Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind "A Scandal in Bohemia"

by Chris Chan

To Sherlock Holmes, Irene Adler is "the woman." In "A Scandal in Bohemia," she defeated him in his attempt to retrieve an incriminating photograph of the King of Bohemia. Or did she? In the tradition of "The Great Game," this book will explore the unanswered questions in "A Scandal in Bohemia," illustrating that there is much more to the case than is generally suspected. Why did Holmes make so many elementary mistakes? Was Holmes really a cocaine user? Was the King of Bohemia hiding a dark secret? Why was the photograph so dangerous? Why was Irene Adler in such a hurry to get married? Was Irene Adler really a blackmailer? These and more questions will be answered by studying the clues and contradictions in the original story, which lead to a shocking conclusion. Holmes was actually one step ahead of Adler, and he deliberately convinced the world that he had failed in his mission in order to play a long game to save Europe from the schemes of a dangerous villain!

178 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2020

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not my usual read, I do not usually venture into the area of Sherlockian scholarship or pseudoscholarship, as Chris Chan would have it.

I am glad that I did. Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth Behind "A Scandal in Bohemia hits every button. It is interesting, thought provoking, and extremely entertaining.

The books explores many unanswered (and in some cases previously unasked) questions. Was the King of Bohemia hiding a dark secret? Why was the photograph so dangerous? Why was Irene Adler in such as hurry to get married? These questions and many others are comprehensively answered.

Chris Chan has written a book that is a sheer delight from the first page. Chris mentions the possibilities of writing more such books. I really hope he does, as this one was such a joy to read.

Every Sherlockian should read it.

Many thanks to Steve Emecz at MX Publishing for supplying me with a copy for review.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A convincing argument, with speculation illustrating plausible scenes that would fit right in to the Canon. Well-done!

[Thomas Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Chan, who describes himself as “a consulting detective who only investigates fictional crimes,” is also a “goodwill ambassador” for Agatha Christie Ltd. and a reviewer for The Strand. As an avowed Baring-Gouldist, with my own ideas about the “King of Bohemia’s” true identity, I may not be ideally suited to review his book. Nevertheless, I am happy to announce that I enjoyed it. Chan’s unexpected but fascinating take on “A Scandal in Bohemia” adds greatly to the legend of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler while staying strictly within the confines of the Canon. Unlike Baring-Gould and others (me included), Chan rejects the idea of a romance between the two; instead, he posits that “Scandal” was neither the first nor the last occasion on which they interacted. More importantly, he transforms a case often regarded as a puzzling failure into what may have been the Great Detective’s finest hour. In a careful analysis of both this story and Adler references elsewhere in the Canon, Chan employs a series of deductions worthy of Sherlock Holmes himself. He illuminates “Scandal’s” many inconsistencies and the oversights, fits of pique, and outright blunders Holmes seemingly committed as he failed to carry out His Majesty’s commission. Chan also shows that there was far more in the King’s past and motives than he was willing to admit to his detective. Having established this solid Canonical foundation, Chan turns from analysis to invention in his final pages, offering an impeccably Holmesian, “speculative” epilogue that is actually well grounded in what has gone before. Perhaps the book’s biggest surprise is its revelation that a far greater villain than the unworthy European monarch played a role in the affair. Although there are still historical objections to the “King of Bohemia” as Chan and Conan Doyle define him, the outcome of Sherlock and Irene should not offend Canonical purists while delighting those who don’t mind a little speculation with their Sherlock. Chris Chan says that his next project will be a similar analysis of Holmes’s actions in another presumed failure, “The Five Orange Pips.” I, for one, will await it with anticipation.

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

“Sherlock & Irene: The Secret Truth behind A Scandal in Bohemia” has sufficient power and ingenuity to stimulate any Sherlockian aficionado to rethink the story.
Chan describes the book as a monograph intended “to apply the principles of The Great Game and Sherlockian pseudoscholarship that may call into question the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and one of the most famous one-shot characters in the entire Canon: Irene Adler.”
The popularity of the original story is documented. In a contest for The Strand magazine, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was asked to name his top 12 favourite stories (not including stories from the Casebook) and the reader who submitted the correct list would receive £100. A Scandal in Bohemia was 5th on the list.
Mr. Chan has a clear, engaging writing style touched with a bit of dry humour. When referring to the photograph that is the subject of the story he writes, that the use of common burglars could not be entrusted with details and therefore “might triumphantly return bearing a snapshot of Adler’s maiden aunt and her cats”.
Chan’s logic is highly persuasive and compelling when he posits new rationales for interpreting the facts of the case. I had to re-read the story I’ve read countless times prior to writing this review. I am firmly convinced that the postulations in the book seem entirely plausible. The author also provides alternative narrations and dialogue with a voice worthy of Dr. Watson himself.
Each chapter begins with insightful and provocative questions or theories about actual and potential characters; their motives as well as their methods. For example, the question “Was Holmes Ever Really A Cocaine User?” as well as the involvement of Professor Moriarty are discussed at length.
Chris Chan elevates A Scandal in Bohemia and what was once viewed as one of Holmes’ rare failures turns out to be one of his greatest triumphs. Chris Chan plays a Great Game indeed.

[Jim Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Well thought out, thorough exploration of the issues in Holmes admitted failure. Good speculation for the backstory. Well written.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Analyzing existing canon , enables Chris Chan to develop logical development of the missing parts of the story making it even more enjoyable.