The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories - Part XIX: 2020 Annual

MX New Sherlock Holmes Stories #19

by David Marcum, Tim Gambrell, James Moffett (Contributor)

64 new, traditional Sherlock Holmes Stories making up the latest three volumes in the world's largest collection of Sherlock Holmes Stories – XIX, XX and XXI. In 2015, the first three volumes of The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories arrived, containing over 60 stories in the true traditional Canonical manner, revisiting Holmes and Watson in those days where it is “always 1895” . . . or a few decades on either side of that. That was the largest collection of new Holmes stories ever assembled, and originally planned to be a one-time event. But readers wanted more, and the contributors had more stories from Watson’s Tin Dispatch Box, so the fun continued. Now, with the release of Parts XIX, XX, and XXI, the series has grown to over 450 new Holmes adventures by nearly 200 contributors from around the world. Since the beginning, all contributor royalties go to the Stepping Stones School for special needs children at Undershaw, one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s former homes, and to date the project has raised nearly $60,000 for the school. As has become the tradition, this new collection of 64 adventures features Holmes and Watson carrying out their masterful investigations from the early days of their friendship in Baker Street to the post-War years during Holmes’s retirement. Along the way they are involved in some fascinating mysteries – some relating Untold Cases, others sequels to Canonical adventures, and a number progressing along completely unexpected lines. Join us as we return to Baker Street and discover more authentic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, described by the estimable Dr. Watson as “the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known.” Featuring - Roger Riccard, Matthew White, Kevin P. Thornton, Chris Chan, Nick Cardillo, MJH Simmonds, Craig Stephen Copland, Will Murray, Ian Ableson, Thomas A. Turley, David Marcum, Dick Gillman, David Friend, Arthur Hall, Brenda Seabrooke, James Moffett, Robert Stapleton, Andrew Bryant, Will Murray, Andrew Bryant, Peter Coe Verbica, Sean M. Wright, and Tim Gambrell, with a poem by Christopher James, and forewords by John Lescroart, Roger Johnson, Lizzy Butler, Steve Emecz, and David Marcum.

644 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 22, 2020

Reviews

[Wendy Heyman-Marsaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ongoing anthology continues to intrigue and delight with the Part XIX-2020 Annual. David Marcum, the intrepid editor, has once again curated another fine collection of 24 new stories from the early years of the Holmes and Watson partnership. The stories may be new, but they remain faithful to the Conan Doyle original style with some very entertaining twists. The volume provides compelling adventures that are bound to appeal to confirmed Sherlockians and newcomers. One such story is “The Adventure of the Tea-stained Diamonds” by Craig Stephen Copeland. A Baker Street Irregular is found murdered whilst conducting surveillance on a case for Sherlock Holmes. It leads into a complex story involving a theft of diamonds and jewels from a merchant, the relationship between two rival families fraught with years of betrayal and loss, and the lucrative tea trade in India. Copeland is a master storyteller who weaves these seemingly disparate storylines into a cohesive adventure for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to solve. Furthermore, Copeland’s knowledge of the streets of London adds mood and realism to his tale. Dick Gillman, in “The Tattooed Rose”, begins his inventive and vivid story with the discovery of a beaten, tortured and murdered former stolen goods fence turned tattoo artist. A search of the premises reveals a bloodied ledger and a crate that could have held a masterpiece of art. Three women of the upper classes become targets of the killer because they received a rose tattoo from the murdered man. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson stage an opulent and highly public event to help flush out the killer and guarantee the safety of a noblewoman. Holmes also uses his gift of disguise in the process. Dick Gillman gives a subtle nod to Conan Doyle as he deftly adds another “Violet” to the three already featured in the original Canon. In an amusing introduction to the case, “The Man in the Maroon Suit”, author Chris Chan features Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson dining on Indian cuisine at Wilton’s, reputedly the oldest restaurant in London dating back to 1742. Their meal is interrupted by an artist who is incensed that his paintings are being vandalized in an art gallery by someone who is painting little men in maroon suits onto them. We learn that it is only the least expensive oil paintings by the least talented artists in the gallery that are being defaced. The adventure takes a sinister turn when murder and forgery are introduced. These are just samples of the 24 excellent and diverse adventures in the very fine “The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories, Volume XIX – 2020 Annual (1882-1890)”. This volume is a must for those who cannot get their fill of superb Sherlockian tales.

[Ami-May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of new Sherlock Holmes Stories. I mean who doesn’t want more of Sherlock Holmes & Watson and their epic adventures. It is brilliantly put together.

Even though all these stories are written by different writers ( all shown above each story) they are all quite close to the classic masterpieces of Sherlock Holmes stories.

I love that all the stories are short and sweet. And you can read them whenever the mood takes your fancy ( good for those mood readers). Or you can read the whole Annuals as a whole.

I also want to point out the information or history at the beginning of Sherlock Holmes annuals. It was well written and was fascinating to hear more about the history of Sherlock Holmes, Watson, Baker Street and behind the stories.

I applaud how much work has gone into these books, from all the different Writers, Editor and the Publisher.

All in all the three books we’re incredible with some wonderful timeless stories amongst them that you can read over and over. You can step in and out of Bakers Street whenever you fancy with untold stories, new and old. All extremely well written and well-edited.

I give this set of annuals a rating of 9.5/10

[Caroline Venables · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes whether it be the books, television adaptations or film versions. So I was excited to be able to review this series of books. I have chosen to read the first three books in Part XIX (1882 – 1890).

The books starts with an editor’s foreword by David Marcum and a foreword by John Lescroart. Also it contains information about the Stepping Stones School, situated in one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s old houses. MX Publishing have raised over $60,000 for this school that helps children with learning disabilities.

The stories are:

A Case of Paternity by Matthew White

A man is desperate to find out who his father is after his mother dies. For all his life, his mother and uncle would not divulge the identity of the man. After being hired, Holmes and Watson travel to Birmingham to try and uncover the truth. After some brilliant deducing by Holmes, a sad story is unveiled.

The Raspberry Tart.

A man is desperate for Holmes to stop his son fraternising with an up and coming actress. Historically being an actress was seen as being as a less than savoury career. This isn’t the case Sherlock usually takes but he has discovered something about the man he wishes to investigate. Watson makes the acquaintance in the young actress and realises that the girl is charming and she as a doctor she introduces him to her sick mother. Watson is keen to help the mother while Sherlock discovers a family secret that changes everything.

The Mystery of the Elusive Bard

A publisher wishes to find a prolific poet to give him an award, but whenever he makes contact he is met with silence. He travels to the poet’s home village but again can not find him. The town has been reborn through the success of the poet’s work, but no trace of him can be found. Where is the poet? The publisher enlists Holmes and Watson to find him so he can claim his award, but when the pair visit the village they find an interesting reason as to why the man shuns publicity.