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okevamae's review
5.0
I really loved Lyndsay Faye’s previous Holmes novel, Dust and Shadow, so I was excited to see her writing in the world of Sherlock Holmes again. (Apparently there is another short story collection, which I will need to track down!) The premise of this collection is that a number of letters and diary entries about the great detective, penned by people other than Dr. Watson, have been unearthed and are being published together.
The Adventure of the Stopped Clocks, written by Irene Adler
Irene Adler’s diary entries about her return to London. I love the teasing, bantery rivalry-turned-friendship the two of them have. No resentment, as some depictions of their relationship might portray it, and no sexual tension, as other depictions may show. They have a healthy sense of respect for each other, both clearly delight at having someone as clever as themselves to spar with, and there’s an affection that comes from finding a kindred spirit. We also get the benefit of Irene’s keen mind being aimed directly at Holmes, and her insights into his behavior and character are illuminating.
The Song of a Want, written by Henry Wiggins
This story is in the form of a letter written by a former street urchin who encountered Sherlock Holmes at a very young age, assisted with a case, and had his life transformed as a result. This tale acts as an origin story for the Baker Street Irregulars and shows a heartwarming first-hand account of Holmes’s kindness toward the children living on the streets of London.
Our Common Correspondent, by Inspector Geoffrey Lestrade
A diary entry by Inspector Lestrade, one of Holmes’s more frequent police collaborators. From Lestrade’s point of view, we see that the police detective is a good deal more observant than Holmes gives him credit for – but even as Holmes is disparaging of Lestrade and drives him up the wall, we also see the (begrudging) respect the two have for each other. This story gives Lestrade a three-dimensional character that, to the best of my knowledge, we never really see in the Holmes canon.
The River of Silence, by Inspector Stanley Hopkins
A POV from another member of Scotland Yard, just after his promotion to Inspector. Unlike Lestrade, Hopkins is new to working with Holmes, so we see a different take on him, from a relative outsider who is keen to work with him.
The Gospel of Sheba, by A. Davenport Lomax
Sublibrarian Arthur Lomax is a friend of Dr. Watson’s who stumbles into a mystery of the occult and needs expert help to get to the bottom of it. From his point of view, we see a different side of Holmes and Watson’s relationship than we usually get from Watson himself, and a more intimate view of either of them than could be glimpsed by a true outsider.
A Life Well Lived, by Martha Hudson
The elderly landlady reflects on her famous lodger, frets about his lack of appetite, and seeks his help in solving a mystery. Mrs. Hudson clearly takes pride in caring for Holmes and Watson and being a part of their little family, and seems to know them better than almost anyone (aside from each other.)
All in all, a delightful little collection from one of the best authors currently playing in the Holmes sandbox.
The Adventure of the Stopped Clocks, written by Irene Adler
Irene Adler’s diary entries about her return to London. I love the teasing, bantery rivalry-turned-friendship the two of them have. No resentment, as some depictions of their relationship might portray it, and no sexual tension, as other depictions may show. They have a healthy sense of respect for each other, both clearly delight at having someone as clever as themselves to spar with, and there’s an affection that comes from finding a kindred spirit. We also get the benefit of Irene’s keen mind being aimed directly at Holmes, and her insights into his behavior and character are illuminating.
The Song of a Want, written by Henry Wiggins
This story is in the form of a letter written by a former street urchin who encountered Sherlock Holmes at a very young age, assisted with a case, and had his life transformed as a result. This tale acts as an origin story for the Baker Street Irregulars and shows a heartwarming first-hand account of Holmes’s kindness toward the children living on the streets of London.
Our Common Correspondent, by Inspector Geoffrey Lestrade
A diary entry by Inspector Lestrade, one of Holmes’s more frequent police collaborators. From Lestrade’s point of view, we see that the police detective is a good deal more observant than Holmes gives him credit for – but even as Holmes is disparaging of Lestrade and drives him up the wall, we also see the (begrudging) respect the two have for each other. This story gives Lestrade a three-dimensional character that, to the best of my knowledge, we never really see in the Holmes canon.
The River of Silence, by Inspector Stanley Hopkins
A POV from another member of Scotland Yard, just after his promotion to Inspector. Unlike Lestrade, Hopkins is new to working with Holmes, so we see a different take on him, from a relative outsider who is keen to work with him.
The Gospel of Sheba, by A. Davenport Lomax
Sublibrarian Arthur Lomax is a friend of Dr. Watson’s who stumbles into a mystery of the occult and needs expert help to get to the bottom of it. From his point of view, we see a different side of Holmes and Watson’s relationship than we usually get from Watson himself, and a more intimate view of either of them than could be glimpsed by a true outsider.
A Life Well Lived, by Martha Hudson
The elderly landlady reflects on her famous lodger, frets about his lack of appetite, and seeks his help in solving a mystery. Mrs. Hudson clearly takes pride in caring for Holmes and Watson and being a part of their little family, and seems to know them better than almost anyone (aside from each other.)
All in all, a delightful little collection from one of the best authors currently playing in the Holmes sandbox.
starthelostgirl's review
3.0
I didn’t like this book as much as the first, and part of that’s because I struggled to understand the male narrator of the audiobook. Even without that, though, the stories were less engaging to me than the ones relayed directly by Watson, as the mystery was often more tangential. It was still an interesting view into how the lives of those outside Holmes and Watson may have gone, and how others could have viewed their partnership.
franklyfrank's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
_lilbey_'s review
4.0
Solid stories. I also liked the outside perspectives and understandings of the Holmes-Watson relationship.
nickleby_shepherd's review
5.0
Faye apparently can do no wrong around 221b Baker Street.
All her SH tales themselves are simply great. Though not to be too much a victim of the moment, but I believe this collection may be better than Faye’s SH previous (The Whole Art of Detection). Faye’s Watson’s narrative voice is, imho, second only to ACD himself, which really shines in (tWArtofDet). In this collection (Observations By Gaslight) Faye takes a different avenue to get Baker St. Instead of using her strong Watson voice she gives voice to a few of the other cast in SHs orbit. The result is wonderful. It’s refreshing to see so many, many of whom SH didn’t realize (always self aware he’s not always the best of company), consider him a friend. Each shares an enduring story about the man. But rather than show us anything really new about the detective these stories really only reenforce Watson opinions, mainly he’s a theatrical, know-it-all, pain whose actually incredibly kind and dare I say likable. So instead we get the treat of learning a bit about these kind characters themselves. Plus they drive a point we all suspected, but modesty would prevent him from stating as much, namely Watson is pretty much the best. “…any friend of Watson’s is a friend to all.”
All her SH tales themselves are simply great. Though not to be too much a victim of the moment, but I believe this collection may be better than Faye’s SH previous (The Whole Art of Detection). Faye’s Watson’s narrative voice is, imho, second only to ACD himself, which really shines in (tWArtofDet). In this collection (Observations By Gaslight) Faye takes a different avenue to get Baker St. Instead of using her strong Watson voice she gives voice to a few of the other cast in SHs orbit. The result is wonderful. It’s refreshing to see so many, many of whom SH didn’t realize (always self aware he’s not always the best of company), consider him a friend. Each shares an enduring story about the man. But rather than show us anything really new about the detective these stories really only reenforce Watson opinions, mainly he’s a theatrical, know-it-all, pain whose actually incredibly kind and dare I say likable. So instead we get the treat of learning a bit about these kind characters themselves. Plus they drive a point we all suspected, but modesty would prevent him from stating as much, namely Watson is pretty much the best. “…any friend of Watson’s is a friend to all.”
swirls's review
2.0
Just skimmed, won't count this one for the year. Not a fan of the writing style.
we_are_all_mad_here26's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I love Arthur Conan Doyle for having invented such an excellent and enduring character as Sherlock Holmes, and of course you can't really love Sherlock without loving ACD's original stories. All the same I have come to realize that I might love other people's Sherlock stories better. Definitely those by Lyndsay Faye, and also Laurie R. King, Nancy Springer, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
This particular version includes a set of stories told by characters other than Watson or Holmes himself, the best of them written by Irene Adler and Henry Wiggins. There a lot more (somewhat pointless) banter between Holmes and Watson as witnessed by these other characters; on the bright side both Watson and Lestrade are shown as more than averagely intelligent human beings as opposed to witless sidekicks.
This particular version includes a set of stories told by characters other than Watson or Holmes himself, the best of them written by Irene Adler and Henry Wiggins. There a lot more (somewhat pointless) banter between Holmes and Watson as witnessed by these other characters; on the bright side both Watson and Lestrade are shown as more than averagely intelligent human beings as opposed to witless sidekicks.
msgtdameron's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is an interesting series of short stories by and about the secondary characters. Why did detectives Lestrad and Hopkins spend so much time with Holmes? What were Mrs Hudson's feelings for Holmes and Watson? Who were the Baker St. irregulars and who led them? And who does Watson and Holmes drudge work for both? Things like collecting all the reference materials that Holmes or Watson might need. An interesting work but not Faye's best.