Sherlock Holmes and the Pandemic of Death: Sherlock Holmes and the American Literati, Book 7

by Daniel D. Victor

Quarantines, masks, death—terms familiar to anyone who faced the so-called Spanish flu of 1918. Worldwide, it is estimated that the horrifying influenza killed more than 50 million people, significantly more than did the guns of the Great War, which was just then coming to a close. And yet no one has ever heard from Sherlock Holmes or Dr. Watson concerning their own experiences surviving the terrible virus—until now.

In a recently discovered manuscript, Dr. Watson reveals the secret that for years had kept him silent about the deadly pandemic. Only when he meets the eccentric American novelist Sinclair Lewis is the truth pried free and the story of an ingenious murder revealed.

Audible Audio

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

Daniel D. Victor is a retired high school teacher who lives with his wife and two sons in his native Los Angeles, California. A graduate of Fairfax High School, he earned his BA at UC Berkeley, his MA at California State University, Los Angeles, and his Ph.D. in American Literature at the Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, CA. His doctoral dissertation, THE MUCKRAKER AND THE DANDY: THE CONFLICTING PERSONAE OF DAVID GRAHAM PHILLIPS, led to the creation of the Sherlock Holmes pastiche THE SEVENTH BULLET. Originally published as a Thomas Dunne Book by St. Martin's Press in 1992, it was reprinted in paperback by Titan Books, UK, in 2010 as part of its series, "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," and translated into Russian in 2012. The novel's first two chapters also appeared in Cold Mountain Review, Appalachian State University. In addition to his writing, Victor has won numerous teaching awards including an independent study grant offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as admission to two NEH summer seminars, one at UC Berkeley, the other at Oxford University in Oxford, England. Victor's second novel, A STUDY IN SYNCHRONICITY, is a murder mystery with a two-stranded plot, one of which features a Sherlock Holmes-like private detective. Victor's second Holmes novel, THE FINAL PAGE OF BAKER STREET, in which Holmes finds the young Raymond Chandler working for him as a pageboy, was published in 2014. It is the first volume of his series, "Sherlock Holmes and the American Literati," produced by MX Publishing. The second, THE BARON OF BREDE PLACE (2015), introduces Holmes to novelist Stephen Crane; the third, SEVENTEEN MINUTES TO BAKER STREET (2016), presents Mark Twain; and the fourth, THE OUTRAGE AT THE DIOGENES CLUB (2016), involves Jack London. Victor has also contributed short stories about Holme to the anthologies, THE MX BOOK OF NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES STORIES, BEYOND WATSON, and HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME.

Reviews

[Thomas Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest entry in Daniel D. Victor’s excellent “American Literati” series concerns the dreadful influenza pandemic that followed World War I. While it is therefore topical, Victor does not merely trade upon the current worldwide crisis. His narrative outlines 1918 methods of treating influenza, deepens our understanding of the enduring Holmes-and-Watson friendship, and (as always) presents an entertaining portrait of an American writer. This time it is Sinclair Lewis, who comes to postwar London to research the medical novel, Arrowsmith, for which he will win—and reject—the Pulitzer Prize. Not altogether an attractive character, “Red” Lewis exhibits traits that can make visitors from the United States unwelcome. (Prior to Sherlock, for example, no one but Mycroft was allowed to call Holmes by that name.) Worse, Lewis and his medical advisor, microbiologist Paul de Kruif (Microbe Hunters), interfere in the investigation Holmes conducts on their behalf. Its subject is one Watson finds particularly painful: the death of a young colleague for which he holds himself responsible. Other well-drawn characters play their parts: a renowned pathologist whose personality is best-suited to working with the dead, a Scotland Yard successor of Gregson and Lestrade, and the dependable young housekeeper who looks after thrice-widowed Dr. Watson. Once more, Dan Victor has blended literary, historical, and Sherlockian elements into a thoroughly satisfying read. Long may his American Literati continue to delight us!

[Aneesha Shewani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes and the Pandemic of Death is a fascinating story that makes for a good weekend read. Evocative of the writing style of the original writer of the Sherlock Holmes series, this is a fast-paced and intriguing story from the years after the Spanish Flu of 1918. Relevant to our times, as the world grapples with Covid-19 outbreaks and seeks answers from past pandemics, many will find this book fascinating.

Dr. Watson is grappling with certain misconceptions even after the end of the pandemic. He is forced to confront his notions by Sinclair Lewis, who arrives at his doorstep with questions on Watson's experiments and experiences at the height of the catastrophe. American writer Lewis, the author of the famous medical work, Arrowhead, arrives wielding pen and paper. He is making inquiries to collect material to include in his next novel.

Insightful discussions between Lewis and Watson throw much light on the course of the pandemic. It is interesting that even after a century, the means and methods of addressing an air-borne viral disease haven't changed much. Garrulous Lewis and a reluctant Watson are eventually joined by a dapper Holmes.

Once Holmes steps in, we have a mystery on our hands. He swiftly moves into interviewing, investigating, and in his inimitable style, revealing answers. Does the investigation help Watson to clear the murkiness of the past that is troubling him? Read this racy mystery to know more.

A good part of the book covers scientific terminologies and facts. The characters are well-developed and add to the charm of the novel. A lot of research has gone into this book. The narrative is smooth and entertaining, doing justice to the legacy of Doyle's writings. Historical facts and people mingle with an imaginative rendering of a story from the time of the Spanish flu, featuring the lovable duo of Watson and Holmes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the flawless writing style, and recommend it to all craving another Holmes detective story.