To celebrate Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday on the 22nd May, one of the world’s most renown Sherlock Holmes historians Alistair Duncan appeared at Waterstones Croydon from 11am to sign copies of all three of his books – but in particular his latest book  ‘The Norwood Author’ which is very much a local book for the store. Fans were treated to a rare bookstore appearance from Duncan who lives in South London

Conan Doyle wrote many of his Sherlock Holmes stories while he was a resident in Norwood and many commentators feel that some of his best work came during those four years. He had just taken the decision to give up the medical profession and take writing more seriously.

The Norwood Author

Conan Doyle is one of the most written about men who ever lived but despite this some parts of his life get little attention. One such period is between 1891 and 1894 when he lived in South Norwood in present day south-east London. During this period he wrote and published much of his best work including the first two series of Sherlock Holmes short stories. The book ‘The Norwood Author‘ looks at his life during this period and, in contrast to other biographies, spends time looking at some of his input into local Norwood life.

The timing was nice as the Sherlock Holmes DVD was released on the Monday so the Waterstones store was full of Holmes merchandise.