The Remarkable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

by Mike Adamson

"Holmes is the quintessential force for the fierce intellect capable of resolving the most complex problems and doing so for us, his fellow citizens of that London suspended forever in time, somewhere between 1881 and the First World War. These were more innocent times in some ways, perhaps, or times that just seemed simpler to us in contrast to the chaos of the modern age (they really weren’t), and to walk through the pages of history offers a safe perspective. Holmes and Watson are our guides to this age, then, and we can feel entirely safe in their company".

Assembled here for the first time are ten adventures of the Great Detective from Sherlockian author Mike Adamson (Sherlock A Tradition of Evil), each one carefully crafted and curated for the canonical

The Mystery of the Extraneous CadaverHis Wonders to PerformThe Price of a LifeThe Dark Streets *The Babbington InheritanceA Very Lethal MercyA Temptation Irresistible *Lord Berresford's Indiscretion *The Shadow of the NewA Damnation in Negative* unique to this volume

Many of these stories have appeared in collections from Belanger Books and MX Publishing, as well as Strand Magazine and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. The adventure "A Temptation Irresistible" was originally published in Strand Magazine under the title "The Affair of the Russian Violinist" in a substantially rewritten version. We present the original version of the story here, which is closer to the author's style and intent.

332 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2024

Reviews

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book contains ten traditional pastiches of varying length. Several of these have got published in various anthologies previously, receiving accolades from Sherlockians. They are well-researched, well-written, and original in plotting. Most importantly, the author has unflinchingly dwelt upon various social evils and the dark heart throbbing behind the glitter of London— something which Sir ACD had carefully glossed over.
Above all, through several chilling tales, the author has indicated the rise of the Napoleon of Crime— as he would come to be known.
Solid collection. Recommended.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories about Sherlock Holmes and Watson, set in their earliest years. Overall the tone and setting feels pretty well done. The language is pretty good, although Watson's writing reads more like an Oxford Don with some odd uses of words than an army surgeon's. Overall Watson is not done very well. He's too smart, too capable, and too willing to blow his own horn rather than promoting Holmes. Watson is a very humble, self-effacing hero worshipper.

The mysteries are not badly done, and Holmes is capable enough if somewhat a minor character somehow, but the stories are not very stellar depictions of mental gymnastics, and little deductive reasoning is involved in most cases. Holmes does not leap ahead of everyone else, he methodically gathers clues and comes to reasonable conclusions.

But the main flaw I found was that the author in every single story injects their modern sensibilities and worldview into the past. Every single tale is one chosen modern ideal at its core: evolution, women's rights, the plight of the workers who need a union, etc. And its all along these kind of left wing lines, without being too heavy handed, just.. not Doyle's or naturally the worldview of Holmes or Watson in the original stories.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

great set of stories, Loved Them!!!