Beyond the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Volume 1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Writer) Brian & Derrick Belanger (Editors) Belanger Books (2020)

 

 

A very engaging and enjoyable collection that uses a very smart idea. The collection has three original Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle these stories have sequels provided by other writers.

A Scandal in Bohemia. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Writer).

The Adventure of the Solicitor’s Wife. Naching T. Kassa (Writer). Irene Adler comes to Sherlock Holmes for help with solving the murder of her husband. A very engaging story unfolds including a lovely nod to another, non-Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Sheriff of Dunsinane. Derrick Belanger (Writer). A very nicely oblique take on the original story, the context is clever and unexpected, the cast is engaging. Irene Adler demonstrates why she is truly “the woman”.

The Red-Headed League. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Writer).

The Pawnbroker’s Apprentice and The Priceless Painting. Roger Riccard (Writer)

Using the unfortunate Mr Jabez Wilson and a well known member of the Baker Street Irregulars to create the opening knot of this very enjoyable story, Richard Riccard develops an engaging and nicely surprising story that packs a lot of story into a short space without ever being crowded or rushed.

The Adventure of the Magician’s Blind. Ronald Rowe, Eric Blake (Writers).

Following a very engaging opening a smart story unfolds that brings together several characters from the original stories. They are brought into the story with skill and the correct level of menace.

The Revenge of the Red-Headed League. Cara Fox. (Writer). Thoroughly unexpected and well set up, this displays Sherlock Holmes talents very nicely. The plot is clever and the reverberations from the original story are placed with skill.

Tableau of Death. Brenda Seabrooke (Writer). A very sharp story that gives a serious depth to a very dangerous man and lands a conclusion that is dark and very satisfying.

The Reformation of the Red-Headed League. Paul Hiscock (Writer). A superb reconfiguration of the original story that sets up the reader perfectly and delivers a excellent conclusion.

A Case if Identity. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Writer).

The Adventure of a Flight of Angels. Robert Perret (Writer). This is my favourite story in the collection. Teasing and charming, revenge is delivered with such care and attention to detail that I fell completely into the story and just enjoyed every detail.

Reading the original stories in always a pleasure, the sequels increase that pleasure, they stand firmly in their own right and as reflections on the originals. A pleasure to read.

 

Sherlock Holmes. A Three-Pipe Christmas. Sherlockian Stories and Commentary. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Vincent Starrett, August Derleth (Writers). Dan Andriacco (Editor). Belanger Books (2020)

 

A glorious treat from any Sherlock Holmes fan. Starting with an original Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle there are two other stories that play of it and each other. There are three essays following each story that pick up on the themes of each story and add to the overall pleasure of the book.

The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle is the first story, a Sherlock Holmes adventure by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle it is a brilliant example of the stories and the reasons for their enduring popularity. A seemingly minor event leads to a much more significant one. This story includes one of the best and most sparkling examples of Sherlock Holmes displaying his powers of observation and deduction based on a simple object. When the plot moved the action is very engaging and the conclusion deeply satisfying.

The three essays that follow takes very different approaches to the story, they are insightful and considered. Reading them adds to the pleasure of the original story as they pick up unseen threads.

The Unique Hamlet by Vincent Starrett is considered to be one of the finest Sherlock Holmes pastiches written to date. Opening with a nice call back to one of the original stories it moves nicely onto an intriguing mystery. Holmes and Watson pursue the matter using the methods they should, and the reveal is beautifully staged. As is noted in one of the following essays the author’s own view of the story changed over time as the public response strongly identified one aspect of the story over the other.

The following essays are engaging and informative, they provide views of the interest tension in the story arising from the twofold intent of the author and why it has developed the reputation that it has.

The Adventure of the Unique Dickensians. By August Derleth is a Solar Pons story. Solar Pons is August Derleth’s response to being told by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that he would not be writing ant more Sherlock Holmes stories and that neither could August Derleth. It clearly and deliberately plays off The Unique Hamlet and includes a very nice Dickens flavour that is never overdone. A client come to Solar Pons about an annoying incident and it leads very nicely to a very satisfying conclusion.

The essays that follow nicely pick up the Sherlock Holmes and Dickens threads in the story and celebrate them.

Dan Andriacco has created a most unexpected treat, the stories are well worth reading on their own, combining them together so that that the connections between than can be revealed and adding engaging and informative essays is a masterstroke. Casting new light on the familiar, allowing it to be appreciated anew is a gift to a reader completely in line with the seasonal link in the stories.