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The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes - Special Edition Hardback by John H Watson ( 2013 ) Hardcover
The recent decease of one of the descendents of Dr. Watson has brought to light his personal papers. These include a number of stories that Dr. Watson suppressed at the time for various reasons. As all involved are long dead, the inheritor has agreed to the publication of a set of eight of the most interesting adventures.
Hardcover
First published October 31, 2010
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Tony Reynolds
25 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 10, 2014
The book is a collection of lost Sherlock Holmes stories from the ubiquitous deed boxes of Doctor Watson, presented in a fine hardback with period typography and excellent illustrations in the Paget style.
The first story clears up the matter of the Giant Rat of Sumatra (of ill repute) in an engaging and believable account that ends with a twist that is very much of the period.
The settings of the stories are pleasantly varied, as are the antagonists - my favourite is Prince Peter Kropotkin whose hauteur is very well realised in the illustration by Chris Coady that accompanies the story.
In so many collections of pastiches, illustrations, when they are included, seem rather pointless - I confess myself guilty on that count. In The Lost Stories, the very professional illustrations add a great deal of interest to the stories.
The dialogue is authentic and well-balanced between characters - Watson gets his due for once.
I enjoyed the book very much and I would recommend anyone with a Sherlockian bent to give Mr Reynold's work a try.
The first story clears up the matter of the Giant Rat of Sumatra (of ill repute) in an engaging and believable account that ends with a twist that is very much of the period.
The settings of the stories are pleasantly varied, as are the antagonists - my favourite is Prince Peter Kropotkin whose hauteur is very well realised in the illustration by Chris Coady that accompanies the story.
In so many collections of pastiches, illustrations, when they are included, seem rather pointless - I confess myself guilty on that count. In The Lost Stories, the very professional illustrations add a great deal of interest to the stories.
The dialogue is authentic and well-balanced between characters - Watson gets his due for once.
I enjoyed the book very much and I would recommend anyone with a Sherlockian bent to give Mr Reynold's work a try.
March 25, 2015
Donald Thomas has emerged as my favourite writer of Holmesian tales,but Tony Reynolds could easily claim second place. Crisp, atmospheric and well reasoned, his stories go for some of the famous 'gaps in the canon' like the affair of the giant rat of Sumatra (I've yet to see a totally outre extrapolation of that tantalising cue),he even treads on some of same turf as Thomas, invoking Prince Kropotkin in one tale, and does not come off shabbily in the comparison.
October 17, 2020
So banal. I found these really superficial and cliche. All of them were so predictable. The stories are so far away from reality and it just seems like you are reading an extremely simplified version of life.
For example, the story about un-hatching the plot against England by some anarchists, that Sherlock solves within one week. His plan is to go to the anarchists' hangout and befriend them such that they reveal their plans. The final arrest is done on a mere whim without evidence.
If we are picking up such a topic, I would like to see the complexity involved - such as the role bureaucracy typically plays, or how informants are gathered or how actually such plots are explored. Granted, we cannot explore these topics in this format but the hint of them should be there; there is no excuse for glossing over all this unless it's a children's book.
The author fully immerses you though. The introduction reads that these stories are from the lost papers of John Watson. No other "real" prologue is mentioned. That was pretty cool.
But overall these are very romaticised tales lacking any depth. No story is moving enough to stick, it's just ephemeral amusement.
Now, I have read Sherlock before (the originals of Doyle) and loved it. I don't know whether my dislike was a function of this being another writer or if I have outgrown it.
For example, the story about un-hatching the plot against England by some anarchists, that Sherlock solves within one week. His plan is to go to the anarchists' hangout and befriend them such that they reveal their plans. The final arrest is done on a mere whim without evidence.
If we are picking up such a topic, I would like to see the complexity involved - such as the role bureaucracy typically plays, or how informants are gathered or how actually such plots are explored. Granted, we cannot explore these topics in this format but the hint of them should be there; there is no excuse for glossing over all this unless it's a children's book.
The author fully immerses you though. The introduction reads that these stories are from the lost papers of John Watson. No other "real" prologue is mentioned. That was pretty cool.
But overall these are very romaticised tales lacking any depth. No story is moving enough to stick, it's just ephemeral amusement.
Now, I have read Sherlock before (the originals of Doyle) and loved it. I don't know whether my dislike was a function of this being another writer or if I have outgrown it.
January 8, 2024
A fun read. Very good illustrations.
August 29, 2020
I really liked the idea of this book before I'd even started it. The story behind the stories here is that Dr John Watson and his wife are now dead and the good Dr has left behind 3 deed boxes which contain the tales told here.
Lost Stories feels very much like a true Sherlock Holmes collection and this is helped by the illustrations which look very much like those in the publications of the time SH was originally published.
I've spent a lot of this spring and summer dipping into various Sherlock stories and this collection stands out from the crowd by a good way
Lost Stories feels very much like a true Sherlock Holmes collection and this is helped by the illustrations which look very much like those in the publications of the time SH was originally published.
I've spent a lot of this spring and summer dipping into various Sherlock stories and this collection stands out from the crowd by a good way
February 24, 2015
Being a fan of Sherlock Holmes i found this book and bought it at first instant.
Written by John Watson, well a collection of papers from John Watson the book is in typical Sherlock style.
The book has 9 stories. Some Incidents are good and some just about OK.
I was not disappointed when i finished it but was not entirely enthralled.
I give this book 3/5
Devil D
Written by John Watson, well a collection of papers from John Watson the book is in typical Sherlock style.
The book has 9 stories. Some Incidents are good and some just about OK.
I was not disappointed when i finished it but was not entirely enthralled.
I give this book 3/5
Devil D
April 7, 2020
Quite nice. Stories are charming not than the thrillers by Conan Doyle. The language is a shade more "olden" than Conan Doyle's, that makes it a bit forced as far as the stories are concerned. Excellent for building vocabulary. Overall wonderful reading. Brings back Sherlock Holmes. Thank you for that.
February 2, 2021
The stories do resemble the original stories but still lack the punch. The stories are really easy see throughs and are really easy to guess at. You can pass these short stories and read the original. I am making it a habit to read them after some time .
November 17, 2012
I was very disappointed with this book and by the end I wished that these stories had remained lost.
January 8, 2013
Holmes pastiches are hard to do well and despite the occasional off note, these tales ring pretty true. An enjoyable set of stories that includes the tale of the Giant Rat of Sumatra!
April 11, 2021
The first Sherlock Holmes that I read was a collection of a complete set of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And I am glad that I started with the best Sherlock Holmes author. While I loved the Sherlock Holmes and his cases in this book, I missed the details, plot development, and unpredictability of the books by the other authors. This was the first one by this author and I would dolefully say that I was able to predict the end of many cases; myself being an apathetic observer says a lot. However, it was a good read and anyone who loves the Sherlock world would surely enjoy it.
That being said, some of the things that made me like this book are the cold-blooded murder of the Amazonian Explorer, the backdrop of the experiment in the Giant rat of Sumatra, and the change of bodies in the grave in the Mystery of the Pawnbroker's wife.
That being said, some of the things that made me like this book are the cold-blooded murder of the Amazonian Explorer, the backdrop of the experiment in the Giant rat of Sumatra, and the change of bodies in the grave in the Mystery of the Pawnbroker's wife.
September 17, 2019
“Read” this via an audiobook, it’s the first time listening to an audiobook. Great stories, and good format for shorter stories like Sherlock Holmes. I was a little disappointed about a few of the stories as they weren’t as exciting or interesting as others I have read. It was good for commuting and long road trips.
February 8, 2018
Interesting short stories
April 2, 2018
Good Holmes pastiches.
March 18, 2020
Nice stories.
Sherlock Holmes is my favourite detective. I have read almost all the novels and cases of him. This one is new and I like it very much.
Sherlock Holmes is my favourite detective. I have read almost all the novels and cases of him. This one is new and I like it very much.
November 17, 2020
Ok, but not one I’d reread.
April 24, 2024
fun and a giant rat
April 15, 2016
The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes: 2nd Edition by Tony Reynolds
My thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publications for my review copy of this book. The fans of Sherlock Holmes are in debt to you for your spreading the Holmes stories with more and more wonderful books!
There are nine short stories in this collection, one more than the first edition.
“The Giant Rat of Sumatra” deals with giant rats and a mysterious Chinaman. There is also the grim secret of the deadly miasma from pitchblende, a form of uranium.
“The Adventure of the Gypsy Girl” addresses a fortune teller whose predictions seem to be spot on. Her prediction of bad luck ends with the disappearance of a string of valuable emeralds…
“The Adventure of the Amazonian Explorer” begins with the death of John Anderson, noted explorer. He has a huge conservatory that he has made into a mini Amazonian Rainforest, complete with plants, animals, and insects found only in the region of the Amazon. The story could possibly be “The Repulsive Red Leech” mentioned in passing in GOLD.
“The Adventure of the Medium” brings Holmes and Watson to the séance table. Mr. James Murchison fears that his wife is being deceived by a Madam Beverly. The Murchisons’ son Thomas was lost in South Africa during the Boer War. Madame Beverly is channeling his spirit…
“The Adventure of the Cricketers” concerns the team of the Gentlemen of England. Casper Buchanan’s wife Agnes has been murdered. A fellow Cricketer, Charles Thorton of the Incogniti Club has been accused of the murder, as he had his roving eye on Mrs. Buchanan. Buchanan has a solid alibi for the time of his wife’s death…
“The Adventure of the Russian Anarchist” starts with a summons from Lord Hawkesbury of the Foreign Office. A Russian citizen, Prince Peter Kropotkin is suspected of espionage. With the unrest in Russia, anarchists have come to England to make plans for attacks on the Tsar…
“The Adventure of the Eminent Collector” introduces Sir Simon Hardwick, a crotchety but respected collector of Elizabethan documents. He has been buying a series of parchment letters from that time period from an Italian named Signor Ladrazzo. The Italian was viciously attacked and wounded in the head. The letter was stolen, and Sir Simon’s aide, Miss Latimer dressed his wounds. Sir Simon wants the letter recovered and fast!
“The Adventure of the Pawnbroker’s Wife” is brought to 221B by Miss Marie Franklin. The neighboring pawnbroker, a Mr. Sharpe, has lost his wife. Sharpe was gone away on business and found her body upon his return. Now he has turned his attention to Miss Franklin, pressing her father for her hand in marriage. But something about the whole thing has made the young woman suspicious…
Last, but not least, “The Mystery of the Missing Rubies” takes place at Christmas, 1893. Holmes and Mycroft have been invited to pass the holiday at their cousins in Yorkshire. At Holmes’ insistence, Watson comes along as well. While Watson is examining a fort built for the young child of the family, a necklace of rubies goes missing…
All said the stories are well written. They vary a bit as to how much they ring true as Dr. Watson’s writing, but overall the book is well worth it.
I give this book four stars…
Quoth the Raven…
My thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publications for my review copy of this book. The fans of Sherlock Holmes are in debt to you for your spreading the Holmes stories with more and more wonderful books!
There are nine short stories in this collection, one more than the first edition.
“The Giant Rat of Sumatra” deals with giant rats and a mysterious Chinaman. There is also the grim secret of the deadly miasma from pitchblende, a form of uranium.
“The Adventure of the Gypsy Girl” addresses a fortune teller whose predictions seem to be spot on. Her prediction of bad luck ends with the disappearance of a string of valuable emeralds…
“The Adventure of the Amazonian Explorer” begins with the death of John Anderson, noted explorer. He has a huge conservatory that he has made into a mini Amazonian Rainforest, complete with plants, animals, and insects found only in the region of the Amazon. The story could possibly be “The Repulsive Red Leech” mentioned in passing in GOLD.
“The Adventure of the Medium” brings Holmes and Watson to the séance table. Mr. James Murchison fears that his wife is being deceived by a Madam Beverly. The Murchisons’ son Thomas was lost in South Africa during the Boer War. Madame Beverly is channeling his spirit…
“The Adventure of the Cricketers” concerns the team of the Gentlemen of England. Casper Buchanan’s wife Agnes has been murdered. A fellow Cricketer, Charles Thorton of the Incogniti Club has been accused of the murder, as he had his roving eye on Mrs. Buchanan. Buchanan has a solid alibi for the time of his wife’s death…
“The Adventure of the Russian Anarchist” starts with a summons from Lord Hawkesbury of the Foreign Office. A Russian citizen, Prince Peter Kropotkin is suspected of espionage. With the unrest in Russia, anarchists have come to England to make plans for attacks on the Tsar…
“The Adventure of the Eminent Collector” introduces Sir Simon Hardwick, a crotchety but respected collector of Elizabethan documents. He has been buying a series of parchment letters from that time period from an Italian named Signor Ladrazzo. The Italian was viciously attacked and wounded in the head. The letter was stolen, and Sir Simon’s aide, Miss Latimer dressed his wounds. Sir Simon wants the letter recovered and fast!
“The Adventure of the Pawnbroker’s Wife” is brought to 221B by Miss Marie Franklin. The neighboring pawnbroker, a Mr. Sharpe, has lost his wife. Sharpe was gone away on business and found her body upon his return. Now he has turned his attention to Miss Franklin, pressing her father for her hand in marriage. But something about the whole thing has made the young woman suspicious…
Last, but not least, “The Mystery of the Missing Rubies” takes place at Christmas, 1893. Holmes and Mycroft have been invited to pass the holiday at their cousins in Yorkshire. At Holmes’ insistence, Watson comes along as well. While Watson is examining a fort built for the young child of the family, a necklace of rubies goes missing…
All said the stories are well written. They vary a bit as to how much they ring true as Dr. Watson’s writing, but overall the book is well worth it.
I give this book four stars…
Quoth the Raven…
July 8, 2018
Have always enjoyed the genius of Sherlock Homes, ably companioned by Dr Watson.
These short stories which were apparently not brought to the fore of public eyes, because the associated parties didn't want them to be publicised - is a pretty intriguing collection.
Good read for fans of Sherlock Homes!
These short stories which were apparently not brought to the fore of public eyes, because the associated parties didn't want them to be publicised - is a pretty intriguing collection.
Good read for fans of Sherlock Homes!
April 22, 2012
One of the best Sherlock Holmes pastiches I have ever read. The author mimics Watson's voice flawlessly and the illustrations capture Paget's work beautifully. Overall I'd highly recommend this book for any Holmes fan.
December 29, 2010
If you have read all the Sherlock Holmes stories and wished that there were more then this small collection of additional stories will do the trick - almost as if Conan Doyle had penned them himself.
January 14, 2014
really good. The writing style emulated arthur conan doyle incredibly well
June 20, 2014
Well written, though I listened to this as an audio book, the stories work really well and I always like to find a really good pastiche author and Tony is very good.
May 26, 2018
starts poorly...but the stories get progressively better
September 5, 2014
It's alway a joy to find a book of short stories where every one of them is good. Excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews