What do you think?
Rate this book
On the Trail of Sherlock Holmes
‘There can be no question, Mr Dear Watson, of the value of exercise before breakfast’
Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of Black Peter
You may have been introduced to the magic of the greatest of English detectives by reading the books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or perhaps watching some of the hundreds of films or TV shows that feature the extraordinary adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr John H. Watson - now, this unique book offers a detailed itinerary for actually ‘walking’ Sherlock Holmes. Beginning, of course, at Baker Street a series of walks takes in the well-known, as well as some of the more obscure, locations of London as travelled by Holmes and Watson and a gallery of unforgettable characters in the stories. Details of each location and the story in which it features are given along with other items of interest - associated literary and historical information, social history, and events in Conan Doyle’s life. A chapter then explores Holmes’ adventures in the rest of the UK. 55 black and white original photographs accompany the text.
This book is designed to appeal to anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of the stories by travelling, even if just in imagination from an armchair, exactly the same London streets as Sherlock Holmes, and perhaps also by exploring some iconic Holmesian locations farther afield. ‘Come, Watson, come!’ Holmes says in The Adventure of the Abbey Grange. ‘The game is afoot. Not a word! Into your clothes and come!’
Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of Black Peter
You may have been introduced to the magic of the greatest of English detectives by reading the books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or perhaps watching some of the hundreds of films or TV shows that feature the extraordinary adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr John H. Watson - now, this unique book offers a detailed itinerary for actually ‘walking’ Sherlock Holmes. Beginning, of course, at Baker Street a series of walks takes in the well-known, as well as some of the more obscure, locations of London as travelled by Holmes and Watson and a gallery of unforgettable characters in the stories. Details of each location and the story in which it features are given along with other items of interest - associated literary and historical information, social history, and events in Conan Doyle’s life. A chapter then explores Holmes’ adventures in the rest of the UK. 55 black and white original photographs accompany the text.
This book is designed to appeal to anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of the stories by travelling, even if just in imagination from an armchair, exactly the same London streets as Sherlock Holmes, and perhaps also by exploring some iconic Holmesian locations farther afield. ‘Come, Watson, come!’ Holmes says in The Adventure of the Abbey Grange. ‘The game is afoot. Not a word! Into your clothes and come!’
- GenresNonfictionTravel
141 pages, Hardcover
First published February 18, 2022
4 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Browning
23 books4 followersStephen Browning has written a series of books with Norfolk themes. Titles include Discover Norwich, Discover Norfolk – Land of Wide Skies, Spirit of Norwich Cathedral, Norfolk Food Heroes and Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path. He has also written The World of Charles Dickens. In Asia he has written several books aimed at helping young professionals with their English skills, two which have won top awards in Taiwan. Time permitting, he also enjoys writing features for Norfolk magazines and newspapers as well as detective stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 25, 2023
This is a great, thoroughly researched, guide book to all the haunts of the famous Sherlock Holmes.
The author divides the book into several walking tours you can take around London to visit a number of sites described in Holmes novels and short stories. What really stands out is the level of detail he gives. He doesn't just tell you about a specific attraction. He goes into detail about which stories it featured in and the context of the site in each story.
I will concede that you need to be a real Holmes junkie to appreciate this book, but I fully admit that I am that junkie.
He also includes appendices on theatrical and film adaptations as well as books by other authors featuring Sherlock Holmes.
I could not get enough of this information-dense book and I recommend it to anyone else who is interested in classic mysteries.
The author divides the book into several walking tours you can take around London to visit a number of sites described in Holmes novels and short stories. What really stands out is the level of detail he gives. He doesn't just tell you about a specific attraction. He goes into detail about which stories it featured in and the context of the site in each story.
I will concede that you need to be a real Holmes junkie to appreciate this book, but I fully admit that I am that junkie.
He also includes appendices on theatrical and film adaptations as well as books by other authors featuring Sherlock Holmes.
I could not get enough of this information-dense book and I recommend it to anyone else who is interested in classic mysteries.
April 21, 2022
Marrying a travel book with a biography- no, two biographies- is genius to my way of thinking particularly when the travel matter is historic London and the biographies are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his fictitious character, Sherlock Holmes. I happily prepared for our walking tour as I snuggled into my reading chair and anticipated a wondrous vicarious experience since I consider myself a semi-serious Holmesian.
Stephen Browning begins with the man who made the book possible. He delivers an interesting biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life up to the point he began writing the Sherlock Holmes stories. It was a perfect place to start and from there he was able to progress with bio details for Doyle even as he began to chat about Holmes and his Victorian London world through a series of Walking Tours. Each walking tour is between two-three miles long and incorporates different streets and locations mentioned in the Holmes’ stories as well as Doyle’s life. There are even tidbits about family, friends, and literary contemporaries to Doyle along with the mention of real life individuals and their stories that likely and did influence his writing of Sherlock Holmes. Like the celebrity detectives of the day who had some astounding deductions and solving of cases, Doyle’s own two dips into detective work led to the exoneration of both accused. Doyle told a story of meeting two children and their mother and overhearing the little boy talk led to the curious core of one of his favorite stories to write, The Musgrave Ritual.
Fun fact I learned was that the Raffles’ books were written by Conan Doyle’s brother in law and several people have noted some intriguing parallels. There were all sorts of little things that were new to me and I appreciate these little discoveries as I read along. Makes me want to dive back into the Holmes stories and TV/movie adaptions once again to see them in light of these revelations.
In truth, there was much to learn as we meandered along the walking tours and chatted about the scenes, characters, and places involved and bits about the history of the locale. The research and detail that went into making for a colorful backdrop to the walking tours was amazing. I should mention that the author drew mostly from the lore of the stories, but also the TV and film adaptions.
On the Trail of Sherlock Holmes is not a book that will be read swiftly or make for a one-sitting read. I found it worked best to read a bit at a time because there is much to absorb between the travel facts of the Walking Tour, the Holmesian details, and the biographical data and stories. It wasn’t dry, but was full of vibe and color. Definitely a book a Holmesian would appreciate or an Anglophile in general.
I rec'd an eARC through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
Stephen Browning begins with the man who made the book possible. He delivers an interesting biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life up to the point he began writing the Sherlock Holmes stories. It was a perfect place to start and from there he was able to progress with bio details for Doyle even as he began to chat about Holmes and his Victorian London world through a series of Walking Tours. Each walking tour is between two-three miles long and incorporates different streets and locations mentioned in the Holmes’ stories as well as Doyle’s life. There are even tidbits about family, friends, and literary contemporaries to Doyle along with the mention of real life individuals and their stories that likely and did influence his writing of Sherlock Holmes. Like the celebrity detectives of the day who had some astounding deductions and solving of cases, Doyle’s own two dips into detective work led to the exoneration of both accused. Doyle told a story of meeting two children and their mother and overhearing the little boy talk led to the curious core of one of his favorite stories to write, The Musgrave Ritual.
Fun fact I learned was that the Raffles’ books were written by Conan Doyle’s brother in law and several people have noted some intriguing parallels. There were all sorts of little things that were new to me and I appreciate these little discoveries as I read along. Makes me want to dive back into the Holmes stories and TV/movie adaptions once again to see them in light of these revelations.
In truth, there was much to learn as we meandered along the walking tours and chatted about the scenes, characters, and places involved and bits about the history of the locale. The research and detail that went into making for a colorful backdrop to the walking tours was amazing. I should mention that the author drew mostly from the lore of the stories, but also the TV and film adaptions.
On the Trail of Sherlock Holmes is not a book that will be read swiftly or make for a one-sitting read. I found it worked best to read a bit at a time because there is much to absorb between the travel facts of the Walking Tour, the Holmesian details, and the biographical data and stories. It wasn’t dry, but was full of vibe and color. Definitely a book a Holmesian would appreciate or an Anglophile in general.
I rec'd an eARC through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2022
Thanks to Pen and Sword for giving me a copy of this to review.
I've only read the Sherlock Holmes novels once but I loved them, and this book certainly wants to make me read them again. I'm eyeing up the beautiful Wordsworth editions I have to admit. I've been to London quite a few times, where many of the Sherlock Holmes stories are set, but I didn't think about the places I visited and how they tied into the stories, nor did I realise that Sherlock visited quite so many familiar places!
This book is set out as a series of walks around London, taking in locations frequented by Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle as well. It gives you the backstory to Conan Doyle and how he came to write the books. Sherlock Holmes is such an iconic character in literature and it's really interesting to find out which places were actually real and which were fictitious, with Conan Doyle mixing up the two seamlessly.
I don't know what I expected from this book; I guess I thought that there wouldn't be quite as much detail linking the London we know today with stories based in Victorian London. Browning tells you exactly where to go and what was there in the days of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle, and there is a surprising amount that doesn't really seem to have changed.
I loved the appendices at the back as well, with lists of the stories in chronological order, lists of the actors who have played Sherlock Holmes on screen and a miscellany. A must have for any fan of Sherlock Holmes.
I've only read the Sherlock Holmes novels once but I loved them, and this book certainly wants to make me read them again. I'm eyeing up the beautiful Wordsworth editions I have to admit. I've been to London quite a few times, where many of the Sherlock Holmes stories are set, but I didn't think about the places I visited and how they tied into the stories, nor did I realise that Sherlock visited quite so many familiar places!
This book is set out as a series of walks around London, taking in locations frequented by Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle as well. It gives you the backstory to Conan Doyle and how he came to write the books. Sherlock Holmes is such an iconic character in literature and it's really interesting to find out which places were actually real and which were fictitious, with Conan Doyle mixing up the two seamlessly.
I don't know what I expected from this book; I guess I thought that there wouldn't be quite as much detail linking the London we know today with stories based in Victorian London. Browning tells you exactly where to go and what was there in the days of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle, and there is a surprising amount that doesn't really seem to have changed.
I loved the appendices at the back as well, with lists of the stories in chronological order, lists of the actors who have played Sherlock Holmes on screen and a miscellany. A must have for any fan of Sherlock Holmes.
December 5, 2021
AMBER Machado
3:34 PM (0 minutes ago)
to me
Since listening to the Sherlock Holmes radio show with my grandfather growing up I have loved everything related to Sherlock Holmes.
This is an absolute must for any Sherlock Holmes fan, this book starts with a biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I loved the fact that he and Bram Stroker knew each other, that was something I did not know. I also loved how the author explained where the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes came from. That was superb!
Then, the second half of the book was really admirable by someone who has not been to London. The author does very detailed information about the different locations in the Sherlock Holmes books and their significance to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This was an amazing book and I enjoyed reading it! The author does a very exceptional job explaining the history, social history, and everything between! I definitely recommend this to any Sherlock Fan or a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing as well! Thank you to Netgalley and Pen & Sword for the honor of reading and reviewing this one!
January 9, 2022
Sherlock Holmes is everyone's favorite character. On The Trail Of Sherlock Holmes by Stephen Browning takes us on an amazing journey, where you can find yourself on the streets of London. The author has penned down minute details of the places and people involved in Sherlock's cases. For me, the book rather came as a surprise as I was expecting a storyline. Instead, it became far more interesting for me as I loved the information, as I am an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes. Reading it was a new experience for me.
Definitely, I would love to give the book 5 stars for its creativeness. Thanks to Netgalley and Pen & Sword Books for giving me an opportunity to read and review the book.
Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
Definitely, I would love to give the book 5 stars for its creativeness. Thanks to Netgalley and Pen & Sword Books for giving me an opportunity to read and review the book.
Read more on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com
December 11, 2021
Quick and easy and one for the fans of the great detective
February 5, 2022
Fascinating! This really is a gem of a book, far more detailed than I had anticipated—a veritable encyclopaedia of all things Holmes-related.
It is both an indispensable travel guide and essential addition to the bookshelf of new readers and lifelong Sherlockians alike.
I gained some fascinating new insights, and it cast fresh light on many of my long-held assumptions.
My thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It is both an indispensable travel guide and essential addition to the bookshelf of new readers and lifelong Sherlockians alike.
I gained some fascinating new insights, and it cast fresh light on many of my long-held assumptions.
My thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2022
I happen to have been for many years a massive fan of the fictional detective – a “Sherlockian” if you would like – and aside from the canonical tales written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, which I grew up loving and have re-read many times, I am always keen to devour any pastiche stories of Holmes and Watson wherever I can find them. I’ve always enjoyed picturing the scenes as described within the canon and these, so imagine my delight at finding a book that the research for must have been, well, mind bending to say the least – but that goes someway to helping someone enjoy the same.
And what a book it is.
Opening nicely with a pastiche introduction written by Dr John Watson, which goes onto explain (quite cleverly, and beautifully, I thought) how the book the reader is holding is one that he himself began making notes upon to write, but had due to various incidents and constraints been consigned to the vaults of his bank alongside many other tantalising Holmes stories that are mentioned throughout the canon, ending it by suggesting:
“It is an idea for a future writer, maybe”
Author Stephen Browning has then gone on to indeed take up Watson’s mantle, and has in the process, created something magnificent. From an opening chapter that provides a detailed account of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life and work, his inspiration for Holmes and how he created one of the most famous literary characters ever to be, the almost remainder of the book leads onto several chapters that come under the heading, The Walks.
This is what I really loved here.
Stephen has painstakingly researched and accounted some 7 walks that cover the entire city of London, beautifully and diligently incorporating into which locations that feature in stories from not only the canon, but pastiches of Holmes from other authors too that feature in locations throughout each walk. These are not just listed, but each contain interesting asides to them too – they contain estimated times for each walk, references and directions for transport to and from the locations – there are even diagrams and maps. Whilst I do not want it to sound like a Sherlock Holmes themed tourist guide book (for it is so, so much more than that), it’s easy for the Sherlockian to pick up and follow, on what would be a to do trip out for any fan. Walk number 8 featured is not a listed walk as such as the others, but the author here has listed the other areas of England that Holmes’s adventures and investigations have taken him. County by county, the areas within and their relevance to the Holmes stories are explained in great detail, again with asides that detail real life events, and inspirations for aspects of many of the tales.
No less than three detailed appendices follow – a detailed and chronological timeline of the Canon; a detailed list and accounts of notable actors to have played Holmes on screen and radio over the years, and an alphabetical Holmes miscellany. It’s capped off by an extensive note section and detailed bibliography, that even contains interesting links to websites for further research/reading into Sherlock Holmes.
If I was to have any criticism with it – I do believe an honest review is the only one that counts - and perhaps this is me being overly harsh, but the only thing I was slightly disappointed with it was with the photographs contained within. These are always a plus point to any book I feel, and here there are some 16 pages of black and white photographs, originals taken by the author. But aside from a few stills of the Sherlock Holmes museum, various blue plaques, or of the statue of Holmes located near to Baker Street, they otherwise seem to just be filler pictures of famous landmarks that are found within each walk, or various shots of towns and locations featured within the canon. Whilst I understand the logic behind this, and as well as any possible issues with copyright, I cannot help but feel I would have loved here a few more of the wonderful illustrations, perhaps some from The Strand, as drawn by Sidney Paget, or photographs of real life characters that are mentioned within the text, the inspirations for Holmes perhaps?
This is, however, a minor criticism that stems merely from my personal preferences, and what I was disappointed with, another reader may of course be thrilled at, and appreciate. Overall, the book is fantastic, the research, structure, and writing of it is a truly commendable work, one that I thoroughly recommend – and it certainly hasn’t been a three pipe problem for me to come to this conclusion. Exhaustively, and painstakingly researched, it is a book that belongs on ANY Sherlockian shelf, and one that I dare say will become THE Holmes bible to many.
And what a book it is.
Opening nicely with a pastiche introduction written by Dr John Watson, which goes onto explain (quite cleverly, and beautifully, I thought) how the book the reader is holding is one that he himself began making notes upon to write, but had due to various incidents and constraints been consigned to the vaults of his bank alongside many other tantalising Holmes stories that are mentioned throughout the canon, ending it by suggesting:
“It is an idea for a future writer, maybe”
Author Stephen Browning has then gone on to indeed take up Watson’s mantle, and has in the process, created something magnificent. From an opening chapter that provides a detailed account of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life and work, his inspiration for Holmes and how he created one of the most famous literary characters ever to be, the almost remainder of the book leads onto several chapters that come under the heading, The Walks.
This is what I really loved here.
Stephen has painstakingly researched and accounted some 7 walks that cover the entire city of London, beautifully and diligently incorporating into which locations that feature in stories from not only the canon, but pastiches of Holmes from other authors too that feature in locations throughout each walk. These are not just listed, but each contain interesting asides to them too – they contain estimated times for each walk, references and directions for transport to and from the locations – there are even diagrams and maps. Whilst I do not want it to sound like a Sherlock Holmes themed tourist guide book (for it is so, so much more than that), it’s easy for the Sherlockian to pick up and follow, on what would be a to do trip out for any fan. Walk number 8 featured is not a listed walk as such as the others, but the author here has listed the other areas of England that Holmes’s adventures and investigations have taken him. County by county, the areas within and their relevance to the Holmes stories are explained in great detail, again with asides that detail real life events, and inspirations for aspects of many of the tales.
No less than three detailed appendices follow – a detailed and chronological timeline of the Canon; a detailed list and accounts of notable actors to have played Holmes on screen and radio over the years, and an alphabetical Holmes miscellany. It’s capped off by an extensive note section and detailed bibliography, that even contains interesting links to websites for further research/reading into Sherlock Holmes.
If I was to have any criticism with it – I do believe an honest review is the only one that counts - and perhaps this is me being overly harsh, but the only thing I was slightly disappointed with it was with the photographs contained within. These are always a plus point to any book I feel, and here there are some 16 pages of black and white photographs, originals taken by the author. But aside from a few stills of the Sherlock Holmes museum, various blue plaques, or of the statue of Holmes located near to Baker Street, they otherwise seem to just be filler pictures of famous landmarks that are found within each walk, or various shots of towns and locations featured within the canon. Whilst I understand the logic behind this, and as well as any possible issues with copyright, I cannot help but feel I would have loved here a few more of the wonderful illustrations, perhaps some from The Strand, as drawn by Sidney Paget, or photographs of real life characters that are mentioned within the text, the inspirations for Holmes perhaps?
This is, however, a minor criticism that stems merely from my personal preferences, and what I was disappointed with, another reader may of course be thrilled at, and appreciate. Overall, the book is fantastic, the research, structure, and writing of it is a truly commendable work, one that I thoroughly recommend – and it certainly hasn’t been a three pipe problem for me to come to this conclusion. Exhaustively, and painstakingly researched, it is a book that belongs on ANY Sherlockian shelf, and one that I dare say will become THE Holmes bible to many.
March 8, 2022
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
On the Trail of Sherlock Holmes is an interesting and well written exploration of the actual physical locations included in the Holmes canon presented by Stephen Browning. Due out 31st March 2022 from Pen & Sword, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
A short introductory section covers the background history of Conan Doyle's life and family background, touching on his devotion to his mother throughout her life as well as the difficulties of boarding school and his father's substance abuse issues and decline, alongside his own medical studies and qualifications.
The rest of the book encompasses 8 walking tours of areas immortalised in the stories. The walks vary in length from ca. 3 - 6 km as written. All of the tours include customisable side trips which can increase the length to readers' wishes/time constraints. All of the tours include greyscale maps with arrow directions and good descriptions of sites and points of interest along the route. The author has included comprehensive descriptions and tie-ins to the stories. Whilst most are localised to London and environs, there are descriptions of walking tours elsewhere in the UK as well.
The book also includes appendices with timelines for the canonical stories, a short alphabetical list of actors who have portrayed the Great Detective in film and other media, and an interesting glossary/bullet point list of concepts about Holmes himself.
The writing throughout is accessible and enjoyable to read. Although it's not written as an academic treatise, the book is satisfyingly and precisely annotated and the chapter notes and bibliography will provide readers with hours of additional resources.
Four and a half stars. This is a worthwhile and interesting read. I'm a self-admitted Sherlockian and there was quite a lot of minutiae of which I was previously unaware (Nicol Williamson played Holmes alongside a jaw-droppingly star studded cast? I never knew!).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
On the Trail of Sherlock Holmes is an interesting and well written exploration of the actual physical locations included in the Holmes canon presented by Stephen Browning. Due out 31st March 2022 from Pen & Sword, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
A short introductory section covers the background history of Conan Doyle's life and family background, touching on his devotion to his mother throughout her life as well as the difficulties of boarding school and his father's substance abuse issues and decline, alongside his own medical studies and qualifications.
The rest of the book encompasses 8 walking tours of areas immortalised in the stories. The walks vary in length from ca. 3 - 6 km as written. All of the tours include customisable side trips which can increase the length to readers' wishes/time constraints. All of the tours include greyscale maps with arrow directions and good descriptions of sites and points of interest along the route. The author has included comprehensive descriptions and tie-ins to the stories. Whilst most are localised to London and environs, there are descriptions of walking tours elsewhere in the UK as well.
The book also includes appendices with timelines for the canonical stories, a short alphabetical list of actors who have portrayed the Great Detective in film and other media, and an interesting glossary/bullet point list of concepts about Holmes himself.
The writing throughout is accessible and enjoyable to read. Although it's not written as an academic treatise, the book is satisfyingly and precisely annotated and the chapter notes and bibliography will provide readers with hours of additional resources.
Four and a half stars. This is a worthwhile and interesting read. I'm a self-admitted Sherlockian and there was quite a lot of minutiae of which I was previously unaware (Nicol Williamson played Holmes alongside a jaw-droppingly star studded cast? I never knew!).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
January 13, 2022
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most beloved fictional characters in the world. His creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, formerly Dr. Arthur Doyle, penned fifty six short stories and four novels and led an adventurous life. In the first half of this fabulous book the author describes Doyle's inspiration for his characters and his personal life including his career as a doctor, spiritualism and family. He goes on to recommend eight walks within London including/starting at Baker Street. Brilliant. The walks include information on length, how much time to expect them to take (including inevitable stops), ease of the walk, loads of relevant information as well as history of the time. Not only that but the last portion includes sites of interest outside London as well as a list of actors who have played Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. To me Jeremy Brett is the only Sherlock Holmes!
I wonder how Doyle would feel about the film and movie depictions over the years since his death. His descriptions of Holmes do not include the deerstalker cap, for example. As a rabid Sherlock Holmes fan it was such fun to read about his stints at sea and literary acquaintances such as Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker. I enjoyed the spa and jumper stories and The Hiatus repercussions for the public at the time. Sherlock Holmes was...and is...practically real! There are references to the likes of the wondrous Wilkie Collins, Dorothy Sayers, Thackeray and Dickens, too.
Sherlock Holmes fans in particular would enjoy this book, especially those who wish to read about and see places associated with him. If in London again I would love to embark on several of the walks and observe the Holmesian buildings, parks, statues and streets written about in this book. I like the inclusion of photos as well.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful book!
I wonder how Doyle would feel about the film and movie depictions over the years since his death. His descriptions of Holmes do not include the deerstalker cap, for example. As a rabid Sherlock Holmes fan it was such fun to read about his stints at sea and literary acquaintances such as Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker. I enjoyed the spa and jumper stories and The Hiatus repercussions for the public at the time. Sherlock Holmes was...and is...practically real! There are references to the likes of the wondrous Wilkie Collins, Dorothy Sayers, Thackeray and Dickens, too.
Sherlock Holmes fans in particular would enjoy this book, especially those who wish to read about and see places associated with him. If in London again I would love to embark on several of the walks and observe the Holmesian buildings, parks, statues and streets written about in this book. I like the inclusion of photos as well.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful book!
January 5, 2022
On the Trail of Sherlock Holmes by Stephen Browning is a tour guide of modern London for Sherlock fans.
It begins with a long biography of Conan Doyle, which was very interesting.
But after that, the book wasn't what I expected at all.
I expected historical context of the Sherlock Holmes stories, helping me understand the city and people of the time better. But this is actually more of a tour guide of everything Sherlock related in the London of today.
For example, which places Sherlock and Watson went to in which story, where they met, etc..
Don't get me wrong, the author has undoubtedly researched the subject very thoroughly. But the book to me felt heavy and way too detailed, especially during the walks, where a lot of non Sherlock related information appeared. Though I suppose it must be more interesting when actually walking in London.
So overall, probably a nice London tour guide for Sherlock fans, but not a very good book to read from home if you're one to find detailed information boring.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It begins with a long biography of Conan Doyle, which was very interesting.
But after that, the book wasn't what I expected at all.
I expected historical context of the Sherlock Holmes stories, helping me understand the city and people of the time better. But this is actually more of a tour guide of everything Sherlock related in the London of today.
For example, which places Sherlock and Watson went to in which story, where they met, etc..
Don't get me wrong, the author has undoubtedly researched the subject very thoroughly. But the book to me felt heavy and way too detailed, especially during the walks, where a lot of non Sherlock related information appeared. Though I suppose it must be more interesting when actually walking in London.
So overall, probably a nice London tour guide for Sherlock fans, but not a very good book to read from home if you're one to find detailed information boring.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2022
I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan which is why On the Trail of Sherlock Holmes caught my eye. The author sets out a series of walks around London, incorporating locations that feature in stories from the canon and incidents in Conan Doyle’s life. There are even tidbits about family, friends, and literary contemporaries to Doyle along with the mention of real-life individuals and their stories that likely and did influence his writing of Sherlock Holmes. It made me want to go to London and follow the walks and suggested side excursions. It also made me want to go back and read some of the stories again and maybe watch some of the adaptations I haven’t seen. The appendices were fun too, giving a chronological timeline of the Conan Doyle stories, notable actors to have played Holmes over the years, and an alphabetical Holmes miscellany. My one complaint is that I wish there were more and better photos and illustrations. I’d love full-color photos of some of the spots mentioned. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the armchair travel.
March 16, 2022
WOW, what a fantastic book. I loved from the minute I picked it up. It has been professionally written and the amount of research that has gone into it was fantastic.
I really enjoyed reading the walks the Author has recommended and all the other information on them other than about Holmes was interesting.
Definitely a book that will increase your knowledge about Sherlock and Conan Doyle. I am buying a hard copy for my son once it is released.
Thank you to Net Galley and Pen and Sword for the ARC Copy of the book. The review is my own opinion.
I really enjoyed reading the walks the Author has recommended and all the other information on them other than about Holmes was interesting.
Definitely a book that will increase your knowledge about Sherlock and Conan Doyle. I am buying a hard copy for my son once it is released.
Thank you to Net Galley and Pen and Sword for the ARC Copy of the book. The review is my own opinion.
January 25, 2023
I was really only interested in the tour guide aspects of the book, so blending them with biography really didn't work for me. I wish the two had been completely separated out, rather than having a brief biography at the beginning and more vignettes throughout. I also wish it had focused more on veritable Sherlockian landmarks (e.g., Baker Street tube station, the Sherlock Holmes Museum, the Sherlock Holmes pub), and gone into more detail on them, rather than pointing out as many streets where a character might potentially have gone in a single story as possible.
February 17, 2024
Oh my. I loved this one! Learning more about Sir Conan Doyle, and the creation of Sherlock Holmes. I have long been a avid fan of the Sherlock Holmes books. But, getting this insight into the man that created him was something else. I enjoyed the back story, the different crimes of the time that Conan Doyle read about and assisted in logical thinking, and the walks about London, that take you to some of the locations that are discussed in the book.
Great read overall!
Great read overall!
March 23, 2022
It was a riveting and informative read and it would be the perfect guide for walking tour based on Sherlock Holmes.
Well written, informative, and well researched.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Well written, informative, and well researched.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 15, 2021
Excellent read and a must for all Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle fans alike. Insights into the author and characters at every turn, read it all in one sitting as couldn’t put it down.
#netgallery
#netgallery
February 6, 2023
Wonderful travel guide to the London of Arthur Conan Doyle and the locations he used in his
stories. It is a series of guided walks in good company.
stories. It is a series of guided walks in good company.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews