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Holmes for the Holidays #1
Holmes for the Holidays
With stories by Anne Perry, Carolyn Wheat, Carole Nelson Douglas, Reginald Hill and many more, this delightful mystery collection captures the spirit of the brilliant detective of Baker Street. It's perfect for anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes -- or any mystery fan who's looking for the very best in short fiction.
Contents include:
The Watch Night Bell by Anne Perry
The Sleuth of Christmas Past by Barbara Paul
A Scandal in Winter by Gillian Linscott
The Adventure in Border Country by Gwen Moffat
The Adventure of the Three Ghosts by Loren D. Estleman
The Adventure of the Canine Ventriloquist by Jon L. Breen
The Adventure of the Man Who Never Laughed by J.N. Williamson
The Yuletide Affair by John Stoessel
The Adventure of the Christmas Tree by William L. DeAndrea
The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts by Bill Crider
The Thief of Twelfth Night by Carole Nelson Douglas
The Italian Sherlock Holmes by Reginald Hill
The Christmas Client by Edward D. Hoch
The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet by Carolyn Wheat
Contents include:
The Watch Night Bell by Anne Perry
The Sleuth of Christmas Past by Barbara Paul
A Scandal in Winter by Gillian Linscott
The Adventure in Border Country by Gwen Moffat
The Adventure of the Three Ghosts by Loren D. Estleman
The Adventure of the Canine Ventriloquist by Jon L. Breen
The Adventure of the Man Who Never Laughed by J.N. Williamson
The Yuletide Affair by John Stoessel
The Adventure of the Christmas Tree by William L. DeAndrea
The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts by Bill Crider
The Thief of Twelfth Night by Carole Nelson Douglas
The Italian Sherlock Holmes by Reginald Hill
The Christmas Client by Edward D. Hoch
The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet by Carolyn Wheat
294 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1996
12 people are currently reading
1065 people want to read
About the author
Martin H. Greenberg
910 books162 followersMartin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.
For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.
For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 2, 2009
Allow me to use an analogy here. Imagine that in 20 years or so people start publishing collections of Buffy the Vampire Slayer pastiches. (In this version of the future Joss Whedon is either incredibly generous or has very bad lawyers.) In each story, Buffy does some research with the Scoobies (all of whom are currently getting along great!), patrols a cemetery, and stakes a vampire...and that’s it. No character development, not even any character insight! In every. Single. Story.
That’s this collection, pretty much. If some of the tales had been particularly humorous or blessed with Arthur Conan Doyle’s gift with atmosphere, that might have redeemed things somewhat. Instead, we get not one, but TWO stories that offer a rational, Sherlockian explanation for the events of A Christmas Carol. I know it’s a holiday collection, but did it really have to be produced via cookie cutter?
I also have to say, this is one of the worst-edited books I’ve read in a long time—purely from a copyediting standpoint, I mean. Words are used incorrectly, there are bizarre misspellings, and the book is littered with sloppiness: strangers being referred to by name, then introduced three paragraphs later—that kind of stuff. And there are THREE editors credited. Yikes.
Needless to say, this did not fill me with holiday cheer.
That’s this collection, pretty much. If some of the tales had been particularly humorous or blessed with Arthur Conan Doyle’s gift with atmosphere, that might have redeemed things somewhat. Instead, we get not one, but TWO stories that offer a rational, Sherlockian explanation for the events of A Christmas Carol. I know it’s a holiday collection, but did it really have to be produced via cookie cutter?
I also have to say, this is one of the worst-edited books I’ve read in a long time—purely from a copyediting standpoint, I mean. Words are used incorrectly, there are bizarre misspellings, and the book is littered with sloppiness: strangers being referred to by name, then introduced three paragraphs later—that kind of stuff. And there are THREE editors credited. Yikes.
Needless to say, this did not fill me with holiday cheer.
December 21, 2022
A fairly good collection of holiday-themed stories from the pen of authors both well-known to me (Perry, Paul, Estleman, Breen, DeAndrea, Crider, Douglas, Hill, & Hoch) as well as some who are new. Most do a pretty good job getting the voices of and relationship between Homes and Watson right--though I was disappointed with the Douglas story. The tone here (at least from my point of view) is more bickering and peevish than the comfortable back and forth between two old friends. My favorites of the collection are "A Scandal in Winter," "The Yuletide Affair," and "The Adventure of the Christmas Tree." It was definitely nice to see Watson get a chance to show that doctors have some good deductive skills as well. ★★★ and 1/2 for the collection. (rounded up here)
"The Watch Night Bell" by Anne Perry: Holmes prevents the Christmas Eve murder of a wealthy, decorated Colonel. The obvious suspect is his elder daughter whose husband is deep in debt. But is the obvious always the answer?
"The Sleuth of Christmas Past" by Barbara Paul: Miss Amy Stoddard comes to Holmes for help in determining whether her fiance is as trustworthy as he seems.
"A Scandal in Winter" by Gillian Linscott: A tale of another encounter with "the woman"--late in Holmes' career. This time he works to clear her of a murder charge--not in a court of law, but in the court of public opinion. (one fell from height)
"The Adventure in Border Country" by Gwen Moffat: Holmes investigates the disappearance of Miles Aubrey--who left behind champagne glasses and a bit of game pie in a hunting cabin.
"The Adventure of the Three Ghosts" by Loren D. Estleman: Sherlock Holmes fears the worst when three ghosts reminiscent of those in A Christmas Carol begin haunting Lord Chislehurst.
"The Adventure of the Canine Ventriloquist" by Jon L. Breen: Mr. Maplethorpe is a very long-winded author of stories, reviews, and poems who has a very long tale to tell to Sherlock Holmes. He is being driven mad by a dog that apparently can speak. Is the man really mad or the victim of a dastardly plot?
"The Adventure of the Man Who Never Laughed" by J. N. Williamson: In order to find Miss Eleanor Chesterfield's missing brother, Holmes goes to church and joins a band of carolers.
"The Yuletide Affair" by John Stoessel: Watson shows that he can deduce with the best of them when he is called to tend to Inspector Lestrade--who has apparently been stabbed by a well-known crook. The man pleads innocent and Watson spots the clues that will either prove the truth of the crook's statement or send him back to prison.
"The Adventure of the Christmas Tree" by William L. DeAndrea: Why would anyone steal the Christmas tree intended for a duke and then make it reappear again right on schedule for the Christmas Eve festivities? The duke's forester is troubled by it...and so is Holmes when he hears the story.
"The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts" by Bill Crider: Franklin Scrooge, nephew and heir to Ebenezer Scrooge, finds himself suffering nighttime visitations just as his uncle before him. But instead of immediately changing his ways, he seeks Holmes' help in discovering the source of the visions.
"The Thief of Twelfth Night" by Carole Nelson Douglas: Holmes tells a tale of a lost emerald, a Twelfth Night cake, and the return of the precious stone...which took place right in front of a much younger Dr. Watson.
"The Italian Sherlock Holmes" by Reginald Hill: While convalescing in Italy, Holmes is on hand to see the results of case detected by "the Italian Sherlock Holmes"--a man who claims to follow Holmes's methods. But how skillfully does he employ them?
"The Christmas Client" by Edward D. Hoch: Holmes comes to the aid of Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) who is being blackmailed by a certain professor mathematics. But is blackmail all that Moriarty is after?
"The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet" by Carolyn Wheat, ASH: A man who derided Holmes's detective skills in a previous court case comes to Baker Street for assistance in clearing his client of a murder charge.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
"The Watch Night Bell" by Anne Perry: Holmes prevents the Christmas Eve murder of a wealthy, decorated Colonel. The obvious suspect is his elder daughter whose husband is deep in debt. But is the obvious always the answer?
"The Sleuth of Christmas Past" by Barbara Paul: Miss Amy Stoddard comes to Holmes for help in determining whether her fiance is as trustworthy as he seems.
"A Scandal in Winter" by Gillian Linscott: A tale of another encounter with "the woman"--late in Holmes' career. This time he works to clear her of a murder charge--not in a court of law, but in the court of public opinion. (one fell from height)
"The Adventure in Border Country" by Gwen Moffat: Holmes investigates the disappearance of Miles Aubrey--who left behind champagne glasses and a bit of game pie in a hunting cabin.
"The Adventure of the Three Ghosts" by Loren D. Estleman: Sherlock Holmes fears the worst when three ghosts reminiscent of those in A Christmas Carol begin haunting Lord Chislehurst.
"The Adventure of the Canine Ventriloquist" by Jon L. Breen: Mr. Maplethorpe is a very long-winded author of stories, reviews, and poems who has a very long tale to tell to Sherlock Holmes. He is being driven mad by a dog that apparently can speak. Is the man really mad or the victim of a dastardly plot?
"The Adventure of the Man Who Never Laughed" by J. N. Williamson: In order to find Miss Eleanor Chesterfield's missing brother, Holmes goes to church and joins a band of carolers.
"The Yuletide Affair" by John Stoessel: Watson shows that he can deduce with the best of them when he is called to tend to Inspector Lestrade--who has apparently been stabbed by a well-known crook. The man pleads innocent and Watson spots the clues that will either prove the truth of the crook's statement or send him back to prison.
"The Adventure of the Christmas Tree" by William L. DeAndrea: Why would anyone steal the Christmas tree intended for a duke and then make it reappear again right on schedule for the Christmas Eve festivities? The duke's forester is troubled by it...and so is Holmes when he hears the story.
"The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts" by Bill Crider: Franklin Scrooge, nephew and heir to Ebenezer Scrooge, finds himself suffering nighttime visitations just as his uncle before him. But instead of immediately changing his ways, he seeks Holmes' help in discovering the source of the visions.
"The Thief of Twelfth Night" by Carole Nelson Douglas: Holmes tells a tale of a lost emerald, a Twelfth Night cake, and the return of the precious stone...which took place right in front of a much younger Dr. Watson.
"The Italian Sherlock Holmes" by Reginald Hill: While convalescing in Italy, Holmes is on hand to see the results of case detected by "the Italian Sherlock Holmes"--a man who claims to follow Holmes's methods. But how skillfully does he employ them?
"The Christmas Client" by Edward D. Hoch: Holmes comes to the aid of Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) who is being blackmailed by a certain professor mathematics. But is blackmail all that Moriarty is after?
"The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet" by Carolyn Wheat, ASH: A man who derided Holmes's detective skills in a previous court case comes to Baker Street for assistance in clearing his client of a murder charge.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
December 2, 2022
This was such a fun read for the Holidays.
December 3, 2024
Fun! I’ve never read any Sherlock Holmes, because I never would have picked this up had it not been gifted to me. I’m not one for the classics but it was a refreshing pallet cleanser. Very fun and very “scooby doo”
December 26, 2013
I'm not quite through with this book but I thought I'd take a moment to chronicle my thoughts. For the most part, I enjoyed these Holmes and Watson short stories. Most felt as if they might have been Christmastime cases the two might have embarked upon. However, despite the fact that these stories obviously are not of the canon, and while it is likely impossible to have non-canon stories never contradict each other, it does seem to me that contradictory stories should at the very least not be present in the same volume. Two of these stories deal with the characters of Dickens' A Christmas Carol (and/or their descendents) and they directly contradict one another, especially in their handling of Timothy Cratchit (Tiny Tim). In one story, Tiny Tim grows up to eventually take over and run Scrooge's business. In another, Scrooge's nephew runs the business and Timothy is a clerk as his father was. The effect is to jar the reader out of their suspension of disbelief... the idea is to entertain these stories as possible Christmas adventures of Holmes and Watson. One cannot do that if two of the stories directly and blatantly contradict one another. This is the only issue I had. But I thought I should surface it. On the whole, I enjoyed the stories and thought each author handled their duty to the reader well... to present Holmes and Watson once again for the reader's enjoyment. Even the two Dickensian stories are well done on their own. My only issue with them is that they are contradictory to one another and included in the same volume. It's really an editorial problem I'm taking issue with. Considering there is a second volume (More Holmes for the Holidays), it seems that perhaps one of the stories should have been held over for that volume. Hopefully, there won't be a third contradictory tale in that book when I get to it.
May 6, 2017
A half decent collection of short tales...in honesty I wasn't sure whether to read this just yet as it is a festive collection but in truth it's mainly Sherlock tales that just have the season tagged onto them.
Some of the stories were in truth a tad nondescript but there where enough here to maintain interest..chronologically I think you have to take this collection as it is..for instance two tales nod to ' a Christmas Carol' and yet depict two different futures for Tim Crachet and Irene Adler appears a couple of times either in actuality or by comment.
There is however enough of the feel of the 'Watson' penned Holmes tales to make this an enjoyable enough set.
Some of the stories were in truth a tad nondescript but there where enough here to maintain interest..chronologically I think you have to take this collection as it is..for instance two tales nod to ' a Christmas Carol' and yet depict two different futures for Tim Crachet and Irene Adler appears a couple of times either in actuality or by comment.
There is however enough of the feel of the 'Watson' penned Holmes tales to make this an enjoyable enough set.
July 22, 2024
3.5 stars. As always, it's difficult to rate a book of short stories, since the quality tends to be all over the place. There are definitely stories in here I'd rate a 2 or below, and the very first one in the book, The Watch Night Bell, being one of those definitely slowed down my progress.
But there are great ones in here, too. The Sleuth of Christmas Past is an excellent Holmesian pastiche: Well-written and so interesting that the pages just flew by. It had a collection of enjoyable little twists and a few lovely bursts of humour. 5 stars.
A Scandal in Winter was an incredibly fun take: A Sherlock Holmes story told from the perspective of a little girl. Eva was an immediately likeable and easy to read character. 4.5 stars.
Then there were the mid-tier stories, like The Adventure of the Three Ghosts which wasn't bad, it was just kind of silly. 3.25 stars. The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts again wasn't bad, it was just cute, but nothing impressed. 3 stars.
And so on. If you're a Holmes fan, like I am, I think it's worth a read just for the high-quality ones I mentioned earlier. I will probably go back and read those again sometime.
But there are great ones in here, too. The Sleuth of Christmas Past is an excellent Holmesian pastiche: Well-written and so interesting that the pages just flew by. It had a collection of enjoyable little twists and a few lovely bursts of humour. 5 stars.
A Scandal in Winter was an incredibly fun take: A Sherlock Holmes story told from the perspective of a little girl. Eva was an immediately likeable and easy to read character. 4.5 stars.
Then there were the mid-tier stories, like The Adventure of the Three Ghosts which wasn't bad, it was just kind of silly. 3.25 stars. The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts again wasn't bad, it was just cute, but nothing impressed. 3 stars.
And so on. If you're a Holmes fan, like I am, I think it's worth a read just for the high-quality ones I mentioned earlier. I will probably go back and read those again sometime.
April 29, 2024
I very much enjoyed the festive collective that is "Holmes for the Holidays". I have always wanted to read this one and was finally able to pick up a copy at John King Books here in Detroit. There are definitely better than other stories in the collection of short stories. My favorites were "The Watch Night Bell", "The Adventure of The Christmas Ghosts", "The Thief of the Twelfth Night", "The Italian Sherlock Holmes", The Christmas Client", "The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet".
It is very interesting to see the different styles and takes on the characters. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, which is worth trying new things for sure especially in this kind of context so that is why it makes this enjoyable. A lot of the stories very much use the Holiday theme all the way in the stories, some barely use it as a context. "The Italian Sherlock Holmes" basically only use as what is going on for the time of year, but it does not really have to do with the story so much. But "The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet" has everything to do with the story.
It was great getting a chance to read it being a Sherlock Holmes Fan.
It is very interesting to see the different styles and takes on the characters. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, which is worth trying new things for sure especially in this kind of context so that is why it makes this enjoyable. A lot of the stories very much use the Holiday theme all the way in the stories, some barely use it as a context. "The Italian Sherlock Holmes" basically only use as what is going on for the time of year, but it does not really have to do with the story so much. But "The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet" has everything to do with the story.
It was great getting a chance to read it being a Sherlock Holmes Fan.
January 22, 2021
I very much enjoy the literary tradition of modern writers creating homage stories to Holmes and Watson. It was also fun to read this, a story at a time, during and just past the holiday season, kind of a literary day by day Advent. There were several tales that included the Scrooge story in just marvelous and fresh ways. I do wish, however, that modern writers would forebear from carrying on the more uncomfortable, dated aspects of the writing, in particular the Empire-centric point of view which looks down upon different cultures. Dr. Watson served in the British campaign in Afghanistan, that is an undeniable part of the story and his character and experience, and it would be inauthentic to leave this out. But a currently written story does not need to add remarks about other cultures that are patronizing just because a British writer in the 1800s would have done so. It is jarring to read them because we now understand that their prejudiced perception is wrong, and their inclusion lessened my rating.
December 22, 2017
It's not that the stories themselves are great that I give this 4 stars, but that they are good stories featuring Holmes and Watson set during the Christmas season with interesting seasonal tie-ins, such as a Christmas tree, Twelfth Night cake, and Dicken's A Christmas Carol. The weakest of the bunch are The Adventure of the Man Who Never Laughed, The Italian Sherlock and The Adventure of the Canine Ventriloquist which is also the weirdest. A book I pull out every year around Christmas for some light Holmesian holiday reading.
December 27, 2021
Sadly, ACD didn’t write any Christmas Holmes except Blue Carbuncle; luckily, there’s a ton of pastiches to more than make up for that oversight. These aren’t the best of them.
Skipped around a bit. As yet none of them will be making my Someday Re-read List. It’s kind of disappointing.
Three Ghosts
Canine Ventriloquist
Man Who Never Laughed
Yuletide Affair
Christmas Tree
Christmas Ghosts
Italian Sherlock
Christmas Client*
*To be fair to Hoch, I read his a year ago. Maybe it’s better than I remember.
Skipped around a bit. As yet none of them will be making my Someday Re-read List. It’s kind of disappointing.
Three Ghosts
Canine Ventriloquist
Man Who Never Laughed
Yuletide Affair
Christmas Tree
Christmas Ghosts
Italian Sherlock
Christmas Client*
*To be fair to Hoch, I read his a year ago. Maybe it’s better than I remember.
January 5, 2020
Just as advertised: a collection of fun Holmes pastiche short stories in a holiday motif. Not really anything to write home about in any of the stories, but nothing lamentable either. Altogether, a relaxed and enjoyable holiday helping of Holmes. Just the thing for that rare quiet evening seated by the fire, Christmas tree aglow, and a glass of eggnog close to hand. Gratefully enjoyed and heartily recommended.
January 12, 2025
A great collection of Sherlock Holmes mysteries written in the Christmas season. The plots, situations and characters are solid. Also, stories all take place in the time Conan Doyle set his stories- which gives a nice continuity to the overall selection.
It’s surprising holiday oriented, and takes advantage of the season and the gatherings that occur, the traveling, and the weather.
If you’re a Christmas Mystery fan this is one you should read if you get the chance.
It’s surprising holiday oriented, and takes advantage of the season and the gatherings that occur, the traveling, and the weather.
If you’re a Christmas Mystery fan this is one you should read if you get the chance.
July 19, 2025
Sherlock Holmes is the most unsentimental of men, so any number of writers like to force him to enjoy the Christmas holidays. This collection is by professional mystery writers, so they're reasonably well plotted. Some bring in works by other writers ("The Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts" channels Dickens, of course), and many of the stories feature other well-known names from Doyle's cast of characters. On the whole it's a decent bunch of tales, though none of them really stick in your mind.
January 1, 2022
I like the idea of the anthology, and some of the stories are interesting, but I agree with another reviewer that the holiday aspect is just a bit of background color really.
Also -- just a content note -- several of the stories involved children in danger/pedophilia, which jarred me at first especially since it *is* a holiday anthology.
Also -- just a content note -- several of the stories involved children in danger/pedophilia, which jarred me at first especially since it *is* a holiday anthology.
December 24, 2022
Decided to have some Christmas Holmes. Two of the stories are pretty bad. But most are good and some are great.
My favorites are the ones where the author will apply other well know Christmas stories. Especially the ones spinning Dickens A Christmas Carol “.
Worth a holiday break.
My favorites are the ones where the author will apply other well know Christmas stories. Especially the ones spinning Dickens A Christmas Carol “.
Worth a holiday break.
December 25, 2017
Solid 3.5 actually. Like many short stories collections by various authors a bit up and down, but a solid seasonal read.
November 16, 2018
Exactly as advertised.
December 17, 2020
Great short stories. Definitely a fan & would recommend to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes and/or looking for Christmas mysteries.
December 26, 2022
A mixed bag, but some of the stories were really enjoyable.
January 7, 2024
I absolutely love this book! I’m so impressed with how well these authors wrote these stories being true to the character of Sherlock Holmes. Love, love love it!
January 11, 2024
I don't think two takes on A Christmas Carol was needed, and the Italian Holmes story pissed me off. But fun overall.
December 26, 2024
A book of Sherlockian mysteries, that are very well written, and all have great stories.
March 14, 2017
3.8 stars
the Watch Night Bell by Anne Perry ***
the Sleuth of Christmas Past by Barbara Paul ****
A Scandal in Winter by Gillian Linscott ****
the Adventure in Border Country by Gwen Moffat ***
the Adventure of the Three Ghosts by Loren D. Estleman *****
the Adventure of the Canine Ventriloquist by Jon L. Breen ****
the Adventure of the Man Who Never Laughed by J.N. Williamson ****
the Yuletide Affair by John Stoessel ****
the Adventure of the Christmas Tree by William L. DeAndrea ****
the Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts by Bill Crider ***
the Thief of Twelfth Night by Carole Nelson Douglas ****
the Italian Sherlock Holmes by Reginald Hill ****
the Christmas Client by Edward D. Hoch ***
the Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet by Carolyn Wheat ****
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
the Watch Night Bell by Anne Perry ***
the Sleuth of Christmas Past by Barbara Paul ****
A Scandal in Winter by Gillian Linscott ****
the Adventure in Border Country by Gwen Moffat ***
the Adventure of the Three Ghosts by Loren D. Estleman *****
the Adventure of the Canine Ventriloquist by Jon L. Breen ****
the Adventure of the Man Who Never Laughed by J.N. Williamson ****
the Yuletide Affair by John Stoessel ****
the Adventure of the Christmas Tree by William L. DeAndrea ****
the Adventure of the Christmas Ghosts by Bill Crider ***
the Thief of Twelfth Night by Carole Nelson Douglas ****
the Italian Sherlock Holmes by Reginald Hill ****
the Christmas Client by Edward D. Hoch ***
the Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet by Carolyn Wheat ****
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
December 26, 2013
Short story compilation of more recent Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson mysteries, written by several mystery writers. I've read parts of this book before, but this December I read the whole compilation. A very enjoyable read. My favorite was the story by John Stoessel, "The Yuletide Affair," in which Dr. Watson told Holmes of an adventure he had on his own once when Holmes was busy elsewhere, in which Watson was called in to St. Bartholomew's Hospital to help save the life of Inspector Lestrade, who had been gravely wounded. Watson both saves his friend and also solves the mystery of what happened, thus also saving the accused.
Also enjoyed "The Adventure of the Christmas Tree" by William L. DeAndrea, especially the beginning, where the author writes that Holmes was reading "Lancet." (Once a library serials person, always a serials person).
A very enjoyable book to curl up with when I had the chance this Christmas season!
Also enjoyed "The Adventure of the Christmas Tree" by William L. DeAndrea, especially the beginning, where the author writes that Holmes was reading "Lancet." (Once a library serials person, always a serials person).
A very enjoyable book to curl up with when I had the chance this Christmas season!
December 25, 2013
This uneven mix of Sherlock Holmes short story mysteries, all set during the Christmas season, gets a 2 1/2 stars. Of course the usual suspects appear (Irene Adler, Professor Moriarty) along with tales which fall flat at the end ("The Adventure of the Angel's Trumpet", for instance) and at least one with somewhat disturbing (at least to me) content. There were several standouts among the group however, one of them being "The Yuletide Affair", a solo Watson adventure in which the good doctor saves the life of a well known police inspector and solves a mystery at the same time. And as a bonus, Sherlockians who are in "The Game" will have to decide between two differing explanations of what REALLY happened to Ebenezer Scrooge on the night of his visitations i.e. which account is canonical and which is apocryphal? Happy Holidays!
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January 1, 2012Very enjoyable - my favorite story in this group was The Adventure of the Christmas Tree by William L. DeAndrea because I felt the characters of Holmes & Dr. Watson were most true to form and the actual mystery was believable. I also liked The Thief of Twelfth Night by Carole Nelson Douglas because of the Irene Adler connection and The Christmas Client by Edward D. Hoch because of the Moriarity connection. I thought they all had their good points and it was interesting to see how each author put together Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and the Christmas season into a story. Perfect holiday reading :)
November 13, 2014
This was an okay collection with some really bad editing. Some of the authors were better at capturing the feel of Holmes and Watson than others. Even so this collection began to feel a bit same-y after a bit, having 2 stories about Dickens' A Christmas Carol didn't help either. I found a couple of the stories to stand out because they were handled a bit differently than the rest, Watsons' solo tale "The Yuletide Affair by John Stoessel and "The Thief of Twelfth Night" by Carole Nelson Douglas.
December 4, 2023
I've read this collection several times, as part of my traditional holiday reading binge. I've always been a sucker for Christmas stories, and I picked this up on a bargain table many years ago. I love the tone of the stories and the way they capture the essence of Victorian England at Christmas. Of course none of them measure up to Conan Doyle's The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, but some come quite close. An excellent choice for a snowy December evening or two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews