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The Doctor Watson Adventures #1
Doctor Watson's War
Afghanistan. 1880. A bloodied but unbowed young medic must fight in a war that will test both his courage and conscience to its very limits. Despite his own wound, despite the howling tribesman hounding his every step back to the walls of Kandahar, he will not forsake the injured soldiers and victims of battle who he has sworn to treat and protect. The most difficult to save of all though is Alisha Kahn, the beautiful and enigmatic fighting queen -shot down as she led the Afghans against the British and brought to the dressing station by Private 'Posh' Williams, the gentleman ranker. Her warrior brothers want to save her, whilst the retreating troops can see no reason why she should live.
The terror and nobility of the events fought across blood-soaked desert sands – culminating in the Battle of Maiwand - will scar and inspire Doctor John H. Watson forever.
In this brilliant novella, Patrick Mercer tells the story of Sherlock Holmes's great friend Watson's formative years in the Army. It is a must-read for fans of Holmes, and for anyone who enjoys historical military fiction.
The terror and nobility of the events fought across blood-soaked desert sands – culminating in the Battle of Maiwand - will scar and inspire Doctor John H. Watson forever.
In this brilliant novella, Patrick Mercer tells the story of Sherlock Holmes's great friend Watson's formative years in the Army. It is a must-read for fans of Holmes, and for anyone who enjoys historical military fiction.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2012
41 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Mercer
18 books9 followersBorn in 1956, Patrick Mercer read History at Oxford University before joining the Army. He commanded his battalion in Bosnia and Canada. Previously receiving a gallantry commendation, he was awarded the OBE in 1997. In 1999, Patrick Mercer accepted a post as the Defence Reporter for the Today Programme. In the 2001 election, he won the Tory seat in Newark. A respected historian, he has already published a non-fiction account of the Inkerman battle during the Crimean War.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 14, 2019
Not a particularly flattering portrait of Watson
Holmes' "stout fellow" is missing in action in this story. Basically he is too frightened , too distraught about the violence around him to even think. He relies on his two enlisted orderlies, one English, one Indian, who perform feats well beyond the ordinary. When they finally get Watson and themselves to relative safety, Watson doesn't even recommend them for medals. Instead, he goes home as quickly as possible. He arrives in London, takes rooms with Holmes and begins assisting in Holmes' cases. All the while suffering almost debilitating PTSD, though, thankfully, that acronym is not used.
This novella has excellent reviews on Amazon. I disagree. The Watson in this story is not Conan Doyle's Watson. If this were just a 'Red Badge of Courage" sort of war story concerning itself with the psychological and physical trauma of war with no connection to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, I would give it a better rating. However I still wouldn't like it. The ungrateful 'hero' forgetting his rescuers is simply unpalatable. Not quite the thing you know.
Holmes' "stout fellow" is missing in action in this story. Basically he is too frightened , too distraught about the violence around him to even think. He relies on his two enlisted orderlies, one English, one Indian, who perform feats well beyond the ordinary. When they finally get Watson and themselves to relative safety, Watson doesn't even recommend them for medals. Instead, he goes home as quickly as possible. He arrives in London, takes rooms with Holmes and begins assisting in Holmes' cases. All the while suffering almost debilitating PTSD, though, thankfully, that acronym is not used.
This novella has excellent reviews on Amazon. I disagree. The Watson in this story is not Conan Doyle's Watson. If this were just a 'Red Badge of Courage" sort of war story concerning itself with the psychological and physical trauma of war with no connection to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, I would give it a better rating. However I still wouldn't like it. The ungrateful 'hero' forgetting his rescuers is simply unpalatable. Not quite the thing you know.
April 24, 2020
At 221B Baker Street the smell of one of Homes' chemicals evoke memories of the 66th Regiment in Afghanistan of 1880. This is Doctor Watson story of his time in that war.
An interesting story
An interesting story
April 21, 2020
I wanted to like this, given it combines several of my interests. Sadly, however, it is neither fish nor fowl. I felt it read more like the chapter of a larger book than a free-standing short story, maybe PM's novels are better (I confess I haven't read any so can't pass judgment). The dual location plot doesn't really work here to my way of thinking and is rather wasted in such a small work. However worse than this is the Dr Watson character who has no resemblance to Conan Doyle's creation. There's little point in writing a pastiche of any kind if the original is entirely ignored. The brief appearance of Moriarty just seemed implausible. The Private Bowler character is drawn quite well, but has a bit too much of caricature for my taste. Other characters are cardboard cut-outs. There's also a bit too much of the fashionable ptsd floating around. All in all a disappointment. I see there are several of these shorts. Perhaps they join up, but I doubt if I can muster the enthusiasm to find out.
January 23, 2025
Interesting concept, not so great execution
First what I liked: the concept of SHOWING Watson in Afghanistan rather than just referencing it is brilliant. And having him recount that experience in rough, not-intended-for-gentile publication language is terrific as well. But, unfortunately this brief novella doesn't do justice to the story. And, brief as it is, this work still devotes a fair amount of time to what I assume is some future story by the author.
Doctor Watson's War? More like a brief glimpse of a single battle. (3.5 stars.)
First what I liked: the concept of SHOWING Watson in Afghanistan rather than just referencing it is brilliant. And having him recount that experience in rough, not-intended-for-gentile publication language is terrific as well. But, unfortunately this brief novella doesn't do justice to the story. And, brief as it is, this work still devotes a fair amount of time to what I assume is some future story by the author.
Doctor Watson's War? More like a brief glimpse of a single battle. (3.5 stars.)
March 29, 2021
Too short
Story is interesting depicting Watson’s past before Holmes, but is just a bit too brief to get a better rating.
Story is interesting depicting Watson’s past before Holmes, but is just a bit too brief to get a better rating.
January 5, 2026
I think the book was well researched but for 5 chapters it might as well be Fred Smith and his worst moments in the Afghan war, and then we see Holmes in the last chapter and a poor ending. I was disappointed.
July 22, 2012
My only gripe about this story is that its too short, This so easily could have been a fantastic full length novel.
For so long i have thought that the Holmes story centres too much on Holmes. While Watson clearly has a colourful and full history.
I thought that maybe Patrick Mercer may have compounded the short length of the story by also showing Watson as having a short experience in the forces. There could have been a rich and action packed series, at the least a series of short stories. I hope that Patrick Mercer has something up his sleeve for more of these that I'm missing.
This story shows the early days of Holmes and Watson and how Watson came to be the man he is and why he is living with Holmes.
As is usual for Mercers books the history is impeccable, but its the experience as a soldier that he brings to the writing that always astounds me, so honest and so real that as a reader you get to experience all the action and drama on a personal level. With this story its also not just Watson who shines, its his fantastic sidekick Private Bowler, funny, real and for me the perfect sidekick, if Patrick Mercer cannot do more stories on Watson then do them on Bowler. If you have not read any of Patrick Mercers other books then i highly recommended them all.
Something else i found out is that Patrick Mercer is the same Patrick Mercer MP from my home town (quite glad i voted for him now).
So please more of these short stories or a full book.
recommended
(Parm)
Product Description
Afghanistan. 1880. A bloodied but unbowed young medic must fight in a war that will test both his courage and conscience to its very limits. Despite his own wound, despite the howling tribesman hounding his every step back to the walls of Kandahar, he will not forsake the injured soldiers and victims of battle who he has sworn to treat and protect. The most difficult to save of all though is Alisha Kahn, the beautiful and enigmatic fighting queen -shot down as she led the Afghans against the British and brought to the dressing station by Private 'Posh' Williams, the gentleman ranker. Her warrior brothers want to save her, whilst the retreating troops can see no reason why she should live.
The terror and nobility of the events fought across blood-soaked desert sands - culminating in the Battle of Maiwand - will scar and inspire Doctor John H. Watson forever.
In this brilliant novella, Patrick Mercer tells the story of Sherlock Holmes's great friend Watson's formative years in the Army. It is a must-read for fans of Holmes, and for anyone who enjoys historical military fiction.
For so long i have thought that the Holmes story centres too much on Holmes. While Watson clearly has a colourful and full history.
I thought that maybe Patrick Mercer may have compounded the short length of the story by also showing Watson as having a short experience in the forces. There could have been a rich and action packed series, at the least a series of short stories. I hope that Patrick Mercer has something up his sleeve for more of these that I'm missing.
This story shows the early days of Holmes and Watson and how Watson came to be the man he is and why he is living with Holmes.
As is usual for Mercers books the history is impeccable, but its the experience as a soldier that he brings to the writing that always astounds me, so honest and so real that as a reader you get to experience all the action and drama on a personal level. With this story its also not just Watson who shines, its his fantastic sidekick Private Bowler, funny, real and for me the perfect sidekick, if Patrick Mercer cannot do more stories on Watson then do them on Bowler. If you have not read any of Patrick Mercers other books then i highly recommended them all.
Something else i found out is that Patrick Mercer is the same Patrick Mercer MP from my home town (quite glad i voted for him now).
So please more of these short stories or a full book.
recommended
(Parm)
Product Description
Afghanistan. 1880. A bloodied but unbowed young medic must fight in a war that will test both his courage and conscience to its very limits. Despite his own wound, despite the howling tribesman hounding his every step back to the walls of Kandahar, he will not forsake the injured soldiers and victims of battle who he has sworn to treat and protect. The most difficult to save of all though is Alisha Kahn, the beautiful and enigmatic fighting queen -shot down as she led the Afghans against the British and brought to the dressing station by Private 'Posh' Williams, the gentleman ranker. Her warrior brothers want to save her, whilst the retreating troops can see no reason why she should live.
The terror and nobility of the events fought across blood-soaked desert sands - culminating in the Battle of Maiwand - will scar and inspire Doctor John H. Watson forever.
In this brilliant novella, Patrick Mercer tells the story of Sherlock Holmes's great friend Watson's formative years in the Army. It is a must-read for fans of Holmes, and for anyone who enjoys historical military fiction.
January 17, 2015
Holmes. Watson. The Light Brigade. Cardigan. Disraeli. I mean, what more can you ask from a Victorian mystery? Mercer is a fine heir to Doyle, focusing on Watson and making him much more than just the foil of The Great Detective. My only complaint? I wish the tale was longer! Wonderful!
February 1, 2014
Turns out to be a Kindle short; only 59 pages.A little backstory of Dr. Watson and his time in the Army during the 1880 Aghan War. A nice insight into Dr. Watson with Holmes just on the periphery.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews