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A review by lizabethstucker
A Study in Sherlock: Stories inspired by the Holmes canon by Alan Bradley, Lee Child, Neil Gaiman, Leslie S. Klinger, Laurie R. King
4.0
Fifteen stories about or with the Great Detective and, of course, the marvelous Doctor John H. Watson. In some cases, simply inspired by Holmes and Watson. A great collection that should be read by all Sherlock Holmes fans. 4 out of 5.
“You’d Better Go in Disguise” by Alan Bradley. A chance meeting in a park has two strangers exchanging observations about others present there. Or is it chance? Told in first person, but not from the view of either Watson or Holmes. An interesting little tale. 3.5 out of 5.
“As to ‘An Exact Knowledge of London’” by Tony Broadbent. A taxi trip around London, with emphasis on spots with a connection to Sherlock Holmes leads to a most interesting conversation between a former military doctor and the cabbie. Magnificent! From start to finish, I would think I had sussed out Broadbent’s story direction only to have him send me off in an entirely different direction. 5 out of 5.
“The Men With the Twisted Lips” by S. J. Rozan. Neville St. Clair’s activities in Limehouse must be stopped before the wrong attention is raised. It has been decided that Sherlock Holmes as well as Dr. John Watson must be lured into helping the opium lords eliminate this problem. A very interesting take on “The Man With the Twisted Lip”, especially from the viewpoint of the men with the most to lose. 4 out of 5.
“The Adventure of the Purloined Paget” by Phillip Margolin & Jerry Margolin. Wealthy collectors of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia are invited to the wilds of the moors to bid on a one-of-a-kind item. When the owner is murdered and the sketch stolen, they are initially the suspects, but one of the guests has a brainstorm. The story was wonderful, the characters so well-drawn. But the use of the main character’s name was priceless. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Bone-Headed League” by Lee Child. An FBI agent assigned to London is intrigued by a murder on Baker Street. While a potentially interesting story, I found the ending jarring and unlikely. Fired? Probably. But Leavenworth? Doubtful. That sadly weakened the rest of the story for me. 3 out of 5.
“The Startling Events in the Electrified City” by Thomas Perry. An urgent request to help save the life of President McKinley soon has Holmes and Watson heading to America. Extraordinary idea! Definitely a plot twist that I was not expecting. And, frankly, plausible in that time period. History buffs will realize that McKinley was actually a better president than he has been judged, but he was a man of his time, a Civil War soldier who was dealing with a modern age that was beginning to move faster and faster. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Case of Death and Honey” by Neil Gaiman. On his deathbed, Mycroft Holmes suggested that his brother should investigate the greatest mystery of all, Death. Sherlock accepts the commission, traveling to the Far East in search of the ultimate answer. Actual research on bees, honey, and bee-related byproduct have led to similar conclusions, an extension of health, if not youth. The idea that Sherlock would find a solution to death might not be that farfetched, but that he would keep it for himself and for his dearest friend? Perfect. Then there is Old Gao, a most fascinating character. I must admit that this is the first Gaiman story that I have read, although I am familiar with his Doctor Who scripts. I must rectify that oversight. 5 out of 5.
“A Triumph of Logic” by Gayle Lynds & John Sheldon. When Emmy Holcrofts stumbles across suspicious items while settling her niece’s estate, she goes to Judge Linwood Boothby and Artie Morey, his friend and clerk, for advice. In this intriguing mystery, neither Holmes nor Watson are characters, but they are frequently mentioned and invoked throughout the story. I will be eagerly waiting for Sheldon’s first novel about Boothby and Artie. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Last of Sheila-Locke Holmes” by Laura Lippman. Looking back on her childhood detective agency, Sheila Locke-Weiner also remembers why she closed it down. I honestly liked the buildup on this one, but it ended too abruptly, without explanation or solution, just more questions. Good writing, interesting characters, disappointing finish, peculiar story. 3 out of 5.
“The Adventure of the Concert Pianist” by Margaret Maron. Mrs. Hudson’s niece believes she is being poisoned, possibly by her husband. She came to ask Sherlock Holmes for help, but he was lost at Reichenbach Falls. Dr. Watson offers to give his help however he can. How lovely, a story told by Mrs. Hudson, with a most competent Watson to solve the mystery. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Shadow Not Cast” by Lionel Chetwynd. Two murders seem to be connected, but both Metro and the FBI are stumped. They call in the one man they both believe could solve them, Sergeant-Major Robert Jackson of the U.S. Army. An interesting story, but it felt like there was things missing, as if this was just a few scenes from a longer novel. I think the missing deeper backstory would’ve helped the enjoyment. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Eyak Interpreter” by Dana Stabenow. (Kate Shugak 18.5) For honors English class, Johnny is writing a year-long blog. He recounts how he, Kate, and Max investigate the kidnapping of Gilbert Totemoff. Short, but an interesting way of sharing the mystery. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Case That Holmes Lost” by Charles Todd. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle comes to a lawyer friend when his creation, Sherlock Holmes, is sued over an unpublished story. Based on a true case that involved friends of Doyle, he may have unknowingly solved the mystery. Loved this from start to finish. The idea of Holmes solving a case without Doyle realizing it was very well thought out. 4 out of 5.
“The Imitator” by Jan Burke. Sherlock fanatic Wishy Hanslow is brought in on the case of the missing Colonel Harris. He asks his friends, Bunny Slye and Dr. Tyndale, to help. I’m extremely fond of mysteries set just after the Great War, especially if at least one of the main heroes are veterans. This has such a great potential for a wonderful series. I hope to read more of these men. 4.5 out of 5.
“A Spot of Detection” by Jacqueline Winspear. A young boy walking home early from school hears a couple argue and the sound of a gunshot before passing out. No one believes him, putting it down to fevered hallucinations. He decides to investigate using Sherlock Holmes’ methods. The after-story which the character was loosely based on was surprising. I was actually unaware of that author’s background. This was a sweet little tale with an unexpected ending. 3.5 out of 5
“You’d Better Go in Disguise” by Alan Bradley. A chance meeting in a park has two strangers exchanging observations about others present there. Or is it chance? Told in first person, but not from the view of either Watson or Holmes. An interesting little tale. 3.5 out of 5.
“As to ‘An Exact Knowledge of London’” by Tony Broadbent. A taxi trip around London, with emphasis on spots with a connection to Sherlock Holmes leads to a most interesting conversation between a former military doctor and the cabbie. Magnificent! From start to finish, I would think I had sussed out Broadbent’s story direction only to have him send me off in an entirely different direction. 5 out of 5.
“The Men With the Twisted Lips” by S. J. Rozan. Neville St. Clair’s activities in Limehouse must be stopped before the wrong attention is raised. It has been decided that Sherlock Holmes as well as Dr. John Watson must be lured into helping the opium lords eliminate this problem. A very interesting take on “The Man With the Twisted Lip”, especially from the viewpoint of the men with the most to lose. 4 out of 5.
“The Adventure of the Purloined Paget” by Phillip Margolin & Jerry Margolin. Wealthy collectors of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia are invited to the wilds of the moors to bid on a one-of-a-kind item. When the owner is murdered and the sketch stolen, they are initially the suspects, but one of the guests has a brainstorm. The story was wonderful, the characters so well-drawn. But the use of the main character’s name was priceless. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Bone-Headed League” by Lee Child. An FBI agent assigned to London is intrigued by a murder on Baker Street. While a potentially interesting story, I found the ending jarring and unlikely. Fired? Probably. But Leavenworth? Doubtful. That sadly weakened the rest of the story for me. 3 out of 5.
“The Startling Events in the Electrified City” by Thomas Perry. An urgent request to help save the life of President McKinley soon has Holmes and Watson heading to America. Extraordinary idea! Definitely a plot twist that I was not expecting. And, frankly, plausible in that time period. History buffs will realize that McKinley was actually a better president than he has been judged, but he was a man of his time, a Civil War soldier who was dealing with a modern age that was beginning to move faster and faster. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Case of Death and Honey” by Neil Gaiman. On his deathbed, Mycroft Holmes suggested that his brother should investigate the greatest mystery of all, Death. Sherlock accepts the commission, traveling to the Far East in search of the ultimate answer. Actual research on bees, honey, and bee-related byproduct have led to similar conclusions, an extension of health, if not youth. The idea that Sherlock would find a solution to death might not be that farfetched, but that he would keep it for himself and for his dearest friend? Perfect. Then there is Old Gao, a most fascinating character. I must admit that this is the first Gaiman story that I have read, although I am familiar with his Doctor Who scripts. I must rectify that oversight. 5 out of 5.
“A Triumph of Logic” by Gayle Lynds & John Sheldon. When Emmy Holcrofts stumbles across suspicious items while settling her niece’s estate, she goes to Judge Linwood Boothby and Artie Morey, his friend and clerk, for advice. In this intriguing mystery, neither Holmes nor Watson are characters, but they are frequently mentioned and invoked throughout the story. I will be eagerly waiting for Sheldon’s first novel about Boothby and Artie. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Last of Sheila-Locke Holmes” by Laura Lippman. Looking back on her childhood detective agency, Sheila Locke-Weiner also remembers why she closed it down. I honestly liked the buildup on this one, but it ended too abruptly, without explanation or solution, just more questions. Good writing, interesting characters, disappointing finish, peculiar story. 3 out of 5.
“The Adventure of the Concert Pianist” by Margaret Maron. Mrs. Hudson’s niece believes she is being poisoned, possibly by her husband. She came to ask Sherlock Holmes for help, but he was lost at Reichenbach Falls. Dr. Watson offers to give his help however he can. How lovely, a story told by Mrs. Hudson, with a most competent Watson to solve the mystery. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Shadow Not Cast” by Lionel Chetwynd. Two murders seem to be connected, but both Metro and the FBI are stumped. They call in the one man they both believe could solve them, Sergeant-Major Robert Jackson of the U.S. Army. An interesting story, but it felt like there was things missing, as if this was just a few scenes from a longer novel. I think the missing deeper backstory would’ve helped the enjoyment. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Eyak Interpreter” by Dana Stabenow. (Kate Shugak 18.5) For honors English class, Johnny is writing a year-long blog. He recounts how he, Kate, and Max investigate the kidnapping of Gilbert Totemoff. Short, but an interesting way of sharing the mystery. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Case That Holmes Lost” by Charles Todd. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle comes to a lawyer friend when his creation, Sherlock Holmes, is sued over an unpublished story. Based on a true case that involved friends of Doyle, he may have unknowingly solved the mystery. Loved this from start to finish. The idea of Holmes solving a case without Doyle realizing it was very well thought out. 4 out of 5.
“The Imitator” by Jan Burke. Sherlock fanatic Wishy Hanslow is brought in on the case of the missing Colonel Harris. He asks his friends, Bunny Slye and Dr. Tyndale, to help. I’m extremely fond of mysteries set just after the Great War, especially if at least one of the main heroes are veterans. This has such a great potential for a wonderful series. I hope to read more of these men. 4.5 out of 5.
“A Spot of Detection” by Jacqueline Winspear. A young boy walking home early from school hears a couple argue and the sound of a gunshot before passing out. No one believes him, putting it down to fevered hallucinations. He decides to investigate using Sherlock Holmes’ methods. The after-story which the character was loosely based on was surprising. I was actually unaware of that author’s background. This was a sweet little tale with an unexpected ending. 3.5 out of 5