"You're a hostage to your own role, that image of the perfect detective that your movies left in all of our minds."

Basil Rathbone, the quintessential personification of Sherlock Holmes, is on a Greek island having met a film director who wants him to be involved in a new project.

It is the mid 1960's and Basil ( Ormond or Hoppy) has been invited to join the director on his yacht when they decide to stop off at a small Greek island. The weather changes and they are unable to leave. A small group of guests and staff are present. The suspicious death of one guest results in the entourage asking Mr Rathbone to use his experience as Sherlock Holmes to investigate the death - he is accompanied by a Spanish author Paco Foxá - who takes the mantle as Watson.

More mystery and death ensues. This is a wonderfully clever novel. Arturo Pérez- Reverte's knowledge and research of the Sherlock books and Basil Rathbone films is impressive - intertwining quotes and acknowledging events.

This is also an exploration of murder mystery novels and the role of the author and the construction of the genre; there is a sense of cat and mouse in the book as the murderer appears to be playing games with Rathbone.

A thoroughly enjoyable and equally fascinating read. Highly recommended for lovers of murder mysteries

"The game is afoot, Watson, I said to myself. The game is afoot."