ABOUT SIXTY: Why Every Sherlock Holmes Story is the Best

by Christopher Redmond (Editor), Mark Alberstat, Dan Andriacco

Additional authors: Susan Smith-Josephy, Regina Stinson, Randall Stock, Nancy Stotts Jones, Richard J. Sveum, Amy Thomas, William A. Walsh, Jack Arthur Winn, Vincent W. Wright, Tamar Zeffren.

Sixty original tales of Sherlock Holmes -- which one is the best? In sixty essays, sixty Sherlockians make the case for each of the stories. Their arguments range from the playful to the academic, and are as varied as the authors themselves. As editor Christopher Redmond says, "What they have written is compelling evidence that any one of the Sherlock Holmes stories can be the best; it’s all a matter of what the reader is looking for."

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales range from Victorian horror, to jewel heists, to society scandals. As these authors show, there's a Sherlock Holmes adventure for every taste.

This volume benefits the Beacon Society. No royalties from the sale of this volume will be paid to either the authors or the editor. Royalties earned will, with the cooperation of the publisher, be turned over in their entirety to the Beacon Society, a not-for-profit organization of Sherlockians with the purpose of introducing young people to Sherlock Holmes through classrooms and libraries.

Genres: Mystery, Nonfiction, Anthologies, Essays

249 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2016

Reviews

[Beth G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote the chapter on "Charles Augustus Milverton", and I'm still stunned that I'm in the same book as these fabulous Sherlockian authors.

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun way to review all the Sherlock Holmes stories and hear what others think of them. Even with 60 contributors the quality of the writing is more than adequate (though I found my teacher's brain correcting wording and tense in one essay) but the nature of the task means much repetition of “this is the best because of these standard canonical element." But the efforts to make a case for even “bad” stories like Creeping Man, Sussex Vampire, Three Garridebs and The Stockbroker’s Clerk highlight good but overlooked aspects of those stories. Especially fun for me because I know one of the contributors!

[Karl Øen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, enjoyable, but sligthly uneven, by fans, for fans. Some the essays made me think 'I could have written this better myself!', while other were more like 'WOW! Insight city galore!'

[Siri Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Sherlock Holmes analysis books I've read in a while and I do read quite a few. I love the idea as well as the approach - having sixty Sherlockians each write a short essay on one of each of the sixty original stories of the Canon (or the Conan, as it's known to us Sherlockians), such that the result is a collection of essays, each one arguing why one of the sixty stories is the best of the bunch. While everyone has their favourites and their not-so-favourites, the book gave me a chance to look at some of my not-so-favourite stories with new eyes and even converted me in some cases by offering an interpretational lens I had not considered before. Just as much, the book truly proves the broad appeal and varied meanings of the stories. There truly is something for anyone and I think that is one of the keys to Sherlock Holmes' continued popularity. Highly recommended for all Sherlockians, though having actually read the original stories is 100% required.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever book. Take one of Doyle’s 60 stories (56 short stories and 4 novels) and find a writer who is well-versed on one of the stories. Tell each writer to argue the fact that the story they are presenting is the best.

The premise worked well. The authors presented their case, often with a wry grin I suspect, and in the process I found my own opinion of the story being challenged. That’s good. If I do have a suggestion it would be to space out your reading of the various authors. To read this book in one gulp was, at least to me, overload.

I would suggest getting a copy of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories an reading the analysis of an individual story either before or after exploring Doyle’s story. Mull over the story, reflect on the commentary of the Sherlockian who wrote their piece. Do not gorge yourself on this book as it will lead to heartburn, or should I say lead to a case of flagging enthusiasm.

[Nora and Bekah Westby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited about the idea of this, and eagerly started reading. But about halfway though I was tired of it. Sometimes it feels like someone handed out assignments and the writers had to invent something to appreciate about the story they were given. Maybe that actually is how it was done, because there are a few Holmes’ stories that the majority of readers don’t appear to appreciate and it’s hard to imagine someone volunteering for. But if that really was the process, then the premise of the book is misleading.
Still, I finished the book and did enjoy some of it.

[Claire Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I loved the idea of this. I'm always interested to hear what other Sherlockians think about the stories and liked that the money goes to charity. However, it felt a little formulaic at times; it got a little stale as it went along. Worth a read for fun, but wasn't blown away.

[Glenn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the review of Red Circle by the Bosun of Sydney Passengers, respect.