Book reviews from pkentjones

Sherlock Holmes On the Roof Of the World

by Thomas Kent Miller

This is a series of related adventures, all of which involve Sherlock Holmes. It is being published as three, separate adventures, titled "Sherlock Homes on the Roof of the World," "The Great Detective at the Crucible of Life" and "The Sussex Beekeeper at the Dawn of Time." Each volume describes a separate set of events that involve different characters, times and places. Finally, the relationship of the events is difficult to see until all are told and pondered. Holmes participates directly in the first two and is involved in the preservation of the account of the third. In each case, his participation is crucial to resolution of the events described.

The first volume takes place in 1891 and involves Holmes, travelling as Sigerson, with Horace Holly and Leo Vincey whose earlier adventures were told in "She: An Adventure." The three meet in a library in Lhasa, the capitol of Tibet. Holmes is seeking information about the Yeti for "the Government of Norway" and Leo and Horace are looking for the place where Ayesha was reincarnated. After meeting, the three go to dinner and spend the rest of the evening catching up on events of mutual interest. Later that night they are arrested for the murder of the Librarian and for theft of a priceless manuscript he kept for the Lamas. "Sigerson" ultimately unmasks the killer and locates the "stolen" book which turns out to be a most interesting manuscript.

The second book takes place in 1872 and is narrated by Dr. James H. Watson as it was told to him by Allan Quatermain. It was written in 1881, before Watson made the acquaintance of Sherlock Holmes, and it includes Holmes traveling as William Scott who, as such, is unrecognized by Watson. The party includes a group of scientists searching for various items brought to the attention of the British Government by the 1868 expedition to rescue hostages of Theodore, the Emperor of Ethiopia. What they actually find in the 1872 expedition, is Eden, the place where human beings were created, the Great Rift Valley where relatives of chimpanzees evolved into Homo Sapiens over a few "divine moments" of 8 million years.

The third volume in the series takes place in 1873, as Allan Quatermain is returning home from events recorded in "The Treasure of the Lake." While waiting in Freetown for a trading ship headed down the West African coast, Quatermain decides to investigate the native rumors of "white witch doctors" practicing magic down the coast to the South. This "magic" turns out to be a complex construction which is designed to "listen in" on the voice of the Star of Bethlehem, a nova that was visible, briefly, at the birth of Christ. The African installation is one of two being constructed, with the other site on the west coast of South America. The message from the incidental Cosmic Background Radiation is detected, but no one can understand it, No one, that is, but Quatermain's companion, Hans, whose native tongue is Khoi, a click-tongue, one of the oldest languages on earth. Hans understands the message and passes it along to Quatermain and the readers.

The series involves not only Vincey and Quatermain from H. Rider Haggard but also a number of characters from tales by Jules Verne and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Captain Nemo and the Nautilus are mentioned as is Sherlock's tutor.

The series as a whole is disturbing. It requires thought and study. Individual events cover almost 2,000 years of history and familiar characters take on new and troubling guises. For example, the views of Theodosia, Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire ("The Purple will make a wonderful burial sheet!") had profound effects on later European thinking, but this is not well-known outside of academic circles. Further, 1st Century Roman inventiveness far exceeded the technology available in the early Renaissance 1,500 years later. They used compound power-driven saws to cut marble slabs and steam-powered prayer machines that the Gods actually answered.

An important part of this tale is how it came to be told. Coincidence reigns and "all things happen in God's good time" seems to be the key phrase in this narrative. Much time is spent detailing the paths of the individual bits and pieces and assorted documents. Those convoluted trails are important parts of the tale.

You may disagree with things the author says. You may treat the entire story as a fairy tale or the ramblings of a drunken elf, but you should not be quick to do so. There is a great deal of truth included in the ideas presented here and alternative explanations are difficult to construct. In fact, most explanations for events of this sort are drawn from dreams and fantasies. Hard data is either "scarce on the ground" or too easily available and too complex. People have been wrestling with these ideas for almost 200,000 years. Rigorous answers are hard to come by and often turn out to be either disappointingly simplistic or simply profitable for the one presenting them. For example, I read the first articles on Dianetics back in the early 50's when I was starting High School and I was astonished then that anyone took them seriously. Even after multiple exposès, many people remain devoted to the discipline.

Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones; August, 2017.

Mycroft Holmes

by Kareem; Waterhouse, Anna Abdul-Jabbar

This book tells of an adventure of Mycroft Holmes during his early years of Service to The Crown. It presents fans of Sherlock Holmes with a new vision of Mycroft and Sherlock at a time in their lives that we have not seen before. Mycroft is young and idealistic, hoping that he will prove worthy of the trust put in him by the Government and Crown he feels represent the world of order and civilization. Sherlock is young, surly and impatient, straining to find an outlet for his energy and talents. The story unfolds as an increasingly complex mystery. Readers are introduced to Mycroft who is engaged to the daughter of a Trinidad Plantation owner attending college in London. One of Mycroft’s friends is a half-caste black East-Indian from Trinidad who works at a Tobacco shop. This friend tells Mycroft of a recurrence of attacks on children in Trinidad by supernatural Lougarou, giant mosquito-like creatures who suck the blood from children. Word of this reaches Mycroft’s fiancée and she becomes determined to return home to deal with the situation, so Mycroft informs his superior of “tensions” in Trinidad and maneuvers him into sending Mycroft to investigate. Mycroft and his Trinidadian friend, acting as Mycroft’s manservant, catch the first boat for Trinidad and the mysteries begin. Mycroft’s fiancée is not on board the only boat heading to Port of Spain. As the mystery becomes more complex, so also does the world Mycroft has entered. The “black” Trinidad Mycroft anticipated becomes, first “yellow” with the addition of a growing Chinese community and then “brown” with the burgeoning East Indian population. Add European “financiers” and Southern American “investors” and the pot becomes more and more confusing. This Mycroft is fully as astute as will be his later younger brother, but he is far less accustomed to giving explanations of his inferences. His companion has to rein Mycroft in frequently in order to demand explanations of things Mycroft feels are obvious. The world in which this tale occurs is odd to 21st Century readers. China is recovering from the Opium Wars and trying to gain her footing after being raped by European business interests. Japan is undergoing the fall of the Samurai Bakafu warlords to the Meiji Restoration and the United States is recuperating from the American Civil war. This is the time of the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and the Carpetbaggers with ten years yet to go before the Gunfight at the OK Corral. In Europe, it is “business as usual” in the post-Napoleonic world. The Nobility continue to oppress and rob the peasants and France is the major Continental Power. England sees the rise of Prussia as an antidote to French arrogance and Russia slumbers in the face of growing protests by everyone. Italy and Germany are dreams of the next Century while Turkey dominates the Balkans. This is the stage setting for a mystery that deepens and deepens as we watch while characters shift and fade and transform. It becomes a question of who is conning whom and all the while, Mycroft suffers and observes. In the end, we see a more familiar Mycroft and “justice” triumphs, but the cost is high and the future remains in doubt. This is a well-written and intriguing mystery with very few “Americanisms” and better grammar than I, a confirmed nitpicker, can write. It was a very pleasant surprise, a real sleeper. Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2015

Sherlock Holmes, the Missing Years

by Murthy Vasudev

This story tells of part of the time called “The Great Hiatus” by Sherlockians. Nominally, it conforms to the events as told by Dr. Watson in “The Final Problem” and “The Empty House.” I say “nominally” because most Sherlockians are aware that the accounts given there by the good Doctor are, at best, sketchy, and, at worst, downright fabrications. In fact, most students of the Canon agree that the Doctor strayed fairly far from the truth in these tales. In this story, Sherlock is faced with a double threat. He discovers plans involving the Japanese Yakuza (organized gangsters) with certain Chinese Triads (more organized gangsters) and members of the Moriarty organization (still more organized gangsters) to flood Europe with narcotics and thus, to destabilize the economies of the dominant European States. Secondly, these plans, whether successful or not, will, when made public, demean the already shaky view the world powers have of the ability of Japan to enter into serious relations with the dominant trading nations. The details of Sherlock’s travels to Japan and acceptance of an obligation to help deal with these problems is revealed, piecemeal, throughout the tale. This sequence of events is moderately improbable, but, by no means, impossible. The same is true for the basic premise of the tale and the events related. The author displays a solid knowledge of late Nineteenth Century Political History and a more than nodding acquaintance with many interesting characters of the times. The tale is well-crafted and the characters are fascinating so it reads well and seems plausible. It is a fun read and it is very hard to point at any portions as stretching the reader’s historical tolerance or knowledge of the times. I enjoyed it and, with a few reservations, I heartily recommend it to readers. It leaves several important issues unresolved, but I understand that another tale or two are coming along to round-out the complete story of “The Great Hiatus.” Potential readers MUST be forewarned, however, that the writer has some tendencies that may cause his writing to be hazardous to their health. First, Mr. Murthy has a most reprehensible, low, sense of humor that crops up in the oddest places. Be careful, as it is apt to bite the reader in an unprotected spot without warning. Second, the author spouts split infinitives with enormous abandon. Finally, the author uses modern meanings of words that were assigned different meanings in Victorian times or even uses words not available in those times. I am fortunate in that my own writings include a volume of hundreds of narrative Sherlockian puns, so I am already immunized against low and vulgar humor. Further, my habit of writing book reviews has served to give me a certain, jaded outlook towards improper English usage and I was able to control my actions in this case. I managed simply to un-split each infinitive as I encountered it, without condemning the writer for his perfidy. Finally, at my age, I have experienced the changing use of Language, while, for younger persons, word usage in the 1930s and ‘40s is little different than those used fifty years earlier and such anachronisms are, truly, less serious. Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October, 2015

The Mx Book Of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part I

This book is the first of a series of three Sherlockian anthology volumes from MX Publications and it includes stories set in the period 1881 through 1889. All of the authors have donated their royalties for this publication to the support of Undershaw. The first volume includes twenty-three short stories and one poem The poem is “Sherlock Holmes of London,” by Michael Kurland, a set of four quatrains that effectively invoke the place where “…it is always 1895.” Most of the rest of the tales are short stories. “The Adventure of the Slipshod Charlady,” by John Hall, is the first effort I know of to tell the Untold Tale of “... a slipshod elderly woman” cited in STUD. “The Case of the Lichfield Murder,” by Hugh Ashton, tells of the grisly case of “…Henry Staunton, whom I helped to hang,” cited in MISS. “The Kingdom of the Blind,” by Adrian Middleton, shows the true reason for the Vatican’s Index Librorem Prohibitorem, the evils that these books stir up in the credulous. “The Adventure of the Pawnbroker’s Daughter,” by David Marcum, gives us a glimpse of true evil, wrapped in an enticing package. “The Adventure of the Defenestrated Princess,” by Jayantika Ganguly, shows us Holmes and Watson coping with the tribulations of a love-sick 16-year-old Princess, grimly determined to fulfil her duty to marry while pursued by five aged suitors grimly determined to secure her considerable dowry and her father’s political influence. “The Adventure of the Inn on the Marsh,” by Dennis O. Smith takes me back to his “Chronicles” collections in what is, perhaps, his best tale yet. “The Adventure of the Travelling Orchestra,” by Amy Thomas, deserved to be, at least, a novella. Her intense characters and their complications need more space to unfold than was available in this shortened format. “The Haunting of Sherlock Holmes,” by Kevin David Barratt, vividly shows an important but neglected side of the Holmes/Watson relationship. “The Allegro Mystery,” by Luke Benjamen Kuhns, tells the tale of Holmes’ effort to furnish Watson with a wife in the midst of a mystery. “The Deadly Soldier,” by Summer Perkins, gives us a perfect picture of the meeting of The Professor and Colonel Sebastian Moran. “The Case of the Vanishing Stars,” by Deanna Baran, introduces Holmes and Watson into the world of the Music Halls, where a widowed performer/owner is coping with a variety of problems. “The Song of the Mudlark,” by Shane Simmons, is told by Wiggins, as he introduces us to the newest Irregular who is taking a giant step up from the occupation of mudlark. “The Tale of the Forty Thieves,” by C. H. Dye, tells the Untold Tale of the Paradol Chamber as cited in FIVE and does so most imaginatively. “The Strange Missive of Germaine Wilkes,” by Mark Mower, recounts Watson’s first introduction to the problem of Professor Moriarty. In “The Case of the Vanished Killer,” by Derrick Belanger, we are introduced to “Buffalo Bill” Cody when Inspector Lestrade suspects some of Cody’s Indians may have committed a double murder. “The Adventure of the Aspen Papers,” by Daniel D. Victor, brings Henry James to ask Sherlock’s help with a problem that ultimately inspires him to write a novel. “The Ululation of Wolves,” by Steve Mountain, poses an insidious locked-room Mystery for Holmes, with a pack of wolves thrown in to cloud the matter further. “The Case of the Vanishing Inn,” by Stephen Wade, tells of a terrifying encounter with the Professor by Watson and Inspector Lestrade. “The King of Diamonds,” by John Sherwood, involves Holmes and Watson in a poisoning case that the police have blamed on the obvious suspects on circumstantial evidence. “The Adventure of the Urquhart Manse,” by Will Thomas, presents an “obvious” mystery then quickly wanders off into a strange byway. Casual readers of the Sherlockian tales are generally not aware that there is a problem involving “The Adventure of the Second Stain (SECO).” This tale is mentioned in two earlier tales, “The Yellow Face” (YELL) and “The Naval Treaty” (NAVA), but those citations do NOT describe the tale of that name published in December, 1904. In “The Adventure of the Seventh Stain,” the only novella in this volume, Daniel McGachey explains in great detail both that problem and the investigation of “The First Adventure of the Second Stain (SEC1).” “The Two Umbrellas,” by Martin Rosenstock, tells of an enigmatic encounter between Mycroft Holmes and Professor Moriarty over a matter of espionage. “The Adventure of the Fateful Malady,” by Craig Janacek, involves Holmes and Watson with a recurrence of the Black Death and tells the Untold tale of his “professional service … for Sir James Saunders (SIRJ)” as cited in BLAN. This first volume, on its own, is the finest anthology of Sherlockian fiction I have ever read. All of the stories were interesting and readable and several were outstanding. The last Sherlockian fiction I felt to be outstanding was Neil Gaiman’s “A Study in Emerald,” and it won a Hugo. I look forward eagerly to reading Volumes 2 and 3. Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October, 2015

Sherlock Holmes the Golden Years - Five New 'Post-Retirement' Adventures

by Kim H Krisco

The description on the back of this book caused me to worry that I was in for a set of tales steeped in the supernatural, but all such fears were put to rest by the first story. Eventually, all five proved to be based firmly in reality, with only a few nods at another orientation in the final tale. This collection of five novellas is one of the finest sets of Sherlockian fiction I have seen. The author has a good grasp of Nineteenth Century British politics and thought and each of the tales looks at seldom seen sides of that world. The author also plans to continue this set of tales in future. “The Bonnie Bag of Bones” introduces Adaline Dart who is involved in the disappearance of one Godfrey Norton. The narrative progresses, bringing in more of her family, as time goes on. An explanation for the existence of the “Grey Man,” who is suspected of the murder is also presented. In “The Curse of the Black Feather” we meet the primary villain in this series of tales, the man who wears the black feather. This mystery begins with a request by G. K. Chesterton to investigate events that occurred following the birth of an illegitimate daughter to a former servant of his. It also pits Sherlock against his brother, Mycroft and the rest of the “Intelligence” establishment. The third novelette, “The Maestro of Mysteries” continues the investigation began in “Black Feather.” This leads into a dark underground realm in London, to the “Society of the Golden dawn” and to international complications. Part of this tale illustrates the author’s understanding of the Government of the Empire’s attitude toward the rest of the world and some of the consequences of that attitude. “The Cure that Kills” details the hunt for the perpetrator of the previous two tales and the clash between Holmes and the Pinkerton agents hired to help his search. Among other things, it takes place mostly in Battle Creek, Michigan, for quite reasonable causes. The final tale, “The Kongo Nkisi Spirit Train,” takes Holmes and Watson to Africa. Native magic is holding up completion of the Cape to Cairo railway and Holmes is needed to put it back on track before the coming War demands its use. Some events occur in this tale for which explanations are not provided. These five tales are rich in details. Many historical characters are portrayed, some with no more explanation than a name. As an example, look up Irene’s son-in-law. He was born in 1893 and he died in 1988 and I’ve read at least one of his books. Many of the characters will reward further studies. While these tales do not use Dr. Watson in the same fashion as do most of the Canonical tales, they approach Doyle’s methods in many ways. Doyle used Dr. Watson for specific reasons and in particular ways in all but six of the tales. This author comes close, but is more generous to “the Good Doctor.” Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October, 2014

Professor Reflects On Sherlock Holmes

by Marino C Alvarez

This book is a collection of articles on Sherlockian matters by a true Sherlockian scholar. It includes a variety of subjects and formats and is liberally spiced with the unobtrusive dry humor that is typical of Professor Alvarez. The only consistent theme in this book is that of scholarship. Professor Alvarez documents everything. Because of that attention to detail, readers may take him a bit seriously and think they are reading class presentations or detailed redactions of dusty volumes from the back of the Library stacks. Don’t make that mistake. These are intensely personal observations by a Sherlockian with a true love for the Canonical tales, the Great Detective, the Good Doctor and the man behind it all, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The “Essays” segment includes short studies in Sherlockiana. “Simplifying Complexity in Sherlock Holmes Stories” gives guidelines for new readers of the Canon, things to look for and keys to the “Sherlockian” viewpoint. “Sherlock Holmes and Educating” provides clues to Holmes’s world. It gives “facts” from the Canon about Holmes, his skills and interests and it asks readers to educate themselves using the Canonical tales as a guide to the world of Sherlock Holmes. “Dr. Watson vs. Sherlock Holmes’s Writing Style” looks at the several different modes in which the tales were written and applies standard literary analysis techniques to them, with modest results. “Sherlock Holmes Encounters Three Professors” examines the three professors who appear actively in the Canon. “Sherlock Holmes as College Professor” examines what the Canon tells us about Holmes and concludes that he had many of the characteristics needed by an effective educator. In “A Call to Academia” Holmes is offered a Professorship at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, after his retirement from detective work. This article points out his qualifications and his general suitability for this position. “Sherlock Holmes as Detective and Scientist” examines how Holmes applies the Scientific Method in his investigations and the advances that have been made since his time. It is followed by several appendices that are cited in the various articles. “The Valley of Fear: Three Missing Words” examines, and explains the differences between the English and American Publications of VALL and does quite a good job of it too. “The Stock-Broker’s Clerk: Parallels and Parodies” examines and explains similar themes that occur in STOC and in other Canonical tales, specifically REDH, 3GAR and NORW. “Thumb-less in Eyford” examines some logic problems that appear in “The Engineer’s Thumb.” Professor Alvarez offers explanations and gives earlier views expressed in these matters by other Sherlockians. “Sherlock Holmes Revealed in Art” examines the “artistic” side of Holmes. It concentrates on a painting by Eric Conklin done in the “trompe L’oeil” style. With no Art experience, I couldn’t understand what was said and the picture in the book is too dark to see details. “Sherlock Holmes, American Football and Schenectady” relates an incident during a lecture tour made by Holmes and Watson to various American locations. As American Baseball arose from the English game of Cricket, so American Football grew out of British Rugby. Watson’s confusion about football provides a counterpoint of light relief to Holmes’s earnest explanations. The “in the Footsteps” segment tells of trips the Professor Alvarez took and passes along his thoughts on the places visited. These included The Reichenbach and the nearby Trummelbach Falls as well as Trinity College and its Library. His conclusions involving Doyle’s mind and the two falls are compelling. His reflections on Trinity and its Library reveal the true nature of a bibliophile The final segment, “Magic Squares and a Quinquain,” includes a basic Magic Squares coding/decoding sheet and a puzzle to be solved as well as the elements of unique poem form. Reviewed May, 2014 by Philip K. Jones

Sherlock Holmes Studies In Legacy

by Luke Benjamen Kuhns

This is a collection of six novellas which mostly follow up on the author’s first collection, The Untold Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. There are several villains spread across the six stories and, frankly, the collection of ‘bad guys’ makes the late Professor Moriarty look like a progressive and imaginative businessman. The first story, “A Study in Hysteria,” presents a peculiar suicide attempt by a patient under treatment by Dr. Sigmund Freud, an old acquaintance of Holmes. It quickly becomes apparent that much more than a patient’s delusions are occurring and Holmes, Watson and Freud are soon chasing a terrifying murderer. In “A Study in Yellow” well-to-do young women are disappearing and the return of “Saucy Jack” is feared. After three of the women are found murdered and dismembered, “Ripper Mania” returns in full force. In the third case, “A Study in Stone,” reminders of earlier cases and villains are highlighted through a series of murders in Wales. In addition, events in this case point to some single source for all the evil in the first three cases. The fourth tale, “A Study in Clockwork,” resolves the source of villainy that permeates this series of cases as well as referring back to events in the earlier collection. Madness certainly plays a part, but this madness seems to arise from the series of choices made by the villain, not from genetic or societal pressures. It is hard to imagine a self-made villain, but this one is about as close to such as I would ever like to encounter. Frankly, madness is more forgivable and easier to understand. The final two tales seem to share no connection with the others in this collection. “Sherlock Holmes and the Belgravia Mourner” presents a rationalist who is half-convinced that his wife is being haunted by a demon. Holmes is his last resort for a rational explanation for events that reek of the supernatural. The final tale, “Sherlock Holmes and the Horror of Frankenstein,” connects recent grave robberies in London to the voyage of the Polestar and an old folk tale from Central Europe. Holmes and Watson face a horror from the past resurrected by a madman from the present. The stories are entertaining and well-written, but they are dark. There are few happy endings and most situations are grim. No frolicking children appear and no joyful reunions are recounted. This world is not a happy place, although, through the efforts of Holmes and Watson, a lot of evil manages to be disposed of. Reviewed by Philip K. Jones, April, 2014.

Sherlock Holmes

by Ron Brackin

This book was tells of an adventure that occurred while Holmes was a student at Christ Church College, Oxford. At that time, in the term following events recorded in “The Gloria Scott,” Holmes and his Don, the Reverend Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, returned to Christ Church after watching a performance by Maskelyne, the magician. Dodgson seemed unable to see though the illusions created by the magician and asked Holmes to explain them. They were interrupted by a note from a friend of Dodgson’s who requested their attendance at a murder scene. As became common in later years, The Scotland Yard Detective on the scene had completed his investigation by the time they arrived and told them to leave. Dodgson’s friend, whose house had been the scene of the crime, told them to stay and urged the Chief Inspector to listen to them. Holmes remarked on the murder weapon, an odd tool with no apparent uses, and told the detective some of the events that had occurred. After gathering up some of the evidence, the police left to search for the ‘burglar’ whom they thought had committed the murder, while Holmes and Dodgson went to see Maskelyne, who was able to identify the murder weapon from their drawing. Holmes was finally able to identify the burglar and to help the police to capture him, but Holmes remained sure that the murderer was someone else, yet to be identified. In the meantime, the captured burglar was also identified as the robber who stole currency from The Bank of England, for which detectives were pursuing Phileas Fogg on his journey around the world. Through careful investigation and planning, Holmes was able to arrange for the murderer to be induced to volunteer as a participant in Maskelyne’s magic performance. At this point, it had been determined that the main crime involved was treason, with the actual murder included as a personal triumph for the main criminal. The murderer was engaged in selling British Naval Designs to a German agent. The actual transfer was arranged to take place during the Maskelyne show, money for plans. The plans, the money and the agent were all taken, but the actual murderer had arranged for someone to fill in for him and so, managed to get away. The tale is complex and full of interesting characters. Holmes’ telling of the tale is not so colorful and full of life as are Dr. Watson’s narratives, but even the bare facts provide an interesting diversion. The thieves’ terminology is colorful and well-explained and the characters are vividly portrayed. In addition, the ‘feel’ of the time and place is well conveyed, so that we get a real sense of events, albeit in a somewhat “rawer” format than Doyle was accustomed to use. Reviewed by Philip K. Jones, March, 2014.

Sherlock Holmes and The Needle's Eye

by Bailey- Len

This book is subtitled as “The World’s Greatest Detective Tackles the Bible’s Ultimate Mysteries.” The book tells of Holmes and Watson investigating a number of events cited in the Bible. Their investigations are conducted “on site” through acquisition of a sort of time machine, referred to as “The Eye of the Needle.” Later evidence seems to point toward a divine source and control for the time travels involved. Such questions are left open to interpretation by the reader. The author assumes the literal historical truth of the Bible and all investigations and events are presented from that viewpoint. There is no discussion of the fascinating questions about sources, conflicting viewpoints, and archeological evidence that contradicts some events, such as the migration of the twelve tribes from Egypt and the military invasion of “The Promised land.” In addition no attention is paid to the decisions made at various times to include or to exclude certain items from the Bible. The political bases of these decisions, made across millennia, are not cited, much less examined. Reader expectations should be adjusted to fit within these constraints. “The Needle’s Eye” segment describes the process by which these investigations come about and what processes and restrictions are involved. The first investigation is “The Hanging Man,” which examines Ahitophel, a trusted counselor to King David. Ahitophel is recorded as having hanged himself after participating in a revolt against David. His reasons are resolved and explained. The second investigation, “Dignified Harlots,” is to determine the words Christ wrote on the ground when a Pharisee-primed mob demanded that an adulteress be stoned. The identity of the “harlots” in the title is interesting. The third investigation, “Righteous Blood is Red,” investigates the murder of one Zecharaiah, cited in Chronicles. In addition, Zecharaiaha’s murder is mentioned by Christ to the Pharisees in Matthew. These are different Zecharaiahs and the reasons are complex. The fourth investigation, “The Devil’s Enterprise,” examines Christ’s comment in Luke that “the devil … left him until [a more] opportune time” after tempting Him. The fifth investigation, “Pain, Locks and Romans,” examines the reasons that Paul began his Macedonian missionary journey in Phillipi. The sixth investigation, “You Miss, You Die,” examines David and his encounter with Goliath. It asks why David carried specifically five stones when he went to challenge Goliath. The seventh investigation, “Dead Man Walking,” examines Christ’s raising of the dead Lazarus. It asks why Christ waited three full days to return Lazarus from the dead. In the eighth investigation, “Who’s Your Mama,” the question is “Why is Jehoiachin’s name included in Christ’s genealogy, listed in Matthew, when Jeremiah prophesied that it would not be included. In the final investigation, “Run for Your Life,” Christ’s time of birth and time of death are examined. Several times, in both Testaments, these are cited as being at “right times.” The final segment, “Six Cups of Tea,” looks back at the whole experience and summarizes thoughts and viewpoints for Sherlock, Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson as well as the officers of Scotland Yard. This is a well-researched and thought-out book. The scholarship is excellent and the arguments are well presented. If you keep in mind what is not investigated and the author’s viewpoint, this can be both entertaining and enlightening. Reviewed by Philip K. Jones, March, 2014.

Sherlock Holmes Work Capitol

by Andrew Salmon

This novel was published as part of a series of novels about boxing. There are already two dozen or more books in this “Fight Card” series. In addition, the author has had at least three novellas about Sherlock Holmes published in the “Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective series,” Volumes 1 through 4. The author acknowledges, in his prefatory note, that this book may offend Sherlockians, but that it is, in solid fact, the way that Doyle presented Holmes in the Canon, as an action figure. I must agree. In several ways, this book seems more like the Canonical tales than many other pieces of Sherlockian fiction published in the last one hundred and ten plus years. The author does not use Dr. Watson so heavily to present Holmes as did Doyle, but the intent is there. Further, Watson is not quite so confused in this tale as he was in many of the Canonical tales, but that is only because the author did not use him to present plausible “red herrings” to distract the reader as did Doyle. The book begins with a fairly common scene among Victorian boxing annals. Angus McMurdo is retiring from professional fighting and his friends and colleagues are throwing a celebration for him. Part of the celebration is an exhibition bout with a rising young fighter, in this case, Sherlock Holmes. It was a custom of the times that all proceeds from the bout were to go to the retiring fighter as a sort of retirement endowment. Further, as the bout was public and bare-knuckle fighting was illegal, the boxers wore gloves covered in lampblack so that the audience could see where the blows fell. Strange, but this is true to the times. This event is mentioned later by Watson in The Sign of Four when McMurdo is encountered as a security guard for Thaddeus Sholto. Soon after the bout, a dead man is found a short distance away. Holmes and Watson investigate and come upon a vandalized bar and a dwarf who has been badly beaten. The next day, Inspector Lestrade arrives at Baker Street and questions them about the events. Holmes stresses the use of gloves and the ‘friendly’ nature of the bout, explaining that it was all quite legal. Sometime afterward, the father of the murdered man engages Holmes to find his son’s killer. At this point, things become confused, everyone seems to think Holmes and Watson are on the other side without any reason other than a guilty conscience. There appear to be at least four or five ‘sides’ and the reasons that events occur seem to pop out of the ground, not from human motivation. Everyone hates everyone else but no real motives appear. Meanwhile Christmas approaches and good cheer abounds, somewhere under the snow. Solving the mystery takes work, brawn and a great deal of thought, but, in the end, Sherlock makes sense of it all and the villains get their come-uppance. As I said before, this tale seems to ring of the Canon. It is much more like a Canonical tale than most of the more recent pastiches published. Holmes is calculating and careful, Watson is distressed and confused and the villains are truly villainous while events occur at blinding speed and in random-seeming fashion. Reviewed March, 2014 by Philip K. Jones

The Holmes Sutra - 160 Sherlock Holmes Sayings For His 160th Birthday

by Jay Ganguly

This is a hard book to classify. It has been my custom to review only books of Sherlockian fiction, since that is my own area of concentration in matters Sherlockian. This book is neither quite fact nor quite fiction. “Sutra” is a familiar word to Indians, but to most Western readers, it is only associated with “The Kama Sutra,” a book familiar to them as a ‘sex manual.’ Juxtaposition of this term with Holmes is difficult to reconcile for most Sherlockians outside of Asia. Several definitions of the term are offered in the book, but none really spoke to me, so, after reading it and thinking about it, I came to the following understanding. Suppose that you are speaking with a knowledgeable and thoughtful disciple of a deceased Master of some subject area. You ask this disciple “What would the Master have done/said in Situation “XYZ?” The disciple’s reply is what would be called a Sutra. It may be a quote from the master or it may be the disciple’s judgement of the Master’s response to the posited situation. In celebration of the Master’s one hundred and sixtieth birthday, the author has collected one hundred and sixty sutras from a variety of sources. Once you have contemplated the Sutras, you get to take the “Holmes Mania Test.” The results of this test will tell you how serious your addiction to Holmes has become. Five degrees of addiction have been described: Condition “Holmesfree” means that you probably recognize things related to The Master, if he is specifically identified as “Sherlock Holmes.” Condition “Sherlocked” signifies the onset of a case of addiction, interest in The Canon and other Sherlockian writings. Condition “Holmesaddicted” signifies that you are in denial, but are firmly infected. Condition “Holmesick” defines those who are the majority of addicts, hopeful that they can quit any time and sure they are merely hobbyists. The final condition, the “StockHolmes Syndrome applies to the unfortunate few, who, like myself, are so far gone into their addictions that they actively ‘push’ Holmes upon others and feel no shame at the manifestations of their addiction. For me, the fact that I have the largest collection of Sherlockian fiction in the world is a matter of pride not a mark of my depravity. Once you have taken the test and determined the degree of your addiction, there are a number of additional items that will allow you to cater to your condition with books and organizations to help you shed or indulge your own addiction, whichever you wish (Hah!). Please realize, however, that the author is a lawyer, so beware of bestowing your trust in her advice unless she is on retainer. Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, March, 2014

Further Encounters Of Sherlock Holmes

by George Mann

This is a collection of a dozen Sherlockian tales by a number of authors. The editor’s view is that Holmes remains Holmes, no matter who writes the tale and where or when it takes place. He agrees with me that Doyle brought life to an Archetype, to a character that is real to all people of all times and places, The Great Detective. Here we see that character through many eyes. In “The Adventure of the Professor’s Bequest,” a novella by Philip Purser-Hallard, we meet Professor Moriarty’s daughter and son-in-law trying to deal with the theft of manuscript left by the Professor. The question is who was it supposed to go to and why. In “The Case of the Compromised Card-Index,” a short story by Andrew Lane, someone has burgled 221B while Holmes and Watson were away and copied his card-index files, a wonderful source for blackmail data. Holmes deduces the thief, but cannot prosecute a non-crime of copying information. Holmes finds a unique solution to the situation. In “Sherlock Holmes and the Popish Relic,” a novella by Mark A. Latham, Holmes and Watson attend a séance where Watson receives a ‘warning.’ Later, Holmes acquires a client who is heir presumptive to an Estate whose owner has vanished. The heir wishes Holmes to investigate and to establish the death or to find the owner. The ‘warning’ becomes of use, although no one knows why it is so. In “The Adventure of the Decadent Headmaster,” a novella by Nick Campbell, Holmes and Watson are lured into an investigation at a Public School by an anonymous letter actually written by a schoolboy. Their findings are echoed by the source of the account in the present day. In “The Devil’s Door,” a short story by James Goss, Holmes and Watson are drawn back into the world of San Pedro, first encountered in “The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge.” Holmes must deduce how a house can swallow and kill a man and then disappear. In “The Adventure of the Coin of the Realm,” a novella by William Patrick Maynard and Alexandra Martukovich, Holmes and Watson, returning from the United States, are faced with multiple murders on shipboard. The solution presents an unacceptable conclusion of evil amongst us. In “The Strange Case of the Displaced Detective,” a short Story by Roy Gill, Holmes is brought face-to-face with an operating time machine. In “The Girl Who Paid for Silence,” a short story by Scott Hancock, Watson introduces Holmes to a client who witnessed a gruesome child murder. In “An Adventure in Three Courses,” a short story by Guy Adams, Dr. Watson and Holmes are invited to dinner on the anniversary of Mary Watson’s death by a group of old acquaintances. Holmes manages to derail plans for a double wake. In “The sleep of Reason,” a novella by Lou Anders, a Holmes surrogate in New York goes through a ‘John Carter-like’ experience on Barsoom, the Mars of Edgar Rice Burroughs. At the end of this experience, Sherlock Holmes wakes from a drug dream. In “The Snowtorn Terror,” a short story by Justin Richards, Holmes and Watson investigate a murder by a snow beast in the midst of an unmarked snowfield. In “A Betrayal of Doubt,” a novella by Philip Marsh, The son of Dr. Watson supports Holmes in a request for help from Scotland Yard to investigate an apparent ‘ritual murder.’ Soon, another such murder occurs and Holmes’ participation in the investigation leaks to the tabloids. This is a dark collection of tales. There is little amusing or heartwarming in the lot. Some supernatural events occur and no rational explanations are given. Many are fascinating and well plotted, but none are happy or uplifting. Prepare to be shown the dark side. Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, March, 2014

The 1895 Murder

by Dan Andriacco

This is the third in the author’s series featuring Jefferson Cody and Sebastian McCabe. To my taste it seems the best in the series of four. Events center around the wedding of Jeff Cody and Lynda Teal. As is customary, we meet again with old acquaintances and run into a group of new ones. This time we learn more about old friends and meet even more interesting new ones than is usual. Although the upcoming wedding permeates the entire book, this is because the narrator is the groom. He is, quite naturally, preoccupied with his bride-to-be and is only marginally aware of the mystery around him. An old acquaintance of Professor McCabe has decided to resurrect the abandoned Odd Fellows Hall as the Lyceum Theater and to stage a play as its reopening extravaganza. McCabe has volunteered to write a play for the opening and has adapted “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans” as the foundation of the play, “1895,” along with elements of “The Empty House” and other Canonical tales to round-out the script. The story begins on opening night, which is two weeks before the wedding is supposed to take place. Opening night jitters are everywhere and everyone is preoccupied. A troubled young man, a protégé of Sister Mary Margaret McBride (Polly or “triple M”) helping as a stage hand, steps out for a forbidden smoke and finds a dead body. He texts the Police Chief, who arrives with siren screaming to upset the audience at the end of the play. Murder enters the scene and steals the show. According to the Police Chief, when the text sender disappears during the crime scene investigation, he becomes the prime suspect. Sister Polly protests and asks McCabe and Cody to find what really happened. From this point on, suspects turn up everywhere, motives abound and no one is who or what they seem. Jeff and Lynda stumble on to the solution at about the same time Sebastian manages to figure it out. All in all, it is a good mystery, with many interesting, complex characters and a fun plot. Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, March, 2014

Sherlock Holmes and The Lufton Lady

by Marlene R Aig

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.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2013

Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine 10

by Marvin Kaye

This is the tenth issue of this periodical. I have not reviewed an issue since very early in the series, but this issue fully merits a review for Sherlockians.Features include an editorial, “From Watson’s Scrapbook,” “Screen of the Crime” film reviews and an “Ask Mrs. Hudson” column. There are two articles; “Eldritch, My Dear Watson” by Lenny Picker and “Sherlock Holmes and Science Fiction” by Amy H. Sturgis and there is also a “Classic Reprint” of The Field Bazaar,” one of the so-called “Apocrypha,” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In addition, there are a half dozen or more Sherlockian illustrations and cartoons.The true treasure of this issue is the nine Sherlockian tales included by a variety of authors. “The Adventure of the Docklands Apparition,” by Mark Wardecker, is a short story that tells of an elaborate plot created by a German spy to gather data on British agents by hiring British criminals. “The Problem of the Three Edwardian Pennies” is related to Dr. Watson by a journalist friend who saw Holmes provide a rational explanation for the sudden appearance of a ‘treasure trove’ of mysterious origin. The star of this collection is “The Curse of Edwin Booth,” a novella by Carole Buggè. In this tale, a younger Sherlock Holmes answers a classified ad for a ‘professional detective’ posted by Edwin Booth who feels he is being hunted by an assassin. The assassin turns out to be real and Holmes foils his plans. Holmes also receives a note from the assassin’s mentor, one James F. Moriarty, promising a future engagement. Ms. Buggè uses Edwin Booth as narrator, in place of Dr. Watson and Mr. Booth brings a strong personality to the role of amanuensis as well as a dark, tormented soul. This tale rivals many in the Canon.Fool’s Gold,” a short story by Martin Rosenstock, is another well-written piece. It tells of the murder of a fisherman who returned home early and, apparently, walked in on a robbery–in-progress at his home. It includes some interesting side features. Another short story, “The Adventure of the Lunatic’s Ball,” by Adam Beau McFarlane, Is quite gruesome. It postulates the cause of Dr. Jekyll’s transformation into Mr. Hyde was a disease and explains the spread as due to human intervention. “Muse with Seven Percent” is another short story, this time by Christian Endres. This tale is confusing and I’m still not quite sure what happened. “Simplicity Itself” is a short story by Zach Wentz. It is narrated by a cockney ‘delivery man’ who tells Holmes and Watson of his problems in making a shady delivery. It seems that Holmes and Watson know a bit more about the circumstances than seems possible, but Holmes manages to convince the man to go home and ‘mind his own business.’ “The Butler Did it” is a short parody by Herschel Cozine. Holmes is called to Barrington Manor by Chief Inspector Mudd of Scotland Yard to investigate the murder of Mr. Barrington. The investigation is brief. The final tale is “The Case of the Tarleton Murders” by Jack Grochot. This is the only formal attempt in the collection to tell one of the Untold Tales, this one cited in “The Musgrave Ritual.” The tale is imaginative and complex.All in all, this issue is well worth buying with so many tales and features in one publication.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2013

Sherlock Holmes and The Murder At the Savoy and Other Stories

by Mike Hogan

This is the second collection of novellas by Mr. Hogan. The first collection had a basic Japanese theme and this collection carries a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta theme.The first story, “One Little Maid from School,” tells of a missing schoolgirl with overly protective male relatives who have financial hopes from her inheritance. The tale goes into the details of how budding debutantes were trained and constrained. It also gives details of the evasive measures used by those young ladies to exercise some control over their own lives.The second tale, “Murder at the Savoy,” introduces two murders during performances of “Ruddygore” (later “Ruddigore”) in its initial run. Holmes is engaged by D’Oyly Carte to clear the operetta of the superstitious stigma of “unlucky” or “cursed.” Even worse, the two murder victims are baronets and the operetta is about two evil baronets, so the producer is in a panic. Holmes uncovers the murderer and the methods, but justice is cheated.The third story is “A Scandal in Tite Street” and it opens with Oscar Wilde issuing a dueling challenge to Holmes. Several princes, including the Prince of Wales and his grandson become involved and the cause of the duel seems to be a packet of letters of which Holmes is unaware. The duel takes place and honor is defended but nothing is as it seems to Dr. Watson.The fourth tale is “Trial by Jury” and it opens with Holmes being arrested for the murder of Charles Augustus Millverton. It ends with Holmes on trial for “Breech of Promise’ to one Miss Agatha Butterworth(?) , the maid of Mr. Millverton. Holmes chooses to act in his own defense and refuses to engage a barrister. His defense is odd, to say the least.The final tale is “The Moving Finger Writes” and it involves high jinks at Windsor Castle. The Queen is getting messages from the deceased Prince Consort and from her deceased gillie, John Brown. In addition, one of Moriarty’s minions is planning a “heist” that may involve the Palace. The Palace servants are split into factions who are just short of openly at war and Palace management are on their way to mental and physical breakdowns.This book is well-edited and the mysteries are all complex and puzzling. There are a few anachronisms, but those are hard to avoid for 21st Century writers. The presentation of various Gilbert and Sullivan operetta throughout the entire book adds a definite charm to the volume. The stories are not so dark as those in his earlier collection, but not all outcomes are happy or emotionally satisfying. On the other hand, neither is reality.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2013

The Disappearance Of Mr James Phillimore

by Dan Andriacco

This is the fourth book in the author’s series featuring Jefferson Cody and Sebastian McCabe. It also includes a short story as well as the title novel. In fact, the short story precedes the novel in time of occurrence by a day or two, so they should be read in reverse order of inclusion.As I said, this is the fourth book in this series, so it includes a number of familiar characters, both in person and mentioned in passing. Those who enjoyed the first three books will also enjoy this one. In fact, I found it more of a reading pleasure than the earlier books. I was not really comfortable with the romance between Jeff Cody and Lynda Teal as presented in the first two books and I mislaid my copy of the third before getting a chance to read it. I find them much more pleasant to deal with as newlyweds than I did as on again/off again sweethearts. Further, the banter between Cody and McCabe seems more adult and more between equals than it did in earlier books.The extra characters peculiar to this book also seem more real and interesting than those in the earlier books. The police personnel and the ex-wives all seem to have more substance than similar, secondary characters in the earlier books. Of course, it may simply be that the author is growing as a writer, but I enjoyed this book more than the earlier ones from the series that I have read. In addition, I found the short story quite interesting. The detective work in this tale is performed mostly by the new Mrs. Cody, Lynda Teal, and she makes a respectable detective in this case.Any Sherlockian (“Holmesian” in Great Britain) will instantly recognize this story as one that parallels the similarly-named Untold Tale cited in “The Problem of Thor Bridge.” This has been a popular story for would-be Doctor Watsons to attempt for years. My database lists thirty six attempts to tell this tale, ranging from radio scripts and plays through a narrative pun, short stories and novellas up to full novels. The mystery portion of this book is also well-crafted. The villain is hard to discern and the motives involved are even more obscure. In addition, the author manages to wave a number of plausible substitutes convincingly in the face of the reader. All-in-all, this is a fun read in a series that keeps getting better with each new tale. Editing is well-done, with Brits speaking the Queen’s English and Americans saying whatever comes to mind. Even the spelling seems well in handReviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2013

Mystery At St Andrews

by Bill Lawler

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 known 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.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October, 2013

Holmes In Time For Christmas

by Ross K Foad

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

Voyage Of the Blue Carbuncle

by Carl L Heifetz

This is a slim, volume that consists of a single tale about the size of a novella.To the best of my knowledge, this is the author’s eleventh attempt at Sherlockian fiction and it is a real surprise. This is a science-fiction tale set in a “Star Trek-like” universe with a number of familiar characters. There is a “Doctor Bones Chief Medical Officer,” a “Commander Scotty Engineering Officer” and a nasty “Colonel Moran” along with a greenish stand-in for Mr. Spock named Chief Science Officer Commander Verner, who has blood-ties to Sherlock Holmes.At that point, things begin to get a bit perplexing. There are space pirates and various aliens, including “Greenies” who are trying to steal Earth’s precious carbon dioxide. Further, the “problem’ of the Blue Carbuncle” is that it is blue, not red as it should be. There is no “Star Fleet,” but rather a “Space Merchant Company” of mysterious origins and a ships computer that is semi-self-aware.The action continues in unexpected directions as Commander Verner tries to cope with secret agents, shy aliens and unexpectedly telepathic human females wishing to learn all of his secrets. The story is simply too short to do justice to the complex universe which is deceptively familiar and intriguingly different. It could use a good deal more narrative of the same sort.I understand that a prequel is in the works, but that is NOT official. In the meantime, try this one on for size. It is fun!

The Papers Of Sherlock Holmes

by David Marcum

This is the first collection of Sherlockian tales from this author. It includes eight novellas and two short stories as well as an explanation of the source of the stories.“The Adventure of the Least Winning Woman,” is not to be confused with “…the most winning woman…” cited in The Sign of Four. It describes an interesting case of blackmail and appropriation of a business for criminal purposes. In “The Adventure of the Treacherous Tea,” Holmes is engaged by a man arrested for murder who escaped from the police simply to flee to Holmes to plead with him to look into his arrest. “The Singular Affair at Sissinghurst Castle” brings Holmes and Watson face-to-face with another local legend of historic evil. This one seems to have been used by a sharp business practitioner.“The Adventure of the Second Chance” is a short story that describes Holmes’ dealings with the family of a man in Professor Moriarty’s employ. It begins during ”Silver Blaze” and concludes in 1901 with an execution. “The Affair of the Brother’s Request” is another tale that covers decades in time. It cites a separate tale of Holmes’ adventures in the post-Civil-War Southern USA and concludes with a trip to the area by Holmes and Watson after WW-I. “The Adventure of the Madman’s Ceremony” occurs during the same trip by Holmes and Watson after WW-I and involves some chance-met acquaintances. “The Haunting of Sutton House” tells two tales. One is yet another use of legends for profit that Holmes wrecks and the other is a tale of family wrangling that arises from insanity.“The Adventure of the Missing Missing Link” tells of Holmes and Watson’s involvement in the Piltdown discovery. It also tells of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s involvement and of some of the principals as well. “The Adventure of the Other Brother” goes into some depth in describing the other members of the Holmes family as well as their relations and pseudonyms over the years. Two well-known detective duos are identified and related to each other in roundabout fashion. The final item is titled “Postscript: Two Letters.” It provides some continuity and explanation for the sources of these tales.This collection is difficult to describe. This is clearly a different Holmes and Watson than the characters we see in the Canon. This Watson is sensible, curious and sensitive while this Holmes is human and caring. The explanation, we are told, is that these are not tales prepared by Watson for publication, but rather are tales prepared by the editor from notes taken by Watson, either as the events occurred or shortly thereafter. These are darker and more realistic tales than we see in the Canon. Here criminals are filled with fear and hatred and pride. Victims are afraid and confused and distracted and events often occur at random, not as part of a plan. The stories are interesting and the Holmes and Watson we meet are also interesting, if not the same as their Canonical counterparts.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2012NOTE: This book was re-issued in two volumes. Volume #1 includes five tales and volume #2, which will be available in September, 2013, will include the other three tales. Minor changes have been made to some stories.

Sherlock Holmes and The Final Reveal

by Chris Gay

This is a slim, volume that consists of a single tale about the size of a novella.To the best of my knowledge, this is the author’s first attempt at Sherlockian fiction and it is a doozey. The explanation is that the author received an anonymous recording delivered by messenger with a request that he publish it as fiction written by himself. The recording claimed it was created in 1940 by John H. Watson using an old wire recorder that was given to Holmes by a grateful client.The narrator claimed that he was nearing the end of his life and felt that he had to share the events surrounding the death of Sherlock Holmes with interested readers of his “Canon,” a designation that he did not feel was appropriate. The narrator told of receiving a wire from Holmes requesting his presence in July, 1930. He knew that Holmes was dying of lung cancer and felt that Holmes was asking him to come and share his last days.This turned out to be the case and Holmes and “Dr. Watson” shared four days of discussions and digressions while Holmes awaited his death. The treatment of these events is handled very well by the author, with the essence of Holmes seeming to loom over the discussion and remembrances in very much the fashion one would expect Holmes to face death. The revelations made are unexpected and startling. I had some doubts about the ability of Watson to keep secrets from Holmes for more than fifty years, but the thesis is plausible, given the details of the revelations. Some details are hinted at but not revealed as well, leaving room for additional “Reveal”s. In any case, it is an interesting and well-written book and it follows the old stage advice, “Always leave ‘em wanting more.”Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, July, 2013

Sherlock Holmes and The Texas Adventure

by Dicky Neely

This is a first fictional Sherlockian publication for this author. His earlier book was "The Case of the Grave Accusation" and it was a loosely fictional investigation of the inspiration for "The Hound of the Baskervilles." This short novel is an outright Sherlockian pastiche set in Texas of the early twentieth Century.There are several instances where the story makes assumptions that are not always warranted. In this Texas, the German attitude that led to the Zimmerman Telegram fiasco was actually that of the German Foreign Ministry and not an artifact of British Intelligence. The time difference between the equipping of smaller shipping vessels with radio and the retirement of Sherlock Holmes is also a bit confusing. On the other hand, the residual resentment of Mexican-born Texans to the blatant land-grabbing performed on Spanish Land Grant properties was still very much alive and active.The author has created an interesting story, based on a number of special local attitudes, practices and history. His execution is less than stellar. The story is interesting, but the characters mostly do not come alive. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson may as well have been Charles Holburn and John Watley. More attention to color and personalities should produce a better story in his next effort. The travels, places and vehicles are well-described. The main characters are merely sketched in.This does remain an interesting tale and it is worth reading, but the author needs to fill in more of the details and paint more recognizable characters in future. Getting the events described is only half the job. Engaging the readers’ interest in the people portrayed is also important.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, May, 2013

The Detective, the Woman and The Winking Tree

by Amy Thomas

This is the second novel by this author about Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. As you may fear, it is a love story. It is not, however, a story about the love between Sherlock and Irene, rather it is the story of many loves, some healthy and some not so fine. The author has chosen as her mystery the Untold Tale of “...Mr. James Phillimore who, stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world,” as cited in “The Problem of Thor Bridge.” Several years have passed since the events of The Detective and the Woman, and Irene has purchased Holmes’ cottage in Fulworth where she is raising bees. On the day of a prominent local wedding the disappearance of Mr. Phillimore upset the town and has remained unsolved by the police, so Irene has sent a vaguely explanatory note to Holmes, which he interprets as a “Summons.” He arrived more than a week after the event and jumped into the mystery with both feet.This is an exquisitely crafted novel. The mystery is complex and motives are even more convoluted. The characters are intense and lovingly portrayed and the various love stories are detailed in great depth. Irene and Sherlock may not be accused of having a ‘relationship,’ but it is clear that their earlier adventure left them in a state of being ‘friends’ and even co-operators. Each has a strong appreciation for the talents and mind of the other, but romance does not enter the picture. This couple are at the stage of beginning to understand and to trust one another, far from being in love. The various lovers in this tale each go their own ways and each expresses their love differently. Even the police inspector acts out his love and admiration for an esteemed colleague.The author bundles reality under layers of symbols, so that all experiences occur at several levels. As an example, Holmes watches the bees and muses on “the elaborate dance the makes up the life of the hive.” Biologists have named the activity of bees returning to the hive from nectar sources a “schwangletanze,” or a “wiggle dance,” which directs other bees to the location of the source. Themes are repeated at several levels all through the book, as the various lovers deal with their passions in a variety of ways. There is no need to say that the explanations and outcomes are all completely unexpected. As in her earlier novel, the author has written alternate chapters from the viewpoint if Irene and then from that of Sherlock.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, May, 2013

Galactic Casebook Of Sherlock Holmes

by Kristopher James

This book is part of series by the author called “The Starship UK” series. These books are set in a distant future when humanity have abandoned the Earth, due to over-pollution and depleted resources and, instead, live in a widely dispersed group of large city-starships in which they search for unoccupied planets to settle. The tales of Sherlock Holmes occur in or near to “Starship UK,” the main residence of descendants of the population of the United Kingdom.The author specializes in science fiction, so all of the stories in this series are set in a distant future. The eight tales included in this volume reprise, in loose fashion, eight of the Canonical tales. Sherlockians will recognize the sources of these events and will find the adaptation of the original tales into this odd future to be imaginatively done.As a long-time science fiction fan, I found the author’s approach to the scientific side of his tales somewhat less than satisfactory. I was constantly irritated by his very confusing use of galaxy and system interchangeably. Further, there was no explanation of the faster than light technology in use or of any methods to avoid light speed travel limitations. Further, the future technology in use was surprisingly limited and the society was much simpler than one would expect from the complexity required to support the history provided. There were also a number of spelling and grammar errors that need attention.The tales included all present interesting adaptations of the elements of Canonical tales into a future setting. It goes without saying that the details of events in this collection differ widely from those originally published. Most adaptations are both amusing and ingenious.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, January 2013

The God Of the Hive

by Laurie R King

This is the tenth volume in the author’s “Mary Russell” series. It is actually a continuation of the ninth novel in the series, "The language of Bees." Separating the two is quite difficult as ‘God…’ takes up immediately where ‘Language…’ leaves off and expands on the same events that began in the earlier publication. In this novel, the adversary, whose thoughts and comments began appearing in ‘Language…’, becomes distinct and reveals his aims. The British Government is in peril as hidden treasure and unlimited power tempt another Faust to his damnation. Mycroft is the immediate target of a schemer who has spent years perfecting his approach and preparing his tools. All that stands between him and access to undreamed of power are Sherlock and Mary and a few tag-ends of war refuse and ‘odds and sods.’Mary pursues her task of preserving her husband’s grandchild while fleeing the villain of the prior volume and stumbling into the villain of this volume. The distinction between the two only becomes apparent over time as she and Sherlock pursue their own agendas until Mycroft’s funeral. Both, of course, are still wanted for unspecified crimes by Scotland Yard and are thrown onto their own resources as they rush back to London.As is true for most of Laurie King’s novels, the story is the journey and not the destination. The characters are lovingly drawn and polished until they shine. The reader never knows when one character will suddenly assume major proportions and another will fade away as if into a dream. The bright presence of Sherlock’s granddaughter illuminates the dark days of this book as Mary encounters archetypes of British history. The Evil Wizard gives way to the Green Man and he, in turn, is replaced by the epitome of modern man, the organization.The ending is inevitable, but not satisfying. At best, the future is delayed, but the mechanization of humanity that will manifest itself as Hitler’s war machine lies just beyond sight. The halcyon days of respite from war and upheaval continue for a while, but dark armies gather in the wings and the mechanized forces of evil are testing their workings.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2012

Pirate King

by Laurie R King

This is the eleventh volume in the author’s “Mary Russell” series. It is an attempt at humor and adventure where neither Mary nor Sherlock need to save the world, nor even the British Empire. Mary is maneuvered by Sherlock, Lestrade and Mycroft into applying for a secretary/assistant position with a British film producer who is planning on making a movie about pirates. This producer is seen by His Majesty’s Government as Great Britain’s answer to the industry dominance of the American film studios, so his effort must be successful. The fact that certain nefarious transactions seem to dog the footsteps of this producer’s so-far-successful efforts is really of no consequence to his investors (Royal, noble and otherwise), but they do want an official presence to watch out for their interests. Mary, with her Oxford degree and her multiple Language skills, is a godsend to the producer, whose current assistant has gone missing, as he is planning on filming at locations in the Mediterranean. Eventually she and the ‘cast and crew’ head off to Portugal to begin their travels. There they find an ideal pirate ship and acquire a crew of pseudo-pirates to man it. From there it is ‘off to Morocco’ to begin filming their epic. Of course, nothing ever goes smoothly, so Mary is faced with problems ranging from Languages and seasickness to oversexed cast and crew. She keeps her knowledge of Arabic to herself and so hears more than people intend. The pirates they hired begin to seem more and more real as the ideal pirate ship looks less and less ideal. The complexities grow even faster than the budget and more and more secrets pop out of the woodwork.As a comedy, the effort falls a bit flat. Many of the situations are amusing, but they do not sing of silliness or resound with offstage laughter. It all seems a bit strained and no one seems happy, ever. Everyone seems to be taking things very seriously and yet no one seems really interested in the people around them. It just reads like a tiresome task that Mary must perform. Nothing is fun, not even the ending, with Mary asked to star in a new picture based on Byron’s “Corsair” titled “Pirate Queen.”As an adventure, this book is interesting. It has lots of thrills and realistic menaces. Much of the Nineteenth Century lurks in out-of-the-way corners of the world, even after The War to end all Wars. The slave trade, both white and otherwise, remains active and Piracy is still profitable if performed discretely. However, the pirates can learn as well as anyone else and the opportunities in this modern world can be dazzling if a bit of imagination is applied. Unfortunately, the author has not really applied herself to creating her trademark intriguing characters. She has produced a variety of personages, but most are not quite filled out or believable. This book is just not up to her usual standard.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, November, 2012

The Untold Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes

by Luke Benjamen Kuhns

This collection includes seven novellas drawn from a variety of times during Holmes’ career. The letter by Dr. Watson that precedes the stories explains that these tales were not told earlier for a variety of reasons but mostly to prevent further harm to the victims. There seems to be no common thread or theme among the tales included.“The Adventure of the Poisoned Affair” tells of Holmes’ involvement, at the request of the new widow, in the investigation of an apparent suicide by poison. Anomalies at the scene convince Holmes that the ‘suicide’ is actually a murder. “The Adventure of the Yellow Handkerchief” leads Holmes and Watson into the world of Thuggee. Inspector Lestrade asks Holmes to help with a series of murders that are otherwise unrelated except for yellow handkerchiefs left at the scenes. The story also presents a selection of other potential clients and their problems.“The Adventure of the Haunted Hotel” presents a mystery with its roots firmly placed in the past. Holmes and Watson are faced with hatreds and superstitions based on a pirate raid carried out at the beginning of the Eighteenth Century. The solution requires drastic action and careful planning. “The Adventure of the Acquitted Client” details a well-organized and executed scam based on common legal practice in Victorian England. Again, the solution calls for a great deal of planning and active detective work.“The Adventure of St. Mary’s Murder” has Holmes called in to help the local police on another series of murders. Attractive young women are being murdered and left in churches in the Manchester area. There seems to be no connection except the youth and attractiveness of the victims. Holmes and Watson manage to identify and trap the monster responsible, along with evidence to convict for multiple murders. “The Adventure of the Diamond Jubilee” has Inspector Lestrade seeking Holmes’ help in dealing with an apparent threat by Muslim extremists against the Queen at Her Diamond Jubilee. A resurrected Moriarty seems to be at the base of this problem and Holmes must persuade the Queen to accept his advice and control of events in order to ensure Her safety.The final story, “The Solved Problem,” rewrites some elements of “The Empty House” and reveals the details of the death of Mary Morstan Watson. In addition, the elements of the renewed Moriarty presence mentioned in earlier stories is explained and examined. Many elements of this tale are quite personal and painful for Watson and telling it is difficult and revealing.This book was fairly well edited. I found only a couple of spelling errors, but there were a number of homonym errors. For example, writing “past” for “passed” and visa-versa occurred several times, along with various, similar errors. There were also odd errors in subject/predicate agreement and a few other such problems. Another problem for Sherlockians is the difference between these tales and those from the Canon. I cannot put my finger on the stylistic details, for Watson is kept thoroughly in the dark by Holmes, but the difference is one of taste and viewpoint, so don’t look for new Canonical tales. On the other hand, these are interesting and puzzling mysteries and the author worked to recreate the world of The Canon.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October 2012

The Further Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes

by Sam Siciliano

This is Mr. Siciliano’s second Sherlockian novel. I have already posted my review of his first, “The Angel of the Opera.” This novel is told, in alternate chapters, from the viewpoint of Sherlock’s cousin, Dr. Henry Vernier and that of his cousin’s wife, Dr. Michelle Duodet-Vernier. These two viewpoints give the reader a more balanced view of Victorian English society than is normally afforded in the stories presented by Dr. Watson. The episodes narrated by Michelle are especially enlightening as they point up the absurd position held by women in that ‘civilized society.’In this book, Sherlock Holmes meets and combats his true intellectual equal, the real ’Moriarty’ that pervades the society of late Nineteenth Century England like a spider spinning a web with tendrils that connect through the highways and byways of life. In addition, we get to see a more human side of Holmes than that presented by Dr. Watson. Dr. Henry Vernier is visiting Sherlock in October, 1894 when one Mr. Donald Wheelwright comes to call. The case brought by Mr. Wheelwright began at a Pauper’s theme masked ball held in January, 1893 by a society friend. At the ball, Mrs. Wheelwright was cursed by a gypsy intruder and the curse has been reiterated by a note seemingly left at random in their home within the last few days. Sherlock is hired to uncover the person generating this threat and to remove any danger from Mrs. Wheelwright. Please note that Dr. Vernier disputes Watson’s account of The Great Hiatus and Holmes’ absence from London between 1891 and 1894.The details of the case and its societal implications seem to keep growing as Sherlock investigates. Suicides, perhaps murders, blackmailing, social unrest and conflicts ranging from the ratting parlors and whorehouses to the upper crust of society keep popping up. No common threads are seen, but the victims are connected by their attendance at the masked ball.The unique flavor of the Watson tales is missing. We do not see “The Great Detective,” with magnifying glass in hand, showing New Scotland Yard the error of their ways. Instead, we see Sherlock in intimate contact with the suffering and vice of the Victorian World. We see debauchery hand-in-hand with pietistic snobbishness and desperation allied with hopelessness. The mystery is complex but not baffling. What is difficult to see is a reasonable solution.This book was excellently edited. I only found a few spelling errors, particularly those British affectations of French spelling which so puzzle Americans. On the other hand, the characters persist in speaking in full sentences and keeping paragraphs all in one tense. I would be most frustrated were I an English teacher.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October 2012

Anomalous

by Samuel Williams

This book is, to the best of my knowledge, the first fiction published by this author. It is touted on the cover as being “the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes featuring Jack Johnson and Alfonse Capone.” My expectations were that I would find a book that preached the cause of integration and told of the terrible injustices suffered by the black community in America. What I found was a well-thought-out mystery about fascinating people dealing with extraordinary circumstances. The ‘preaching’ was confined to one scene in which Jack Johnson and Steve Dixie reasonably discuss the rationale of Victorian Society’s attitude to people of color with Dr. Watson. All additional preaching on the matter is confined to allowing events to take their course and characters to act out their natures.The story is believable and is made to fit the time constraints imposed by “His Last Bow.” According to that source, Holmes visited several locations in America in 1912 as ‘Altamont.’ Chicago was prominent among these places and that is where he and Jack Johnson meet, in Johnson’s restaurant, the “Café de Champion.” This meeting, combined with ‘Altamont’s’ involvement with Irish hoodlums brings him into contact with the leading Chicago mob boss of the time, “Big Jim” Colosimo and his enforcer, “Johnny” Torio, who are friends of Jack Johnson, the first non-white Heavyweight boxing champion. The Irish hoodlums are trying to gain an ‘in’ with the Italian mob and the acquaintance of ‘Altamont’ and Johnson helps this process along. A short time later, ‘Altamont’ was assigned to Ireland on “Provo “(Provisional IRA) business. Shortly after that, Jack Johnson was railroaded on trumped-up “Mann Act” charges and sentenced to a year in a Federal Penitentiary. He jumped bail and fled, with his wife, to Canada. Later, he went to London.With Jack Johnson’s arrival in London, things become interesting. It appears that at least two groups are after Johnson, one trying to kill him and another trying to kidnap him. Further, it seems that at least one of these groups is involved with some hanky-panky that Holmes is looking into as a side-line on his ‘Altamont’ project and action follows hot and heavy. At times, one suspects that events are happening a bit out of sequence, but most of the actions described are not traceable, so the author’s sequencing remains acceptable. Steve Dixie, the colored boxer from “The Three Gables,” makes an interesting appearance as does a grown-up half-caste Lucy Hebron from “The Yellow Face.” Mob enforcers Frankie Yale and Alfonse Capone show up in reply to a request to “Big Jim” for help by Jack Johnson.The writing is crisp and carefully done, especially at the beginning where readers’ attention needs to be grasped firmly. The book has also been extensively edited, although most of the work was done with software rather than an editor’s eye. There is a constant, minor irritation of properly spelled but improperly applied usage and tense agreement which never really becomes heavy but wears on the reader. The action toward the end of the book becomes confusing, but not confused. Most of the confusion is simply due to the fact that a lot happens in a short time because several contending groups are executing plans independent of one another. The author performs a very good job of showing the human side of criminals. He also carefully reminds readers that these are truly persons with a different outlook than most of us are accustomed to.Taken all-in-all, this is a very entertaining and plausible book. It is informative and intriguing with a close-up view of some very unpleasant aspects of early Twentieth Century racial relations as well as a vivid picture of some extremely interesting characters. The author has taken a great deal of care to keep within the bounds of The Canon. His characters are very well drawn and have a lot of attractive features, even his villains.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, October 2012

Mark Of the Baskerville Hound

by Wilfred Huettel

This author is new to Sherlockian fiction, with his only previous book a history of U-Boat warfare in the Gulf of Mexico. For a first effort at Sherlockian fiction, or any fiction, for that matter, this book is remarkable. The events recounted take place in the 1980s and the story is hard to define. It is a mystery and a horror story and a romance, all combined. It has supernatural elements if one chooses to read it that way, yet it is also intimately involved in psychology and, of all things, Theology. Perhaps I can explain my viewpoint best by recalling a lesson in Theology passed to me long ago. “The God of Christians is a God of Infinite Love.” The point of this lesson was that damnation is not a process enforced on a person by God, but rather it is a process that the person chooses, freely, over the chance to love.There are many reasons that people choose not to love, mostly from fear of rejection or of revealing oneself to the intimate knowledge of another, but all have their roots in pride. People choose pride over love and lose what they most desire, a chance to give and to receive love. This book presents a series of characters who are given chances to love and to place the well-being and happiness of others before their own. This book tells us their stories, although that is not what it looks like until well along in the tale.The protagonist is a retired New York policeman who was injured in line of duty. As a retirement hobby, he has taken up Sherlockian inquiry and has specialized in “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” After some years of writing and corresponding, he is invited to be a guest lecturer in Literature at Oxford with expenses paid and a small stipend. In the depths of winter, a power failure at the University disrupts classes and living accommodations, so our hero elects to visit Dartmoor during this enforced vacation. Time spent in a small country inn introduces other guests and local problems and the moors exercise their own magic. The story begins with our hero trying to recover from his experiences on the moors and to put his life back together after a complex experience. His nightmares and his increasing rejection of his surroundings are pushing him into madness and the process of curing him is one of teaching him to love, first himself, and then others.The book is well-edited, thoughtful and moving. Americanisms are appropriate to the narrator and the setting and viewpoint are intrinsically Sherlockian. It contains something for every taste, action, mystery, horror, supernatural events and romance.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, September 2012

Sherlock Holmes and The Whitechapel Vampire

by Dean P Turnbloom

This is a first novel by an author new to Sherlockian fiction who has undertaken to unite two of the most popular Sherlockian pastiche subjects into a single volume. The Database of Sherlockian pastiches, parodies and related fiction lists ninety five efforts to have Sherlock uncover the identity of ‘Saucy Jack.’ Further, the database also lists fifty five efforts to tell of Sherlock’s efforts to cope with Vampires. Two of the listed items combine these themes. A short story, “The Children of the Night,” and the current volume are the only combinations of these themes, in so far as I know.This book also combines two investigations. Holmes is convinced that an Italian immigrant, accused of the murder of a young Italian lady on the ship that brought them from Italy, is innocent. Holmes’ efforts to ‘clear up’ this case lead him into the investigation that Scotland Yard are bungling in front of all the world. Prejudice, sloppy investigative techniques and an inability to look for a bloodthirsty murderer outside the lower classes have hamstrung the Yard’s investigation.Holmes’ investigation is meticulous and revealing. It is also unwelcome to ‘the powers that be.’ The cooperation he receives is spotty at best so the final resolution of the ‘Ripper killings’ is left clouded and uncertain. Holmes solves his problems, has the Italian immigrant released and finds employment and new lives for him and his brother-in-arms. The prostitute murderer disappears from history, we hope.The book is reasonably well-written, with only minor editing errors. The investigations are well covered and the characters are sharply drawn. The book is not to my personal taste, but it is an interesting and well conducted effort. The science aspects are imaginative and the settings are well done.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, August 2012

Sherlock Holmes and The Dead Boer At Scotney Castle

by Tim Symonds

This is a first novel by an author new to Sherlockian fiction. The presentation of Holmes and Watson is a bit different than is common in such works, but it does seem more sensible than others, both in the Canon and in the many pastiches available. Holmes and Watson disagree and argue and look at the world quite differently than as we are accustomed to view them. On the other hand, the world inhabited by this Holmes and Watson is quite different from that of the Canon and most pastiches. It is a complex, gritty and more realistic world where things are seldom as they appear.Early in the story as well as near the end, the author describes meals featuring a Turkish dish, Imam Bayildi, translated as “The Swooning Imam.” In many ways, this dish is representative of the story as a whole. Imam Bayildi is a main dish made with eggplant (aubergines) and a number of vegetables, herbs and spices. In reality, the eggplant merely serves to provide neutral bulk and texture for the dish whose taste is compounded of the many flavors of the other ingredients. In this story, the tale itself is complex and convoluted and not really believable, but it provides an excellent medium in which to present the gorgeous tapestry of places, characters, objects and opinions included by the author.Holmes and Watson receive a peremptory summons to make presentations to a small society of wealthy Kipling fans. In arriving early for the appointment, Holmes manages to scramble some of the plans for the event and this has consequences. Plans are shifted and adjusted and complex events proceed with deviations. A naked corpse is found in a pond on a neighboring estate and, from newspaper accounts Holmes decides that murder has been committed. Watson objects and the dance begins.The characters perform, the scenery changes and Holmes begins to realize his mistakes. Dr. Watson comes to see that murder has been done and Holmes realizes the murder cannot be proven or prosecuted. Clues contradict clues and the world shifts around as viewpoints change. The author continues to present paradoxes and the characters act out their destined roles. The modern world shifts its focus and Europe edges closer to the brink of war.In addition to sharing my taste for complex prose and tangled events, the author also exhibits some talent in his fiction writing which does not appear in mine. The only problems I could find were a very few anachronistic terms and a possibly over-active imagination. Either the editor is quite capable or the author is most erudite or both contingencies apply. A wide range of subjects are discussed and presented in complex language without becoming boring. It was a real joy to read.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, August 2012

Sherlock Holmes and The Lyme Regis Legacy

by David Ruffle

This is another collection of tales by David Ruffle. By my count it is his fourth collection, but I am not sure of the various publishing dates and editions involved. This collection begins with a lengthy novella and includes a dozen or more, shorter items. Those that are not fragments could be described as short stories. Most have some Sherlockian content, but some have no relation to Holmes and Watson.The title story is quite interesting and draws its villain from deep in Holmes’ past. Mycroft and Inspector Lestrade put in appearances and Dr. Watson pursues his second (or is she his third?) wife. Other old acquaintances make appearances, if only fleeting ones and Lyme Regis provides a colorful and interesting backgroundThere is little to say about the shorter works. All are interesting, some are touching and many are set in Lyme Regis. The place and its history provide a fascinating background, especially to a writer as sensitive to its echoes as is Mr. Ruffle.This is an interesting collection of stories, constructed around a colorful and interesting place. It is well worth the time it takes to read and it evokes pictures of times long past and people worth knowing. The collection ends with “A Brief History of Lyme Regis” and a pair of laudatory poems.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, August 2012

Sherlock Holmes and The Lyme Regis Horror

by David Ruffle

This book is an anthology that consists of a short novel, a novella, nine short stories/fragments and a poem, all related, more or less, to Lyme Regis. This is the second edition and it contains additional material to the first edition as well as a number of editing changes. The main story violates Holmes’ dictum, that “no ghosts need apply.” If that is overlooked, what is left is a lively and engaging tale about a picturesque village and time. The Watson telling the tale is one of the most engaging I have met. He has the loyalty, the manners and the honesty all Sherlockians have come to revere along with a knowing twinkle in his eye. Holmes is Holmes, a bit older than we are accustomed to, but with the keen eye and lack of pretense, inhibition or tact we all associate with him. The other characterizations in the story are well-done, producing sharp images and clear impressions.The basic premise of the tale has a supernatural element that is alien to the Canon, with no scientific justification. It requires a ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ and it strained my reserves of such disbelief. However, if we can gloss over and forget Doyle’s descent into Spiritualism, we can surely forgive The Master a reaction to events that reach beyond the science of his time and place. It is evident that Holmes reacts reasonably and effectively to the circumstances he faces. The question is whether those circumstances could ever occur. “Further deponent sayeth not.”The novella, “The Trumper Affair,” is engaging and well-written. Holmes solves a minor mystery and Watson’s love of Cricket is fully indulged. A number of ‘turn of the Century’ Cricket personalities are featured and the Twentieth Century British Empire is introduced.The new collection of short pieces is expanded and ‘punched up’ a bit, but it remains incomplete and fragmentary. The items included are all emotional and interesting, but most are only glimpses of Holmes and Watson or of their lasting impressions. Time wanders in and out of the narratives and impressions are more important than details.The results of reading this book are a desire to visit Lyme Regis and a hope to see more of this comforting Watson, who is just what one always felt Watson should be.Re-reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, August, 2012.

Sherlock Holmes and The Irish Rebels

by Kieran McMullen

This is Mr. McMullen’s second book of Sherlockian fiction and his gift for catching the reality of time and place is undiminished. Since this book is about Irish History, it is a sad book. It tells of the Easter Uprising of 1916 as experienced by Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson at the request of Mycroft Holmes. The characters are mostly historic and are presented much as they were, flawed human beings trying to live up to their own ideals.My knowledge of 20th Century Irish History is spotty at best, so I cannot speak to the accuracy of Mr. McMullen’s portrayals, but I suspect they are fairly true to life. Many of the participants in this tale died during or within a short time after the events narrated. Most of the prominent survivors died within the next few years, so our knowledge of these times relies mostly on the memories of a very few survivors and on those of friends of the participants. Paper evidence, outside of court records, is in short supply and the courts were mostly English, with little regard for the truth of events in Ireland in the face of the urgency of The Great War.The History between England and Ireland begins shortly after the Norman Conquest. From the traditional English point of view, Ireland was a land of feuding tribes and pirate raiders. The period of anarchy that followed the death of Brian Boru, who turned back the Vikings and their allies at the Battle of Clontarf, offered all the excuse that the Norman overlords needed to extend their conquest to the island. Unlike England, the Irish were never integrated into the Kingdom. They retained their own language, customs and religious leadership.When Henry split the English Church from Rome, the Irish remained in communion with Rome. The Church of Ireland made little impact on the Irish. Most members were those whose loyalties were to England such as the descendants of Scottish and English emigrants brought into Ireland as part of Royal policies. The Glorious Revolution of the Seventeenth Century completed the entire subjection of Ireland to English control as Cromwell invaded and devastated Ireland. Revolution festered and generations of Irish patriots carried out an uprising roughly every forty years from the late Eighteenth Century into the Twentieth.This story is typical of Irish tragedies. Poets, teachers and madmen persuade and trick others into a hopeless revolution and the English act in their chosen character. After the battle is won, they decide to wash out all traces of revolution with blood after being unable to mount any effective prevention. Stupidity, venality and complete misunderstanding of the other side mark the normal course of English-Irish relations.Obviously, this tale is fiction, but it could have been true. Most of the characters are real and they acted much as described. Holmes and Watson provide us with insights and a point of view of events that echo Greek Tragedies with their view that character is destiny. As I said, this is a sad story, but it is gripping, emotionally involving and impressive.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, July 2012

The Consulting Detective Trilogy Part I

by Darlene a Cypser

This is the second of Ms. Cypser’s biographical series on Sherlock Holmes. It begins immediately following events in her earlier book, "The Crack in the Lens." This book covers Sherlock’s experiences at university, specifically at Sydney Sussex College at Cambridge University. This book does not have the dark overtones of the first volume, but it does depict Sherlock attempting to deal with the immense trauma he suffered as a teen.Looked at in retrospect, this book is remarkable. While reading it, there seems to be action proceeding all the time, but after it is finished, the reader realizes that the ‘action’ was mostly internal. Events occur, but most of the narrative is taken up with Sherlock’s reactions and adaptations to those events. Again, while reading, worlds of possibilities open up and all sorts of consequences become possible, but really, only fairly normal things actually occur. It is a truly remarkable narrative that rings with possibilities and yet makes the events described seem to be natural outcomes of the situations. This makes it difficult to review. I could say that the action is riveting, as it was, but there is really little action. I could say that the characters are fascinating, which they are, but most appear and then disappear, leaving their interactions with Sherlock as the only evidence of their existence. The relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft remains the same as it ever was, but it seems fuller and richer as we learn of how they shared experiences and learned from one another. So it is with the entire book. Sherlock learns to cope with stress and guilt, he learns to react to the world and he learns about himself.Sherlock’s relations with his parents and his brothers are looked at a bit more closely, but they remain much the same as before. Sherlock’s relations with the world, on the other hand, grow and develop. He learns to participate more and to observe without judging so deeply. He also learns how to learn. The process is painful, but so is any growth. The Sherlock who leaves Cambridge at the end of this book is far different than the one who arrived. He is not yet a ‘finished tool’ but he has the process well in hand. Most of the details have been made fascinating by the author, so the book is a very ‘good read.’Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, June 2012

Holmes Sweet Holmes

by Dan Andriacco

This book is the second Sebastian McCabe – Jeff Cody mystery, following his earlier "No Police Like Holmes." This book lacks the impressive character set of eccentric Sherlockians encountered in the first, but it does present a dandy mystery and a new set of eccentrics. This group are a bit more difficult to categorize, but they tend to come from the world of entertainment, if anywhere in particular.Much of the narrative concentrates on academic in-fighting, with our heroes "in medias res." We are treated to a double murder with theories obscured by facts and suspects just oozing both motives and lies. Telling the white hats from the black takes more than an eye for color. Our hero, Jeff Cody, worries his way through the entire process and professor McCabe claims to have every thing almost in hand for most of the book.Personally, I miss the rich Sherlockian atmosphere of the earlier book, but the author did come up with at least one good line from "The Maltese Falcon" as well as a few other mystery references. Jeff’s true love, reporter Lynda Teal, turns out to have an educated taste in Bourbon but the chief of police seems to be a “throw ‘em back” fisherman. The femme fatale of this little opus seems to have an uneducated taste for whatever or whoever is offered. The battle between Jeff and his boss, Ralph, moves into new territory and the seamy side of the ivory tower gets exposed for all to see.This is a worthy second volume and it continues the tradition of crimes in an academic venue. The setting, a small town on the Ohio River, with a small private University and a semi-rural population continues to provide enough contrasts to maintain interest. Large cities are close enough to hand to add contrast to the mix and the faculty and student bodies offer a wide selection of characters for manipulation.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, June 2012

The Secret Journal Of Dr Watson

by Phil Growick

This is a difficult book to review. The fantastic nature of the story told makes it almost unbelievable. Unfortunately, the events recounted occurred in a century of unprecedented espionage and trickery that began with the appointment of an enemy agent as head of intelligence services for the Austro-Hungarian Empire and ended with the routine computer monitoring of all cell phone conversations across the world by the NSA. During that century, such intelligence ‘coups’ as the Zimmerman Telegram, the Coventry air raid non-warning and the routine killing of marked individuals by umbrellas that shoot tiny, poisoned balls have become commonplace. Further, from my extensive readings in Twentieth Century history, I must conclude that, however fantastic the details of this adventure, all of the persons involved could have performed their reported roles, especially those of historical note.The book begins with Sherlock and Dr. Watson being escorted to a meeting with Prime Minister David Lloyd George and then with King Edward V. They are charged with an intensely secret mission and directed to leave the country with no explanations to friends or family. From this point, the story becomes a study in the double-cross. At any given time, it is impossible to say who is currently friend and who is foe, as people seem to change orientations so frequently.The task requires intense concentration and heavy sacrifice by all involved. The results are kept secret and the participants are silenced, either by guilt, by death or by other Government action. Dr. Watson’s account is given to his lawyers in a sealed package only to be read by his descendants after seventy five years.The narrative is engrossing and the characters are well-drawn. I was impressed by the realistic representations of several historical characters and I found that the mystery and tension of the narrative carried right up to the final page. The book is certainly worth reading and it is an interesting Sherlockian mystery. The presentation of events and personalities is carefully done and seems quite consistent with the known history of the times. I repeat, things could have happened this way and the people involved could have acted this wayThere are surely some flaws in the book. The most irritating is the software used to translate the text into book format. Apparently many end-of-lines were changed, in error, into hard paragraph indicators, so new paragraphs in the narrative creep out in the midst of sentences with embarrassing regularity. Another embarrassment is the author’s complete confusion about the armament and capabilities of light cruisers and destroyers as well as about other, less important nautical matters. Aside from these items, the spelling, usage and terminology seem appropriate to the time and place.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, May 2012

The Case Of the Ill-Fated Playwright

by Edmiston Fred W

This book is short novel built around the premise that Oscar Wilde engaged the services of Sherlock Holmes to establish the source of a number of apparently threatening pictures sent to him during the period of his dispute with the Marquis of Queensbury. As I am not familiar with the details of Wilde’s life, I cannot attest to the plausibility of the premise or to the existence of the pictures. In general, the reasonableness of the author’s presentation and the level of detail included in the book encourage belief in the author’s viewpoint.In addition to the Marquis of Queensbury, George Bernard Shaw and Robert Ross as primary characters, the book contains portraits of a number of subordinate personalities. The entire dispute between Wilde and Queensbury is depicted as a minor incident in the lifelong dispute between the Marquis and his son, two unreasonable and domineering personalities. Wilde’s life and career become merely incidents in their decades-long feud, where their only object is to harm one another. Of course the outcome, the ruin of Wilde and his imprisonment and early death are not the best subjects for light comedy, so this is not a ‘happy’ book. On the other hand, the author manages to lace even the dreariest scenes with flashes of wit by Wilde that show why his dialogue delighted generations of theater-goers.Holmes and Watson clearly play supporting roles in this book, but they also portray the voices of reason and common sense. Both seem to appreciate Wilde’s humor and to enjoy his skills as a writer, but neither is able to approve of his action choices in a culture that considered a trans-sexual lifestyle an abomination and punished it with dreadful duty. The presentation of this downfall of a brilliant playwright partakes of Greek Tragedy, with a healthy leavening of comedy. The book is fun to read but sad to contemplate. The reader’s attitude toward the role of Government in matters of human sexuality is likely to color one’s attitudes toward this book, but the aphorisms of Oscar Wilde remain amusing, witty and charming, no matter what one’s opinion of his lifestyle.The editing and grammar are well-done as compared to many other books in publication. I was not able to find many glaring errors in usage or language and even titles and ‘Honoraria’ were well-handled. The attitudes and activities of Holmes and Watson also seemed to be appropriate to the characters, with no glaring errors in timing or dialogue.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, May, 2012

Sherlock Holmes and The Princess Jewel

by John Degaetano

This is a play script for a 2-Act Sherlockian drama. It contains elements of “The Musgrave Ritual,” “The Adventure of the Dancing Men” and “The Final Problem.” It is always difficult for a reviewer to judge the interest of a play solely from reading the script. So much of the appeal of theater is derived from the performance arts of the cast, the vision and execution of the director and the work of the producer that the efforts of the playwright may well be overshadowed by the errors or mistakes of those involved in the performance.Given the above, this script is quite interesting. It will not be appealing to the general run of Sherlockians, who demand conformity to the Canon. As I said earlier, this script contains elements from several Canonical tales; however it also contradicts the Canon in many places, because the playwright has a different view of Sherlock than that commonly held. I found the script imaginative and appealing, but I am well-acquainted with the myriad of Sherlockian pastiches available and am prepared to accept alternative views of The Great Detective.Familiar elements, including Inspector Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson and Professor Moriarty as well as the code from ‘The Dancing Men’ and the Historical events leading up to “The Musgrave Ritual” are mixed somewhat differently to create a new view of Holmes and Watson. The similarities of English Sea Chantries and modern Rap performance are used to stage several scenes in a fashion at once familiar and traditional. The familiar badinage of deductions and amazement between Holmes and Watson is missing, but not really missed. This is a different Holmes and Watson with a different relationship.I would enjoy watching a performance, provided the actors and director were up to the task. It would not be Canonical, but it would be entertaining. In any case, the job of the Canonical Watson is to present Holmes, not to explain him. This Watson serves more as a foil for this Holmes who is well capable of presenting himself.The author, on the other hand, could use the services of a good editor. The dialogue contained a number of errors, mostly simple typos, but it also displays a strong American influence in its language and orientation. This is not really a good thing in presenting Sherlock to the audience. It is similar to casting a Brooklyn accent as Winston Churchill. A good producer could overcome these difficulties, but they do exist.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, March, 2012

The Yukon In Peril

by R McIntyre Cooke

This is a straight-forward adventure novel posing as a Sherlockian mystery. Sherlock and Dr. Watson are commissioned by the Prime Minister to prevent an upset of US - UK relations over a border dispute between Alaska and Canada. An active Irish terrorist has taken an interest in the growing problems caused by the Gold Rush in the Yukon Territory and Her Majesty’s Government fear this may trigger a disagreement between the British Government edging into war with South Africa and the expansionist United States Government and their just-completed war with Spain. Actually, the situation is well-chosen and the strife and conflict are matters of Historical fact. The true problem involved is to identify the terrorist and to prevent whatever scheme he is pursuing from disrupting relations between the two countries. Canada is feeling its own identity as a Commonwealth nation and the Gold Rush population of Alaska is overwhelming the public services of the neighboring Yukon Territory. Tempers are high, patriotism is being invoked on all sides and many persons have an interest in fostering unrest for money, for political power and out of general nastiness.Holmes and Watson journey to the Yukon under pseudonyms and try their hands at forestalling International Intrigue. The trip is well-described and many interesting characters are encountered along the way. The entire premise sounds fantastic, but it is actually typical of the type of backdoor diplomacy that was used in late Victorian and Edwardian times. One gets the feeling of senior politicians hanging onto a careening train for dear life while events flash by on either side. The final efforts fizzled out in the summer of 1914 as Europe marched firmly into a war that no one wanted.The author seems to have found an excellent editor and the very few errors I found were more disagreements than actual errors. The characters presented were well-drawn and plausible, with lots of research being evident in their creation and/or depiction. The book reads like an adventure novel, but it is well-constructed and historically hard to argue with. It describes a little-known time of conflict between the US and its northern neighbor very well.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, March, 2012

Wilde About Holmes

by Milo Yelesiyevich

This is a complex book. It tells of a collaboration between Sherlock Holmes and Oscar Wilde. Nominally, they are working for Grover Cleveland, Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 1884, to prevent release of information on a scandal in his personal life. Being Holmes and Wilde, both are much more intent on their own ends than on their nominal cooperation. Holmes is pursuing Moriarty and Wilde is pursuing production of his latest play. As time progresses, aims and goals become more and more confused and muddled.It appears that both of the team members have prior contact with Lily Langtry, who turns up unexpectedly in New York. Neither of the principals is willing to discuss their past contacts and their future plans with the other, more or less with their client. Apparently many of the other characters also have histories with the lady and the plot becomes even murkier. In line with the plot, conversations and events that later appear in “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Final Problem” keep popping up in odd spots.Finally, both of the principal characters have a tendency to engage in long, self-examinations full of quotations. The fact that many of these quotations are from writers of the 20th Century is discussed in the Afterward. I found all of the complex quotations to be a distraction. One expects Oscar Wilde to be self-absorbed because of his public Aestheticism but Holmes in self-contempt mode is a real surprise. Part of that of course, stems from the fact that Watson, as the usual narrator, never shows Holmes’ inner conflicts. In this context, there are conflicts and they take up a lot of time and type.Somehow I lost the thread of the narrative about two thirds of the way through and was never able to regain it. It is apparent that Holmes, through his experiences with Mrs. Langtry, acquired a solid dose of misogyny but he never seemed to acquire any common sense. The author seemed to reflect Holmes’ logic and to distrust women on principle. Neither seemed capable of thinking of females as human beings so they keep running into hostility. I can’t imagine why.In addition to many quotations and incidents lifted from “A Scandal in Bohemia,” this book includes a great deal of material that originally first appeared in “The Final Problem.” I also find it difficult to resolve the many time discrepancies that seem to appear from the juxtaposition of the events of the 1884 election in the USA, the career of Lily Langtry and the Canonical tales. In short, this is a confusing book with quotations from a number of sources that don’t seem to help clear up the confusion. The narrative is subordinate to the characters, real, fictional or invented and the more the author attempts to resolve issues, the more confused I get.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, March, 2012

Sherlock Holmes - Consulting Detective Vol 1, 2 and 3

by Icom

This is a collection of five, well-written novellas. It is the second collection in a series by this Publishing House and it will soon be followed by a third volume. There seems to be no overall theme set for this collection of tales, but the book does not suffer from the lack. All of the tales are readable and interesting, even entertaining. One can ask little more of a Sherlockian anthology and this one delivers quite effectively.“The Affair of the Wretched Flesh,” by Joshua Reynolds begins with Sherlock in a characteristic ‘blue funk.’ Thankfully, Inspector Lestrade arrives before Holmes turns to the needle and the pair are off on a new adventure. This case is solved, but that is about all. The cost of the solution in lives and treasure is daunting and the villain seems to have escaped to cause more trouble.“The Affair of the Western Mail,” by I. A. Watson calls Holmes and Watson to deal with an ‘impossible’ robbery of a payroll carried on an express train with numerous safety features in place. The case is complex and the solution finally comes through the odd actions of a ‘con’ man well known to Holmes.“The Case of the Missing Engine,” by Bernadette Johnson, brings Holmes and Watson to Trinity College, Cambridge to look into the theft of a reconstruction of Charles Babbage’s “Analytical Engine.” The investigation is complex and the villain is not really villainous, but murder has been done and a solution is needed.“The Last Deposit,” by I. A. Watson, is depressing. It is well thought out, but inevitably sad and depressing. The body of a murdered young woman is found in a safe deposit box at a prestigious bank, something everyone claims is impossible. Yet, there she is. The investigation is depressing and the true villain escapes justice, except, perhaps, in his dreams.The final tale, “The adventure of the Phantom Raiders,” by Andrew Salmon, brings together two unlikely comrades. HMS Victory, rotting at anchor is paired with the RN’s newest acquisition, Submarine A1. The Eighteenth Century super weapon, the flagship of Nelson at Trafalgar is sent into battle alongside the Naval wonder weapon of the Twentieth Century, the torpedo-armed submarine.This is an interesting book, with a nice selection of tales and locales. The circumstances and timing all seem to fit well into the Canon and the presentation of the tales is comfortable and familiar. Some readers may object to details, but most are explicable and few are crucial. In fact, there seem to be fewer errors of fact or timing than is common for a similar collection of Canonical tales.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, February, 2012

The Bookman

by Lavie Tidhar

This is a series of three novels set in a “Steampunk” Universe that includes a large population of Nineteenth Century fictional and historical characters. By ‘large,’ I mean that I lost track during the first volume and merely took occasional notes during the later volumes. For example, Chief Sitting Bull appears in the same volume as Erich Weiss, aka Harry Houdini and Irene Adler is a Scotland Yard Inspector, keeping her eye on Fagin and Oliver Twist. The three volumes in the series are, respectively, “The Bookman,” “Camera Obscura” and “The Great Game.” All three volumes are, more or less, stand-alone publications. On the other hand, I have a number of questions after completing the third volume, so all of the answers are definitely NOT included in the books.The main theme of the series revolves around Mycroft Holmes and his Intelligence Organization. Many other Sherlockian characters appear as well as an unruly mob of other personages. One really needs a scorecard to keep track. The author also has a habit of making readers work for understanding of the environment. Every once in a while, some character will summarize a part of history, either recent or ancient, so that readers can orient (not ‘orientate’) themselves. Mostly, though, the characters talk about more immediate concerns as do people involved in active lives so readers are left to catch up on their own. I found this aspect more interesting than most fictional settings because it makes a reader think. Meanwhile, the action continues and events keep happening.The three volumes occur in 1888, in 1893 and in 1899. Many characters appear in all three volumes and some explanations are offered. I retain a number of serious questions, such as “What happened to Smallpox” and “Where did Amerigo Vespucci learn to pilot a ship?” There are also open questions about who is on which side of what. There seem to be more ‘sides’ than players and there are a real ocean full of players. Needless to say, the action takes place all over the place and even in some unexpected places.At base, this is an action series. Agents, counteragents, retired agents and secret agents wander in and out, change sides, switch masters and shoot it out with each other at the drop of a hat. It is difficult to bring up any subject without revealing some of the mysteries that are part of the story. As an example, there was a revolution in France in the late eighteenth Century. It was called “The Quiet Revolution.” Doctors Frankenstein and Jekyl are working together, sort of. Milady DeWinter and the Comte de Rochefort are still (or again) in business, working for the French Government, in between other clients. One hint, when the author talks about a “Vespucian” you can translate that as “American.”This is a fun series. There are lots of interesting characters, stolen from everywhere, as much action as can be kept track of and a whole slew of questions left unanswered. Familiar characters pop up in the oddest places for even odder reasons and familiar places all look just a little bit odd. If you can figure out what actually happened, please drop me a note. I’m still a bit puzzled.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, February 2012

A Study In Lavender

by Elka Cloke; Rajan Khanna; Stephen Osborne; Editor-Joseph R G Demarco

It is not my practice to review Sherlockian fiction of such a specialized nature, however, I purchased this book because I collect Sherlockian pastiches and felt I needed to add the stories to my database. I made the mistake of reading the first and was caught in a carefully devised trap. The editor must have given very careful directions to the contributors, for I found very little here of a sexual nature. Instead, I found earnest and thoughtful fiction that concentrated on the problems caused by the very harsh laws in Victorian Britain that restricted those whom we would now characterize as “following alternative lifestyles.” Indeed, the characters in these pages exhibit all sorts of alternative approaches to life.My usual practice in reviewing anthologies is to give brief summaries of the individual tales, along with their titles and the authors’ names. In this case, most of the stories consist of efforts by the characters to hide, discover and/or to fulfill their life conditions, so that approach would reveal too much of the point of the stories. Further, I have copies of many periodicals and anthologies of “gay” materials and I seldom do more than check through the pages to catalogue titles, authors and characters included along with references to events, historical characters and Canonical, Apocryphal or Untold tales. All ten of these stories demanded attention and compelled sympathy or, at least, concern for the characters. The writing was of very high quality, the characters were well-developed and the plots were intricate and realistic.Instead of inane characters indulging in sexual orgies, the reader is presented, mostly, with intelligent people trying to deal with the restrictions placed on their lives by a society that neither cares about nor understands them. These are stories of people who live in a world where they are guilty of heinous crimes simply because of their nature, not because of choices they have made or actions they have taken.The stories are interesting, even disturbing. Many of the characters are not “gay,” nor are they concerned with the societal view of homosexuality. Many are simply caught up in events because someone among their family or friends is accused of or involved in events that are thought to be so. The variety of characters and events is surprising, more varied than expected and very well presented. Only two ‘monsters’ appear and both are truly frightening, especially in that they have learned effectively to hide within society.The editor has put together as fine a collection of “alternative lifestyle” material as I have ever seen. I feel sure that the impetus and the execution needed to create this collection was supplied by him and he is to be congratulated on a fine job of producing a sympathetic and realistic view of the Nineteenth Century as seen from the viewpoint of those with alternative lifestyles.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, January 2012

More Secret Ad Sherlock Holmes

by Gary Lovisi

This is a collection of three mid-length tales by the author that were originally published in severely reduced formats. I have read all three, both in the earlier versions and in these newer forms and I can understand Mr. Lovisi’s frustration with the restraints imposed by editors with space limitations The first story is “The Notorious Crosby Murders” and, in my opinion, it is the finest of the lot. It is written very much in the fashion of the better Canonical tales and it uses many of the techniques invented by Doyle. Holmes and Watson are called to investigate the murders of a woman and her two children. Actually, Inspector Lestrade wants Holmes’ help in finding the husband who is the obvious suspect. Holmes examines the scene of the crime and is compelled by what he finds to invent a new investigative tool to deal with the evidence. He finds both the husband and the murderer.In “A Study in Evil,” Mrs. Hudson shows up on Dr. Watson’s doorstep saying that Holmes has been arrested for murder and she asks Watson to help him. Inspector Lestrade allows Watson to visit Holmes in his cell and Holmes describes the events that resulted in the death of his client. Watson refuses to take the tale at face value and goes to the home of the victim to interview the servants who were present. After thinking over the results of his interviews, Watson returns to Holmes for an explanation. Holmes requests time and asks Watson to return the next day. Both Watson and Lestrade hear the servants’ testimony and Holmes’s explanation and Lestrade is forced to cry at the tale.“The American Adventure” begins with Dr. Joseph Bell requesting Mycroft’s assistance on a personal trip to The United States in 1876. Mycroft refuses and recommends the services of his brother, Sherlock, who has just completed his University studies. After discussion, Sherlock agrees and he and Dr. Bell take ship for New York, where Bell’s sister is in fear for her life at the hands of her American husband. This longer version is much more satisfying than the shorter story published in Kurland’s “Sherlock Holmes: The American Years.” It does, however, present a number of problems to Sherlockians who are sure of the timing of events cited in the Canon.This book also has the advantage of good editing. I found only a few, minor errors in spelling and usage. It is quite enjoyable and “The Notorious Crosby Murders” is one of the best written pastiches I have seen. The others are also quite good and the collection is well worth its cost.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, January 2012

Sherlock Holmes

by Guy Adams

This novel is full of late Nineteenth Century practitioners of magic along with a number of events that seem to defy scientific explanation. In spite of these elements, it remains a case well-suited to investigation by the techniques of the world’s first consulting detective.Holmes and Watson are solicited by one Doctor Silence, a medical practitioner who specializes in ‘psychic’ maladies. He relates a tale of his recent experiences that links Sherlock Holmes’ name with those of a new cadaver whose cause of death is undetermined and with Aleister Crowley, a member of “The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.” Other events of questionable nature thrust themselves upon Holmes and Watson, all seemingly without reason and with no apparent connections. Langdale Pike confirms several pieces of information that connect the corpse to Crowley and “The Golden Dawn,” so Holmes and Watson begin the trip with Dr. Silence to Crowley’s ‘manor’ outside Inverness.On the train to Scotland, Watson and Dr. Silence encounter a supernatural visitation that ends in the death of a bystander. As part of that conflict, they also meet Thomas Carnacki, a supernatural detective of some growing fame. Holmes is spared this experience, but is later introduced to Carnacki who fills him in on what that investigator has met to set him on the same trail to find Crowley. Holmes decides to leave the group before they get to Inverness.From this point on, the plot becomes complicated. Once at Inverness, Crowley claims that a splinter group of the Golden Dawn are planning to use an ancient magical weapon to cause chaos that will frighten society into the more traditional position of fearing the arcane arts and the powers at their command. Several lines of events are detailed and examined for pointers to the miscreants and their place of power. At least five distinct methods of individual supernatural attack are described in some detail along with defenses and counters used by the detectives.Events follow thick and fast and evidence for supernatural assaults mounts every day. Crowley’s manor is besieged and the defense is complex and exhausting. For example, Dr. Watson alternates with Carnacki in firing silver bullets to destroy invading demon figures and Crowley and Dr. Silence exhaust themselves psychically in defending against the nightly onslaughts by shadowy figures from Beyond. In the following day, Sherlock returns from his independent investigations to join the council of war. Finally, a location is pinpointed in the newly constructed portion of the London Underground System and the entire crew head back to London to ‘cleanse’ the system.Once the whole group are in place to begin the process, Holmes calls for a halt and begins to explain who has been doing what to whom. The explanation is necessarily long and complex, but it does point out who was responsible for which murders and how the magical effects were produced. The details are a bit ‘sketchy’ but the processes are identified along with the perpetrators.Taken as a whole, the book is fast paced, very interesting and very well written. The author seems to be aware of “The Illusion of Holmes” as I have called the methods used by Doyle to present Sherlock Holmes to his readers, and they are used well. For this reason, the book has much of the flavor of the Canon, even though the subject matter lies in an area Doyle would never have attempted with Holmes. Strict students of the Canon will spend most of the book waiting for the psychic ‘shoe’ to drop and for the author to identify the demon or demons plaguing mankind. Don’t be fooled. “Ghosts need not apply!”This book also has the advantage of good editing. I found only one, minor error in usage.Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, January 2012