Instruct: Classify Amazon reviews into positive or negative sentiment
Query: Not up to Mr. Carr's snuff.

I read about half of this novel and, I must say, it was more plodding than enjoyment. I really enjoyed The Alienist and, only a little less, The Angel of Darkness. The Italian Secretary was not up to this level, especially considering it featured Holmes and Watson. Portrayed here they were dry and shallow, and I simply couldn't embrace them. What little action happened in the first half of the book did not ignite my usual passion for a Sherlock Holmes story.