What do you think?
Rate this book
Holmes: Volume 1
Six short stories inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. What if Sherlock Holmes, with his dry wit and natural predilection for data, deduction and logic, had been born on Teesside and lived in present-day Middlesbrough?
This smart-arse Boro lad hides his talents under a bushel of misdirection, self-deprecation and good old Teesside sarcasm, served up with some rather coarse language.
With the assistance of his associate, Doctor John Watson, a psychologist he met during some court-ordered counselling sessions, Holmes wends his way through a string of adventures, baffling and entertaining as he goes, with many a three-pint problem solved over his favourite libation, a pint of Engineer’s Thumb in the Twisted Lip, before he staggers back to Flat 1B, 22 Baker Street, Middlesbrough.
This smart-arse Boro lad hides his talents under a bushel of misdirection, self-deprecation and good old Teesside sarcasm, served up with some rather coarse language.
With the assistance of his associate, Doctor John Watson, a psychologist he met during some court-ordered counselling sessions, Holmes wends his way through a string of adventures, baffling and entertaining as he goes, with many a three-pint problem solved over his favourite libation, a pint of Engineer’s Thumb in the Twisted Lip, before he staggers back to Flat 1B, 22 Baker Street, Middlesbrough.
227 pages, Paperback
Published November 20, 2015
4 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Melvyn Small
7 books4 followersBorn in Stockton-on-Tees in the North East of England and raised in nearby Billingham, Mel left school at 16 to train as a civil engineering technician within the engineering department of the local authority, Cleveland County Council. Continuing his education he gained certificates in a number of civil engineering qualifications including a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Structural Engineering. After 14 years Mel drew a finally draughted line under the world of hydraulic modelling and roundabout design and undertook a Master of Science degree in information processing, before commencing a career in information technology.
It is perhaps Mel’s technical upbringing and his drafting of countless technical reports and specifications that give him a succinct and efficient writing style that lends itself to the fast-paced short stories he has had published to date. This layered with the gin-dry humour, garnered from a Teesside upbringing, provides a thoroughly entertaining read.
His latest book Holmes Volume 1 provides a twist on eponymous Sherlock Holmes in a series of short stories that place the famous character in modern-day Middlesbrough. In these comical escapades Sherlock Holmes is a working class Teessider who swears, drinks beer and solves the most puzzling of mysteries as he and Doctor Watson wend their way around the North East of England.
It is perhaps Mel’s technical upbringing and his drafting of countless technical reports and specifications that give him a succinct and efficient writing style that lends itself to the fast-paced short stories he has had published to date. This layered with the gin-dry humour, garnered from a Teesside upbringing, provides a thoroughly entertaining read.
His latest book Holmes Volume 1 provides a twist on eponymous Sherlock Holmes in a series of short stories that place the famous character in modern-day Middlesbrough. In these comical escapades Sherlock Holmes is a working class Teessider who swears, drinks beer and solves the most puzzling of mysteries as he and Doctor Watson wend their way around the North East of England.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 31, 2016
Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Cohan Doyle, has been brought bang up to date in this remaking of six classic stories written by Melvyn Small.
Just like in most of the original books, Sherlock is narrated by Dr. John Watson, who this time is a psychiatrist, rather than a physician. Jeans, hoodie and trainers wearing Sherlock, who is a convicted computer hacker, is solving crimes in his home town of Middlesborough, Teeside, using the same deduction techniques as the original Sherlock.
The book starts with the case ‘A Scandal in Boro’, a play on the original story ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’. Approached by two FBI agents, Sherlock is asked to locate a stolen file. Hot on the heels of the thief, he meets Irene Adler, but Irene will become known as the only person capable of outwitting him.
Throughout the short stories, Holmes and Watson have incredibly dry banter between them, banter that will often have you smirking, if not laughing. The connection between the two is as strong as it is in the original books. The two bounce off one another, especially when they are mulling over cases in the pub, whilst downing many pints of ‘Engineers Thumb’, most often at Watson’s expense.
Melvyn Small has also included some of the original characters, such as Inspector Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, and John Openshawe, to name but a few, to give it that authentic feel.
The stories are all engaging, and if you have watched ‘Sherlock’ the television programme, you will find yourself imagining Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman throughout, it’s hard not to.
The cases are all interesting. I especially liked ‘The Goldfish Bowl’ with the seven redheaded teenagers, and the game show, or to be more precise, no game show. I’m still in awe as to how Sherlock comes to the conclusions he does, with little to go on.
I loved this book, it is one of the best books I have read this year, perhaps helped by the fact that I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
Just like in most of the original books, Sherlock is narrated by Dr. John Watson, who this time is a psychiatrist, rather than a physician. Jeans, hoodie and trainers wearing Sherlock, who is a convicted computer hacker, is solving crimes in his home town of Middlesborough, Teeside, using the same deduction techniques as the original Sherlock.
The book starts with the case ‘A Scandal in Boro’, a play on the original story ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’. Approached by two FBI agents, Sherlock is asked to locate a stolen file. Hot on the heels of the thief, he meets Irene Adler, but Irene will become known as the only person capable of outwitting him.
Throughout the short stories, Holmes and Watson have incredibly dry banter between them, banter that will often have you smirking, if not laughing. The connection between the two is as strong as it is in the original books. The two bounce off one another, especially when they are mulling over cases in the pub, whilst downing many pints of ‘Engineers Thumb’, most often at Watson’s expense.
Melvyn Small has also included some of the original characters, such as Inspector Lestrade, Mrs Hudson, and John Openshawe, to name but a few, to give it that authentic feel.
The stories are all engaging, and if you have watched ‘Sherlock’ the television programme, you will find yourself imagining Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman throughout, it’s hard not to.
The cases are all interesting. I especially liked ‘The Goldfish Bowl’ with the seven redheaded teenagers, and the game show, or to be more precise, no game show. I’m still in awe as to how Sherlock comes to the conclusions he does, with little to go on.
I loved this book, it is one of the best books I have read this year, perhaps helped by the fact that I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
November 6, 2022
BLOG TOUR FOR
MELVYN SMALL - THE ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE (formally named Volume 1)
Blurb -
THE ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE
• Thrown together by the British legal system, Holmes and his court appointed psychologist, Dr John Watson, seem an unlikely pairing... but sometimes the stars align. Our two heroes are soon drawn into a series of riotous adventures that both bewilder and beguile. Holmes' mastery of data, deduction and logic combines with his gin-dry wit and a casual contempt for life-threatening danger to ensure there is never a dull moment as he and the good doctor battle the mysteries that have the local constabulary baffled. The game is afoot... oh yes!
Review -
• Melvyn Small is the author of his take on the Sherlock Holmes series, a modern twist on the enigmatic detective - a swearing, beer drinking, working class Teessider, who together with his court appointed psychologist Dr John Watson, solve local mysteries that can be either just puzzling or at times, quite fatal.
• I loved that Holmes is a Teessider, a local area to me and one that I know well. Recognising the places mentioned in Middlesbrough and the traditional local Parmo meal which Holmes frequently enjoys, made me feel a genuine connection with the story and the characters personalities.
• The opening pages of “The Accidental Detective” shows how Holmes and Watson became acquainted and how their friendship and partnership developed, which started with a break-in at the local boutique ‘Hud Couture’. There’s a few mysteries to solve in the book, which do connect together nicely by the end and are typical of Holmes’ detective work.
• How the author combined connections to Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation of Holmes, to actual street and places in Middlesbrough was truly imaginative. Drinking Sherlock’s favourite real ale in the ‘Twisted Lip’ - an actual pub in Middlesbrough - is also the title of a published story in Conan Doyle’s repertoire of tales and it’s brilliant that Melvyn Small has been able to incorporate this into his series too.
• I adored this book from beginning to end, I fell in love with all the characters, there’s just something endearing about Holmes and Watson however they are portrayed and to have Sherlock as a North Easterner was an unexpected bonus.
• Fun to read and an absolute pleasure to meet this cast of characters, I would happily recommend this book/author to detective readers
#TheAccidentalDetective - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• You can purchase “The Accidental Detective” from the following link -
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Accidental-D...
Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources and to the author for my copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.
About the author -
• Born in Stockton-on-Tees and raised in nearby Billingham, Mel left Northfield Comprehensive School at 16, to train as a civil engineering technician at Cleveland County Council Surveyor and Engineer's Department. It was during this time, spent either at a drawing board or on the clever end of a theodolite that, following a rather sharp haircut, he was bestowed the nickname Melvis. Thanks go out to Joan the tea lady for that one! Fortunately Mel is not a vengeful chap and has not once even considered informing HM Revenue and Customs of Joan's illicit below-the-tea-trolley line in Kitkats and Marathons. Whether Mel retains any likeness to the King of Rock 'n' Roll is debatable, however even the most imaginative would now concede he is less Gl Blues and more the Vegas years. Mel loves a parmo. On the completion of his traineeship at the council, which included BTEC qualifications studied on day release at both Cleveland Technical College and Teesside Polytechnic, Mel relinquished his unused right to countersign passport applications and photographs, and left local government for a period of employment in the private sector. This included stays at WS Atkins, WA Fairhurst and perhaps his spiritual home, the now defunct Bullen Consultants Limited. During this period, interrupted by a bachelor's degree in civil and structural engineering at the University of Sheffield, Mel undertook a lot of modelling work. Three-dimensional ground modelling work to be precise, Mel's use of isopachyte analysis being now the thing of legend. A natural engineer, Mel expanded his capability into that of hydraulic engineering soon forming quite a reputation in the fields of both storm water drainage and sewerage design, his skills in this area being such that he soon earned the honorary title of the Shitman. It's no exaggeration to state that Mel has forgotten more about storm water attenuation than most people will ever know. Feeling more inclined to a digital era the modelling shitman left the world of roundabout entry deflection and balancing ponds to embark on a career in information technology. Following a master's degree in information processing at the University of York, he gained employment in the IT department of a large financial services organisation. It wasn't his fault. None of it. Honest. With respect to the written word, Mel's efficient writing style is perhaps the requirement of both engineering and computer science to communicate in a concise manner. The comedy in his literary output being more of a function of a Teesside upbringing. Mel's first foray into the world of creative writing came in the form of slogans for leading tee shirt retailer Shot Dead In The Head. Mel's work included the popular ”What Part Of Theoretical Physics Do You Not Understand?” and “If You Can Read This You Are Too Close”. Upping the word count considerably into that of fictional crime writing, Mel's first printed work Holmes Volume 1 and the imaginatively titled Holmes Volume 2. The reviews for this reimagining of Sherlock Holmes a dry-witted, working class northerner plying his trade in current day Middlesbrough have been amazing. If you would like a copy of these classics including their cult cover art, act quickly, They will soon disappear to be republished as The Accidental Detective series in November 2022. This will include a new volume of stories including The Darlington Substitution. and two new feature length stories. And it doesn’t end there. Mel has now turned his writing skills to music and Project Melv!s. The debut single from this initiative, Provisionally Yours, was released in September 2021 and was followed up with The Perfect EP at the end of 2021. Work on an album of original music is currently underway. It’s shaping up to be something quite special.
• Discover Mel on the following social media links:
• https://www.twitter.com/melsmallwriter
• https://www.indipenned.com/melsmall
• https://www.twitter.com/northernholmes
• https://www.facebook.com/northernholmes
MELVYN SMALL - THE ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE (formally named Volume 1)
Blurb -
THE ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE
• Thrown together by the British legal system, Holmes and his court appointed psychologist, Dr John Watson, seem an unlikely pairing... but sometimes the stars align. Our two heroes are soon drawn into a series of riotous adventures that both bewilder and beguile. Holmes' mastery of data, deduction and logic combines with his gin-dry wit and a casual contempt for life-threatening danger to ensure there is never a dull moment as he and the good doctor battle the mysteries that have the local constabulary baffled. The game is afoot... oh yes!
Review -
• Melvyn Small is the author of his take on the Sherlock Holmes series, a modern twist on the enigmatic detective - a swearing, beer drinking, working class Teessider, who together with his court appointed psychologist Dr John Watson, solve local mysteries that can be either just puzzling or at times, quite fatal.
• I loved that Holmes is a Teessider, a local area to me and one that I know well. Recognising the places mentioned in Middlesbrough and the traditional local Parmo meal which Holmes frequently enjoys, made me feel a genuine connection with the story and the characters personalities.
• The opening pages of “The Accidental Detective” shows how Holmes and Watson became acquainted and how their friendship and partnership developed, which started with a break-in at the local boutique ‘Hud Couture’. There’s a few mysteries to solve in the book, which do connect together nicely by the end and are typical of Holmes’ detective work.
• How the author combined connections to Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation of Holmes, to actual street and places in Middlesbrough was truly imaginative. Drinking Sherlock’s favourite real ale in the ‘Twisted Lip’ - an actual pub in Middlesbrough - is also the title of a published story in Conan Doyle’s repertoire of tales and it’s brilliant that Melvyn Small has been able to incorporate this into his series too.
• I adored this book from beginning to end, I fell in love with all the characters, there’s just something endearing about Holmes and Watson however they are portrayed and to have Sherlock as a North Easterner was an unexpected bonus.
• Fun to read and an absolute pleasure to meet this cast of characters, I would happily recommend this book/author to detective readers
#TheAccidentalDetective - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• You can purchase “The Accidental Detective” from the following link -
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Accidental-D...
Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources and to the author for my copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.
About the author -
• Born in Stockton-on-Tees and raised in nearby Billingham, Mel left Northfield Comprehensive School at 16, to train as a civil engineering technician at Cleveland County Council Surveyor and Engineer's Department. It was during this time, spent either at a drawing board or on the clever end of a theodolite that, following a rather sharp haircut, he was bestowed the nickname Melvis. Thanks go out to Joan the tea lady for that one! Fortunately Mel is not a vengeful chap and has not once even considered informing HM Revenue and Customs of Joan's illicit below-the-tea-trolley line in Kitkats and Marathons. Whether Mel retains any likeness to the King of Rock 'n' Roll is debatable, however even the most imaginative would now concede he is less Gl Blues and more the Vegas years. Mel loves a parmo. On the completion of his traineeship at the council, which included BTEC qualifications studied on day release at both Cleveland Technical College and Teesside Polytechnic, Mel relinquished his unused right to countersign passport applications and photographs, and left local government for a period of employment in the private sector. This included stays at WS Atkins, WA Fairhurst and perhaps his spiritual home, the now defunct Bullen Consultants Limited. During this period, interrupted by a bachelor's degree in civil and structural engineering at the University of Sheffield, Mel undertook a lot of modelling work. Three-dimensional ground modelling work to be precise, Mel's use of isopachyte analysis being now the thing of legend. A natural engineer, Mel expanded his capability into that of hydraulic engineering soon forming quite a reputation in the fields of both storm water drainage and sewerage design, his skills in this area being such that he soon earned the honorary title of the Shitman. It's no exaggeration to state that Mel has forgotten more about storm water attenuation than most people will ever know. Feeling more inclined to a digital era the modelling shitman left the world of roundabout entry deflection and balancing ponds to embark on a career in information technology. Following a master's degree in information processing at the University of York, he gained employment in the IT department of a large financial services organisation. It wasn't his fault. None of it. Honest. With respect to the written word, Mel's efficient writing style is perhaps the requirement of both engineering and computer science to communicate in a concise manner. The comedy in his literary output being more of a function of a Teesside upbringing. Mel's first foray into the world of creative writing came in the form of slogans for leading tee shirt retailer Shot Dead In The Head. Mel's work included the popular ”What Part Of Theoretical Physics Do You Not Understand?” and “If You Can Read This You Are Too Close”. Upping the word count considerably into that of fictional crime writing, Mel's first printed work Holmes Volume 1 and the imaginatively titled Holmes Volume 2. The reviews for this reimagining of Sherlock Holmes a dry-witted, working class northerner plying his trade in current day Middlesbrough have been amazing. If you would like a copy of these classics including their cult cover art, act quickly, They will soon disappear to be republished as The Accidental Detective series in November 2022. This will include a new volume of stories including The Darlington Substitution. and two new feature length stories. And it doesn’t end there. Mel has now turned his writing skills to music and Project Melv!s. The debut single from this initiative, Provisionally Yours, was released in September 2021 and was followed up with The Perfect EP at the end of 2021. Work on an album of original music is currently underway. It’s shaping up to be something quite special.
• Discover Mel on the following social media links:
• https://www.twitter.com/melsmallwriter
• https://www.indipenned.com/melsmall
• https://www.twitter.com/northernholmes
• https://www.facebook.com/northernholmes
March 23, 2016
This was a real treat for me. Something quite different to the books I usually read. I do enjoy short story collections but they tend to be individual standalone stories written by different authors and put together as a collection. This however is a collection of six short stories about the same characters written by the same author and it was a joy!
You should know something about me before we get too far into this review. I really don't like Sherlock Holmes. I've never read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books nor do I want to. If I have stumbled upon a Holmes short story in the past it has always left me feeling cold. I haven't watched any of the recent TV series or films, I'm just not interested. That was until Holmes turned into a Boro lad.
The book contains 6 short stories but the way they are written, the way they cross over and flow seamlessly meant I didn't feel like I was reading a collection of individual stories.
So, Sherlock Holmes, the northern bloke. I loved him. He's well written and believable. Everytime he spoke, he spoke with a Boro accent in my head. The rest of the characters are just as well written; Dr John Watson and Martha for example.
It must be quite a challenge for a writer to take someone else's character (especially one as well known as Sherlock Holmes) and turn them into your own. Melvyn Small has produced a sterling effort in this anthology. I was pleased to read that Volume 2 is on it's way in 2016. I, for one, will certainly be purchasing a copy.
Four out of five stars.
Many thanks to Melvyn Small for providing me with a copy of Holmes Volume 1 in exchange for an honest review.
You should know something about me before we get too far into this review. I really don't like Sherlock Holmes. I've never read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books nor do I want to. If I have stumbled upon a Holmes short story in the past it has always left me feeling cold. I haven't watched any of the recent TV series or films, I'm just not interested. That was until Holmes turned into a Boro lad.
The book contains 6 short stories but the way they are written, the way they cross over and flow seamlessly meant I didn't feel like I was reading a collection of individual stories.
So, Sherlock Holmes, the northern bloke. I loved him. He's well written and believable. Everytime he spoke, he spoke with a Boro accent in my head. The rest of the characters are just as well written; Dr John Watson and Martha for example.
It must be quite a challenge for a writer to take someone else's character (especially one as well known as Sherlock Holmes) and turn them into your own. Melvyn Small has produced a sterling effort in this anthology. I was pleased to read that Volume 2 is on it's way in 2016. I, for one, will certainly be purchasing a copy.
Four out of five stars.
Many thanks to Melvyn Small for providing me with a copy of Holmes Volume 1 in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2017
I have never read a Sherlock Holmes book….ever. So reading Melvyn Small’s light-hearted take on the classic mystery novels was like a brief introduction but I know deep down it wasn’t the real thing. He not only brought Mr Holmes and Dr Watson in to the modern age but he’s transported them from the bright lights of London to his native Teeside and in particularly Middlesbrough.
I, like many, am familiar with some of the investigations Holmes and Watson faced through the BBC adaption “Sherlock” which I do love. I don’t think this was a detriment to my reading experience but my image of the stories playing out had the cast of Sherlock as the characters in the story. It was quite amusing trying to imagine Benedict Cumberbatch doing a north eastern accent which I did give up on in the end.
The author did an great job of adapting the Victorian and Edwardian stories into the modern day surroundings, turning Mr Holmes into the criminal he probably would be given his methods of detection (mainly computer hacking). I found the author’s writing style really easy to read – I whizzed through it over a few evenings. The book is a set of six individual short stories but there is an overriding story arc running through the whole book.. And don’t expect a nice wrapped up happy ending – the author is naughty in that respect and left one whopper of a cliff hanger – I’ll be hunting out Volume 2 for that conclusion.
If you fancy a light-hearted entertaining read featuring possibly the world’s most famous detective but not quite as you know him, you can’t go far wrong with Melvyn Small’s Holmes Volume 1.
Many thanks to the author and Crimebookjunkie for my copy of Holmes Volume 1.
I, like many, am familiar with some of the investigations Holmes and Watson faced through the BBC adaption “Sherlock” which I do love. I don’t think this was a detriment to my reading experience but my image of the stories playing out had the cast of Sherlock as the characters in the story. It was quite amusing trying to imagine Benedict Cumberbatch doing a north eastern accent which I did give up on in the end.
The author did an great job of adapting the Victorian and Edwardian stories into the modern day surroundings, turning Mr Holmes into the criminal he probably would be given his methods of detection (mainly computer hacking). I found the author’s writing style really easy to read – I whizzed through it over a few evenings. The book is a set of six individual short stories but there is an overriding story arc running through the whole book.. And don’t expect a nice wrapped up happy ending – the author is naughty in that respect and left one whopper of a cliff hanger – I’ll be hunting out Volume 2 for that conclusion.
If you fancy a light-hearted entertaining read featuring possibly the world’s most famous detective but not quite as you know him, you can’t go far wrong with Melvyn Small’s Holmes Volume 1.
Many thanks to the author and Crimebookjunkie for my copy of Holmes Volume 1.
November 9, 2022
For those who have ever been annoyed to have bought a book only to discover they already have it but published under a different title, be warned, this, The Accidental Detective was originally published under the somewhat less imaginative title of Holmes Volume 1.
Whilst there are doubtlessly countless numbers of people who will/have enjoyed this book; liking the re-imaging Holmes and Watson; enjoying the banter between them, for myself personally ...
Not an altogether un-engaging collection of short stories, I did enjoy that the author included some of the original characters and that there was a nod to some of the things we associate with Holmes, however ...
Whilst I have managed to get my head around other re-imaginings of Holmes {some more so than others} alas, try as I might, I just couldn't buy into this author's version of him, not the way he had him dressed; not where he had him live {not that I have anything against Middlesbrough which is a mere 41miles/66km from my home town city of Newcastle, I just can't imaging Holmes residing there}; not that he had him a sexual being {oddly enough, I think I'd actually have it found it easier to have found he and Watson were in a Gay relationship} and, most of all, most definitely not the way he had him peppering his sentences with a barrage of expletives which sadly was the thing that clouded my whole reading of The Accidental Detective. But then it can't be an easy task to take such an iconic, widely read character as Holmes and make him your own and and in this respect, all credit to the author who without a doubt made this Holmes his own.
Narrated, as in the originals by Watson, this is a collection of six stories brought bang up to date. I'm not a big fan of short stories but in the books favour these stories flowed together so beautifully; so seamlessly, that it really didn't feel as if I was reading a series of short stories but rather a complete novel. That it ended with 'Not the end ... Holmes will be returning in The Song Of The Swan'; good news for fans of the book I suppose, at least they know there will be another outing for Holmes. However, for those who aren't into cliff-hangers, this one book ends on a massive one.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... One of several bloggers participating in the blog tour of this book. The thoughts shared are mine and mine alone. In no way was I influenced and nor was there any financial compensation asked for or given
Whilst there are doubtlessly countless numbers of people who will/have enjoyed this book; liking the re-imaging Holmes and Watson; enjoying the banter between them, for myself personally ...
Not an altogether un-engaging collection of short stories, I did enjoy that the author included some of the original characters and that there was a nod to some of the things we associate with Holmes, however ...
Whilst I have managed to get my head around other re-imaginings of Holmes {some more so than others} alas, try as I might, I just couldn't buy into this author's version of him, not the way he had him dressed; not where he had him live {not that I have anything against Middlesbrough which is a mere 41miles/66km from my home town city of Newcastle, I just can't imaging Holmes residing there}; not that he had him a sexual being {oddly enough, I think I'd actually have it found it easier to have found he and Watson were in a Gay relationship} and, most of all, most definitely not the way he had him peppering his sentences with a barrage of expletives which sadly was the thing that clouded my whole reading of The Accidental Detective. But then it can't be an easy task to take such an iconic, widely read character as Holmes and make him your own and and in this respect, all credit to the author who without a doubt made this Holmes his own.
Narrated, as in the originals by Watson, this is a collection of six stories brought bang up to date. I'm not a big fan of short stories but in the books favour these stories flowed together so beautifully; so seamlessly, that it really didn't feel as if I was reading a series of short stories but rather a complete novel. That it ended with 'Not the end ... Holmes will be returning in The Song Of The Swan'; good news for fans of the book I suppose, at least they know there will be another outing for Holmes. However, for those who aren't into cliff-hangers, this one book ends on a massive one.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... One of several bloggers participating in the blog tour of this book. The thoughts shared are mine and mine alone. In no way was I influenced and nor was there any financial compensation asked for or given
December 15, 2017
Fantastic reimagining of Sherlock Holmes, a series of connected short stories, well written, intriguing and humorous. Will definitely be checking out book 2
January 27, 2023
Now known under the title The Accidental Detective.
This was a pleasant easy read, as we see Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes brought up-to date. Not living in London but Baker Street in Middlesbrough., Teeside. There are six short stories in the book where we meet Inspector Lestrade who is in all of the stories and Sherlock as usual is running rings round him. Dr John Watson, Mrs Hudson is still the landlady but also has her own boutique.
All six stories are fun reads, I did keep thinking of Benedict Cumberpatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson which was annoying me in away but I guess they were the last to play Holmes and Watson. Although Mrs Hudson was not Una Stubbs. You will know why when you read it.
This was one of those books you could pick up read a story then put down which made it quite nice, sometimes it’s good to have some short stories. The local banter that comes from Holmes and Watson is fun and overall this was a really entertaining and at times laugh out loud read.
I enjoyed the characters maybe because we all know who they are, each story was well written, there were references in some of the stories going back to an earlier one, so it really needs to be read in order. But overall a fun read. I would recommend to any Sherlock fans to see a slightly different take on Holmes and Watson bringing them completely upto date. I look forward to see what this author comes up with next.
This was a pleasant easy read, as we see Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes brought up-to date. Not living in London but Baker Street in Middlesbrough., Teeside. There are six short stories in the book where we meet Inspector Lestrade who is in all of the stories and Sherlock as usual is running rings round him. Dr John Watson, Mrs Hudson is still the landlady but also has her own boutique.
All six stories are fun reads, I did keep thinking of Benedict Cumberpatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson which was annoying me in away but I guess they were the last to play Holmes and Watson. Although Mrs Hudson was not Una Stubbs. You will know why when you read it.
This was one of those books you could pick up read a story then put down which made it quite nice, sometimes it’s good to have some short stories. The local banter that comes from Holmes and Watson is fun and overall this was a really entertaining and at times laugh out loud read.
I enjoyed the characters maybe because we all know who they are, each story was well written, there were references in some of the stories going back to an earlier one, so it really needs to be read in order. But overall a fun read. I would recommend to any Sherlock fans to see a slightly different take on Holmes and Watson bringing them completely upto date. I look forward to see what this author comes up with next.
November 27, 2017
As a Boro lad, you have to be intrigued by a reworking of the classic Sherlock Holmes based in modern day Middlesbrough. I expected to be entertained by this book and as it happens it was actually better than I anticipated.
Teesside Holmes swears a lot, wears a donkey jacket, enjoys a tipple (generally at Watson's expense) and solves crimes. This Northern twist on a well known and well used character brings humour as well as subtle nuisances that perhaps only locals will really pick up on, but the wider scope of these sequenced short stories has enough to engage a much broader range of readers. Locations are familiar to those from Teesside though our heroes do venture as far afield as Sheffield! Each story is self contained but knits together to form a greater whole. You can see the author's confidence in his own writing grow from the first story throughout the latter pieces and so it should. I believe this is the author's first work and it is a magnificent effort as such.
I loved this book and can't wait to read the forthcoming sequel.
Teesside Holmes swears a lot, wears a donkey jacket, enjoys a tipple (generally at Watson's expense) and solves crimes. This Northern twist on a well known and well used character brings humour as well as subtle nuisances that perhaps only locals will really pick up on, but the wider scope of these sequenced short stories has enough to engage a much broader range of readers. Locations are familiar to those from Teesside though our heroes do venture as far afield as Sheffield! Each story is self contained but knits together to form a greater whole. You can see the author's confidence in his own writing grow from the first story throughout the latter pieces and so it should. I believe this is the author's first work and it is a magnificent effort as such.
I loved this book and can't wait to read the forthcoming sequel.
February 5, 2016
Sherlock is a Boro lad. As bright as he ever was but with a Teesside accent and vocabulary, and drinking Engineer's Thumb in The Twisted Lip. I loved these stories and can't wait for the next volume
March 9, 2019
So I was contacted by Melvyn Small, offering a copy of his book for an honest review, whilst being intrigued and slightly sceptical, I was unsure how the author would pull this off, Sherlock Holmes, reinvented and reimagined as a Computer hacker and small time criminal from Middlesbrough, that’s not going to work is it?
Wrong! he does it with aplomb. It’s banging stuff and really up there for me.
Narrated by John Watson, who is now Holmes , Psychiatrist. In this set of 6, interlinked , Novella type stories we meet this new Holmes, John Watson and landlady Martha Hudson, amongst other characters , Mycroft , my favourite even has a small cameo😁, from the Sherlock Holmes universe ensuring there is lots of authenticity to this volume of tales
This newly imagined Sherlock, with his Middlesbrough accent, that you can’t help but do in your head , is a triumph, the banter between Holmes and Watson at times is laugh out loud funny. No one is safe from Sherlock’s sharp tongue , DI Lestrade often takes the brunt, but it’s always good humoured.
Written as 6 stories, there is an arc that runs through them so you don’t feel like your reading a collections of stories, in fact it really is a novel in itself, just named in 6 parts.
My favourite part is “The goldfish bowl “, a game show that’s not quite what it seems, but each part is just brilliantly clever and does 🕵️♂️ Sherlock Holmes the justice he deserves.
There is a massive cliffhanger at the end but it only wants to make you read the next, and these 6 stories all have their end so it’s it’s done well, it’s just leading into the next chapters.
I think as you watch Sherlock on Tv you will think of Benedict Cumberbatch but for me this character is reminiscent of Johnny Lee Miller’s portrayal of Sherlock in the CBS TV show Elementary, I think he would fit the role perfectly.
The writing is both inviting and easy to read, it’s witty, funny, and just a joy to read, I smashed it in 2days. I would recommend this to any Holmes fan who is open to something new. I’d recommend it to anyone in fairness, this is cracking stuff.
I will be investing in further volumes without a doubt.
5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to Mel Small for the copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
May 5, 2017
How good is this book? Let me put it this way -- the author Melvyn Small sent me a copy of his e-book for a review and soon after I started his book my laptop crashed (entirely coincidental, of course. It was an old laptop.) Now I lost the free copy but I wanted to know desperately what happened next.
So I went to Amazon and BOUGHT a copy.
Mr. Small has been patiently waiting for a review for about 10 months now since other crazy things have been happening in my life (including the Great Laptop Crash.) At first I tried to rush reading the copy in order to write the review, but when I hit Part II of the e-book I knew that a rush read was not doing the right thing.
This is a book to savor. I'd read a few e-pages a day (when I could) and it was a real treat. Your mileage may vary.
This is the most different incarnation of Sherlock Holmes that I've ever read. And the funniest. He's also more different and funnier than the Sherlock Holmes of my own e-book.
Yet he is recognizable as Sherlock Holmes. He has many of the core traits -- on top of latest technologies, not up on social graces, for example -- yet he is incarnated as a young ex-con of Teeside. He is a sexual being here, which I did not think was keeping with Sherlock Holmes, but that's a minor quibble. He is foul-mouthed, so adults only please.
You do need to be familiar with the Holmes canon, modern English slang (and pop culture) in order to get some of the in-jokes and puns. And some of these puns are brutal. The Wham! pun alone made me nearly beg for mercy.
But there are also some brilliant sparks of pop culture references that give that much more flavor to the e-book. There was even a reference to the movie "Tombstone" -- which is one of those movies that I swear only I was the only person on the planet that saw.
Most of the stories are very clever reworkings of classic canonical stories like "A Scandal in Bohemia." A reworking of "The Red-Headed League" does fall flat at the end but until the end it is a wild ride.
So -- in summary, I highly recommend this e-book for Sherlock Holmes fans, Teeside locals and anyone who wants a funny, clever read.
So I went to Amazon and BOUGHT a copy.
Mr. Small has been patiently waiting for a review for about 10 months now since other crazy things have been happening in my life (including the Great Laptop Crash.) At first I tried to rush reading the copy in order to write the review, but when I hit Part II of the e-book I knew that a rush read was not doing the right thing.
This is a book to savor. I'd read a few e-pages a day (when I could) and it was a real treat. Your mileage may vary.
This is the most different incarnation of Sherlock Holmes that I've ever read. And the funniest. He's also more different and funnier than the Sherlock Holmes of my own e-book.
Yet he is recognizable as Sherlock Holmes. He has many of the core traits -- on top of latest technologies, not up on social graces, for example -- yet he is incarnated as a young ex-con of Teeside. He is a sexual being here, which I did not think was keeping with Sherlock Holmes, but that's a minor quibble. He is foul-mouthed, so adults only please.
You do need to be familiar with the Holmes canon, modern English slang (and pop culture) in order to get some of the in-jokes and puns. And some of these puns are brutal. The Wham! pun alone made me nearly beg for mercy.
But there are also some brilliant sparks of pop culture references that give that much more flavor to the e-book. There was even a reference to the movie "Tombstone" -- which is one of those movies that I swear only I was the only person on the planet that saw.
Most of the stories are very clever reworkings of classic canonical stories like "A Scandal in Bohemia." A reworking of "The Red-Headed League" does fall flat at the end but until the end it is a wild ride.
So -- in summary, I highly recommend this e-book for Sherlock Holmes fans, Teeside locals and anyone who wants a funny, clever read.
November 8, 2022
Sherlock Holmes of Flat 1B 22 Baker Street (Baker Street Middlesbrough, that is) has been referred to Doctor John Watson by the court after being convicted of a litany of crimes ranging from computer hacking to robbery and drug abuse. Watson thinks the counselling has gone well and doesn’t suspect that Holmes, a shortish scruffy working-class northerner sporting an old donkey jacket, is a far better actor than he took him for. The sessions have ended and Watson receives a visit from two FBI men desperate to find Holmes for help with tracing a delicate file concerning an eminent politician. And the game is afoot (well 11 and a half inches at least as Sherlock puts it). This book contains six new and highly entertaining adventures involving the modern-day pairing including their first meeting with Miss Irene Adler and as their adventures progress, they learn more about the Professor, the mystery man quickly becoming Sherlock’s nemesis and the apparent puppet master behind some of these cases. The stories feature some great folk, including bar manager Mary of the Twisted Lip pub where the pair often debate a three-pint problem, Sherlock’s landlady and vintage clothes shop owner Martha Hudson, Detective Inspector Barry Lestrade of the Cleveland Police, with whom Sherlock has a superb love-hate relationship, and owner of The Diogenes nightclub, Sherlock’s brother Mycroft. The main characters may differ in appearance and status but the very essence of Sherlock Holmes is beautifully portrayed throughout with copious amounts of wit and humour thrown in. I am often wary about “new” Sherlock Holmes stories but this book came as a breath of fresh air and an absolute joy to read, and I have already ordered books 2 and 3 in this cracking series. 5*
December 3, 2021
Great Read
I'm not a fan of the swearing and all-too-common "fooling around," but if you're for a fun, fast-paced, modern take on the Greatest Detective (other than the BBC show), this is a very good read.
There were a lot of fun, witty scenes to enjoy, as well as Watson's voice, but there also a lot of scenes that were hard to understand--but that's because I'm American. The humor was awesome! For Sherlock Holmes fans, this is well worth a read.
Christa
I'm not a fan of the swearing and all-too-common "fooling around," but if you're for a fun, fast-paced, modern take on the Greatest Detective (other than the BBC show), this is a very good read.
There were a lot of fun, witty scenes to enjoy, as well as Watson's voice, but there also a lot of scenes that were hard to understand--but that's because I'm American. The humor was awesome! For Sherlock Holmes fans, this is well worth a read.
Christa
July 5, 2024
A fun modern take on the Sherlock Holmes stories. The first book in a series - I'm keen to read the next one.
(The colourful language may not appeal to everyone.)
(The colourful language may not appeal to everyone.)
September 3, 2016
I read and enjoyed a few Sherlock Holmes novels in my youth, so I was absolutely delighted that Melvyn Small used the same method of logic and deduction, with a huge dose of dry humour, in his Holmes Volume 1 collection of short stories. I'm not usually a big fan of short stories but this book doesn't read like a short story collection at all. With the same cast of colourful characters, each one interlinks and they are so entertaining that they flow effortlessly from one to another.
Boro Sherlock Holmes is a parmo eating, ale drinking, sarcastic super-sleuth. He sees things others don't see and cleverly pieces together all the clues to solve the crime, with the help of Doctor Watson of course. There are some cracking mysteries to solve; I loved each story and, unlike most short story collections, I had no intention of stopping at the end of each one. The humour running through the book is so dry that I think I would have to read it again to pick up each and every clever little quip. Some of it is regional humour, as I'm sure not everyone would understand being as offside as Bernie Slaven (but I got that one!).
Melvyn Holmes pays great homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this modern day telling of Sherlock Holmes. Boro Sherlock drinks pints of Engineer's Thumb in the Twisted lip and, being a real ale lover, I did actually google Engineer's Thumb to see if it was a real beer but found that it was a clever way to mention two of Conan Doyle's short stories: The Adventures of the Engineer's Thumb and The Man with the Twisted Lip.
Holmes Volume 1 is hugely entertaining; it's a wonderful modernisation of Sherlock Holmes whilst staying true to the inimitable features of Conan Doyle's original characters. If Benedict Cumberbatch hadn't got there first, you could have easily seen cheeky chappy Boro lad Bob Mortimer in this starring role. A must-read for any Sherlock fans and those who love a good old whodunnit mystery.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Boro Sherlock Holmes is a parmo eating, ale drinking, sarcastic super-sleuth. He sees things others don't see and cleverly pieces together all the clues to solve the crime, with the help of Doctor Watson of course. There are some cracking mysteries to solve; I loved each story and, unlike most short story collections, I had no intention of stopping at the end of each one. The humour running through the book is so dry that I think I would have to read it again to pick up each and every clever little quip. Some of it is regional humour, as I'm sure not everyone would understand being as offside as Bernie Slaven (but I got that one!).
Melvyn Holmes pays great homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this modern day telling of Sherlock Holmes. Boro Sherlock drinks pints of Engineer's Thumb in the Twisted lip and, being a real ale lover, I did actually google Engineer's Thumb to see if it was a real beer but found that it was a clever way to mention two of Conan Doyle's short stories: The Adventures of the Engineer's Thumb and The Man with the Twisted Lip.
Holmes Volume 1 is hugely entertaining; it's a wonderful modernisation of Sherlock Holmes whilst staying true to the inimitable features of Conan Doyle's original characters. If Benedict Cumberbatch hadn't got there first, you could have easily seen cheeky chappy Boro lad Bob Mortimer in this starring role. A must-read for any Sherlock fans and those who love a good old whodunnit mystery.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2016
Even just thinking about the concept of this novel makes me smile because really it shouldn't work, it is bizarre, a crazy idea, but they say that genius and madness are so very close so whichever you are Melvyn Small keep it up!
This isn't a novel about Holmes and Watson rushing through London amongst horse and carriage, no, no. This is Northern Boro donkey jacket wearing and swearing Holmes that has evaded prison by the skin of his teeth. Watson is his therapist/counsellor to help with Holmes' drug addiction but a formidable partnership and friendship happens through default really from the delivery of a message.
Don't think for a minute that Melvyn Small has just used these names in token, far from it, a thoroughly modern computer wizard Holmes may be but he is still definitely Holmes, as is Watson his faithfully sidekick.
This novel consists of 6 short stories which would make perfect travelling reads or for bed before going to sleep but be warned you wont want to stop at one story. I just had to keep going to the end. Very entertaining, very witty and very memorable. I loved the teasing of Watson by Holmes. Watson being like a little boy watching a magician to see if he can work out how a trick is done. Think poor Watson is going to be disappointed.
This makes an interesting and light hearted read, very entertaining. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes novels then you may even be able to pick out some very clever usage of things from the original but converted and used to fit into modern day society. I shall say no more. Still smiling about this book and very much looking forward to volume 2 due out this year.
I wish to thank Melvyn Small for a copy of his novel in exchange for an honest review.
This isn't a novel about Holmes and Watson rushing through London amongst horse and carriage, no, no. This is Northern Boro donkey jacket wearing and swearing Holmes that has evaded prison by the skin of his teeth. Watson is his therapist/counsellor to help with Holmes' drug addiction but a formidable partnership and friendship happens through default really from the delivery of a message.
Don't think for a minute that Melvyn Small has just used these names in token, far from it, a thoroughly modern computer wizard Holmes may be but he is still definitely Holmes, as is Watson his faithfully sidekick.
This novel consists of 6 short stories which would make perfect travelling reads or for bed before going to sleep but be warned you wont want to stop at one story. I just had to keep going to the end. Very entertaining, very witty and very memorable. I loved the teasing of Watson by Holmes. Watson being like a little boy watching a magician to see if he can work out how a trick is done. Think poor Watson is going to be disappointed.
This makes an interesting and light hearted read, very entertaining. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes novels then you may even be able to pick out some very clever usage of things from the original but converted and used to fit into modern day society. I shall say no more. Still smiling about this book and very much looking forward to volume 2 due out this year.
I wish to thank Melvyn Small for a copy of his novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2016
Sherlock Holmes, modern day computer hacker, Dr. John Watson, his court appointed psychologist, and Detective Inspector Lestrade are the well developed main characters of Melvyn Small's amusing tale. The story begins when Holmes is approached by two FBI guys in search of a file, and ends with the capture of a sadistic killer. But, what's in between is the mastery of Small. The six short stories are well thought out and intertwined, leaving some queries answered and some left hanging. You'll delight to the quick wit, dry humor and quirky dialogue as Small thrusts his characters into each dilemma. In the last 42 months, I've read 337 books, and let me proudly say this one is in the top 10. Nice work Melvyn Small.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews