Just Finished Reading: American Sherlocks – Stories from the Golden Age of the American Detective edited by Nick Rennison (FP: 2021) [332pp] 

With the popularity of Sherlock Holmes both in his own country and across Europe, it should come as no surprise that he was both applauded and duplicated in the United States especially in the new media of daily newspapers and periodic magazines. This collection of 15 short stories dating from 1890 to 1920 shows off the range of results. 

As with all collections the quality of tale – both in its execution and narrative style – was variable. In fact, the first half of the book didn't impress me very much at all. Only when I reached the second half did I actually start enjoying the experience. I'm not sure if this was the result of stories improving or whether, as the moved deeper into the early 20th century, they simply became both more modern and more familiar.  

The first story, The Doomdorf Mystery by Melville Davisson Post (creator of 'Uncle Abner') was a locked room mystery that (unfortunately for my enjoyment) I solved instantly once a single 'off-hand' clue was provided. The 'mystery' rested on the readers (and a secondary character's) ignorance of basic physics that everyone these days should be familiar with – even if you haven't watched/read endless detective stories. 

Likewise other stories depended on the detectives 'sleight of hand' or rather dubious deductive reasoning. There was certainly very little in the way of forensic evidence or, rather surprisingly, police involvement at any point! Having read the previous non-fiction on early US crime scene forensics I now appreciate just why the police flayed about so much and built their cases on precious little actual evidence. My advice to criminals of that age – both fictional and real – was to claim they're innocent, go to trial and cause so much doubt about the prosecution case that they'd walk free more often than not. 

After the halfway mark things did get more interesting. One thing I did find surprising was the few female detectives. I think that the thing that struck me most strongly was that not only did they exist but that they were respected both inside the stories and by the reading public (who would've been predominantly male at that point I'm guessing. A case in point (pun not intended this time) was the amateur detective Elinor Frost in Christabel's Crystal (1905) that read very much like an English country house drama. More to my taste was professional female detective Clare Kendall in The Mystery of the Stolen Da Vinci by Arthur B Reeve (1913) where she uses all the technology of the period – the telephone, telegraph, fast cars and an intriguing recording device - to solve the crime. 

A few general observations are worth noting. Most of the crimes – not ALL murders! - seemed to take place in the upper echelons of society. I'm guessing that the 'mean streets' narratives of the 1930's – 1950's was a reaction to this. Very few of the stories involve the police at all – even once the crime or mystery is solved. Then there was the surprising number of suicides – by the caught criminal – sprinkled throughout the collection. I'm (very much) guessing that this was considered swift justice and cut out any messy court case – although handing the miscreant over to the authorities and either leaving it at that or adding a few lines on sentencing would have sufficed. Overall, this was worth the read if slightly disappointing. More Sherlock's to come. Reasonable.  

Just Finished Reading: American Sherlock – Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of Crime Scene Investigation by Kate Winkler Dawson (FP: 2020) [274pp] 

Whenever I read about criminal investigation in the 19th century (fictional or otherwise) I can't help but wonder how anything was actually solved before the advent of modern forensics. It would appear that the lack of CSI as well as the lack of understanding (or belief) by members of the jury lasted well into the early 20th century. However, one man (in the US) was determined to change that – Edward Oscar Heinrich. Starting as a pharmacist assistant and later chemist he was determined to bring scientific principles into criminal investigation as well as into the courtroom not only to prosecute the guilty but to ensure that the right people ended up in prison rather than someone who just happened to be the most obvious person in the wrong place at the wrong time.  

It wasn't long before Heinrich was asked for every time a local police force hit a problem. As his fame spread, he began attending incidents across the country – much to the dismay of his wife and children. Inevitably as he all too often identified suspects from the smallest items of physical evidence, he was just as often called to the stand to show the jury exactly what he found and to explain exactly why it was important. [I was actually shocked more than once at how contaminated the crime scenes of the era where – not only be the number of police officers at any particular scene but by the members of the public who wanted to see blood but also to take 'souvenirs' of the event. Most of the cases would fail these days because of the sheer amount of contamination of the crime scene.] The biggest frustration that Heinrich struggled with was the fact that juries often either didn't understand his evidence or simply dismissed it as fantasy or what we might call today 'technobabble'. But this was the age where fingerprinting was just coming into regular use and the concept of blood types had only just been recognised, so it's hardly surprising that even the police themselves were sceptical of any scientific explanation – most especially when it contradicted their own 'gut feelings' or prejudices. 

Scattered throughout with some of his most famous cases (only one of which I had previously heard of) this was an interesting look at the earliest days of modern forensic science and the uphill struggles its practitioners had both in solving crimes and convincing juries that their science could prove who actually did do it (and of course sometimes the 'science' was nothing of the sort). Although this was, primarily, a biography of the man himself I was a little disappointed that it didn't focus more of the science. I was also slightly irritated by the repeated mention of his financial worries and his rivalry with other 'experts' in forensics. But these niggles were generally a minor affair. Overall, an interesting look at the period – 1920's and 30's – and the crimes committed then. Reasonable and more Sherlock Holmes Adjacent (SHA) content to come.  

Just Finished Reading: Sherlock Holmes & The Twelve Thefts of Christmas by Tim Major (FP: 2022) [272pp] 

Holmes was not impressed by Christmas. He had little time for the ceremony but what was worse was the dearth of interesting crime. Thankfully it began to look like this Christmas would be different. Within hours of each other two mysteries arrived at 221b Baker Street – a pair of tickets from someone who would never send them and a visit from Inspector Lestrade with a case that would not interest Holmes in the least, the theft of a worthless plaster statue. Where they connected? There was only one way to find out – a visit to the British Museum and a night at the opera. Intrigued by clues Watson could not see and could barely understand Holmes is fully engaged in a Christmas mystery. But Watson worries... Who exactly is pulling the strings? What does the recurring theme of theft without theft mean? Why is Holmes acting so oddly, happy, morose, agitated, secretive? Is it all to do with ‘that woman’? The only one to have bested Holmes, the only one he truly admires: Irene Adler. Is she back in England? Does she mean to harm Holmes or merely entertain him, and if so... Why? It’s only a few more days to Christmas and the game is afoot! 

Oh, this book just JUMPED off the shelf at my local Charity shop and into my hand. Not only was it another Sherlock Homes Adjacent (SHA) tome but it was a Christmas book. What better way to read up to the holidays? I was impressed from the first page. Not only did the author get the ‘tone’ of Conan Doyle’s work and characters spot on he also presented us with a series of puzzles that were quite delightful. Even more so, we see an intriguing (and previously unexplored) side of Holmes that throws a little more light on some of his cannon tales. I’d often mused on Sherlock’s relation with the women in his adventures. I never considered him a simple misogynist; he respects women too much for that. I’ve also never thought, despite his protestations, as completely uninterested in the ‘fair sex’. Again, things are more complicated – as we see between these pages. 

Told, as usual, from Watson’s perspective I was delighted that we see and learn more about his wife Mary who seemed to simply vanish in the original tales. It was good to see her character filled out a bit more. As is often the case there’s a foreign travel element to the tale (running concurrently and intermixing with the main thread) this time concerning the Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen that I’ll definitely to read more about (together with his very accomplished wife). 

This is actually the 3rd book in the sequence, and I’ll most definitely be picking up the previous two. Naturally I’ll also be picking up some other winter/Christmas related SHA books for NEXT year! A FUN read and definitely recommended to any Holmes fan out there who has read the original works and wants more adventures with some of their favourite characters.  

Just Finished Reading: The Infernal Device by Michael Kurland (FP: 1979) [259pp] 

It was an opportunity that was hard to turn down. American journalist Benjamin Barret would be at the test of Turkey’s latest weapon of war – a submersible that would be the envy of the world. But just as the sea trials began off the exotic city of Constantinople, tragedy struck, and a huge explosion sent the craft to the bottom. Still dazed by the day's events, Benjamin is arrested for murder and espionage, and it sentenced to death. With no friends and with his own embassy now against him he is forced to face his own demise until an unlikely saviour makes his appearance. Professor James Moriarty is there to make Barret an offer he simply can’t refuse – if the journalist consents to give the professor two years of his life in his service – no questions asked, then he will ensure Barret's captivity comes to an end and this he is spirited out of the country. With no other option he says yes and awaits his salvation. Back in London and now working for the professor Barret is given a special task suitable for one with his skill set. He is to use his journalist contacts and experience to help Moriarty to track down a very dangerous man indeed – a rogue Russian agent committed to one vision, to force the British Empire to engage Russia in all-out war. To do that he must goad the British into action by creating an atrocity that simply cannot be ignored. Only one problem stands in the way of Moriarty – his long time enemy and self-proclaimed nemesis: Sherlock Holmes. 

I’ve been looking into and slowly accumulating what I’m calling ‘Sherlock Holmes Adjacent’ (SHA) works for a while now but have delayed reading any of them until I finished re-reading the original works. This is the first one. One of the things that surprised me from my recent re-reads is just how little Moriarty is mentioned in the Sherlock stories despite him being built up as Holmes’ arch-enemy. Rather amusingly, there’s a comment – from Moriarty to Holmes – in this novel on that point exactly where Moriarty chides Holmes on his fixation with the Professor as some kind of ‘Napoleon of Crime’ despite being nothing of the sort. This is summed up by the quote: He who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.  In fact, Moriarty in this world is Sherlocks mirror-image as a ‘consulting criminal’ advising (though not controlling) criminals in their nefarious endeavours merely as a means of gaining money to continue his scientific research.  

Well written, full of interesting characters (including a more than adequate rendition of Holmes himself) and with a delightful slant on the genre, this was a fun read from beginning to end. I understand that there are four more books in the series, and I’ll be searching them out. Recommended to all Holmes fans. More SHA works to come – modern, strange and Classic.              

Just Finished re-Reading: His Last Bow – Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1917) [203pp] 

With this short collection we’re back to what ACD does best (with the notable exception of Baskerville) - short stories. Containing a reasonable 8 of varying quality this was both a fun and mostly rewarding experience. My favourite of the bunch was the last in the sequence and the title of the collection itself ‘His Last Bow’ actually published in 1917. This told of Holmes & Watson’s early involvement in the Great War uncovering a group of German spies just before the war itself broke out in Western Europe. Only running to a mere 17 pages I was convinced that with a bit of fleshing out it could’ve made a pretty good novel in itself as the merry duo tracked down each spy in turn and slowly followed the clues to uncover the head man before the hammer fell. But I guess that in 1917 people had other things on their minds and other things to do. 

The other story that really stood out to me was ‘The Adventure of the Dying Detective’ [1913] where Holmes is struck down by a serious Asian disease and pleads with Watson to persuade an expert in that affliction to visit him at Baker Street. I did honestly have real worries for Sherlock despite knowing there were many more stories left to be told. I think ACD was really using his medial knowledge and experience here. Interestingly the story hinted and both bioterrorism and strange incurable emergent diseases that we are more than familiar with in the 21st century.  

Most of other stories, competent as they were, follow the well-developed pattern we have long known and loved. There are mysterious deaths, mysterious house guests, mysterious symbols and most mysterious foreigners. International criminals, exiles or refugees seem to be popular also. I guess that the late 19th/early 20th century had many such individuals crossing the Atlantic or the English Channel and ending up in London or points South East. 

‘The Adventure of the Cardboard Box’ [1893] was an odd one. I picked up on the salient fact very early on (a mistaken recipient) but the rest of the story unfolded as Holmes investigated. It was both a rather mundane and sordid tale with a gruesome ending. As usual, it seems, there was a rather gothic entry with ‘The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot’ [1910]. Again, I’d figured out the likely delivery method for the murder ‘weapon’ but it was Holmes’ job to fill in the backstory and catch the killer. Again, he decided to use his own judgement as what to do with the information once the confession had been received. Homes, it would appear, is always more interested in justice than in law. 

Overall, I enjoyed this penultimate outing with the dynamic duo. Only one thing really disappointed me in that at no point, in any of the 8 stories, did we learn anything new about either character. The only possible addition insight into Holmes himself was an aside to the effect that he had never liked, nor trusted, a woman which puts paid to my theory that his attitude (I hesitate to use the word misogyny as Holmes may be prejudiced against women but he has admired a few and treats most of the rest with great curtesy) was due to an early disastrous relationship. Maybe we’ll find out in his last outing just before Christmas...? Recommended for all Holmes fans.  

Just Finished re-Reading: The Valley of Fear by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1914) [192pp] 

Holmes was already too late. The heinous deed he suspected was about the happen had already done so. Inspector Alec MacDonald of Scotland Yard had brought the news and requested Holme’s help in unravelling the mystery. In his country estate a man lay dead in his drawing room. There is no sign of a forced entry, the house is locked up and is even protected by a drawbridge. How then did the murderer gain access and, more importantly, how did he escape? It wasn’t just a locked room mystery; it was a locked house mystery. The police are at a loss and at first Holmes is equally bemused. Something is missing, something in plain sight. Is everything as it appears? Little things, the bloodstain, the cut bell-rope, the abandoned bicycle, just don’t fit the narrative the police have created for themselves. But if Holmes can make them fit maybe he can point to the real reason a man is dead and exactly who he was... 

This is ACD’s last Holmes novel (with the next, and last, book in the series being the usual collection of short stories) and is, I think, the worst of the bunch – although I might be being a little harsh here due to an understandable disappointment. I did actually enjoy the mystery and the very clever way it was solved. I was especially intrigued by the mention of Professor Moriarty on the SECOND page and thought/hoped that we would learn more about Holmes’ mortal enemy/alter-ego. But nothing further was revealed over and above what we already knew about him being ‘the Napoleon of Crime’. Colour me disappointed! But what I found that disappointed me even more was the diversion away from Holmes, crime and the English countryside for a lengthy backstory/flashback to the gold fields and mining towns of the USA. This wasn’t just a few pages, or even a few chapters but 94 pages – practically half the book – then rounded out with 3 pages of epilogue! Now I freely admit that this diversion wasn’t badly told and was even quite dramatic at times BUT I couldn’t help but feel that I was a little mislead in assuming that this was a Sherlock Holmes novel and not a Holmes novella plus a western one. It did feel at times that ACD had simply lost interest in Holmes and wanted to write about something else. Weirdly, although ACD has done this kind of thing before – though usually on a MUCH smaller scale – I have zero memory of any of these side-stories. I’m guessing that either I blanked them out as being ‘not my thing’ or that they were completely overshadowed by the Holmes narrative that I was expecting and looking forward to. 

Despite the fact that neither novella (I can’t honestly call this a single book) was poor in itself – indeed the Holmes mystery part was very good – I can’t say that I greatly enjoyed this outing. The side-story was WAY too big and didn’t add much to the ‘main’ narrative and could have easily been compressed into 10 pages or less. I am, however, still looking forward to the last book in the set which will be reviewed at the end of October. After that I’ll be moving onto Holmes adjacent literature. There’s LOTS of it out there – and some of it is VERY out there! Reasonable. 

Just Finished re-Reading: The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1905) [303pp] 

Containing 13 short stories – we're back in that format again after the last full novel – this is the start of a new phase in Sherlock Holmes’ adventures after his supposed death at the hands of Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls. Opening with ‘The Empty House’ we discover what exactly happened (or didn’t happen!) on that fateful day and where exactly Holmes has been in the last THREE years. I couldn’t help but think that both the explanation of Sherlock’s non-death and the reasoning behind his continued absence where a bit... ‘thin’. Although I can understand why he (and ACD) needed to explain himself. But actually, the thing that *really* jumped out at me in this story – apart from the interesting murder weapon – was Holmes’ almost off-hand comment about Watson’s bereavement! Erm.... Presumably his wife died (there was no mention of exactly who had died) at some point whilst Holmes was away. If so, when, why, caused by what? Interested fans NEED to know this stuff. Oh, and one final thing, both this story and one other mentioned ‘South Africa Gold shares’. Presumably such a thing was BIG news at the time of writing? 

I remembered ‘The Dancing Men’ surprisingly well after a 40+ year absence, probably because I’ve had a passing interest in codes and other puzzles since I was a child. ‘The Solitary Cyclist’ had its moments and presumably drew upon the cycling ‘craze’ of the early 20th century when bicycles became ubiquitous on country roads. It did feel very familiar though – as did a few stories – and seemed to be little more than a variation on a well-trodden theme. ‘The Priory School’ was somewhat better (although it did have a few echoes of Hound of the Baskervilles, minus the dog) including yet another passing mention of gypsies! ‘The Three Students’ was an interesting puzzle and contained, I think, the only new piece of ‘personal’ information about Holmes himself – the fact that he was 6ft tall. 

One thing that struck me repeatedly throughout these stories was the difficulty of travel – especially anywhere outside of London. Even within the city itself it too HOURS to get from one area to another (usually by cab). Maybe this was compensated for by the regularity of postal services and the speedy delivery of telegrams! Transport outside London – even using trains going to places that would never be served today – took half a day or more. One character only went ‘home’ at weekends – and her family lived only THREE miles away, but thought the hassle of travelling that far just wasn’t worth it. Amazing! 

I found ‘The Golden Pince-Nez' interesting for its background story of Russian clampdown on dissent – which seemed to make it into several novels of the period including children’s tales. ‘The Abbey Grange’ amused me by being based in Chislehurst in Kent – which they took an age getting to by train – as I used to live there (briefly) before moving one stop further down the line in Orpington where I lived for 6 years whilst working in London. Interestingly, Holmes was MUCH more interested in ‘doing the right thing’ rather than simply catching criminals. Justice, according to Holmes, was a much higher ideal than simple Law and he was willing to put himself at some risk in its name. I did feel, from story to story, that Holmes was more than a little arrogant in granting himself the authority to make those decisions – even if, by and large, I agreed with them. 

The final story, ‘The Second Stain’ was apparently an addition story which took place after Holmes had retired from his role as ‘consulting detective’ and his new life as a quite keeper of bees because the case involved matters of State and the possibility of a European war (interesting in itself!) because of the loss of an important document. This couldn’t but remind me of ‘The Naval Treaty’ storyline in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes where the handling of classified documents defied all rationality. Here, in ‘Stain’, a Cabinet MINISTER took home a highly sensitive document because he thought it would be more secure in a lockable BOX on a table in his bedroom that in the SAFE in his office at, presumably, The Foreign & Commonwealth Office in Whitehall. I’m guessing that government security measure back then was somewhat lacking – AKA non-existent – but please..... Then again, taking home classified documents probably isn’t as rare as we would hope it is. 

Overall, I was a little disappointed with this collection as they generally seemed ‘forced’ rather than a labour of love. I can understand that if ACD was essentially writing them ‘under duress’ from his fan base and I hope things do manage to get back in the flow by his next outing. I am, as always, looking forward to it. Just two more original works to go – then onto Sherlock’s contemporaries and the Holmesian Expanded Universe.   

Oh, I ALMOST forgot (actually I DID forget but then...), My Wordsworth Classic edition had the original drawings from the stories by Sidney Paget which was a REAL treat. If you can get this edition it's worth the effort. 

Just Finished re-Reading: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1902) [315pp] 

It was quite a story – a family curse, an isolated location and a spectral hound bent on a family's destruction. Holmes was suitably sceptical but equally intrigued, most especially when he heard how the latest tenant of Baskerville Hall had died – in sheer terror running for his very life. The reason Dr Mortimer was anxious for Holmes’ help was the imminent arrival of the last of the Baskerville line, recently residing in North America. He hoped that the story, and the family mystery, would intrigue the great detective enough to use his powers to unravel the riddle, see off the hound, and save the life of an innocent but cursed man. Holmes said that he would be delighted to, if only he had the time for he was pressed by other cases. He would volunteer Watson though and despatched him North to report back to Baker Street anything which might help the case move forward. Watson, alone and surviving on his wits (as well as what Holmes had taught him over the years), was going to be at his very best if he was going to protect Sir Henry Baskerville and help solve the mystery. If called upon could Holmes arrive in time to save the day if Watson couldn’t. He hoped that he wouldn’t have to put it to the test. 

As with the other Holmes books, I first read this over 40 years ago. I was somewhat surprised therefore by how well I remembered the plot although I’m guessing that’s as much based on the excellent 1939 movie adaptation starring the inimitable Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Watson. I remembered this as my favourite Holmes outing, and I think I can say that it retains this top spot. Although I do enjoy the tightness of the short story format – which, to be honest, stops Conan Doyle going ‘off-piste’ with side stories in exotic lands – I did enjoy this substantial novel giving ACD time to develop the plot and have time for some decent character development. I liked, or at least didn’t dislike, most of the characters here. Dr Mortimer was an interesting one and I liked the way he described himself as ‘a dabbler in science, a picker-up of shells on the shores of the great unknown sea’ - very poetic! I did also laugh when Holmes *really* didn’t like being described (by the Dr again) as ‘the SECOND highest expert in Europe’. 

One of the things that really jumped out at me and was quire perplexing was the spelling of Eskimo – spelt in this case: ESQUIMAUX. Really? Was there no agreed upon spelling for Eskimo at that time? Did the author spell it phonetically because he didn’t know how to spell it? I’m intrigued! As with a hand-full of his short stories there was a definite Gothic feel to good chunks of the story, as you might imagine with a Hell Hound nipping at some of the characters feet, and Baskerville Hall certainly had that feel about it. LOTS of white paint needed, I think. A comment from Watson about Holmes made me smile – that Holmes had a ‘cat like love of personal cleanliness’. Finally, there was much mention, and much made of, the Barrows on Dartmoor as the *houses* of neolithic peoples – they were, of course, burial sites but I guess that this was unknown at the time of publication. 

Overall, I enjoyed this a great deal, and I was glad that my fondness for the book hasn’t diminished much over four decades. Definitely deserving its classic status and well worth a read even if you’re not already a Sherlock fan. After reading this you will be. I’m already looking forward to the last three books in the Holmes collection and then onto other Holmes ‘related’ tales. Much more to come. Oh, I almost forgot... I usually try to find the actual cover of the book I’m reviewing, but can’t in this particular case because my copy doesn’t *have* a cover. It’s a small format hardback I picked up in a 2nd-hand bookshop at some point in the late 70’s (I think!) for the princely sum of £1 and was published in 1948. Although not as nice as the copy I have of Pride & Prejudice – published during WW2 – I'm still rather fond of it. Pity about the lack of a dust jacket though!   

Just Finished re-Reading: The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1893) [261pp] 

As with my previous re-read (last read around 40-45 years ago!) this is a series of 11 short stories, and as before they run the gamut of crime, mysteries and puzzles with the Holmes and Watson duo at the centre of things. Being SO long since I first read these stories most of them appeared fresh although I did remember bits of several of them. Overall, I was certainly entertained although I didn’t think I was wowed as much as I’d been expecting. Some things did, however, stick out for me: 

‘The Gloria Scott’ was both an intriguing and fun read. It did rely on (again!) an exposition from one of the main players in the drama regarding past indiscretions and foreign climes – this time Australia – that ACD seems inordinately fond of. But it did give a taste of the exotic to things. The most interesting aspect to the whole thing though was the fact that it was Holmes’ first ‘case’ on behalf of a university friend and was instrumental in Holmes taking up the consulting detective mantle. Although he never said *which* University he attended I’m guessing from his use of “college” that he went to either Oxford or Cambridge. Although I’m not 100% sure I don’t know of other universities using a collegiate system at that time – although I could be wrong!  

We learnt a bit more about Sherlock’s habits in ‘The Musgrave Ritual’ where he is described as both being VERY untidy and an obsessive record keeper – after Watson complains their shared accommodation is becoming unliveable – and the fact that Holmes used an end wall for target practice with his pistol! I couldn’t help but wonder exactly how bullet-proof his wall was, what was on the other side and did any GAS pipes go through it – to say nothing of people innocently passing through the room not expecting to get shot! 

In ‘The Greek Interpreter’ we are finally introduced to Sherlock’s older (by 7 years) brother Mycroft who is equal to Holmes intellectually but far more sedentary and rather portly (so, not as portrayed in the last TV adaptation). We also learn that Holmes’ grandmother was French and the sister of a famous artist – although it's unclear which of three artists of that name he was referring to. That was certainly something new to me. 

The thing that struck me in ‘The Naval Treaty’ - apart from the shockingly inept handling of highly classified documents – was the fact that Holmes had at one-point, curried chicken for BREAKFAST. Now, I do like my curries.... but breakfast? I think not. It was clever how Holmes worked out what happened to the document though! 

Finally, in more ways than one, we have ‘The Final Problem’ where Holmes finally crosses paths with the Napoleon of Crime Professor Moriarty (who also has a brother). This was an interesting story on multiple levels and honestly quite breathless at times as Holmes races against Moriarty’s plans. This all comes to an end – or does it! - at the Reichenbach Falls. I thought that the introduction of a Moriarty type character was inevitable given Holmes’ status as a super-sleuth. The problem with any ‘super’ is that they need – eventually – to be pitted against someone almost as good as they are. Super-heroes need super-villain's and super-sleuths need super-criminals. Seemingly ACD had had enough of Holmes at this point and decided to write something else. Apparently, his numerous readers had other ideas (I’m not sure who much myth surrounds this) and the rather ambiguous ending in ‘Final’ allowed some wriggle room! But next in the tales of Sherlock Holmes is my favourite outing: ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’. I wonder if I’m going to like it as much as I remember back in my teens/early 20’s? I guess we’ll see in a few months! 

Just Finished re-Reading: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1892) [316pp] 

This outing for Holmes and Watson was somewhat different from the previous two. Instead of a long(ish) novella or short novel we are presented with an even dozen short stories. There’s quite a mixture here, from straight crime/detective stories to mysteries to a few with an almost Gothic ‘horror’ feel. There are a few surprises too, including admissions that Holmes sometimes FAILS to unravel things not just in good time but at all. Interesting to see that ACD didn’t see (or want the readership to view) Holmes as some sort of superman. 

The first story was one of his most famous ‘A scandal in Bohemia’ revolving around an attempted blackmail of a member of that principality's royalty (who had, to be honest, been a bit of a naughty boy and a fool). The protagonist here was the now notorious Irene Adler – apparently always referred to as ‘the woman’ - and clearly admired by Holmes for her mind far more than her looks. There was an interesting comment about romance/love/lust that was central to the tale: “He [Holmes, that is] never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer.” I’m still of the opinion that Sherlock has had his heart badly broken at some point. 

In my random(ish) notes I made during my reading (not something I normally do but as this is a buddy read/review piece – plus short stories rather than a full novel – I thought it’d be best to get the most out of it) Holmes’ drug habit was mentioned again, and he even joked about it with Watson when Holmes was found in a London dockside opium den in deep cover on a case. Some mentions of his drug use did make me wonder if Holmes was suffering from manic depression.  

Although in the previous novels it appeared that Holmes (generally) worked for free or for very little more than basic expenses it seemed that he wasn’t above asking for a fee up front – especially from the rich and shameless. Sherlock’s services didn’t come cheap IF you could afford it. Where a professional man might earn around £700 a year in London in the late 19th century, Holmes was given £100 plus expenses and then a bonus on top for a few days' work. That’s not to be sneezed at! 

Another thing that jumped out at me at one point was that a ‘Mrs Turner’ was mentioned as the pair's housekeeper. What happened to ‘Mrs Hudson’ I wondered – only to have her reappear in a later story! This ‘confusion’ only deepened when clients were shown in by a bellboy (as in a hotel) or a commissioner. I suppose that if 221 Baker Street was an apartment complex (with Holmes in B of course) that would make a kind of sense. There were also a few interesting things that jumped out at me in the story ‘The Red-Headed League’ (one of my favourite stories in the collection) including the first time I saw a reference to a ‘three pipe problem’ as well as a note of a vegetarian restaurant(!) in the street Holmes was scoping out for a crime scene.  

As I’ve found in other crime/detective stories of this era, the problem of Identity is very much front and centre in quite a few of the stories. Not, of course as we view it in today's crazy world, but knowing exactly who people are – either victims (who generally can’t answer questions) or protagonists. With little in the way of official documentation and what was available probably easily forged I’m guessing that it was comparatively easy to pass yourself off as someone else. In a world without knowledge of blood types, finger printing (only widely used/recognised in the very late 19th/early 20th century) and certainly not DNA evidence the police and detectives – both real and fictional – had to fall back on much older and cruder methods of identifying someone. 

Overall, this was a very creditable collection of short stories without a duff one in the bunch. Having previously read them over 40 years ago around 90% of the book appeared to read as something completely new to me. The only thing that disappointed me (slightly) was the fact that I learnt very little about Holmes or Watson as people – with Holmes being almost ‘invisible’ in one sense. I suppose (guessing again) that ACD didn’t want the Holmes character getting in the way of the story. So, at this point we still know nothing about Holmes’ family, personal history or much about his character makeup. About the only valuable thing we did learn was that Watson is Holmes’ ONLY friend. I am, naturally looking forward to the next stack of short stories in ‘Memoirs’ and hope to find out a bit more about this great duo and, of course, to be highly entertained and impressed by Holmes’ forensic methods! Highly recommended. 

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Just Finished re-Reading: The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1890) [140pp] 

Sherlock Holmes was bored, very bored, dangerously bored and his friend John Watson was worried for him. He needed something to distract him, to intrigue him, something for his mind to work on, a mystery. Fortunately, Miss Morstan has just that. Every year, on her birthday, a parcel arrives with a pearl in it of superb quality. Now something else has arrived, a message asking for a meeting. Both worried and intrigued she has sort out Mr Holmes for his aid. Holmes can see that this is no ordinary case, indeed it fizzes with mystery and not a little tragedy. Her father had returned from India some time previously but had failed to meet her as agreed. She had little to remember him by except for a handful of personal belongings and a scrap of parchment with the ‘Sign of the Four’. Where that would lead, what story it would uncover and how it would all affect Miss Morstan both Holmes and Watson are determined to find out – and what a fantastic tale of devilish treachery and murder is waiting for them. The game is afoot! 

Again, after a gap of more than 40 years, this was almost like reading this classic for the first time. Oddly, as with the previous outing, I did remember a few of the highlights so they must have struck me at the time. Overall, the story is a relatively simple one involving India, ‘lost’ treasure and a revenge plot. Surprisingly there is little actual mystery uncovered here. Holmes, inevitably, tracks down the miscreants (rather well I thought!) and they eventually regale him with an exotic tale. Most of the backstory, again much like the first outing with the side plot in Utah, is told by the antagonist post-capture. This time, rather than ‘out West’, the story revolves around an incident during the Indian Mutiny (something which all of his readers at the time would’ve been VERY familiar). It’s interesting that the author felt compelled to add this exotic element (again) to drive the story forward. It did feel a bit derivative and a bit stereotypically ‘Victorian’, but that was the style of the time. 

I found it very interesting that the story started with Holmes very clearly injecting cocaine and there was even mention of multiple track-marks on his arm! I couldn’t help but wonder what the readership felt about this. Was intravenous drug use normal, acceptable, common amongst a certain class of person? Watson clearly worried about Holmes using the drug like this – a drug he presumably simply picked up from the Chemist/Pharmacy rather than having it prescribed by his doctor? I was also somewhat surprised by the romance element (very low key but there) and had obviously completely forgotten about it (or had my teenage mind simply blanked it out?). What was even more interesting was how worried Watson was that Miss Morstan might become rich because of their investigation and, therefore, be forever out of his reach – essentially because she would be expected to marry someone of ‘quality’ and bring her fortune with her. When discussing the proposed relationship, Holmes said something with raised an eyebrow: that no woman should be trusted – even the best of them. I presumed this meant that Holmes had been dealt with VERY badly at some point and had been holding a grudge against all women ever since. I also wondered if this reflected something that had happened to Conan Doyle himself (not knowing much about the man). 

A few more comments: Interesting to see the ‘Baker Street Irregulars’ being of service again. Interesting also that Holmes used his trademark disguise ability that I remember Basil Rathbone regularly over-using in the movie versions. Another thing that piqued my interest was that both Holmes and Watson carried pistols (Watson’s was his service weapon from Afghanistan). My knowledge of late 19th century English gun law is scant, but I presume it was a LOT easier to get a weapon back then than it is now – especially for both gentlemen and gentlewomen. I’m guessing that it was just a case of going into a gun shop, picking a suitable weapon and paying for it. I’m also guessing that such guns would be prohibitively expensive to the working-class criminal which was one reason why they tended not to use them. Plus, of course, they’d hang if they killed anyone which was probably somewhat of a deterrent. It did make me laugh (rather ironically) that no one thought it was in any way ethically or morally dubious that anyone, including Miss Morstan should profit from the twice, or thrice over theft of Indian property. There was no talk of returning it (if possible) to its rightful owners or reporting it to the appropriate authorities. The only issue discussed at all was how the sudden wealth would affect Watsons love options. Oh, and lastly, I did like the fast steam-launch chase on the Thames. VERY dramatic and cinematic – especially with the whole blow-dart/gun shoot out!! Not my favourite Holmes outing (that’ll be next year) but worthy of its Classic status, nevertheless. 

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Just Finished re-Reading: A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (FP: 1887) [156pp] 

Recently returned from Afghanistan to recover his health it was fortune indeed that Dr John Watson encountered an old acquaintance on London's busy streets. Not only was it good to see a familiar face in the midst of so many strangers, the meeting also pointed Watson in the direction of a potential co-occupant of some affordable rooms. Despite rather vague warnings that Sherlock Holmes was a little strange, Watson took an instant liking to him and agreed to meet at the proposed location of their future habitation together - 221B, Baker Street. It was a seemingly mundane start to a long relationship full of mystery, intrigue and death. For Watson was unaware that Holmes was what he referred to as the world’s first consulting detective, who proffered his singular services to anyone with an interesting conundrum to solve. To Watson’s evident surprise these services were much sort after by Scotland Yard and one such case had arrived at their shared doorstep. A man had been found dead in an unoccupied building without a mark on him – despite fresh blood on the floor and elsewhere. He was an American had not been robbed. Despite the efforts of Scotland Yard's two finest men, they were at a loss at how to proceed. Would Holmes help them? Reluctantly, as Holmes clearly thought the case too simple for his time to be wasted, he agreed. Refreshingly for Holmes, and intriguingly for Watson, the case was nowhere near as simple as everyone thought. The game was afoot! 

I first read this, and the subsequent Holmes books, in my teens and early twenties. I was, however, already a decided Holmes fan – indeed Holmes is one of my 3 foundational heroes – after being introduced to the movie versions of his adventures starring the iconic Basil Rathbone (who, until Jeremy Brett starred in the role, was how I ‘saw’ Holmes in the books). Reading this around 40-45 years ago meant that I had forgotten almost all of the plot and was only reminded of pieces of it when it arrived on the page – the scratched word in the plaster for example. What I do remember being both fascinated and intrigued by was the Holmes method of deduction which he explained a few times throughout the book. This instructed me at an early(ish) age to be more observant than most – I think – and also to try to work things out logically and to try, as much as possible, not to add things into the mix based on pure speculation.  

As to the book itself... I can’t say that I was disappointed by it. After all it is very much an origin story – at least for the Holmes/Watson relationship – and only his second published work. Both Holmes and Watson are interesting constructions, and the book would’ve left the reader wanting to see more of their adventures and to know more about them both. It was interesting to see that Lestrade had a rival in Scotland Yard which I wasn’t expecting. I also wasn’t expecting the sudden arrival and importance of the ‘Baker Street Irregulars’ in the first book. For some reason I thought that these ‘street Arabs' was a latter addition. The ‘mystery’ itself was fine if not all that mysterious. What I hadn’t expected, until Marian H mentioned it over at her place, was a substantial 47 page aside in Utah. Honestly, I thought this was a pointless addition to the text. The antagonist, once caught, essentially reiterated the story to the police in a lot less than 47 pages, so the side plot detailed previously added little to the actual plot beyond deepening the motivation of the killer. That, I think, was by far the worse aspect of the short book although I understand that removing it would result in the novel being a rather long short story! So, not exactly a winner but an important read as it laid the foundation for one of THE iconic detectives of all time. Much more Holmes (and the others) to come. 

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Just Finished Reading: Mr Holmes by Mitch Cullin (FP: 2005)

Sussex, England 1947. An aging and long retired Sherlock Holmes (played superbly by Sir Ian McKellen in the 2015 movie adaptation) returns to his favourite farmhouse residence and his consuming passion – his thriving apiary containing a fine collection of hives, busy bees and a steady production of fine honey. But Holmes is more than aware that his memory, often the vital component in his famous investigations, is increasingly failing him. He finds seemingly unconnected items in his pockets, others vanish from sight only to reappear minutes, hours or days later and, rather more worryingly he is starting to forget people’s names. Yet his memories of years gone by seem as strong as ever sometimes washing over him is astonishing detail. One case in particular continues to haunt him. Called in to explain the behaviour of Mrs Ann Keller in 1902 he is immediately struck both by her beauty and her tragic ethereal quality. Even after the passage of 45 years Holmes still ruminates on the reason why she had such a profound effect on him after such a brief acquaintance. More recently Holmes is troubled by his behaviour in Japan when, whilst searching for life extending herbs and discussing the properties of Royal Jelly with a fellow bee keeper, he is asked about his companions father who disappeared in London decades before after (apparently) meeting the famous detective. Having no memory of the encounter – either through memory loss or the fact that they never actually met – Holmes find himself torn between revealing the truth of the matter or manufacturing a face-saving lie which goes against all of his finely honed principles. Then there is Roger, the young boy, son of his new housekeeper, eager to hear stories of crimes solved and the mysterious ways of the beehive.

Both a rather odd film – definitely not your run-of-the-mill Sherlock Holmes story – and an equally strange book this turned out to be both a delight to watch (I saw it at the cinema when it came out) and to read. To use the much abused and overused appellation this was simply beautiful in the use of prose and you could have no problem understanding the frustration and the heart-breaking reality of a once towering intellect now unable to remember if he had in fact eaten dinner or where he had left his pipe. Inevitably whenever I visualised Holmes I ‘saw’ Ian McKellen in my mind as he was such a powerful presence on the screen portraying a once great detective in terminal decline. But that is not to say that this is simply a tragic novel of decay and ultimate death. There is much to wonder at and much that is original and surprising. I found it an easy read and kept turning the 253 pages until the very satisfying ending with something of a sigh and a thought that I should dig out more of Mr Cullin’s works if this was anything to go by. Recommended – and not just for Holmes fans.