The renowned detective agency of 19th-century London, Scrooge and Cratchit, team up with Sherlock "Lockie" Holmes and the Metropolitan Police to solve a series of mysterious kidnappings, murders, and general mayhem. Following a visit from the ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge realizes the crimes are far more than "run of the mill." The investigations grow increasingly supernatural as the detectives must deal with half-men/half-dogs to discover a most wicked plan behind the crimes intended to take over the entire city and destroy the detectives in the process.

A couple of things stand out in this inventive and entertaining story to make Scrooge and Cratchit Detectives: The Dark Malevolence by Curt Locklear an exceptionally pleasant reading experience. The first is the use of an old-style English language throughout the book and the second is the treatment of famous Charles Dickens' characters in completely different roles and settings. Just the teaming up of Scrooge and Cratchit as super detectives over one of the most famous detectives in fiction (Sherlock Holmes) makes the story a true page-turner. Master of creative writing is an accurate descriptive for Locklear as he brings his characters to life and weaves mystery, suspense, and the supernatural into everyday characters and events. The twists and turns come fast and furious while keeping the reader totally connected and involved with the characters and the plot lines. Scrooge and Cratchit Detectives is a perfect fit for book clubs, fans of Dickens and his characters, and readers who simply love a great story with empathetic protagonists and really easy to "boo" against antagonists.

Scrooge and Cratchit Detectives: The Dark Malevolence by Curt Locklear is a delightfully dark holiday tale that transports you back to Dickensian times. Sherlock "Lockie" Holmes, Scrooge, and Cratchit get together with the Metropolitan police to investigate a series of attacks and murders in London. Things are just beginning to come together when Jacob Marley's ghost pays another visit to Scrooge, but he doesn't come alone. Now the entire team is up against a pack of beasts - half-man, half-dog - and Lockie's wife is in danger. Bobbie the dwarf's daughter has been kidnapped, and all seems lost. When Scrooge is visited by Marley's ghost again, he brings something dark and malevolent with him, leading the team into the darkest fight they have ever faced. When they discover an underground scheme, the fight is on to save London. Can they succeed? Can they banish the dark force? Or is it all too late?

Scrooge and Cratchit, Detectives: The Dark Malevolence by Curt Locklear is the second in a series that will give you fond memories of Dickens's tales but with a dark twist. This is a unique and interesting take on the original tales with an easy-to-follow plot. The chapters are short and packed with action and excitement, each leading neatly to the next. The characters are complex, very well developed, and easy to like. This is a tale full of twists and turns, and you never know where each chapter is going. It is a descriptive tale, transporting you right to the heart of the story, allowing you to experience Victorian London for yourself. This is a fabulous tale - I hadn't read the first one, but this has made me want to. Recommended for anyone who likes a mystery story and those who just want something different to take the edge of real life.