A Case of Madness [or The Curious Appearance of Holmes in the Nighttime] by Yvonne Knop

As a Sherlock Holmes scholar, it's not unusual for Andrew to discuss his life with Sherlock as if it's a case is it? Huge life changes and meeting a special person causes Andrew to evaluate how he is living his life and how to strive for happiness in his world. SNik read A Case of Madness and shares their thoughts.

From the blurb:

Andrew Thomas just got sacked. He's permanently drunk. He's got cancer. Is inescapably gay. Was hit by a bus. And he's fallen in love with a stranger whose life he saved.

As a newly-unemployed Sherlock Holmes scholar, Andrew knows only Holmes can help him untangle the madness his life has become, but Holmes isn't real. Except he absolutely appeared in Andrew's house, told him he's in love with a man he just met…and then in a fit of pique Andrew sent him away. Sure Holmes is probably a hallucination or a specter or a ghost, but now Andrew desperately needs his help. So to find the answer to his case and the man of his dreams, Andrew takes to chasing a fictional character through London with his very own Watson.

SNik's Review:

First in series. Instalove. Slow/no burn. Single POV.  

This book is about the strange journey of Andrew’s self acceptance after he is fired, diagnosed with cancer, and rescues a stranger from a hate crime. 

The story is filled with Sherlock Holmes references and colorful descriptions of London, secondary characters, and Andrew’s observations and inner thoughts. Conversations with Sherlock Holmes drives Andrew to explore his attraction and connection to Matt, an actor and activist which in turn creates new experiences for Andrew and a pressure to express his feelings for once in his life. 

I did wish for more interactions between Andrew and Matt, although there was an entertaining group of secondary supportive characters with fun exchanges as well. 

Andrew is a relatable introvert with a complicated background and Matt has his own history which lends to their ability to connect on a deeper level for their HFN. 

Hoping for Andrew and Matt to get their HEA in a future book.

Rating: 4 Stars

A Case of Madness is available to buy in ebook and paperback formats.