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Category Archives: Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

With many books on Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, PG Wodehouse and Bertram Fletcher Robinson our Victorian Literature range is growing fast.

New books lift the lid on Sherlock Holmes Fans Views of Actors, MX Publishing, London

25 Nov

What do fans think about Robert Downey Junior as Sherlock Holmes? What about Benedict Cumberbatch? How about Lucy Liu or Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson? There have been many actors that have played Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on stage and screen, and two new adult comic books from Andy Murray and Deakin Brook lift the lid on some of the fan views on the leading actors. On Wednesday 27thNovember, 7pm at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel, on London’s Baker Street itself, authors the ‘Sons of Sherlock’ as the pair like to call themselves, showcase two hilarious new comic books that ask the questions – Is That My Holmes? and Is That My Watson?

Take a quick trawl through tumblr or Facebook you’ll find plenty of opinion on the main Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson actors and Murray and Brook have brilliantly captured the opinions of the fans. The observations has been converted into two engaging comic books that Holmes fans will love. Funny, cheeky and a little controversial, the comic books represent the very best in parody. Of all the actors perhaps Robert Downey Junior will be least pleased with his entry but the Sons of Sherlock have captured the fan sentiment perfectly.

Also launched on the same evening is a separate mammoth project from Andrew Murray – The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book. A quizmasters dream, the book contains 1000 questions and answers about Holmes – covering the original books as well as the TV and movie adaptations. On the night there will be a short quiz with some selected questions from the book and the guest with the best score will win a big bundle of Sherlock goodies. As with all Sherlock Holmes Hotel events there will be a raffle with hundreds of pounds of Sherlock Holmes prizes – tickets are free and on a first come, first served basis from Eventbrite – http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-that-my-holmes-and-is-that-my-watson-book-launch-tickets-8790010157

The books are published by MX Publishing which is the world’s largest specialist Sherlock Holmes publisher, with over a hundred titles and fifty authors creating the latest in Sherlock Holmes fiction and non-fiction. The collection includes leading titles such as Benedict Cumberbatch In Transition and The Norwood Author which won the 2011 Howlett Award (Sherlock Holmes Book of the Year). MX Publishing also has one of the largest communities of Holmes fans on Facebook with regular contributions from dozens of authors.

Is That My Holmes? is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository.

Is That My Watson? is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository.

The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository. In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle and Kobo.

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Posted by on November 25, 2013 in Book Launches, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Philip K Jones reviews Sherlock Holmes and The Lufton Lady by Marlene R. Aig

22 Nov

“This book was published posthumously from notes left by the author.  Two “chapters” were published during her lifetime in issues of “Canadian Holmes,” [Volume 14, Issues #2 & 4, Wi/1990 & Su/1991].  Chris Redmond is responsible for making the completion of this tale available from her notes.

I have copies of the original publications as well as the more recent, Trade Paperback edition and I re-read the original ”Chapters” as part of this review.  Sherlockians must be warned.  This is a love story, written by a true “Romantic Soul.”  This is also a story that fits well into the Canon.  Most of its events precede that historic meeting at “St. Barts” which began the Canon, so Dr. Watson does not appear actively in the events narrated here.  The picture presented of Holmes is NOT filtered through the eyes of Dr. Watson, but rather he is presented by the diary entries of a school friend and an associate (superior?) of Mycroft.  The Holmes we see is younger and more impressionable than the one we have become accustomed to watching.

This love story presents three couples who are in love (more or less) and who are forbidden by societal standards to express their love.  The events presented are the direct results of the frustration imposed on these people by those societal strictures.  Ms. Aig was a journalist and, over her years of professional experience, must have seen the effects of such societal pressures acted out in sorrow, violence and misery many times.  Her presentation is deft and not overly sentimental, but it is most affecting.  Conflicts between society’s expectations and the vagaries of the heart are frustrating, even in retrospect.  The waste of time, energy and concern bear little resemblance to the advantages returned to society by conformity to its rules of conduct.

Each of these romances is resolved in the book.  “Happily ever after” is not always achieved in real life, so the results will be unsatisfactory for the romance-minded.  On the other hand, Sherlock is learning his trade and resolves the various situations presented in as efficient a manner as he can.  Murder, heartbreak, frustration and sorrow are often the lot of lovers in the world, especially in the world of Victorian England.  Criminals suffer the consequences of their actions, either through judicial punishment, private action or excessive throes of conscience.

In a technical sense, there is very little that needs to be said about this book.  It is well-written and well-edited and the story is interesting and believable.  The characters are engaging and very well presented and most of the background details are accurate.  My only problem is the forms of address used in the tale for the children of a Duke.  These are, at the least, odd and they may be improper.  In addition, this story is the first telling that I have encountered of a particular Untold Tale.  In The Musgrave Ritual, Holmes mentions “… cases … through… old fellow students” of which MUSG was the third.  The Lufton Lady is another.”

Sherlock Holmes and The Lufton Lady is available from all good bookstores including  Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo, Nook and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

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Posted by on November 22, 2013 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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A must for BBC Sherlock and CBS Elementary fans [and detractors]

21 Nov

This week sees the launch of a must have book for all BBC Sherlock and Elementary fans. ‘The Immortals’ is a comprehensive episode by episode review of the two series by Holmes expert Matthew Elliott. His unique approach tackles each episode and links back elements to the original stories, reviews plotlines, characters and good and bad points. Matthew Elliott is one of the leading Holmes experts in the UK – regularly publishing articles and speaking at major Holmes events. In fact, he was the host for the 7th November Sherlock Holmes Society of London film evening.

So whether you are a fan of either or both series, or in fact a detractor, you will find Elliott’s analysis of the series compelling reading.

The Immortals: An Unauthorized guide to Sherlock and Elementary is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

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Posted by on November 21, 2013 in Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Controversial New Novel from a Sherlock Holmes Master

12 Nov

Kieran McMullen has, over the last three years, established himself as one of the current leading ‘traditional’ Sherlock Holmes authors. Three historical military focussed novels behind him, and a wonderful collaboration with another new master Dan Andriacco (The Amateur Executioner) have given him a large following.

In ‘Sherlock Holmes and The Black Widower’ Holmes has to investigate a potential serial killer – one who has murdered three wives. Not so unusual – except the accused is a one Dr. John Watson. A gripping and sure to be controversial thriller, and arguably McMullen’s best so far.

Sherlock Holmes and The Black Widower is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Amazon UK and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

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Posted by on November 12, 2013 in Book Launches, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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An Interview with Claire Daines

08 Nov

An Interview with Claire Daines

Claire Daines has just had her first Sherlock Holmes novel published and I caught up with her recently.

I very often find it hard to find the time to write, but you have a young family, now extended by one to care for. How do you find the time?

I hold it up at gunpoint! It helps that the three eldest are at school and pre-school five days a week, and I’ve gotten very good at typing one-handed with the baby on my knee.

Are you a structured writer, writing at a set time and place? Do you just open up the laptop and let it come to you?

Not structured in the least, but my family always knows where to find me: constantly tapping away on my laptop at the dining room table, one of the few spaces available for writing.  I hate to feel like I’m not achieving anything, so I usually keep several projects on the go at once. If I run out of steam for one, I can switch to another. I also make sure to carry pen and paper with me if I’m going out anywhere.

Why Sherlock Holmes?

You know how certain characters just stay on your radar all your life, and you can spot a reference to them a mile off, no matter how slight? For me, Sherlock Holmes has always been that character. The very first Holmes story I ever read was ‘Silver Blaze’ when I was still in primary school. It was in a book of various mystery stories: Father Brown, the Thinking Machine, and so on. I must have read that book a thousand times while growing up – it’s probably still in my parents’ attic somewhere. Funnily enough, the next major ‘Holmes moment’ that I recall was at 10 years old, watching Michael Caine blunder about beside Ben Kingsley’s Watson in ‘Without A Clue’!

I love Sherlock Holmes because of his brilliant mind, but also because he is so obviously not a mere ‘brain without a heart’. His humanity is clear in every story, despite the cold, logical façade he tries to present – which itself is such a very human thing to do!

Your novel ‘A Study in Regret’ has now made its way into the world. How did the premise of this work come  to you?

To answer, we have to travel back in time to the beginning of 2012. I had recently found a certain fanfiction website, and was blown away by not only the sheer quantity, but also the quality of some of it. After reading Discworld for several days straight, I turned on a whim to the Sherlock Holmes section in the hope that it would be just as good… and oh, it was! Some of those authors, I could barely tell the difference between their writing and Doyle’s, and I loved being able to read all those wonderful new adventures. With one particular writer, ‘Aleine Skyfire’ (who is now my best friend and co-author!), I was waiting impatiently for each fresh installment of the Holmes serial she was writing. After reading one chapter in floods of tears, I found myself idly wondering what it would be like for Holmes if Watson hadn’t survived Reichenbach…

Read the full interview here.

Sherlock Holmes and A Study In Regret is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Barnes and Noble USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo and Apple iBooks(iPad/iPhone).

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Posted by on November 8, 2013 in Author Interviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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An exciting week for Sherlock Holmes fans.

05 Nov

Last week saw the launch of Eddy Webb’s detailed and brutally honest review of the Sherlock Holmes stories ‘Watson Is Not An Idiot’. Critics have called it a brilliant introduction to the original stories. An early review says:

“I am in love with this book. As a Sherlock fan, I didn’t think I would be able to learn more about Doyle’s work. Boy, was I mistaken.Eddy brings you to Doyle’s world and explains the common misconceptions of certain key phrases, Sherlock, and of course, Watson (who is not an idiot).”

This week’s new title is very special. ‘Sherlock Holmes and a Quantity of Debt’ is a special edition hardback of David Marcum’s debut Holmes novel. We say special as David’s two short story collections (The Papers of Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2) have been bestsellers since their launch in June and September this year, and compiled together into a stunning 13 hour audio version. Reviews have been amazing:

“David Marcum has achieved the ultimate Sherlock Holmes pastiche, David is indeed the undisputed master of the modern Sherlock Holmes story, to read these stories it is as if Conan Doyle himself has written them.No doubt about it David Marcum is THE best Sherlockian author of today.If like me a purist and like Sherlock Holmes stories as Conan Doyle intended them this then this book is an absolute must.”

The reaction to the short stories gave us the confidence to include in the launch a special hardback.

Finally, this week sees a fantastic free event for Sherlock Holmes fans on Friday 8thNovember, 7pm at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel. The launch of ‘The Immortals’ a comprehensive review of the BBC Sherlock and CBS Elementary series from Holmes expert Matthew Elliott – free tickets available from http://theimmortals-efbevent.eventbrite.co.uk/.

Watson Is Not An Idiot is available from all good bookstores including  Amazon USA,Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo, Nook and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

Sherlock Holmes and A Quantity of Debt is available from all good bookstores including  Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository. In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle, Kobo and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

The Immortals: An Unauthorized guide to Sherlock and Elementary is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle.

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Posted by on November 5, 2013 in Book Launches, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Philip K Jones reviews Mystery at St. Andrews

04 Nov

“This is the first Sherlockian fiction by Mr. Lawler.  It is a mystery novel that takes place during “The Great Hiatus” and it stars Colonel Sebastian Moran and Irene Adler Norton along with an unexpected visit by Dr. Watson.

This book is dedicated to Golf, and it devotes a great deal of time to the “Royal and Ancient” course at St. Andrews.  The database lists more than twenty tales involving golf, most of them from two books by golfer Robert D. (Bob) Jones with an anthology of eighteen short stories (Sherlock Holmes, the Golfer) and a novel (Sherlock Holmes Saved Golf).  These two books have been the literary stars of Sherlockian golfers up until now, but I expect their luster has faded with publication of the present volume.

This book is a carefully constructed and entertaining mystery, although Sherlockians will know the outcome once they have placed the characters and timing, it remains fascinating to find out how the know results will occur.  Even with a known outcome, the mystery that unfolds is compelling and intriguing.  The author also manages to interlard the mystery with a good deal of narrative about golfing on the course at St. Andrews.  I did not look forward to reading it as my interest in golf was killed by too many fruitless games of miniature golf in my teens.  The book was a pleasant surprise for a defiant non-golfer.  The author’s explanations and descriptions of the play on the course were amusing and interesting.  He certainly loves the sport and manages to convey his fascination with the game in a most effective fashion.

The familiar characters in the book are all depicted very much as they appear in the Canonical tales.  Irene is grace and beauty personified and Colonel Moran is charming with barely suppressed violence hidden behind a genial manner.  Watson remains the epitome of an English gentleman, both in manner and in actions.  He is, of course, somewhat smarter than he portrays himself in his tales, but Sherlockians all know that anyway.

The story is well-told and well thought-out and the characters are familiar and very well presented.  We can feel comfortable with all of them and we can enjoy a delightful trip to “the Royal and Ancient” in the early 1890s with congenial old friends.  The editing was well-done and the usual Americanisms expected from Colonial writers were absent, or at least unobtrusive.  Since I am quite picky, I managed to find a few neologisms, but it is very difficult to weed out new terminology from a Century and a quarter in the future.”

Mystery at St Andrews is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo, Nook and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone) and it is available in Audible Audio Edition.

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Posted by on November 4, 2013 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Philip K. Jones reviews Holmes in Time for Christmas by Ross K. Foad

28 Oct

“This is the first Sherlockian fiction by Mr. Foad that I know of.  It is a short novel that takes place during “The Great Hiatus.”

This is a lively, amusing tale that occurs while Sherlock is touring England as an actor.  He and “The Woman” have been touring together, he as Mr. Sigerson and she as Miss Adler. They seem to enjoy one another’s company but also do not seem to be romantically tangled.  Both are taking a rest from their regular lives, using acting to keep themselves occupied.

Holmes receives a small package in the mail which sends him into a depressed state.  On December 24th of 1899, Watson queries him about the package and Holmes agrees to explain it as his Christmas present to Watson.  Holmes tells Watson to come along and he calls for a cab that takes them to the Diogenes Club.  It appears that Mycroft is involved in the events represented by the package.

The package contained a small book which is a piece of Irene Adler Norton’s diary. Together, Sherlock and Mycroft, with the help of the diary, tell the story of a trio of Christmas murders that all three of them investigated in December, 1893.

The story is well-told and enthralling and the characters all act in ways consistent with their personae as revealed in the Canon.  The editing is relatively good, with only a sprinkling of neologisms and misplaced apostrophes and commas.  The author will, however have to overcome a tendency to drop surreptitious puns like small landmines along the way.  Many readers who are not addicted punsters may find them distracting or even corrupting.  He must remember why Socrates was condemned, “…for corrupting the minds of the young.” Creating a taste for sneaky puns is definitely a step down that slippery slide.”

Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October, 2013

Published in “The Beggar’s cap, [V10, # 01, 09/2013]

Holmes in Time for Christmas is available from all good bookstores including  Amazon USA, Barnes and Noble USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle and Apple iBooks(iPad/iPhone).

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Posted by on October 28, 2013 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Review of In Search of Doctor Watson 2nd Edition by Molly Carr

23 Oct

“According to the author, this book “falls naturally into two parts: the Doctor as written about by Doyle, and an exploration of the concept of the foil before, during and after the first appearance of Watson.”

She is, however, doing herself an injustice with this relatively bald statement. Part One covers every aspect of a character that you can imagine, the friends and acquaintances on which Doyle may have drawn – or not, and, if not, why not –for inspiration;  the places and actions and fallacies of same – in a historical context; Watson’s own background and possible ‘origins’, his income and where that would fit into London society.

For me, just as interesting as this detailed investigation is the wealth of background information and research that is included to paint such a complete and convincing picture: the history of the Field Medical Services, the 66th’s movements during the Second Anglo-Afghan War, the attitude of the medical profession (including Doyle) towards dressers, the description of Charles Booth’s social system etc. etc.

Equally fascinating is her attempt to construct a plausible  timeline before and, especially, after Maiwand and Peshawar and when Watson met Holmes; naturally she has to excuse the former for the occasional lapse of memory as to precisely in which hospital he was tended for his shoulder wound. She even suggests that Watson purposely chose New Year’s Day for their first meeting as it “makes for better ‘theatre’.”

Equally interesting is the discussion on the literary duos spawned [by Holmes and Watson], although I would disagree with her argument – when discussing Arthur Morrison’s  lack of success with his Strand stories which appeared soon after The Final Problem – that “what the readers…of the Strand desperately wanted was a second Holmes and Watson.” What they clearly clamoured for – and eventually got – was the return of the original! Raffles & Bunny, Drs Thorndyke and Jarvis, Lord Peter Wimsey & Bunter, Sexton Blake & Tinker, Poirot & Hastings: they are all there,  but the conclusion is, naturally,  that there‘s only one Holmes and Watson!

Can I find any fault in this, perhaps definitive, work on Dr. Watson? Well yes, just one: given that the author shares her extensive knowledge of relevant sources with us, an index and/or bibliography would be handy for the interested researcher. Something for the next edition maybe.

But in the meantime this one can be wholly recommended.”

This review appeared in THE TORR: The Journal of ‘The Poor Folk Upon the Moors’ The Sherlock Holmes Society of the West Country. Issue No. 43  – Autumn 2013

In Search of Dr Watson 2nd Edition is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Barnes and Noble, Amazon UK and Waterstones. For elsewhere Book Depository who offer free delivery worldwide. In ebook format it is in Kindle, Kobo, Nook and iBooks(iPad/iPhone).

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Posted by on October 23, 2013 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Amy Thomas looks at the life and work of the late Marlene Aig, female Holmesian pioneer.

17 Oct

“Ever since I jumped into the Sherlock Holmes scene with both feet a few years ago, I’ve been conscious of the issues of gender and feminism that underlie the current surging interest in the detective. One of the first things I learned, one that amazed me, was that the Baker Street Irregulars, respected international Holmes organization, did not admit women until the year 1991. I also learned that in past years, women who wanted to be active in the world of Sherlock Holmes fandom (for it is a fandom, make no mistake), did not always have the easiest time of it. Even today, the issues of sex and gender are a complicated and sometimes unpleasant aspect of being in the Holmesian world.

And yet, this post is not meant to be in the least bleak, because, well, you can’t keep, as they say, good women down. In the late 1960s, a group of enterprising ladies formed an organization called the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, and it’s still going strong. I respect these women extremely highly, and one of the early trailblazers among feminine Sherlockians is the subject of this post: Marlene Aig…

As a Holmesian and as a woman, I’m delighted to say that a piece of Marlene’s legacy has been left behind for us to enjoy. Many years ago, she penned a Sherlockian pastiche–a novella starring Sherlock Holmes that is titled Sherlock Holmes and the Lufton Lady…”

Read the full blog post here.

Sherlock Holmes and The Lufton Lady is available from all good bookstores including  Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo, Nook and Apple iBooks(iPad/iPhone).

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Posted by on October 17, 2013 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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