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Sherlock Holmes and the Charlie Chaplin Affair
This, the last of Val Andrews’ Sherlock Holmes pastiches, blends fact with fiction to tell the tale of one Charlie Chaplin …
At the heart of the story is Hannah Chaplin, who was born in London in 1865. She was the mother of Charlie Chaplin, and was an actress, singer and dancer in her own right. She performed in music halls under her stage name of Lily Harley from the age of sixteen, and even toured North America in 1890, just a year after giving birth to Charlie and at a time when her health was starting to give cause for concern. As a consequence, she spent spells in asylums while her son’s career was taking off in America.
No wonder, then, that Chaplin visits a retired Sherlock Holmes to try and track down his mother who he has not seen for some years. Holmes and Watson accept the case, which will entail Watson going undercover as a ‘resting’ music hall entertainer. The story mirrors real life, as Chaplin had Hannah brought to America in 1921 where she was cared for in a house in the San Fernando Valley until her death in 1928.
Sherlock Holmes and the Charlie Chaplin Affair is a fitting finale to Andrews’ popular series, and will no doubt be appreciated by all who have read the other books. However, it is also likely to please Sherlock Holmes fans, as well as readers of historical crime and murder mysteries.
Val Andrews (1926–2006) was born in Hove, Sussex and during his lifetime wrote well over 1,000 books and pamphlets. Many of these were about magic – Andrews was a respected stage performer – but he also wrote fiction, including a series of Sherlock Holmes pastiches.
At the heart of the story is Hannah Chaplin, who was born in London in 1865. She was the mother of Charlie Chaplin, and was an actress, singer and dancer in her own right. She performed in music halls under her stage name of Lily Harley from the age of sixteen, and even toured North America in 1890, just a year after giving birth to Charlie and at a time when her health was starting to give cause for concern. As a consequence, she spent spells in asylums while her son’s career was taking off in America.
No wonder, then, that Chaplin visits a retired Sherlock Holmes to try and track down his mother who he has not seen for some years. Holmes and Watson accept the case, which will entail Watson going undercover as a ‘resting’ music hall entertainer. The story mirrors real life, as Chaplin had Hannah brought to America in 1921 where she was cared for in a house in the San Fernando Valley until her death in 1928.
Sherlock Holmes and the Charlie Chaplin Affair is a fitting finale to Andrews’ popular series, and will no doubt be appreciated by all who have read the other books. However, it is also likely to please Sherlock Holmes fans, as well as readers of historical crime and murder mysteries.
Val Andrews (1926–2006) was born in Hove, Sussex and during his lifetime wrote well over 1,000 books and pamphlets. Many of these were about magic – Andrews was a respected stage performer – but he also wrote fiction, including a series of Sherlock Holmes pastiches.
138 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2020
43 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Val Andrews
60 books16 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 21, 2024
1921 Charlie Chaplin approaches a retired Sherlock Holmes to locate his mother, Hannah, a past vaudeville trouper aka Lily Harley. Who was last known to have been committed to a asylum.
An entertaining Holmes mystery
An entertaining Holmes mystery
April 20, 2022
Looking for mother
Called upon by Charlie Chaplin to look for his long lost mother, Holmes and Watson delved into the theatrical environs of Great Britain to seek her. Why is she seemingly in hiding and where has she gone? Holmes is consistent in his research and Watson provides his usual good help. The plot is interesting and a "darn good yarn".
Called upon by Charlie Chaplin to look for his long lost mother, Holmes and Watson delved into the theatrical environs of Great Britain to seek her. Why is she seemingly in hiding and where has she gone? Holmes is consistent in his research and Watson provides his usual good help. The plot is interesting and a "darn good yarn".
April 20, 2022
I am a big fan of Charlie Chaplin so when I saw this book I definitely wanted to read it. The author must have done quite a bit of research because most of the actors and actresses were well-known for their association with Chaplin. It takes place about the time 'The Kid" comes out which is rather ironic for a story centered on Chaplin's mother.
April 16, 2022
A silent marvel
A marvelous read.
Just like the silent films made by Charlie Chaplin spoke volumes in their elegance, so this novel speaks gracefully in the language, style and descriptions left unspoken
This book is a masterpiece of simplicity and inuendo.
A lovely read.
A marvelous read.
Just like the silent films made by Charlie Chaplin spoke volumes in their elegance, so this novel speaks gracefully in the language, style and descriptions left unspoken
This book is a masterpiece of simplicity and inuendo.
A lovely read.
March 29, 2017
Kindle Unlimited One of several Sherlock Holmes stories by an assorted group of authors, wanted to go through them all. Liked it, just didn't love it, sort of the right style and all but....
March 1, 2022
Original
Takes Holmes and Watson in strange new directions. No murders or wierd beasties, yet bolded the interest through the whole unlikely story. Very original!+
Takes Holmes and Watson in strange new directions. No murders or wierd beasties, yet bolded the interest through the whole unlikely story. Very original!+
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews