IT'S difficult to write about Michael Dibden’s novel without spoiling the shocking twist.

But it represents an ingenious meshing together of fact and fiction in which the imaginary supersleuth of Baker Street crosses swords with the Ripper.

There’s a fleeting reference to the real-life Inspector Abberline (who came from Blandford and retired to Bournemouth) but in this account contained in recently “discovered” papers of Dr Watson, Holmes more or less takes over the investigation.

Robert Glenister proves himself to be an excellent narrator in this unabridged reading, capturing the mercurial moods and sardonic tone of Holmes in the dialogue.