📖 Overview
Michael Kurland is an American author primarily known for his science fiction, mystery, and fantasy novels, with a career spanning over five decades. He has written more than 40 books across multiple genres, including his notable Professor Moriarty series featuring Sherlock Holmes's nemesis as an antihero protagonist.
The author gained recognition for his science fiction works in the 1960s and 1970s, publishing novels such as Ten Years to Doomsday (co-written with Chester Anderson) and The Unicorn Girl. His versatility as a writer extended to non-fiction works, including How to Grow Marijuana Hydroponically and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Improving Your Memory.
Kurland's most enduring contribution to literature has been his Professor Moriarty series, beginning with The Infernal Device in 1978. The series presents James Moriarty as a complex character who serves as a consulting detective to Scotland Yard while maintaining a criminal enterprise, offering a unique perspective on the Sherlock Holmes canon.
His work has earned several award nominations, including an Edgar Award nomination for The Infernal Device. Kurland has also edited various anthologies and contributed to the development of role-playing games, demonstrating his influence across multiple areas of speculative fiction and mystery writing.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Kurland's wit and inventive plots, particularly in his Moriarty series that reimagines Sherlock Holmes's nemesis. Many reviewers note he captures Victorian London's atmosphere while adding his own twists to the Holmes mythology.
Fans highlight his complex mysteries and character development. Multiple Amazon reviews mention clever dialogue and historical accuracy. "He makes Moriarty both brilliant and oddly likeable," notes one reader.
Common criticisms include pacing issues and occasional overcomplicated plotting. Some readers find his style too verbose compared to Conan Doyle's original works. Several reviews mention difficulty keeping track of multiple storylines.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 average across all books
Amazon: 4.1/5 average
"The Infernal Device" (most reviewed title):
- Goodreads: 3.9/5 (486 ratings)
- Amazon: 4.2/5 (127 ratings)
The Moriarty books receive higher ratings than his other works, averaging 4.0+ on most platforms.
📚 Books by Michael Kurland
Ten Little Wizards - A magical mystery where Professor Moriarty investigates the murders of practitioners in a world where magic and Victorian London coexist.
A Study in Sorcery - Set in an alternate history of London, this novel follows Lord Darcy investigating magical crimes alongside Master Sean O Lochlainn.
The Unicorn Girl - A psychedelic science fiction adventure from the 1960s following the exploits of Michael and his dimensional-traveling companions.
The Infernal Device - Professor James Moriarty becomes entangled in a complex plot involving international intrigue and advanced Victorian-era technology.
Ten Years to Doomsday - A science fiction novel about humanity's response to an alien ultimatum threatening Earth's destruction.
Too Many Magicians - A locked-room mystery set in a magical alternate universe where Lord Darcy must solve a seemingly impossible crime.
Death by Gaslight - Professor Moriarty investigates a series of murders in Victorian London while navigating his complex relationship with Scotland Yard.
The Great Game - Professor Moriarty becomes involved in international espionage and political intrigue across Victorian Europe.
A Study in Sorcery - Set in an alternate history of London, this novel follows Lord Darcy investigating magical crimes alongside Master Sean O Lochlainn.
The Unicorn Girl - A psychedelic science fiction adventure from the 1960s following the exploits of Michael and his dimensional-traveling companions.
The Infernal Device - Professor James Moriarty becomes entangled in a complex plot involving international intrigue and advanced Victorian-era technology.
Ten Years to Doomsday - A science fiction novel about humanity's response to an alien ultimatum threatening Earth's destruction.
Too Many Magicians - A locked-room mystery set in a magical alternate universe where Lord Darcy must solve a seemingly impossible crime.
Death by Gaslight - Professor Moriarty investigates a series of murders in Victorian London while navigating his complex relationship with Scotland Yard.
The Great Game - Professor Moriarty becomes involved in international espionage and political intrigue across Victorian Europe.
👥 Similar authors
Kim Newman
Creates alternate history narratives that blend Victorian literature with supernatural elements and combines historical figures with fictional characters. His Anno Dracula series reimagines literary characters in new contexts, similar to Kurland's approach with Moriarty.
Nicholas Meyer Writes Holmes pastiches that maintain canonical accuracy while exploring new perspectives on familiar characters. His The Seven-Per-Cent Solution examines Holmes through a different lens, as Kurland does with Moriarty.
Philip José Farmer Specializes in creating interconnected fictional universes and reimagining established characters in new contexts. His Wold Newton series connects various literary figures in a shared universe, comparable to Kurland's genre-mixing approach.
John Gardner Wrote the James Bond continuation novels that focused on humanizing an established character while maintaining the original premise. His work on reinventing existing characters parallels Kurland's treatment of Moriarty.
Fred Saberhagen Combines science fiction, fantasy, and historical elements while reinterpreting classic literary characters. His Dracula series presents the vampire as a more nuanced character, similar to Kurland's complex portrayal of Moriarty.
Nicholas Meyer Writes Holmes pastiches that maintain canonical accuracy while exploring new perspectives on familiar characters. His The Seven-Per-Cent Solution examines Holmes through a different lens, as Kurland does with Moriarty.
Philip José Farmer Specializes in creating interconnected fictional universes and reimagining established characters in new contexts. His Wold Newton series connects various literary figures in a shared universe, comparable to Kurland's genre-mixing approach.
John Gardner Wrote the James Bond continuation novels that focused on humanizing an established character while maintaining the original premise. His work on reinventing existing characters parallels Kurland's treatment of Moriarty.
Fred Saberhagen Combines science fiction, fantasy, and historical elements while reinterpreting classic literary characters. His Dracula series presents the vampire as a more nuanced character, similar to Kurland's complex portrayal of Moriarty.