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Sherlock Holmes and The Other Detective
When Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson return to London after a fortnight away, they are met with an unsettling mystery. Clients who sought their help have now withdrawn their requests, claiming another detective has solved their problems.
The newspapers are filled with praise for this new detective who is named Mr Clarence O’Connell. According to reports, he has cracked cases that Holmes supposedly ignored. But something about O’Connell does not sit right with Holmes. Who is this man, and why does he seem determined to outshine the great detective?
As Holmes and Watson investigate further, they uncover a troubling pattern that suggests O’Connell is not merely solving cases but orchestrating something far more sinister. With Holmes’ reputation hanging in the balance and a dangerous scheme unfolding, can he unmask the truth before his latest adversary succeeds in bringing him down?
The newspapers are filled with praise for this new detective who is named Mr Clarence O’Connell. According to reports, he has cracked cases that Holmes supposedly ignored. But something about O’Connell does not sit right with Holmes. Who is this man, and why does he seem determined to outshine the great detective?
As Holmes and Watson investigate further, they uncover a troubling pattern that suggests O’Connell is not merely solving cases but orchestrating something far more sinister. With Holmes’ reputation hanging in the balance and a dangerous scheme unfolding, can he unmask the truth before his latest adversary succeeds in bringing him down?
94 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2025
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3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 27, 2025
Entertaining Holmes listening 🤓🙄
This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book nine of nine
Sherlock Holmes is losing case to a new detective that is solving cases. They work out the truth leading to the arrest of the game.
I would recommend this series and author to fans of Sherlock Holmes and British mystery novels 🏙😯 2025 🎶🤔
This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book nine of nine
Sherlock Holmes is losing case to a new detective that is solving cases. They work out the truth leading to the arrest of the game.
I would recommend this series and author to fans of Sherlock Holmes and British mystery novels 🏙😯 2025 🎶🤔
July 28, 2025
I find that Sherlock Holmes pastiches are kind of like cover songs. Sometimes you get something fresh and exciting that honors the original, and other times you’re left wondering if the artist even listened to the source material. This book leans much more toward the respectful homage end of the spectrum, though it does wander a bit from the familiar formula.
Right out of the gate, one big shift is the point of view. If you’re used to hearing Holmes’ adventures through the warm, loyal (and slightly exasperated) voice of Dr. Watson, the third-person narration here may feel like someone moved your favorite chair just a little to the left. It’s not wrong—it’s still a chair—but it’s just… off. Watson has always served as our emotional anchor. He’s the guy with the heart and the awe, the one who gives us those quiet internal moments that remind us Holmes is both brilliant and maddening. Without his internal monologue, the story feels more clinical, more detached—like watching the action through a pane of Victorian glass.
That said, Swift is no amateur. Her writing is elegant and precise, and she clearly knows her Holmes. There’s a lot of reverence here for Conan Doyle’s work. You can feel it in the way she constructs the mysteries—there’s a real appreciation for the classic breadcrumb trail, that slow reveal that keeps you just slightly off balance until everything clicks into place at the end. The conclusion in this story is both clever and satisfying. I genuinely didn’t see it coming, and that’s not an easy feat for a Holmes devotee who’s read more locked-room mysteries than I care to admit.
The big twist here—and what gives this story its name—is the introduction of a second consulting detective, a rival to Holmes. This was probably the most inventive and entertaining part of the book. Watching Holmes wrestle (in his own restrained way) with jealousy and professional rivalry added a human layer to his famously aloof persona. It was refreshing to see Holmes challenged not just by a complex case, but by the uncomfortable presence of someone who might be just as sharp as he is. And watching how Watson navigates that tension—his loyalty tested, his curiosity piqued—was a nice wrinkle in the usual dynamic.
The rival detective is well-drawn, too. Swift avoids the trap of turning this new character into a cartoonish foil. Instead, we get someone whose methods are distinct but believable, someone who actually earns their spot on the stage. The push-and-pull between the two sleuths adds a layer of psychological drama to the plot that I really enjoyed. Holmes doesn’t exactly get knocked off his pedestal, but it’s fun to watch someone else get close enough to make him sweat.
If I had one real gripe beyond the narrative perspective, it’s that the emotional tone feels a bit cool. That probably ties back to the third-person voice, but there were moments when I wanted more warmth, more tension, more passion—especially from Watson. He’s present, yes, but I missed his inner fire, the thing that makes him more than just Holmes’ shadow. Swift nails the FORM of the stories, but some of the FEELING got left behind.
Still, for all that, this is a solid addition to the Holmesian bookshelf. It plays by the rules while introducing a twist that’s engaging without being gimmicky. Swift clearly respects the source material, but she’s not afraid to stir the pot just a little—and honestly, it’s those tiny deviations that keep these stories fresh.
So if you’re the kind of reader who enjoys seeing how far an author can stretch the Holmes template without snapping it in two, this one’s worth your time. It’s clever, respectful, and full of the kind of mystery mechanics that made you fall in love with Baker Street in the first place—even if the voice telling the story isn’t quite the one you’re used to hearing.
Right out of the gate, one big shift is the point of view. If you’re used to hearing Holmes’ adventures through the warm, loyal (and slightly exasperated) voice of Dr. Watson, the third-person narration here may feel like someone moved your favorite chair just a little to the left. It’s not wrong—it’s still a chair—but it’s just… off. Watson has always served as our emotional anchor. He’s the guy with the heart and the awe, the one who gives us those quiet internal moments that remind us Holmes is both brilliant and maddening. Without his internal monologue, the story feels more clinical, more detached—like watching the action through a pane of Victorian glass.
That said, Swift is no amateur. Her writing is elegant and precise, and she clearly knows her Holmes. There’s a lot of reverence here for Conan Doyle’s work. You can feel it in the way she constructs the mysteries—there’s a real appreciation for the classic breadcrumb trail, that slow reveal that keeps you just slightly off balance until everything clicks into place at the end. The conclusion in this story is both clever and satisfying. I genuinely didn’t see it coming, and that’s not an easy feat for a Holmes devotee who’s read more locked-room mysteries than I care to admit.
The big twist here—and what gives this story its name—is the introduction of a second consulting detective, a rival to Holmes. This was probably the most inventive and entertaining part of the book. Watching Holmes wrestle (in his own restrained way) with jealousy and professional rivalry added a human layer to his famously aloof persona. It was refreshing to see Holmes challenged not just by a complex case, but by the uncomfortable presence of someone who might be just as sharp as he is. And watching how Watson navigates that tension—his loyalty tested, his curiosity piqued—was a nice wrinkle in the usual dynamic.
The rival detective is well-drawn, too. Swift avoids the trap of turning this new character into a cartoonish foil. Instead, we get someone whose methods are distinct but believable, someone who actually earns their spot on the stage. The push-and-pull between the two sleuths adds a layer of psychological drama to the plot that I really enjoyed. Holmes doesn’t exactly get knocked off his pedestal, but it’s fun to watch someone else get close enough to make him sweat.
If I had one real gripe beyond the narrative perspective, it’s that the emotional tone feels a bit cool. That probably ties back to the third-person voice, but there were moments when I wanted more warmth, more tension, more passion—especially from Watson. He’s present, yes, but I missed his inner fire, the thing that makes him more than just Holmes’ shadow. Swift nails the FORM of the stories, but some of the FEELING got left behind.
Still, for all that, this is a solid addition to the Holmesian bookshelf. It plays by the rules while introducing a twist that’s engaging without being gimmicky. Swift clearly respects the source material, but she’s not afraid to stir the pot just a little—and honestly, it’s those tiny deviations that keep these stories fresh.
So if you’re the kind of reader who enjoys seeing how far an author can stretch the Holmes template without snapping it in two, this one’s worth your time. It’s clever, respectful, and full of the kind of mystery mechanics that made you fall in love with Baker Street in the first place—even if the voice telling the story isn’t quite the one you’re used to hearing.
February 26, 2025
Another fun Holmes story
Holmes and Watson return from solving a case that had kept them out of town for two weeks. As they settle in to Baker Street and go through the accumulated mail they find a pair of letters that came in their absence asking for help but then followed up by letters saying never mind another detective has solved their problem. When Holmes starts to dig into this he finds an ever deepening mystery that is aimed at harming his reputation. A surprise ending making for an excellent read.
Holmes and Watson return from solving a case that had kept them out of town for two weeks. As they settle in to Baker Street and go through the accumulated mail they find a pair of letters that came in their absence asking for help but then followed up by letters saying never mind another detective has solved their problem. When Holmes starts to dig into this he finds an ever deepening mystery that is aimed at harming his reputation. A surprise ending making for an excellent read.
August 29, 2025
This a great tale written in true ACD fashion. The mystery holds you until the end where Holmes gets to show off his skills in masquerade and hand to hand combat. Unfortunately, it only gets a 4 from me because of language out of time by some of the characters, and a few editing errors. Still, well worth the read!
March 26, 2025
Fun Story
This book needs pictures. It's A really fun short story of someone appearing to rival Sherlock Holmes, while simultaneously undermining the Great Detective's reputation.
I finished this while in the doctors waiting room. Never enjoyed the wait so much...
Christa
This book needs pictures. It's A really fun short story of someone appearing to rival Sherlock Holmes, while simultaneously undermining the Great Detective's reputation.
I finished this while in the doctors waiting room. Never enjoyed the wait so much...
Christa
February 27, 2025
Too little
Not enough discussion of he background story rushed and incomplete examination. Was justice served. Not enough holmesian analysis took place.
Not enough discussion of he background story rushed and incomplete examination. Was justice served. Not enough holmesian analysis took place.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews