The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes

The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes #1

by Paul D. Gilbert

AN ANTHOLOGY OF BRAND NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERIES

If you love Arthur Conan Doyle’s original, do not miss this extraordinary collection of new tales.

PRAISE FOR THE LOST FILES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

“I would not be surprised if this book was released from a lost manuscript from Sir Arthur . . . a must read for all Sherlockians.” Khurram

“Each of the chapters is a full serving of pure Sherlockian comfort food.” Leah

“So many authors have tried to capture Watson’s narrative voice and failed miserably that it is a pleasure for the Holmes addict to find one who succeeds.” Chris

Enough time has passed. Dr John Watson can finally reopen his tin box of chronicles. In this astonishing collection, a treasure trove of new accounts of Sherlock Holmes’s extraordinary skills finally comes to light.

What is the connection between murderous attacks on a colonel’s wife and the Legend of King Arthur? Why is a disgraced former ship captain stalking his neighbour? Who stole the statue of The Dying Gaul from a completely secure museum in Rome?

Find the answers to these confounding mysteries and more in seven exhilarating NEW short stories, including:

• The Adventure of the Connoisseur
• The Mystery of Avalon
• The Missing Don Giovanni
• The Hooded Man
• The Old Grey Horse
• The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable
• The Adventures of the Dying Gaul


The highly satisfying first in the Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes series. Cherry-picking clues right from the source, acclaimed Sherlockian Paul D. Gilbert adds to the legacy of Britain’s favourite sleuth.

DISCOVER THESE NEW ADVENTURES OF HOLMES AND WATSON. PERFECT FOR FANS OF THE ORIGINAL AND LOVERS OF CLASSIC MYSTERIES.

ALSO BY PAUL GILBERT

THE ODYSSEY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES TRILOGY
Book 1: SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE UNHOLY TRINITY
Book 2: SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FOUR-HANDED GAME
Book 3: THE ILLUMINATION OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

THE LOST FILES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES SERIES
Book 1: THE LOST FILES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
Book 2: THE CHRONICLES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
Book 3: THE ANNALS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

STANDALONE NOVEL
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE GIANT RAT OF SUMATRA

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Short Stories

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent Pastiche!

Like many others who are legitimate devotees of Sherlock Holmes, I have ascertained the well-known authors of the pastiche. The writers who’ve explored the idea of re-creating Sherlock Holmes.

They are faithfully generating the stories of Holmes that would be written by Arthur Conan Doyle, if he was here to write them.

And many authors have been triumphantly composing exemplary tales that continue the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, in first-rate mythology.

Paul D. Gilbert is outstanding in his moods, persona, speech and mannerisms of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. I can easily believe that I am reading Arthur Conan Doyle!

This is the first book I’ve ever read in the formation of one of the kings of detectives. And I am definitely looking forward to continuing with the pastiche.

If you don’t believe me, then these five stars should undeniably assure you. ✨

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1 - The Adventure of the Connoisseur - Holmes is approached by Nathaniel Graves of the reform and Connoisseur Club because he has suffered a theft of one of his paintings, a fairly worthless landscape painting. But one that he liked.
2 - The Mystery of Avalon - Colonel Geraint Masterson of Avalon Estae near Slaughter Bridge in Cornwall wishes to employ Holmes, recently there have been two attempts on the life of his wife and the local constabulary have failed in solving the case.
3 - The Missing Don Giovanni -Sir James Mowbray, the director of the RToyal Opera House needs the help of Holmes as the actor playing Don Giovanni has disappeared.
4 - The Hooded Man - After receiving a letter from Miss Lucy Hardcastle of the Cliff Court Lodge, Holmes and Watson are off to Kent. She believes that she is being watched by the blind Captain Dyson. But how and why.
5 - The Old Grey Horse - While Holmes is busy with one of Lestrades' informers, Benjamin Matthews visits Baker Street and Dr. Watson. Matthews tells the doctor of his concerns, The Old Grey Horse inn, the place of his current employment. Dr. Watson investigates.
6 - The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable - Inspector Lestrade and his team are involved in secret government business when one of his team disappear. Detective Constable Nicholas Parkes, is an exemplary officer so Lestrade is concerned when he is reported missing, to the extent he asks for Holmes' help.
7 - The Adventure of the Dying Gaul - 1898 - Holmes' help is asked by the Italian police when the statute of the Dying Gaul is stolen from the Capitoline museum. On the journey to Rome, Holmes informs Watson that he believes that Moriarty didn't die seven years previously but is behind the theft and other crimes in Europe.
An enjoyable group of well-written short mysteries

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is appropriately names the Lost Files. Truly if you do not think that is appropriate then just try finding a copy of this book. I was luckily enough to get a second hand copy after a lot of searching, it was worth the effort. Paul Gilbert writing style is so close to Sir Author's I would not be surprised if this book was released from a lost manuscript from Sir Author. These stories are entertaining and addictive. This book is a must read for all Sherlockians. The thing that separates this books from other attempts at Sherlock Holmes is Paul's eye for details and most of all respect for the source materials (which I am sure is due to his years as a comic fan). Paul chooses the references to the case names and let his imagination go, but he does not contradict anything that has come before his work. His stories slip neatly into the slots Sir Author left open. An excellent book and excellent read.

[Glyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curate's egg of a piece of work.

This is the first in a series of works by Paul Gilbert that investigate the cases found in Dr Watson's notes that Conan Doyle didn't write up.

These read as if the authot was attempting to ape the Jeremy Brett defininitve take on the Great Detective and there is no problem with that. The stories are a mixed bag some are excellent, aothers are more mediocre. Gilbert's ability to write in the style of Doyle develops with each work and the latter stories are superior in "Holmes-ness" to the early ones. In the first story there is an example of Holmes show a self-deprecating sarcasm that is at odds with the Brett interpretation. Apparently the stories improve as you go along and there is certainly enough here to justify carrying on with the series

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids love card-shopping. Not because they enjoy finding the perfect pictures and sentiments to send to their loved ones. Nah. They just want to stand there and open up the “cards with sound,” the more annoying the better.

Well, imagine opening a card and hearing the rich, silky voice of Jeremy Brett.That’s what struck me when I started reading Paul Gilbert’s The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes. I opened it, and immediately heard Brett’s Holmes speaking. Of course, I may have been primed for this by the lovely cover, but it wasn’t just that. While many pastiche authors stress about achieving an authentic “Watson voice,” Gilbert’s Holmes captures Brett’s inflections so perfectly that, really, you can’t hear anyone else.

The Lost Files, contrary to their name, were never lost, buried under some unused indices or decades-old issues of The Evening Standard. No, they’ve been waiting in Watson’s tin dispatch box at the venerable Cox & Co., waiting until such time as he saw fit (or was permitted) to share them with the public. Often in these instances, we get some kind of mournful reference, but fortunately these stories have been released at Holmes’ own suggestion, now that enough time has passed (or, for all we know, Watson needs the income). There are seven stories in all, some of which are explicitly set shortly after Watson’s marriage to Mary Morstan, but only one of which is given a specific date (1898). Gilbert deftly avoids making those distracting canon or research errors by simply not referring to canon much at all.

Each of the chapters is a full serving of pure Sherlockian comfort food. It’s all there: cold nights and warm fires, pipes and breakfasts, sleepless chain-smoking nights and presumptive notes sent to a newlywed’s home. Sometimes, Gilbert might overdo it a tad. Holmes is more routinely dismissive of new clients than I think he typically was, meaning that Watson exclaims “Really, now, Holmes!” and “You’ve gone too far!” rather frequently. Watson, for his part, is a little on the sensitive side, and easily insulted, but for Granada fans, their interactions will be so familiar it’s as if they’ve turned on the television to find that their wishes have come true and Rebecca Eaton and Co. have discovered a secret stash of un-aired episodes.

The Files vary in their complexity. In the first offering, “The Adventure of the Connoisseur,” for example, the reader gets a fairly straightforward mystery, which includes an apparent nod to Rathbone and Bruce’s Dressed to Kill (1947). “The Missing Don Giovanni” is another puzzle the reader may figure out before Watson, but Holmes does a nice turn of deduction with a pair of trousers and his attitude towards a stricken woman contrasts nicely with the scorn he shows his arrogant client. “The Hooded Man” is creepy, with a Doylean rumination on sin coming home to roost. “The Old Grey Horse” takes us, not to the track but a tavern, and in it Gilbert touches on some of the horrors of London poverty–conditions which Holmes no doubt saw constantly, but which tend to go unmentioned in the canon.

These stories are all quite serviceable; however, as in any anthology, certain chapters stand out. Try as I might, I cannot think of a way to discuss “The Adventure of the Conscientious Constable” without giving away the twist, but if you’re a fan of Shinwell Johnson, disguises, and the London underworld, you’ll get your fix.

The collection’s final story, “The Adventure of the Dying Gaul” takes Holmes and Watson across the channel to Rome, where they help Inspector Gialli locate a missing statue. This is great, particularly for Gialli’s career and art lovers everywhere. However, the most important part of the story takes place on the train between Paris and Turin, in which Holmes shares with Watson the results of a disturbing chain of research and deduction that have convinced him that the events of 4th May, 1891, were not as final as they had long believed. Watson, of course, thinks his friend has come unhinged, and even wonders how much of this is due to the contents of little glass vials, but Holmes’ reasoning is impressive; it made me wish Doyle had used it himself, because if there’s anything the original stories need, it’s more Moriarty.

The Lost Files’ most interesting, and possibly most controversial story, however, is “The Mystery of Avalon.” It starts out typically enough, with a slightly boring Colonel braving a wintry journey from Cornwall to London to consult Holmes regarding two murderous attacks on his wife. Col. Masterson’s ancestral home lies close to Slaughter Bridge, where, according to legend, King Arthur fought his final battle, and as a result, his family has taken the Arthurian association to extremes. During Masterson’s story, Watson notes, to his amusement, that Holmes has never read Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. After their client leaves, however the detective decides to remedy this deficit, assuring his friend that the story will only reside in his brain-attic “temporarily.” It makes a stronger impression than he anticipated, however, because a page or so later, Holmes declares to Watson: "The parallel [between Arthur's Dark Ages and their own time] is now obvious, when you consider the darkness that our regular police force is constantly stumbling around in. Not quite barbaric in method, perhaps, and yet their ignorance and ineptitude is tantamount to barbarism! Yet in their darkness shines a tiny light. The light of reasoning, logic, observation, and method. This small room and my practice is the modern, judicial realm of Logres and I, of course, the guiding light of Arthur."

Holmes and Watson arrive in Cornwall to take care of what seems to be a standard (for them) case with a hint of the outré. Holmes has already begun his investigation by inquiring into Alice Masterson’s background, and a telegram is waiting for them upon their arrival. Typically, a wire means suspicions confirmed and a happy detective. This one, however, has a remarkable effect upon Holmes and he retreats to his room, telling the footman they’ll be leaving for London in the morning, and leaving Watson to deal with their client as best he can. When Watson, after enduring yet another strange outburst–this time from the Colonel– goes up later to check on his friend, Holmes, obviously under emotional duress, asks if, ”Perhaps it has occurred to you this [my] supposed abhorrence of both female kind and the idea of close attachment, is nothing less than a fear of the same.”

Pretty much no, says Watson. And then it dawns on him.

Just that little bit of self-disclosure, along with a bitter condemnation of the woman who is now Alice Masterson, seems to give Holmes new strength, and he decides to continue with the case after all, under the condition that the Colonel never learn he’s hired another of his wife’s dupes.

In the end, the array of lies spread out to view in this sordid episode is astounding. Watson’s agreement to conceal Holmes’ conflict of interest is perhaps the most benign, although upon reflection it, too, contributes to the tragic ending. In the end, we’re in the carriage with a dark, silent Holmes, a sweating, anxious client, and an oblivious Watson, on our way to fetch the Colonel’s faithless wife and bring her back home.

This is a dark little story. No doubt it will put off many readers who prefer to see Holmes as, first and foremost, a creature of logic who is able to consistently rise above any of the passions, should he feel them at all. Others, like myself, who are quite willing to let him have his “hidden fires,” may balk at the story's disturbing conclusion. Avalon, if you remember, was destroyed (in part) by adultery, as Guinevere cuckolded an adoring husband with his best friend. In at least one version of this story, Arthur, pressured to execute his wife for treason as required by law, begins the process with the desperate hope that Lancelot will come to save her (which he does). The pain is deep, but love and forgiveness between the three are there as well, elevating their story above the tawdry. Centuries later, in this Avalon, evil begets only pain and more evil, and when this Arthur has the chance to illuminate the darkness, he does not. While his friend looks the other way, we are forced to consider how even the best and wisest parts of us live together with our demons.

After a few days’ ruminating, I went from disliking “The Mystery of Avalon” to believing it the best story in the book. Still, many readers may find Holmes to be too far out of character for their tastes. If this describes you, never fear–The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes contains six other very traditional stories perfect for a blustery fall evening by the fireside.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Foiled Again!” Normally I prefer novels; however, this Holmes selection I made for my Kindle was a happy accident. Paul Gilbert’s “The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes” is generally a nice selection of delightful appetizers which will appease any Sherlockian fan. Certainly, some stories are better than others, but on the whole, Gilbert gives the reader an enjoyable Sherlockian snack. There are seven stories that investigate the cases found in Dr Watson's notes that Conan Doyle didn't write up earlier. Gilbert has done a good group of recreating Doyle's characters. In fact, most of his characters in this book are nicely developed. So many authors have tried to capture Watson’s narrative voice and failed; pleasantly, Gilbert has captured Doyle's voice well. I will be reading the other collections by Paul Gilbert soon; why not join me for an afternoon pint and a mystery?

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle unlimited

It was either 3 or 2, based on the Avalon story, and though a give great latitude to stories based on Sherlock holmes, never ever mess with cannon, if holmes was not meant to be non sexual, most cerebral, then Doyle would not have made him so, and never so driven by anything as to break the law especially not for not over or due to having feelings over a female, as to allow murder and miscarriage of justice. Doyle is rolling over in his grave, and I will read nothing else by someone who tries to copy holmes and fails so miserably in understanding the detective.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written very much in the style of the Conan-Doyle Sherlock Holmes short stories, I enjoyed these except, for the huge number of commas, which drove me, quite crazy, at times. 🤪

There are references to the original stories and all are written from the perspective of Dr Watson, but in no particular time frame. Lots of leaving Baker St mid-breakfast to start a casein another party of the country, Mrs Hudson makes some minor appearances as does Lestrade. Ends with a Moriarty story, set in Rome.

[Kevin Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as usual

Another great mystery from the files of Sherlock Holmes, not only are the stories well written and the mysteries awesome, the cast of characters are well written as well. Another great read from Paul D. Gilbert so go get this book, light your pipe and enjoy these great tales of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

[Bill Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Character Depictions of Our Two Favorite Detectives

Mr. Gilbert's portrayal of Holmes and Watson is "spot on"… Story-lines were interesting and believable... I'm sure I will continue to read his other volumes

[Phil Ellenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am not there

As noted before a Sherlock book no written by Doyle Chan only get a court rating. This one gel just a hair short. That shortfall came mainly because it was written in too modern aura! Otherwise quite good plots and stories but it just wasn't Doyle's

[Outlander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This style of pastiche is my preference as it's true to the Canon in time period and detail. Another really good collection of seven short Sherlock Holmes stories from this author. I felt that the last in the volume was a bit dodgy but acceptable.

[samuel langevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

It kept my attention and got me thinking of various ways it could have happened and how holmes would have thought it been done

[Karen Kreig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes you will enjoy these stories. Written in the style of Conan Doyle. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Kevin D. Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally, I think the stories feel a little rushed. Still worth reading

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Loved it and am now reading book #2, The Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes!

[Graham Tallents · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an amazing read. Took me back to my much younger years of reading the late, great Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle. Paul's writing style has truly resurrected Sherlock Holmes. Fantastic.

[Jean Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

[Pinko Palest · Rating 1 out of 5]

among the very worst as far as pastiches go. Not like Sherlock Holmes at all, some of the stories being on the soppy side, even

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not stop; the stories were compelling and the resolutions of the problem are exciting and I wanted more!

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

7 stories, some better than others, but generally a good read.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun reading

Excellent entertaining reading of a very will written mystery. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story lines are complicated with lots of misdirection leading to the unexpected conclusions. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes. Enjoy reading 2020😊

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff

Solid, very Sherlock Holmes tales, Gilbert really does a very good Doyle, well worth your time, I will be reading his other collections. Check it out.

[James Kidd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay. I only read the first mystery, but it was a poor shade compared to the real deal. So I gave up. Poorly written, not enticing or exciting.

[Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good collection of short stories, through the last one was focused on Moriarty. This can sometimes be a miss for me.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading these Sherlock Holmes stories aloud to Christi!