both Anton and the reader by discovering that Anton Kronberg is in fact Anna Kronberg, a female doctor who earned her degree in Germany. Anna is reasonably upset. This is an era where women are forbidden to study medicine or become doctors. The only women in a medical field are nurses. Anna works very hard to keep her identity secret by changing her countenance and her appearance, even going as far as to keep a bag filled with water in her trousers so her colleagues can occasional see her 'peeing' at the urinals, to leave no doubt in their minds that she is a man. If her secret was ever revealed, she would be incarcerated for life.Anna is just as sharp and observant as Sherlock. The two decide to work with each other (which neither of them are particularly used to or pleased about) after finding a few discrepancies on the body. The two will have to learn to deal with one another and try to get along with someone just as knowledgable as themselves. They will no doubt get on each other's nerves, but there is amicability and understanding there too. As they begin to see more into the dark underworld and corrupt corporations that are involved, they begin to realise just how deep they're in. Could the man have been killed by tetanus? If so, how could he contract it without any deep wounds or without consuming a tetanus infected animal? Is it possible he was murdered? They must also learn to battle with their own dark demons and consider how far either of them are willing to go to find the truth, even if it means risking their lives or that of others. The title of this book comes from one of the symptoms of a tetanus victim- a grin. It is a telltale sign of tetanus. The characters are intriguing. Sherlock is Sherlock. What can I say about this character that isn't already known to every person under the sun? His depiction here is very similar to his original character. Obviously, there will be slight discrepancies, not just because of a different author, but also because he's interacting with people he's never met before. All people act differently depending on the person they're with, including Sherlock. For fans of Sherlock, don't worry, he is still true to himself, if not for the occasional phrase I couldn't quite picture him saying. Sherlock himself is already a character who's interesting enough to carry the story, but Anna/Anton's character was equally compelling, to say the least. Forced to hide her gender, she spends so much time as a man, that she questions her identity. It's not that she's transgender or confused about her sexuality, but more that she has seen the pros and cons of being a member of each gender and she wonders which one it is better to be and which one she is more suited to. Add to that the fact that she must completely shed her female self, so as not to be discovered, and it's not wonder she's unsure. Like Sherlock, she will push herself to her physical and mental limits to get an answer. Together, the chemistry these two characters share is palpable. I'm bringing it up because I'm sure people will wonder, but the only similarity between her and Irene is that the two are equally as intelligent as Sherlock himself. They can outwit him. But Irene is very sure of her gender and obviously loves being a woman and the ability to make Sherlock uncomfortable with it. Anna isn't even sure what gender she wants to be. Their personalities are very different and these two characters are not to be confused.Anna and Sherlock can singlehandedly carry this story. The plot is interesting and dark, but even if it had been terrible, I believe that Anna and Sherlock would still make it work. They're just that entertaining and thought-provoking. An incomplete ending, this is a series that connects all its stories through plot, not just characters. It is not often that the same story will continue through the series. The same villain perhaps, but generally when you start a new book, a new plot begins as well. For those who aren't fans of endings without resolution, there is enough of a conclusion to satisfy. We just aren't given the whole picture. The final line will leave fans of both this book's characters and Sherlock Holmes hurrying to the next instalment. Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.
    • 5/5
      Devil’s Grin---WoW!!! I received this book from Library Thing to read and review. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. I hated to put the book down and was anxious to return to the this addictive story. Excellent writing, phenomenal character development and exciting plot. I can’t wait to read Book Two.
    • 5/5
      The sign of a really good spin off book, is that it makes you want to go read the originals again just to fit the details together. This book was great! I've been an avid Sherlock Holmes fan since the 6th grade when my dad bought me a telephone book-sized, unabridged set of the stories. Yet, the original Sherlock Holmes story with Holmes breaking the "evil doctor ring" always bothered me. I didn't like that he didn't completely win. I love this book's take on it! The intellectual side of me cackled at the innovative take on the old story, while the emotional side of me was on the edge of my chair wondering what would happen next. I am definitely looking forward to the second book!
    • 5/5
      I received this book free in exchange for a review. The story of Sherlock Holmes continues in "The Devil's Grin". The interaction between Holmes and Dr Kronberg is intriguing, the story engaging, and I am looking forward to more "Kronberg Crimes" novels!