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A review by frakalot
The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Mystery and the Imagination Detailing the Adventures of the World's Most Famous Detective, Mr. by
5.0
Written by an amazing list of great authors these highly enjoyable deviations range in length from about half hour to an hour. Most of these are based on fantastic ideas that aim to elucidate or expand on previously unexplored features of the universe created by Doyle.
The introduction to the collection and the primer section were both short, which is my preference. A veteran Holmes reader would perhaps already know most of the details in those but the short introductions to each individual story contained many more fascinating tidbits.
1. The horror of the many faces was good and creepy. The author and narrator both, expertly conveyed the emotions in this story. Watson's feelings for Holmes were palpable and his fright at the mere thought of what he had seen felt genuine. Holmes' experience is of a great sorrow when he realises that the boundaries of the possible are blurred by the limitations of the detectable.
2. The enigmatic Moriarty is playing a trick that only Holmes can solve. This one had a very classic feel, with Watson consistently second guessing the great detective. The second abduction seemed a bit of a stretch but the explanation worked well enough.
3. An alternate reality Holmes story! This is a fun idea. Watson takes to the scenario with barely a second thought which didn't ring true but otherwise it was fun to reverse the roles and especially to have Moriarty feature more closely than usual.
4. We're off to Canada to help an old friend, Irene Adler is in need and everyone knows there is no way Holmes can refuse her. With Adler back one might expect devious shenanigans but unfortunately the author missed that opportunity. There's barely a mystery in this story and Adler features only minimally.
5. Now here's a grand idea, instead of breaking the fourth wall from the inside, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself falls through it from our side. This story takes Holmes' signature analytical approach to searching for Doyle's infamous garden faeries. It's a very fun story, written by one of my favourite authors. Definitely a favourite story of this collection.
6. This one stood out quickly among pastiches for resurrecting the terrible characterisation of females as dainty and hysterical figures, a feature largely left out by other authors and certainly unnecessary for recreating the feel. The story was enjoyable but the ending was also a disappointment.
7. Another great idea, this one is based on a case that Watson had originally only briefly referenced. For something different, this tale is told by the client. It isn't a bad story, but the great detective does little more than prompt the client to recall things she already knew and the affair barely meets Watson's claim that it nearly cost him and Holmes their lives.
8. Holmes is rather chipper in this story which is great, although he sets out to learn about the mummy's curse with more enthusiasm than you might expect for a supernatural theme. Nevertheless the case is handled very well and I rate this story highly.
9. This one is a cool crossover idea with another fictional detective series. I am unfamiliar with the other series which is based on a psychic detective, but obviously their detection methods are diametrically opposed so it's an interesting setting. This story is told very well and at least Holmes and Watson are spot on. I can't comment on the portrayal of the psychic detective but he is an excellent character in this story. This is another one I'll highly recommend.
10. Holmes and Watson in prime form and applying their most classic techniques of detection to the game afoot. Fantastic story, it is a lot of fun with a good amount of well done humour even if Sherlock's final decision about morality is a bit hard to swallow.
11. This scientifically themed scenario seemed to me to suit Holmes and Watson perfectly and yet struck me as the kind of story that Doyle would never have written. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure with H.G. Wells.
12. I was very keen to read Mrs Hudson's Case and this was a lot of fun. I loved Hudson's attitude and insistence on catching the fiend instead of deterring them. I wasn't impressed with The Beekeeper's Apprentice although I do intend to continue with King's reimagined Holmes series and this short story also featuring Mary Russell is a good motivation to get back into it.
13. Jack the Ripper strays into this story and much like the H.G. Wells adventure, this one feels like Doyle would never have written it but it still manages to suit our sleuthing duo perfectly. The tale moves in an unexpected direction early on but then completely takes off in a surprising twist near the end. Top notch. I loved this very clever story.
14. A good quick adventure with a very classic feel.
15. This ambitious tale takes a young Holmes on his first brush with Moriarty and fills the details of a case only very briefly referenced by Watson in one of the original adventures. A very well crafted story.
16. Not a bad story but not as good as others in the collection. This one is a tale of faeries and witchcraft, so Doyle himself would probably have enjoyed it.
17. Another good classic adventure.
18. "Now, Watson. Your medical training will almost certainly draw your attention to the body's non-possession of a head". This preposterous story was instantly a great deal of fun and remained so throughout.
19. This one starts out as a very classic case for Holmes but it soon strays into improbable themes.
20. Holmes is absent from this tale, instead it's a young Moriarty who takes centre stage. After the fatal cliff top battle while Holmes is still on the lam in India, Watson meets with Lewis Carroll who recounts the earlier events and the pair attempt to crack a code left behind by the infamous Professor Moriarty.
21. Fast forward to the later years of Watson's life, in his mid eighties we find him dealing with the onset of dementia. In a period of lucidity he recalls an adventure from his time with Holmes.
22. Another one set in the wake of Sherlock's presumed death, this one features The Woman. Irene Adler learns the news but isn't convinced that the story is accurate. A bit of an odd tale, even in a list of improbable adventures.
23. Holmes must crack a case involving pirates with grave political implications.
24. A short but sweet classic Holmes case. Industrial hardass employers are meeting their deaths with a matchstick in hand and rumours tell of a phantom at work.
25. A xmas tale of sorts, but not at all xmasy. A purely classic Holmes case reminiscent of The Hound. I found this one easy to call early in the story.
26. Set in the theatre this entry by Gaiman failed to pique my interest, at no fault of the storytelling I just don't fancy such plots.
27. This story unapologetically jumps into a time travel scenario right from the get go. Watson and Holmes speedily learn all of the relevant gains in science that lead to the Fermi Paradox and then immediately set out to solve it. If that wasn't preposterous enough for you, just wait until Holmes reveals his solution.
The introduction to the collection and the primer section were both short, which is my preference. A veteran Holmes reader would perhaps already know most of the details in those but the short introductions to each individual story contained many more fascinating tidbits.
1. The horror of the many faces was good and creepy. The author and narrator both, expertly conveyed the emotions in this story. Watson's feelings for Holmes were palpable and his fright at the mere thought of what he had seen felt genuine. Holmes' experience is of a great sorrow when he realises that the boundaries of the possible are blurred by the limitations of the detectable.
2. The enigmatic Moriarty is playing a trick that only Holmes can solve. This one had a very classic feel, with Watson consistently second guessing the great detective. The second abduction seemed a bit of a stretch but the explanation worked well enough.
3. An alternate reality Holmes story! This is a fun idea. Watson takes to the scenario with barely a second thought which didn't ring true but otherwise it was fun to reverse the roles and especially to have Moriarty feature more closely than usual.
4. We're off to Canada to help an old friend, Irene Adler is in need and everyone knows there is no way Holmes can refuse her. With Adler back one might expect devious shenanigans but unfortunately the author missed that opportunity. There's barely a mystery in this story and Adler features only minimally.
5. Now here's a grand idea, instead of breaking the fourth wall from the inside, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself falls through it from our side. This story takes Holmes' signature analytical approach to searching for Doyle's infamous garden faeries. It's a very fun story, written by one of my favourite authors. Definitely a favourite story of this collection.
6. This one stood out quickly among pastiches for resurrecting the terrible characterisation of females as dainty and hysterical figures, a feature largely left out by other authors and certainly unnecessary for recreating the feel. The story was enjoyable but the ending was also a disappointment.
7. Another great idea, this one is based on a case that Watson had originally only briefly referenced. For something different, this tale is told by the client. It isn't a bad story, but the great detective does little more than prompt the client to recall things she already knew and the affair barely meets Watson's claim that it nearly cost him and Holmes their lives.
8. Holmes is rather chipper in this story which is great, although he sets out to learn about the mummy's curse with more enthusiasm than you might expect for a supernatural theme. Nevertheless the case is handled very well and I rate this story highly.
9. This one is a cool crossover idea with another fictional detective series. I am unfamiliar with the other series which is based on a psychic detective, but obviously their detection methods are diametrically opposed so it's an interesting setting. This story is told very well and at least Holmes and Watson are spot on. I can't comment on the portrayal of the psychic detective but he is an excellent character in this story. This is another one I'll highly recommend.
10. Holmes and Watson in prime form and applying their most classic techniques of detection to the game afoot. Fantastic story, it is a lot of fun with a good amount of well done humour even if Sherlock's final decision about morality is a bit hard to swallow.
11. This scientifically themed scenario seemed to me to suit Holmes and Watson perfectly and yet struck me as the kind of story that Doyle would never have written. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure with H.G. Wells.
12. I was very keen to read Mrs Hudson's Case and this was a lot of fun. I loved Hudson's attitude and insistence on catching the fiend instead of deterring them. I wasn't impressed with The Beekeeper's Apprentice although I do intend to continue with King's reimagined Holmes series and this short story also featuring Mary Russell is a good motivation to get back into it.
13. Jack the Ripper strays into this story and much like the H.G. Wells adventure, this one feels like Doyle would never have written it but it still manages to suit our sleuthing duo perfectly. The tale moves in an unexpected direction early on but then completely takes off in a surprising twist near the end. Top notch. I loved this very clever story.
14. A good quick adventure with a very classic feel.
15. This ambitious tale takes a young Holmes on his first brush with Moriarty and fills the details of a case only very briefly referenced by Watson in one of the original adventures. A very well crafted story.
16. Not a bad story but not as good as others in the collection. This one is a tale of faeries and witchcraft, so Doyle himself would probably have enjoyed it.
17. Another good classic adventure.
18. "Now, Watson. Your medical training will almost certainly draw your attention to the body's non-possession of a head". This preposterous story was instantly a great deal of fun and remained so throughout.
19. This one starts out as a very classic case for Holmes but it soon strays into improbable themes.
20. Holmes is absent from this tale, instead it's a young Moriarty who takes centre stage. After the fatal cliff top battle while Holmes is still on the lam in India, Watson meets with Lewis Carroll who recounts the earlier events and the pair attempt to crack a code left behind by the infamous Professor Moriarty.
21. Fast forward to the later years of Watson's life, in his mid eighties we find him dealing with the onset of dementia. In a period of lucidity he recalls an adventure from his time with Holmes.
22. Another one set in the wake of Sherlock's presumed death, this one features The Woman. Irene Adler learns the news but isn't convinced that the story is accurate. A bit of an odd tale, even in a list of improbable adventures.
23. Holmes must crack a case involving pirates with grave political implications.
24. A short but sweet classic Holmes case. Industrial hardass employers are meeting their deaths with a matchstick in hand and rumours tell of a phantom at work.
25. A xmas tale of sorts, but not at all xmasy. A purely classic Holmes case reminiscent of The Hound. I found this one easy to call early in the story.
26. Set in the theatre this entry by Gaiman failed to pique my interest, at no fault of the storytelling I just don't fancy such plots.
27. This story unapologetically jumps into a time travel scenario right from the get go. Watson and Holmes speedily learn all of the relevant gains in science that lead to the Fermi Paradox and then immediately set out to solve it. If that wasn't preposterous enough for you, just wait until Holmes reveals his solution.