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“Every single one of my books involve the women of the times. The history of the times that Arthur Conan Doyle didn’t see!” – Gretchen Altabef

This event was so much fun! To have a chance to appear with these wonderful authors, some of my fellow MX Publishing author friends. To listen to their experience and share mine on subjects so close to our hearts: Sherlock Holmes and publishing Sherlock Holmes books. We each have our own experience with this and our lives have been changed by our involvement.

I see my books as murder mysteries but I also see them as historical novels. The detectives in my novels happen to be Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. I write from a women’s perspective and that changes everything, and updates it. This approach turns everything around, opens up new vistas for my stories, and brings a unique take on Holmes and…

Your morality holds you prisoner,” Holmes observed.

When I heard Sherlock Holmes say that to Dr. Watson, I was hooked. Jay Ganguly’s audiobook of Holmes stories is splendid. Each one a jewel for those lucky enough to be aware of the fantastic explosion of new Sherlock Holmes adventures that characterizes some of the world’s best writing today.

Jay’s Sherlock is very much like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characterization, and her Holmes still manages to surprise us and John Watson with his knowledge and where his inquisitive genius mind takes him. I especially enjoy how she presents genius as a normal state for certain humans.

Albert Einstein said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

Jay Ganguly uses both logic and imagination to spin her tales. Through her perspective, we are treated to a view of Sherlock Holmes from the east, through the eyes and…

It won’t surprise anyone to hear that I’m a huge David Marcum fan. He’s a first-rate editor (responsible

for the MX Sherlock Holmes anthology series of books) and an outstanding writer.

As prolific as he is, you’d think he would be surrounded by a host of green-eyed fellow authors all wishing they could be as ‘lucky’ as he. Instead — and I believe I speak for all of us here — we could echo the words of one Inspector Lestrade to Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Six Napoleons:

“We’re not jealous of you… No, sir, we are proud of you, and if you come down to-morrow there’s not a man, from the oldest inspector to the youngest constable, who wouldn’t be glad to shake you by the hand.”

This is a busy time for David, as his most recent novel is released, along with…

Human nature being what it is, we can’t help but find favourites in films, music, books, etc. You won’t be surprised to learn that some of my favourite reading material comes in the form of Sherlock Holmes books. And out of that hoard of riches, there are specific authors whose work I really cannot get enough of. One of these is Gretchen Altabef.

Gretchen’s latest novel, The Keys of Death is Baker Street bedrock. Set in 1880, Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson, and Mrs. Hudson begin something great in the world.

Out of the fog three young souls unite in their common desire for justice. A genesis story about friendship with the power to change the world. Here, finally, Mrs. Hudson’s part in it can be told.

From the Foreword by Mattias Boström: “In the beginning, there wasoneSherlock Holmes. That genesis was, however, just a short glimpse in time…

A lifelong Sherlockian, Richard Ryan is the author of The Official Sherlock Holmes Trivia Book as well as a book on Agatha Christie trivia. His Sherlock Holmes novels, The Vatican Cameos: A Sherlock Holmes Adventure,  The Stone of Destiny, The Druid of Death, and Through a Glass Starkly are available from MX Publishing, London.

What can readers expect from the Sherlock Holmes: A Year of Mystery series?

Richard T. Ryan (RR):It’s odd that Conan Doyle set onlyA Study in Scarletin 1881, and possibly “The Resident Patient”, although that is widely disputed. Adding to the enigma is the fact that none of the canonical stories take place in 1882. As a result, the authors had almost carte blanche when it came to subject matter. Several turned to the events of the day as linchpins for their stories while…

“Memoirs from Mrs. Hudson’s Kitchen” is written by Wendy Heyman-Marsaw. The book comprises thoughts, recipes, & memoirs from the long-running column published in the Sherlockian journal ‘Canadian Holmes’.

This collection is publishing by MX Publishing and illustrated with lovely old advertisements.

The book talks about how the column started and how the book came about.

There are loads of interesting facts, not to mention some absolutely delicious recipes, several which I intend to at least attempt to cook.

This delightful little book is so interesting and so useful that it has earned a permanent place in my research library.

Highly recommended for all those with an interest in the world of Sherlock Holmes and in life during the Victorian period.

The book is available directly from MX Publishing: https://mxpublishing.com/products/memoirs-from-mrs-hudsons-kitchen?_pos=1&_sid=028ad800f&_ss=r

I swear David Marcum has a 28-hour day. Otherwise I can’t imagine how he accomplishes everything he does. Apart from being editor par excellence of the MX Sherlock Holmes anthologies, he’s one of the very best Sherlock Holmes writers out there.

Now comes David’s first collection of his short stories. Because the man is so prolific, I say first. Did I mention that this is a five volume collection bringing together 77 Sherlock Holmes adventures? Like I said, prolific. The collection contains most of what has been written (so far) by David Marcum. It should be no surprised to learn he has written more Holmes stories than anyone else. And if that weren’t enough, he has also edited an astonishing 825 stories by other writers. Again, so far…

If I sound like a fan-girl, it’s because I am. Well, the fan-part anyway. Not so much with the girl anymore. And…

“Dramatic Moment of Fate: The Life of Sherlock Holmes in the Theatre” is written by Alexandra Kitty and published by MX Publishing. The book is a fascinating look at Sherlock Holmes on stage, ranging from William Gillette’s play through to modern plays by the likes of David MacGregor and Bert Coules.

The book is broken into chapters including such topics as Sherlock Holmes on Broadway and theatrical adaptations of ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles”.

Of particular interest to me was the look at the various characters and who has played them on stage.

The book is well researched with extensive source notes at the end of the book.

Alexandra Kitty has written an excellent, one might almost say definitive, book on a subject that is rarely covered in any depth.

Highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of Sherlock Holmes and also theatrical history. The book is available directly…

“Sherlock Holmes and the London Particular” is part of the American Literati’ series by Daviel D. Victor and published by MX Publishing. The books see Holmes and Watson work with noted American writers of the period. The writer in this book is Richard Harding Davis, whom I freely admit I had not heard of.

Be that as it may, it is still an excellent book with the plot involving a stolen diamond necklace, two corpses and a Russian connection. A plot which made for an intriguing case and a ripping read.

For those that don’t know the London Particular was a type of thick, almost poisonous, fog that frequently filled London. It creates an atmospheric start to the story.

The characters are interesting and the denouement of the case suitably exciting.

Well worth a read. THe book is available directly from MX Publishing: https://mxpublishing.com/products/sherlock-holmes-and-the-london-particular?_pos=1&_sid=28d8159f9&_ss=r