Is it really possible, do you suppose,’ said Sherlock Holmes to me one morning, as we took breakfast together, that a healthy and robust man may be so stricken with terror that he drops down dead?’”The much praised Denis O. Smith introduces twelve new Sherlockian stories in this collection, including The Adventure of the XYZ Club,” The Secret of Shoreswood Hall,” and The Adventure of the … Adventure of the Brown Box.” Set in the late nineteenth century before Holmes’s disappearance at the Reichenbach Falls, these stories, written in the vein of the originals, recreate Arthur Conan Doyle’s world with deft fidelity, from manner of speech and character traits to plot unfoldings and the historical period. Whether in fogbound London or deep in the countryside, the world’s most beloved detective is brought vividly back to life in all his enigmatic, compelling glory, embarking on seemingly impenetrable mysteries with Dr. Watson by his side.
For readers who can never get enough of Holmes, this satisfyingly hefty anthology builds on the old Conan Doyle to develop familiar characters in ways the originals could not. Both avid fans and a new generation of audiences are sure to be entertained with this continuation of the Sherlock Holmes legacy.
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Whenever I read tales of the great detective, whether penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or by another who has picked up the mantle, the voice of Sherlock Holmes is always that of Jeremy Brett who, in my mind, will always be the consummate Holmes. Brett’s portrayal encompassed not only the words but the very demeanor of a character so larger than life as to have become a living legend. I mention this because the way an author writes the character and the scenes often sound like Jeremy Brett is speaking the lines.
Anyone who has read the Holmes canon, has inevitably done so more than once. With that in mind, have you ever read mention of a maid at 221B Baker Street? Most of the authors who have expanded upon the tale, adhere to certain bits most faithfully. In all my reading of Holmes, by any number of authors, I have no recollection of a maid ever being mentioned. It’s a small thing, but it does stand out for that very reason.
We all have our mind’s eye image of Holmes. I was never a fan of the Basil Rathbone portrayal. The four Granada TV series presented, at least for me, the living, breathing Holmes, if you will, in the flesh. Jeremy Brett seemed perfect in the role. Although I have seen many of the modern takes on the adventures – Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Jonny Lee Miller (Elementary), and, of course, Robert Downey, Jr. (two movies) it is the voice of Jeremy Brett that rings out as I read Sherlock Holmes’ lines. It seems pretty obvious to me that Denis O. Smith had Brett in mind when writing words spoken by Holmes. For example, the word ‘pray’ is much used as in “pray proceed,” “pray tell us,” or “pray continue.” Jeremy Brett’s delivery of those words was most distinctive. I cannot also help but observe that Brett’s portrayal has given rise to the silent laughter put forth in Smith’s characterization of Holmes.
Although there is something decidedly ‘off’ about these stories when compared to the canonical, they are, nevertheless, delightful to read. I would have to say that I was most enchanted by “The Thrigsby Mystery” inasmuch as it purports to be a twenty year old unsolved case for which an 11 year old Sherlock provided a solution at the time of its occurrence.
I will confess that the florid language both in and out of the canon tend to make my eyelids droop and send me into a drowsy state. I don’t, however, let that prevent me from enjoying the adventures of Sherlock Holmes whenever the opportunity presents itself. THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF THE NEW CHRONICLES OF SHERLOCK Holmes is indeed a lengthy tome and will make a good addition to the Holmes library of any aficionado.
Good escape reading with each story the right length for one sitting. Excellent characters in old England settings makes for good Sherlock Holmes mysteries.
It is as close to the Alfred Conan Doyle as could be expected.
This book is superb! If you are a fan of A.C. Doyle and his character, Sherlock Holmes, you will enjoy this book. The stories are written so amazingly similar to Doyle’s style. The stories, the characters, and the grammar transport the reader to the times and places of Sherlock Holmes. I trust that you will thoroughly enjoy this book!
I love Sherlock Homes. Intelligent and nonviolent. Unlike most American mysteries. I prefer to read British.
It’s as if Dr. John Watson were still walking with us today!
A very good attempt to replicate the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle.
It was written like the originals!
Feels very much like the real Sherlock Holmes stories.
Good stories, follows original format and mystery.
The author does a great job of emulating A. Conan Doyle’s style while finding new cases for Sherlock to solve.
This was a good effort. Smith found both Holmes’ and Watson’s voice and carried the various plots forward well. I do think it is far too wordy and the one story (which I won’t name – but you’ll know when you read it) was too long and not at all like any Holmes I’ve ever read. I almost quit reading when I finished that one.
Pretty good imitation of the original. Some of the endings seem poorly thought out, however.
One of the better pastiche writers … not quite Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but who is?
Sherlock Holmes is always good reading
For fans of Sherlock, this is an excellent compendium. Most of the authors have spun tales worthy of the original.
Wonderful companion-type of book–
Good, entertaining stories. Holmes and Watson continue to provide the basis for wonderful stories, and the author has done an admirable job
It is exactly what it says it is. If you like Sherlock Holmes, this book is written in that style.
One of the more enjoyable recreations of Sherlock Holmes. Characters, language, and plots are all fairly consistent with the originals.