This is the second in this series which is both innovative and quirky. It features three private detectives, deliciously named Margaret Marple, Augustus Poe and Brendan Holmes. Obviously for full enjoyment I would recommend you go back and read book one first if you haven't already, although the main story herein is self-contained. When we first catch up with our erstwhile trio, Holmes is absent from duty, battling the personal demons that were uncovered in book one. Meanwhile Det Helene Grey calls Poe and Marple to the scene of a crime in a hospital. It appears that six newborn babies have been taken. With the police already investigating, on the back of their reputation, they are asked by the desperate parents to assist, much to the annoyance of the rest of the police force. And so begins a tightly plotted, well executed story that hit the ground running and held my attention nicely all the way through, twisting and turning as it progressed, aided by the inclusion of short punchy chapters which alternate views between the characters, spitting me out in the end wholly satisfied by this instalment, and also excited for the next book. What I love about this series so much is that the authors have managed to create three characters that are similar and also far apart from their namesakes, and yes that does make sense! Together they make a formidable force to be reckoned with and all have their parts to play which they all do very well. Yes OK, it ends on a cliffhanger and I usually hate these but we all know I am going to pounce on the next book as soon as I can so it's not really blackmail, and anyway, I'll have well forgotten it by the time I get my mitts on book three.

5 stars just for the sheer delight in Holmes, Margaret & Poe. They had me laughing, they had me worried, they always impress me with me their detecting skills and I would certainly hire them in a heart beat. Their characters complement each other perfectly: Margaret is the glue that holds them together, Holmes is valiantly fighting his demons and Poe has had some shocking news. Put that all aside and they rush to the scene of multiple kidnapping . The police aren't happy but that wont stop these three. Enjoy the journey as you follow the twists and turns and sheer audacity of Holmes, Margaret & Poe. James Patterson and Brian Sitts are a force to be reckoned with and this is my favourite series of the ones they write together. I will be first in line for the next adventure of this trio.

I loved Holmes, Marple & Poe and was thrilled to read an advanced copy of the sequel. Three private investigators with the last names of Holmes, Marple and Poe have formed a team and managed to solve murders that stumped the NYPD. This fame has brought them the attention that gets them hired when six infants are stolen from a hospital nursery. The plot is convoluted, and the investigators are running from one abduction to another. But the farfetched action is rounded out by secondary plots with Holmes chasing his own demons and Poe dealing with life changing news. the authors have added some humor too. the dialogue is often witty. I loved the scene when they appear at a mystery writer's conference. The book is enjoyable. What I do wonder about is the book and series titles and publicity. The title and blurb are misleading. Holmes is not working with his partners at the beginning of the book. But he is not missing, and he does not need to be saved. Also for some inexplicable reason, the "Holmes, Marple and Poe" series has been renamed "Holmes, Margaret and Poe". Why are they using Marple's first name in the title now? It makes no sense at all. When I first saw the book cover, I thought that it was a pre release mistake that would be corrected. Sadly this is not the case. My final take: Ignore the titles and the hype, but buy the book.