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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.

Sherlock Holmes Society of London reviews The Case of The Grave Accusation

13 Jul

When it comes to reviews, every Holmes author and historian waits anxiously for the edition of The District Messenger where their book is reviewed by the world’s leading Holmes society. It’s good news for the recent pastiche, and true story, The Case of the Grave Accusation with a resounding thumbs up for the new book.

“Just out from MX Publishing at £7.99 is The Case of the Grave Accusation, a novel by Dicky Neely edited by Paul R Spiring, in which Holmes and Watson investigate certain bizarre allegations made against Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – that he stole the narrative of his most famous book from his friend Fletcher Robinson, that he had an affair with Robinson’s wife, and that he murdered Robinson in order to conceal the scandal.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because those charges have been made! Richard Belzer said,

‘If you tell a lie that’s big enough, and you tell it often enough, people will believe you are telling the truth, even when what you are saying is total crap.’

I hope Mr Neely’s book nails the nonsense for good.”

Strong praise from the Society and rightly so. This book is a an important final milestone in the long saga that started with terrible accusations against our beloved Arthur Conan Doyle. Allegations that were damaging and hurtful to both his, and Bertram Fletcher Robinson’s memories.

Without spoiling the plotline, this book has two halves – the first part is a fun pastiche take on the murder scandal, and the second a collection of supporting real life information that puts the final nails in the coffin of the real-life accusations. A very fascinating collaboration between a surfing cartoonist (Dicky Neely, the pastiche) and learned lecturer (Paul R Spiring, the history part).

The Case of The Grave Accusation is available from all good bookstores like Amazon, via Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, iBooks (iPad/iPhone) and several other formats.

 
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Posted by on July 13, 2011 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Review of The Case of The Grave Accusation, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

06 Jul

Philip K Jones, aka The Ill Dressed Vagabond, is one of the USA’s leading Sherlock Holmes reviewers. He is the first to review the new The Case of The Grave Accusation book about Holmes.

“Mr. Neely published the main portion of this book in The Coastal Bend Sun, a defunct Texas newspaper, in 2002.  For this book, he made adjustments to the story and added illustrations.  Mr. Spirling added a section of comments that summarize the contacts between Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Bertram Fletcher Robinson between the publication of “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and Robinson’s death.

The basis for this pastiche was a series of allegations by Rodger Garrick-Steele issued in 2000.  These were essentially that Doyle plagiarized the Baskervilles story from Robinson and then, when Robinson threatened to ‘expose’ him, Doyle seduced Mrs. Robinson and conspired with her to poison her husband.  Of course, these charges caused a minor furor but, eventually, died from a lack of any proof and all the evidence of a continuing friendship between Doyle and Robinson.  Mr. Neely wrote the novella in 2002 as a response to these allegations.  Mr. Spiring, credited as Editor, compiled and listed a series of citations that indicate the continued long-term good relations between Doyle and Robinson up to the time of Robinson’s death in 1907.   

The fictional element of this book has Holmes and Watson recalled from honorable retirement as fictional icons to investigate a matter that is vitally important to their existence.  This is the charge of plagiarism against Doyle, which cast the entire literature of Sherlock Holmes into doubt.  The investigation is carried on in the 21st Century, so Holmes and Watson need to orient themselves and to adapt to the information sources and other technologies available to them in this time and place.

Surprisingly, the investigation is carried out in a typical Sherlockian fashion, with Dr. Watson manfully but confusedly helping Holmes and a Scotland Yard Inspector providing the necessary back up.  The adjustment problems Holmes and Watson face are taken in stride and the ‘Standard Doyle cast’ make guest appearances.  The villain of the piece is a fictional character who is nursing several problems along with a need for recognition.  He is induced to recant and to channel his energies into more acceptable efforts.

Mr. Spirling’s efforts have produced a careful list of public appearances, comments and citations that illustrate the friendly and extended relations that existed between Doyle and Robinson.  There are also personal communications, shared events and joint appearances of various sorts that occur all through the period between the publication of The Hound of the Baskervilles and the death of Mr. Robinson.  So the thesis that Robinson had become upset with Doyle is contradicted time and again, right up to his last writings before his death.

The book is short, but well done.  It will effectively nail the lid onto the coffin of any plagiarism charges against Doyle for using Robinson’s local tale as an inspiration for his story.  Robinson was fully and completely credited as the source of the ‘Baskervilles Legend’ and used that credit, from time to time, to promote his own career, rather than holding it against Doyle.”

The Case of The Grave Accusation is available from all good bookstores like Amazon, via Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, iBooks (iPad/iPhone) and several other formats.

 
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Posted by on July 6, 2011 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Review of Shadowfall a novel of Sherlock Holmes by Tracy Revels from The Ill Dressed Vagabond

28 Jun
Shadowfall

Shadowfall

A history professor at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Tracy Revels has been a Sherlock Holmes fan since 5th grade. She teaches a class on Sherlock Holmes called “The Game’s Afoot!” along with more conventional courses in Civil War and women’s history. Shadowfall is her first novel and already a bestseller amongst Holmes fans since its launch last month.

“This book is a first Novel by Ms. Revels.  She has previously confined her Sherlockian efforts to a series of parodies, many in the form of radio scripts, which were recently published as “Sherlock Holmes: Mostly Parodies.”  She has a patently wicked sense of humor and is a great favorite among the readers of “The Gaslight Gazette.”

This novel begins with Dr. Watson unexpectedly walking in on Holmes while he is being solicited for help by Titania, the queen of The Sidhe.  The fact that Titania is beautiful, nude and fully winged adds to Watson’s surprise.  From that point on, the book varies sharply for the commonplace world of Victorian London.  It is full of lively, entertaining, fearsome and frantic characters.  In fact, the ‘feeling’ of the book is very much that of “The Sign of Four.”  Odd persons wander in and out of the tale, mysteries abound but Holmes always seems to know what he is doing.

There are at least four characters drawn directly from traditional accounts who dominate the action of the book.  Each has individuality and oddities of nature and each was pivotal in their own time and place.  Further, the fantastic nature of the events and subject matter do not really penetrate the reader’s sense of time and place for some while.  These odd events are happening in the familiar London of the Canon; foggy streets, seedy theatres, steel rimmed carriage wheels and all.  Inspectors Lestrade and Gregson are preempted by The Government and Holmes and Watson are summoned to Windsor castle by a faithful retainer to receive their orders.

It is only in the late chapters that the oddities at last become overwhelming.  Until the final scenes begin to unfold, we could be in the midst of any Canonical adventure except for the occasional oddity along the way.  The ending is both technically satisfying and emotionally unsettling.  The magical inconsistencies now become wildly apparent and Holmes has become an object of some wonder and fear.  Watson, however, remains Watson, British to the core, as he quietly completes his obligations and his narrative.

This is a comforting and disquieting book all at the same time.  The sense of ‘1895’ is so strong that it overwhelms the strangeness introduced by the preternatural elements for most of the narrative.  Holmes and Watson work together with the familiar combination of trust and knowledge that fill the Canon but are finally separated by their own natures and circumstances.  It is odd and familiar, comfortable and unsettling.  It is just, as I suppose, as the author planned it to be.”

Shadowfall is available in paperback from all good bookstores including Amazon, in Amazon Kindle, Kobo and iBook (ipad/phone) format. You can follow Tracy Revels Blog for her latest news.

 
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Posted by on June 28, 2011 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Interview with Dicky Neely the author of The Case of The Grave Accusation, a Sherlock Holmes mystery

26 Jun

Dicky Neely is an internationally recognised illustrator from Texas and life-long Sherlock Holmes fan. His first book, The Case of The Grave Accusation covers Sherlock Holme’s most important mystery ever. We caught up with him in between scribblings to ask him about the book and his passion for Holmes.

What was the main inspiration for the book?

I was surfing the net some years ago and I came across the story about a man who was attempting to discredit Sir Arthur Conan Doyle concerning his authorship of the Hound of the Baskervilles as well as accusing him of wife stealing and murder concerning Bertram Fletcher Robinson and his wife Gladys. The man’s premise for his claims seemed pretty thin to me and I immediately thought “This sounds like a case for Sherlock Holmes!”

Which is your favourite aspect of the book?

I enjoyed thinking about what Holmes might have accomplished with modern contrivances such as computers, cell phones and other such things. I had no doubt he would be a computer geek if he had the chance.

Of all the Holmes stories which is your favourite and why?

The Hound of the Baskervilles is my favorite. It combines all of the elements of Holmes’ abilities and methods along with the supernatural tales of the West Country wilderness. I found that fascinating.

When did you first become interested in Sherlock Holmes?

I was an avid reader as a youth and the Sherlock Holmes movies, such as the 1959 Hound of the Baskervilles with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee and of course the movies with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce sparked my interest which led me to the written works.

If you could meet Arthur Conan Doyle, what would you ask him?

What effect did your invention of Sherlock Holmes have on his life? Was it for personal good or ill?

What are you reading at the moment?

The Autobiography of Mark Twain.

What’s the best aspect of being a Holmes author?

I am thrilled that I have the opportunity to make a small contribution to the body of work of Holmsian authors.

Which of the Sherlock Holmes stories do you feel is the best and why?

I think the best story is “The Blue Carbuncle.” This story is a bit more light hearted than most of the canon but it has charming qualities and illustrates Holmes’ powers of deductions at their finest.

Who is your favourite support character in the Holmes stories?

That would have to Dr. Watson. He is, after all, the teller of most of the stories and he clearly is a fine and honest person and is wholly dedicated to his friend Sherlock Holmes.

What is you most treasured illustration and why?

I guess you mean my own illustrations?This was my first illustration and I had never previous considered doing any Holmes pictures. It was fun, just as was the writing of my story.

The Case of The Grave Accusation is available from all good bookstores like Amazon, via Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, iBooks (iPad/iPhone) and several other formats.

 
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Posted by on June 26, 2011 in Author Interviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Review of Watsons Afghan Adventure by Kieran McMullen from The Ill Dressed Vagabond aka Phil Jones

18 Jun

Watson's Afghan AdventurePhilip K Jones is one of the most respected, and meticulous Sherlock Holmes reviewers in the USA. Here he casts a close eye over Watsons Afghan Adventure, the debut Holmes pastiche from Keiran McMullen.

“This is the only Sherlockian book I know of by this author.  It is Watson’s own tale of his experiences in Afghanistan.  The narrative is a very realistic exposition of a British Doctor’s life during the Second Afghan War.  I am not sure of the details of the campaigns involved, but the presentation is an accurate and intelligent view of what Watson would have seen and experienced.

The Watson presented here is very much the Watson who wrote the Canonical tales.  He is inherently good and caring but also intelligent and observant.  Some of the details differ from those in the Canonical accounts but all the disagreements are well explained and logical.  The tale told is well written and intriguing, with a variety of characters and locations.  The bumbling Watson presented in the Canon, of course, never existed, but this Watson has all the heart and courage displayed in the Canonical tales along with the attention to detail and intelligence required by their author.

Good and evil are displayed by most of the characters.  The wide range of the noble aspirations, lofty ideals and gross excesses of ‘The Raj’ are displayed as well as the nobility, humanity and venality of the native population.  Most of the characters are interesting and the story told is a fascinating combination of a treasure hunt and an exposé of the details of the British domination of the Subcontinent.  As ever, Watson maintains his ideals, observes his fellow travelers and tries to help whomever and wherever he can.

There are a few irritating details in editing that occur throughout the book.  Most are substitution of homonyms for the proper spellings but there are also a few specific mis-usages and errors in details.  A careful edit should catch the majority but they are, at most, a minor distraction.  In a literature that is plagued by poor editing and gross mis-spellings the errors in this book are truly small change.  Some purists may disagree with the details of Watson’s history provided, but no real violations of the Canon are included.  This is an interesting and thought provoking addition to the Canon that is well worth reading.”

Kieran’s own blog is becoming very popular – especially his recent series of articles on the different actors that have played Dr.Watson.

Watson’s Afghan Adventure is available from all good bookstores and on Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, iBooks (iPad and iPhone) and other formats.

 
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Posted by on June 18, 2011 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Review of Rendezvous at The Populaire a Sherlock Holmes Novel by Kate Workman from The Ill Dressed Vagabond

08 Jun

Rendezvous at the PopulairePhilip K Jones is one of the USA’s leading Sherlock Holmes reviewers. Here he casts a comprehensive eye over Kate Workman’s debut novel (the first in a series of five) pastiche ‘Rendezvous at The Populaire’. New Jersey based Kate is getting much acclaim for the novel and Phil admits “she has talent” and overall seemed to enjoy the book saying it is ‘readable’ and inventive’.

“This is the first book in a projected series of Sherlockian tales by Ms. Workman.  This tale has a small number of editing errors, mostly misused words or terminology.  In any case, editing is not a major concern, as it has been for so many new authors lately.  Another characteristic is that the book ‘reads’ as if it had been translated from the French.  This is odd, but it has the ‘feel’ of a number of Sherlockian tales I have read that were so translated.  Also, a few of the terms used were ‘out of context.’  

The author credits Sam Siciliano’s “The Angel of the Opera” which involves Sherlock with ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ as an inspiration, but I found this book to be more interesting.  On the other hand, I never really enjoyed Mr. Siciliano’s effort in the first place.  For Sherlockians, the Holmes they meet in this book is a new person.  The utter self-confidence and disdain for others that pervades the Canonical Holmes is absent here.  This Holmes is chastened and unsure of himself.

I have never read the original “Phantom of the Opera,” by Gaston Leroux nor have I ever seen any of the Plays built on the character.  From that viewpoint, this is a relatively new story for me, so I have no preconceptions or emotional ties to the tale.  This book has an original approach to the classic tale and draws serious lines between the characters of Erik and Sherlock.  I am unsure of the degree of culpability that Erik’s original had, but this book presents him as a sympathetic character whose violence is only used to protect others or to prevent his own destruction.

The plot moves right along and the characters are mostly well drawn.  One almost feels that the heroine is really more than a pretty face attached to a pretty voice and the hero actually attains a sort of stature at the end.  I must admit that it took a while to see him as a serious person and I’m not sure that the impression will last.  Mostly, this book concerns Holmes and Erik so that their confrontations, both with their own inner demons and with each other are the actual tale told here.  The other supporting cast members are mostly interesting and even attractive, in a perverse way.  I especially liked the managers, for whom the phrase “dumb as a box of rocks” may have been invented.

As a first effort, this book is good.  As a Sherlockian pastiche, it is readable and inventive.  The author’s vision of Holmes in the grip of misfortunes is compelling. Although it contradicts the Canonical presentation, it presents a number of intriguing points and it seems to have a good amount of legitimacy if one accepts the author’s premises.  It has become common practice for authors to submit their manuscripts to a group of knowledgeable fans for discussion and error checking before publication.  This author would benefit from wider early exposure and discussion.  She has talent and good ideas but could use more active discussion in advance of publication.”

Rendezvous at the Populaire is available from all good bookstores including Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Kobo and iBooks (iPad and iPhone).

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2011 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Review of The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes from Tony Reynolds, by An Ill-dressed Vagabond

05 Jun

Philip K Jones (aka The Ill Dressed Vagabond ) is one of the leading Holmes reviewers in the USA. Here is his recent review of ‘The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes’ by Tony Reynolds.

This is the first Sherlockian writing I have found by this author. It is a collection of eight short novellas, each set up similarly to the Canonical tales. Other than the language, which seems a bit modern, these tales read a lot like their originals.

`The Giant Rat of Sumatra” takes place in London and migrates from a tale of murder to a story of a curiosity and then to a true tragedy. The explanation offered is plausible and the events are reasonable. “The Adventure of the Gypsy Girl” reads very well. Holmes always seems a step ahead of the reader and gives his client what she asks for. It is quite well executed and seems to unfold naturally.

“The Adventure of the Amazon Explorer” recalls a couple of the Canonical tales and includes several excellent deductions by Holmes. Again, Holmes satisfies his client’s needs, if not those of the Metropolitan Police. “The Adventure of the Medium” starts out as if it is another fraud debunking as in the earlier “Gypsy Girl” tale. It ends up as a tale of Holmes’ compassion and understanding.

“The Adventure of the Russian Anarchist” has Holmes requested by a high Government Official to help prevent the assassination of a visiting diplomat. Holmes manages to do so, despite the advice and help provided by his client and by Inspector Lestrade. “The Adventure of the Eminent Collector” involves Holmes in an inexplicable robbery. The stolen object and the pains taken simply do not match, so Holmes finds the explanation.

“The Adventure of the Pawnbroker’s Wife leads Holmes and Watson into an increasingly dark and involved situation. Their client’s suspicions seem to be confirmed and then magnified as the case progresses. “The Mystery of the Missing Rubies” introduces us to a family of Holmes relatives. Sherlock and Watson travel to Yorkshire to spend the Christmas holidays with some Holmes cousins and Mycroft joins the party. This is not a Mycroft I recognize, but the crime is explained so a good holiday can be had by all.

The individual stories are all reasonably framed and well-written. I found only a handful of errors and disliked only the characterization of Mycroft in the final tale. All were enjoyable, moderately complex and believable. Perhaps they are not Canonical, but they make a very nice substitute.

The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes are available from all good bookstores worldwide, on Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books and iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

 
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Posted by on June 5, 2011 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Interview with Dr Dan Andriacco author of Baker Street Beat a collection of Sherlock Holmes articles, essays and radio plays

04 Jun

Dan Andriacco, D.Min., of Cincinnati, OH, USA, is a former journalist and mystery fiction reviewer. His book Baker Street Beat: An Eclectic Collection of Sherlockian Scribblings is a delightful grab bag of essays, short stories and radio plays, plus a helpful annotated bibliography.  We cornered him in his library (don’t call it a collection) of Sherlock Holmes books to answer a few questions.

What was the main inspiration for the book?

I’m not sure, but it may have been our trip to the Reichenbach Falls in 2008. It was certainly around that time that I began to pull together various things I had written about The Master over the years, as well as a new essay on the Reichenbach pilgrimage and a nostalgic piece about my long acquaintance with Sherlock Holmes and his world.

Which is your favourite aspect of the book?

The variety of genres represented.

What is your favourite piece from the collection?

I loved the two new essays that I mentioned above, but I’m proudest of my radio play “The Wrong Cab.” I think the premise was original, the Holmes dialogue sounds right to my ear, and the mystery plot was rather good. All in all, there’s a lot going on in that half-hour play.

Of all the canonical Holmes stories which is your favourite and why?

I usually say The Red-Headed League or The Hound of the Baskervilles, but that’s not quite true. It would be more accurate to say those are my favorite Holmes mysteries. My favorite Holmes story is His Last Bow. I love the sense of Holmes acting for king and country and Watson coming in at the end as the old trouper. The friendship that is so evident between the two men and the wonderful monologue that ends the story – beginning with, “Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point in a changing age” – is just magic. I’m also very fond of The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton in which Watson is once again a trouper and there’s another wonderful ending.

Which of Conan Doyle’s characters is your favourite?

Sherlock Holmes! But, really, the Holmes stories are replete with memorable characters. I’m sure I’m not the only reader with a soft spot for John H Watson, M.D., who Loren D. Estleman affectionately called Knight of the Battered Tin Dispatch-Box.  And let’s not forget Mycroft, Moriarty, Moran, Milverton – and those are just the ones who names begin with the letter M!

How do you view the new adaptations of Holmes – the BBC’s Sherlock and the Guy Richie directed movies?

Put me in the minority of Sherlockians who didn’t care for the Guy Rtchie film at all. To me the pacing was off so that it managed to be somehow both boring and frenetic – stretches of inaction followed by camera shots that were so fast my brain couldn’t process them. More importantly, it wasn’t true to the characters of Holmes and Watson. Perhaps surprisingly, I did enjoy and admire the BBC production. It seemed to me faithful to the characters as they would be if they had arrived on the scene today instead of in the 19th Century.

Which other modern day Holmes writer do you most enjoy?

Although I wrote a pastiche and won an award for it, I like Sherlock Holmes stories that are not pastiches – that is, they are not written from Watson’s point of view and in imitation of the original author’s style. And I’ve also been fascinated to image Holmes’s post-Baker Street years, about which we know so little. Those being my preferences, my offbeat answer to your question is Michael Chabron in his beautiful little book The Final Solution. It takes place in World War II and Sherlock Holmes is 89 years old. Both times I read it I found myself thinking, “Yes, that’s what he might be like at that age.”

When did you first become interested in Sherlock Holmes?

That’s the subject of the first essay in Baker Street Beat, so I don’t want to say too much except that it happened about a half-century ago. Maybe the most important thing is that my mental image of Sherlock Holmes was formed by the original stories and by the Sidney Paget illustrations before I ever saw an actor in the role. I’m grateful for that.

What are you reading at the moment?

Right now I’m reading Chronicles of Solar Pons, the gift of a dear friend, and a book about T.S. Eliot. I just finished reading a mystery novel I myself wrote nearly 20 years ago and then forgot about. Before that I read The Sherlockian, which my wife and I enjoyed. I also liked Resurrection Day, an alternative-history thriller I read recently about a world in which the Cuban Missile Crisis triggered a nuclear war.

What’s the best aspect of being a Holmes author?

It’s fun! In fiction writing, I especially like creating characters and giving them appropriate names. When writing about another author’s characters there’s an interesting challenge in trying to make them true to the original. I think that’s more craft than art, but it’s still quite satisfying if you think you’ve pulled it off.

What else are you working on at the moment?

I’m updating that old novel of mine that I mentioned earlier. It has a strong Sherlockian connection that I think would be fun for the readers of Baker Street Beat. And reading it with the objectivity of years, I think it’s pretty good. But it was written before cell phones were common and DVD players were invented. Everyday life has changed a lot in two decades and the revised manuscript will reflect that. I also have in mind a historical mystery set in 1921 featuring a retired beekeeper and a historical personage that, so far as I know, has never before appeared in a Sherlock Holmes story. Stay tuned. Of course, before I forget I am busy writing my blog ‘Baker Street Beat’ – feel free to drop by and comment.

Baker Street Beat is available from all good bookstores worldwide including Amazon, on Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, and iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2011 in Author Interviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Review of A Study In Crimson, the 2nd Female Sherlock Holmes Story from Molly Carr, by An Ill-dressed Vagabond

02 Jun

A Study In CrimsonPhil K. Jones aka An Ill-dressed Vagabond is one of the USA’s leading Holmes reviewers – here is his take on ‘A Study in Crimson‘.

“This is the second book in Molly Carr’s ‘Watson – Fanshaw Detective Agency’ series. It follows events in The Sign of Fear rather directly and continues in much the same vein. Again, Watson natters, Holmes is always out on some sort of business, Lestrade needs help and odd clients turn up in the strangest places (or is that strange clients in oddest places?).

It is difficult to be more specific as the author wanders from situation to situation in a random fashion. Evildoers rush in and take captives, innocents escape miraculously and the police are baffled with a great deal of regularity. Most new clients seem to lead to old crimes and very few people are what (or who!) they seem. For example, ‘the old Russian woman,’ cited in “The Musgrave Ritual,” is not really so old, is definitely a woman, and is STILL not who she seems to be.

The author continues in her casual attitude toward the Canon. It is hard to keep track of which printed tales actually happened, which were invented by Holmes and who was actually responsible for which crimes. At any given time, it is hard to keep track of which adventure is being investigated, one of the Canonical, but unreal tales or one of the Untold, but actual tales. The same uncertainty applies to persons. Black Gorgiano’s grandson wanders in from nowhere accompanied by The Pinkerton Detective, Mr. Leverton, neither of whom is what he seems to be. The Poirots, pere et fils, turn up with disturbing regularity, again, not whom they seem to be.

Old school chums, and some never known in ANY school, appear and disappear at inconvenient moments. Clients turn into criminals and, of course, criminals into clients. It is not always clear when these changes occur, but occur they do, even if only for a little while. Meanwhile, Mary and the Nipper soldier on while Watson huffs, puffs, worries, bets on the ponies and runs the odd errand for Holmes. Emily keeps bringing in new clients, some of whom are legitimate and Neville St. Clair seems to have gone straight. At least, he is no longer begging for a living, but what he is really doing is more a mystery than ever.

There is really no point in detailing the events, because I’m sure they will manage to change again before you see this review. Of course, the character set remains the same, or changes as the spirit(s?) move them. Scorecards are NOT provided so readers must make up their own lists. Please note that the Circus is not REALLY the best place to eliminate criminal pursuers and there IS a cave on Long Island, or there was.”

A Study in Crimson is available from all good bookstores worldwide including Amazon, also on the Amazon Kindle, Kobo Books, and iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

 
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Posted by on June 2, 2011 in Book Reviews, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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Interior of 221b Baker Street – Can you find the links in the Sherlock Holmes canon?

30 May

Click on the image to enlarge….

The interior of Sherlock Holme’s residence in Baker Street was featured in The Strand magazine. There are dozens of references and links in the canon of novels and short stories. Tony Reynolds, author of ‘The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes’ comments;

“You’ll see that Watson has his own bookcase. Now, in the Hound of the Baskervilles, Watson writes: “from my small medical shelf I took down the Medical Directory” from which I deduced that the good doctor had only a single shelf of books and had Watson use it in one of my stories. Any ideas?”

Let us know any interesting links to the floor plan that you have unearthed – you can post comments on the Forum on SherlockHolmes.com, contact us at MX Publishing – or get involved with The Great Sherlock Holmes Debate.

 
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Posted by on May 30, 2011 in Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

 

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