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The Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes series #3
Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol
An original Sherlock Holmes mystery from his early casebook! Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, Anthony Horowitz and classic crime fiction.
Sherlock Holmes dons his boxing gloves to catch a killer…
London, 1876
When a pugilist dies at a local boxing demonstration attended by medical student Mr Stamford and his acquaintance Sherlock Holmes, a post-mortem reveals the death is due to natural causes.
But when the corpse of another boxer is discovered clutching a small wooden carving – the ebony idol – Holmes begins to suspect that sinister forces are at work.
His suspicions seem confirmed when the companions hear about a previous death in the ring.
Tasked by the man’s widow to bring his killer to justice, Holmes and Stamford are swiftly drawn into their most curious case to date.
Are the deaths connected? Is there a murderer at work?
Holmes must employ all his powers of deduction if he is to discover the truth of the mystery.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE EBONY IDOL is the third Victorian crime thriller in the Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes series.
THE EARLY CASEBOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
BOOK 1: Sherlock Holmes and the Rosetta Stone Mystery
BOOK 2: Sherlock Holmes and the Explorers’ Club
BOOK 3: Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol
BOOK 4: Sherlock Holmes and the Persian Slipper
BOOK 5: Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk
BOOK 6: Sherlock Holmes and the Duelling Dukes
BOOK 7: Sherlock Holmes and the Mycroft Incident
Sherlock Holmes dons his boxing gloves to catch a killer…
London, 1876
When a pugilist dies at a local boxing demonstration attended by medical student Mr Stamford and his acquaintance Sherlock Holmes, a post-mortem reveals the death is due to natural causes.
But when the corpse of another boxer is discovered clutching a small wooden carving – the ebony idol – Holmes begins to suspect that sinister forces are at work.
His suspicions seem confirmed when the companions hear about a previous death in the ring.
Tasked by the man’s widow to bring his killer to justice, Holmes and Stamford are swiftly drawn into their most curious case to date.
Are the deaths connected? Is there a murderer at work?
Holmes must employ all his powers of deduction if he is to discover the truth of the mystery.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE EBONY IDOL is the third Victorian crime thriller in the Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes series.
THE EARLY CASEBOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
BOOK 1: Sherlock Holmes and the Rosetta Stone Mystery
BOOK 2: Sherlock Holmes and the Explorers’ Club
BOOK 3: Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol
BOOK 4: Sherlock Holmes and the Persian Slipper
BOOK 5: Sherlock Holmes and the Legend of the Great Auk
BOOK 6: Sherlock Holmes and the Duelling Dukes
BOOK 7: Sherlock Holmes and the Mycroft Incident
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2022
About the author
Linda Stratmann
45 books68 followersLinda Stratmann is a British writer of historical true crime, biography and crime fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 16, 2022
1876 While watching a boxing exhibition Holmes and Stamford witness the death of one of the opponents. But this is not the first boxing death nor will it be the last. Holmes investigates.
An entertaining well-written Holmes mystery. Another good addition to the series.
An entertaining well-written Holmes mystery. Another good addition to the series.
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September 7, 2022Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for a review copy.
tl;dr
A twisty mystery with narration that strongly evokes the feel of the original series.
About
A pugilist dies at a boxing match - supposedly of natural causes. There's no reason to suspect foul play until another man from the same group also dies. Budding detective Sherlock Holmes is on the case, but the deeper he gets, the more it seems like everyone in this group has something to hide.
Thoughts
This book is the third in an original series featuring Sherlock's pre-Watson cases from the POV of Stamford (the man who introduced Holmes to Watson in the canon). Like most of the canon, it can be read in basically any order, so knowledge of previous books is not necessary. Also like the canon, the POV character does very little to characterize himself, focusing his narration entirely on the mystery at hand. Fans who prefer the plot-centric approach will find a lot to like, with several intertwined mysteries all happening at once, plenty of twists, and a satisfying solution. I was also pleased at how much research went into keeping the time period authentic. Author's notes in the back list sources for anyone curious to learn more. Overall, a great read for Holmes fans looking for a good mystery with a similar feel to the original stories.
tl;dr
A twisty mystery with narration that strongly evokes the feel of the original series.
About
A pugilist dies at a boxing match - supposedly of natural causes. There's no reason to suspect foul play until another man from the same group also dies. Budding detective Sherlock Holmes is on the case, but the deeper he gets, the more it seems like everyone in this group has something to hide.
Thoughts
This book is the third in an original series featuring Sherlock's pre-Watson cases from the POV of Stamford (the man who introduced Holmes to Watson in the canon). Like most of the canon, it can be read in basically any order, so knowledge of previous books is not necessary. Also like the canon, the POV character does very little to characterize himself, focusing his narration entirely on the mystery at hand. Fans who prefer the plot-centric approach will find a lot to like, with several intertwined mysteries all happening at once, plenty of twists, and a satisfying solution. I was also pleased at how much research went into keeping the time period authentic. Author's notes in the back list sources for anyone curious to learn more. Overall, a great read for Holmes fans looking for a good mystery with a similar feel to the original stories.
September 11, 2022
Wonderful story!
This novel kept me in thrall to the very end. I had so many different hypotheses, bouncing from one to another until finally it was all sorted out. Whew! Highly recommended.
This novel kept me in thrall to the very end. I had so many different hypotheses, bouncing from one to another until finally it was all sorted out. Whew! Highly recommended.
February 25, 2023
This is the third book in the early Sherlock Holmes' era and probably my least favorite but that is mostly based on the subject matter surrounding boxing, which I don't care for, though I know Holmes is a participant from his later works. I was expecting the ebony idol to be a mysterious artifact or some other bit of history but it's just a talisman carved by a father for his son.
When a young boxer dies under odd circumstances with the idol clutched to his chest, his opponent and owner of the idol is fingered for murder. Holmes of course suspects this is far from the truth and uses his astute powers of observation to learn the truth.
I like the way Ms. Stratmann writes because the books have the very similar feel to Doyle's original works. I am very much enjoying this series and look forward to a fourth book, and maybe a book about what really happened at the falls...
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.
When a young boxer dies under odd circumstances with the idol clutched to his chest, his opponent and owner of the idol is fingered for murder. Holmes of course suspects this is far from the truth and uses his astute powers of observation to learn the truth.
I like the way Ms. Stratmann writes because the books have the very similar feel to Doyle's original works. I am very much enjoying this series and look forward to a fourth book, and maybe a book about what really happened at the falls...
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.
September 5, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and Sapere Books for a review copy of Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol, the third novel to feature the early career of the great detective, set in 1876.
Holmes and his friend, Mr Stamford are attending a boxing exhibition when one of the boxers dies. They are interested in the cause of death, which turns out to be natural causes, but while investigating this death a second boxer dies, clutching a wooden statue, the eponymous ebony idol. When they hear about a third boxer’s death they are firmly on the case.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol, which is the usual fiendish brain teaser that contains all the clues needed to solve it. There’s no point in beating about the bush, I might have had some small inkling about one of the deaths, but not enough to get anywhere near the full story, so basically I was in the dark until the denouement.
The plot is clever and ingenious in its solution. The author drops all sorts of hints and clues, but the reader, or perhaps just this particular reader, has no way of knowing what is important and what is simply either window dressing or misdirection. On reflection, most of it is important in one way or another, but where or how it fits in is a puzzle. It is also a novel of twists with missing people turning up in the most unexpected places and under the most unexpected guises. I liked the explanation of how these men died, which somehow seems to fit the overall narrative where nothing is quite as it seems and I loved that Holmes managed to unearth another murder that had passed as natural.
The novel is told in the first person by Mr Stamford, no first name given, and is related years after the events described, so it has both the benefit of hindsight and the ability to comment on Holmes’s later life and cases. It is very effective.
Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Holmes and his friend, Mr Stamford are attending a boxing exhibition when one of the boxers dies. They are interested in the cause of death, which turns out to be natural causes, but while investigating this death a second boxer dies, clutching a wooden statue, the eponymous ebony idol. When they hear about a third boxer’s death they are firmly on the case.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol, which is the usual fiendish brain teaser that contains all the clues needed to solve it. There’s no point in beating about the bush, I might have had some small inkling about one of the deaths, but not enough to get anywhere near the full story, so basically I was in the dark until the denouement.
The plot is clever and ingenious in its solution. The author drops all sorts of hints and clues, but the reader, or perhaps just this particular reader, has no way of knowing what is important and what is simply either window dressing or misdirection. On reflection, most of it is important in one way or another, but where or how it fits in is a puzzle. It is also a novel of twists with missing people turning up in the most unexpected places and under the most unexpected guises. I liked the explanation of how these men died, which somehow seems to fit the overall narrative where nothing is quite as it seems and I loved that Holmes managed to unearth another murder that had passed as natural.
The novel is told in the first person by Mr Stamford, no first name given, and is related years after the events described, so it has both the benefit of hindsight and the ability to comment on Holmes’s later life and cases. It is very effective.
Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 29, 2024
I pride myself in reading everything in every fiction book — from cover to cover. I admit to not reading end notes in non-fiction. I must confess to finding something I missed in the first book and repeated in book three — SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE EBONY IDOL. Following the Table of Contents is a page that states "From Memoirs of a Medical Man by A. Stamford FRCS 1924." Since the adventures of Holmes and Stamford take place in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, some fifty years have passed since the two became crime solvers.
If you saw the 2009 film "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey, Jr., you will surely recall the calculated bare-knuckle fight in which Holmes engages. I must confess that I found the scene fascinating and memorable. Although prize fighting was illegal in Britain, fights were organized, and betting was rampant. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE EBONY IDOL is a boxing tale complete with gloves, seconds, and a referee. Boxers train at a gymnasium above the public house called the King Henry which also had living accommodations used by some of the fighters. And people have died. Was it accidental? Was it manslaughter? Or was it murder?
There is a somewhat diverse cast of characters in this one, and as we often see today, the police have decided upon a suspect based on the color of his skin. If nothing else, history tells us that the ills of our time have existed in the past. Some say that this leads to repetition; I would posit it is a continuation that has been ignored.
Holmes and Stamford find that one death leads back to another that superficially seem to have no connection. Holmes can be seen honing skills that his later self will use without conscious thought. Much like Dr. Watson will later be put upon by thugs and blackguards, Stamford is beset and less able to defend himself. That will be modified by his taking boxing classes more for exercise than for developing pugilistic prowess. As for the ebony idol, the boxers seem to be a superstitious lot who attribute paranormal powers to it.
As always, don't stop at 'the end;' read the historical notes that follow. The stories are engaging, but the history is verifiable.
If you saw the 2009 film "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey, Jr., you will surely recall the calculated bare-knuckle fight in which Holmes engages. I must confess that I found the scene fascinating and memorable. Although prize fighting was illegal in Britain, fights were organized, and betting was rampant. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE EBONY IDOL is a boxing tale complete with gloves, seconds, and a referee. Boxers train at a gymnasium above the public house called the King Henry which also had living accommodations used by some of the fighters. And people have died. Was it accidental? Was it manslaughter? Or was it murder?
There is a somewhat diverse cast of characters in this one, and as we often see today, the police have decided upon a suspect based on the color of his skin. If nothing else, history tells us that the ills of our time have existed in the past. Some say that this leads to repetition; I would posit it is a continuation that has been ignored.
Holmes and Stamford find that one death leads back to another that superficially seem to have no connection. Holmes can be seen honing skills that his later self will use without conscious thought. Much like Dr. Watson will later be put upon by thugs and blackguards, Stamford is beset and less able to defend himself. That will be modified by his taking boxing classes more for exercise than for developing pugilistic prowess. As for the ebony idol, the boxers seem to be a superstitious lot who attribute paranormal powers to it.
As always, don't stop at 'the end;' read the historical notes that follow. The stories are engaging, but the history is verifiable.
November 24, 2022
Sherlock Holmes and his friend, Mr Stamford, are attending an exhibition boxing match when one of the pugilists dies suddenly. His death is determined to be from natural causes. However, shortly after, another young boxer is discovered murdered, clutching an ebony idol to his chest. The owner of the idol is arrested but Sherlock is not convinced of his guilt and sets out to discover the real culprit. But the more he digs, the more he learns that this was not the first suspicious death in the boxing community and, if Sherlock’s suspicions are correct, it likely won’t be the last.
Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol is the third in The Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes series by Linda Stratmann and I have enjoyed them all. Stratmann does an excellent job of recreating the historical period and the tone of the story matches Doyle’s style nicely. I liked that young Sherlock is just learning his trade and is not quite as accomplished at, for example, disguises as he is to become and Stamford makes a fine foil for the young detective. Overall, a vey nice edition to the Sherlock Holmes canon.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review<\i>
Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol is the third in The Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes series by Linda Stratmann and I have enjoyed them all. Stratmann does an excellent job of recreating the historical period and the tone of the story matches Doyle’s style nicely. I liked that young Sherlock is just learning his trade and is not quite as accomplished at, for example, disguises as he is to become and Stamford makes a fine foil for the young detective. Overall, a vey nice edition to the Sherlock Holmes canon.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review<\i>
December 6, 2022
Mr Stamford and Sherlock Holmes witness the death of a pugilist in a demonstration, but do not suspect it will propel them into another investigation. Another mysterious death and a previous death in the ring make it likely there is something sinister afoot. Holmes must use all of his skills to discover the truth of the mystery.
As with the previous books, I enjoyed this one a lot! I’m fascinated by the author’s ability to capture Holmas as a young man. I especially enjoyed getting a glimpse into how Holmes might have learned his skills at boxing and the physical arts. And, as before, seeing the case unfold through the eyes of Mike Stamford was entertaining. Watson, he is not, but he is a loyal companion nonetheless.
I don’t know much about boxing of the Victorian era so I was fascinated by the details in the story. The story really did keep me guessing and I was delighted by the ending. The whole story was well-written and captured the spirit of the original stories.
This is a book and series that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories about Sherlock Holmes as a young man. I received a copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
As with the previous books, I enjoyed this one a lot! I’m fascinated by the author’s ability to capture Holmas as a young man. I especially enjoyed getting a glimpse into how Holmes might have learned his skills at boxing and the physical arts. And, as before, seeing the case unfold through the eyes of Mike Stamford was entertaining. Watson, he is not, but he is a loyal companion nonetheless.
I don’t know much about boxing of the Victorian era so I was fascinated by the details in the story. The story really did keep me guessing and I was delighted by the ending. The whole story was well-written and captured the spirit of the original stories.
This is a book and series that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys stories about Sherlock Holmes as a young man. I received a copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
January 22, 2026
Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol by Linda Stratmann is a mystery thriller that presents a slightly different shade of the legendary detective. Instead of the fast-paced deductions readers usually expect, this story takes a more detailed and character-driven approach. Nearly every character is introduced with care, which helps build the Victorian atmosphere but also makes the narrative feel somewhat slow in the beginning. As the investigation unfolds, multiple threads start running at once, and at times the plot feels muddled rather than tightly controlled. However, the author’s intention to explore a more human, conflicted side of Sherlock Holmes is clear and adds depth to his character. The final stretch of the novel is where the story truly finds its footing. The tension rises, secrets are revealed, and the climax becomes far more engaging than what came before. While not a classic high-octane Holmes mystery, this book offers an interesting reinterpretation for readers who enjoy layered characters and atmospheric storytelling.
Read more at https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...
Read more at https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...
September 20, 2022
I received this ARC From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is the third in the series of “The Early Casebook of Sherlock Holmes”. This was the first book that I have read in the series, and I found myself fascinated with how Stratmann had a great fix on the young mind of Sherlock Holmes. I felt that I was reading a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle book. It is always fascinating reading about the thought process of how Holmes solves a case. This case starts off with Mr. Stamford who is narrating the story telling how he had been invited to a boxing match and is amazed to see Holmes stepping into the ring. When a fighter dies and another fighter is accused of his murder because the police believe that he put poison on an ebony idol that he was trying to steal. Homes decides to help this young fighter and clears his name. Holmes then finds out about another death that could be connected and the chase is on. Plenty of action and a great whodunnit! It's a great read and one that will immerse you into Sherlock Holmes' thinking while solving the case.
November 13, 2022
As a 'dyed-in-the-wool' Sherlockian, I don't usually read Holmes pastiches, keeping usually to the accepted canon, but I thought I would give this a try and I am very glad I did (although to call this book a pastiche is possibly to do it a disservice). It was thoroughly enjoyable, bringing a level of believability to the detailing of the early life and career of Holmes that one would have thought impossible today. Admittedly, there hovered an air of 21st Century contemporary in the use of such PC terms as 'disabled' instead of 'invalid' and such modern parlance as 'he hoped to have answers', but these can be forgiven in a book written in todays enlightened times that features non-white characters but does not make a fuss or furore about the way in which they were often unfairly and prejudicially treated. It was just the way it was, and that was that, A light and enjoyable read, although the title is very misleading, since the titular Idol was no more than a side issue to the main plot.
Thanks to Netgalley for a free review copy of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for a free review copy of this book.
December 26, 2024
Third in this series that I have read. All are excellent. The ability to capture a dialect that puts you into the scenario especially transports me.
I have tried writing a bit so I have a sense of how hard it is to create a compelling story line AND write it well. These stories are both an inspiration and an impossibly high bar to aspire to. And then to write something that will automatically be compared to a classic and revered writer and character takes a bit of courage. Ms. Stratmann pulls it off with panache.
For those of us who wish that Sir A.C. Doyle had written more, a better inheritor of the character is inconceivable.
I have tried writing a bit so I have a sense of how hard it is to create a compelling story line AND write it well. These stories are both an inspiration and an impossibly high bar to aspire to. And then to write something that will automatically be compared to a classic and revered writer and character takes a bit of courage. Ms. Stratmann pulls it off with panache.
For those of us who wish that Sir A.C. Doyle had written more, a better inheritor of the character is inconceivable.
November 7, 2022
Thankyou NetGalley and Sapere Books. I love anything Sherlock Holmes and this is said from the Stamford (Sherlock's friend). The story picks up from a death that takes place in a boxing ring, this is a second death due to boxing. I personally like it how the story revolves around three different deaths. Read this book, if you (A) like Sherlock Holmes (B) Pieces various pieces of information as a puzzle and (C) You think you know how it will end but it ends up being different. Amazing penmanship by the author, and I highly recommend this book!
September 3, 2022
Sherlock Holmes and the Ebony Idol by Linda Stratmann.
Sherlock Holmes dons his boxing gloves to catch a killer…
London, 1876
When a pugilist dies at a local boxing demonstration attended by medical student Mr Stamford and his acquaintance Sherlock Holmes, a post-mortem reveals the death is due to natural causes.
I really enjoyed this book. I love sherlock Holmes. I've never read this author though. I will be looking forward to more from her though. 5*.
Sherlock Holmes dons his boxing gloves to catch a killer…
London, 1876
When a pugilist dies at a local boxing demonstration attended by medical student Mr Stamford and his acquaintance Sherlock Holmes, a post-mortem reveals the death is due to natural causes.
I really enjoyed this book. I love sherlock Holmes. I've never read this author though. I will be looking forward to more from her though. 5*.
September 11, 2022
I really liked this book. It's the third in the series by Linda Stratmann and she is on a roll. The story centered around boxing but it was only the setting, not the focus. The mystery took center stage and it was a honey. Tgere were several deaths to be investigated and Stratmann's Sherlock Holmes was up to the task. The characters were interesting and there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and will be eagerly waiting for the next book in the series.
September 11, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author and found it very close in style to the original books by ACD which I appreciate as I have always loved the originals. The plot was a great twisty mystery although boxing isn't a favourite subject of mine I still enjoyed the mystery. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 20, 2022
This is the first Sherlock Holmes I read by Linda Stratamann and I think she did a good job in delivering an entertaining novel even if Holmes it's not very canon-like.
The characters are fleshed and the plot flows, solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The characters are fleshed and the plot flows, solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 25, 2025
Good
It started off great! But then slowed down and didn't pick up. Enjoyed the ending though, and it was a little interesting learning about the old world of boxing. Pretty brutal.
Christa
It started off great! But then slowed down and didn't pick up. Enjoyed the ending though, and it was a little interesting learning about the old world of boxing. Pretty brutal.
Christa
June 1, 2026
Holmes emerging with great deductions
This is a fun series with the young Sherlock thinking his way though cases - 4 in one in this book! His companion Mr. Stratford is a wonderful friend and compatriot, as Watson would later be. I love the series and am onto book 4!
This is a fun series with the young Sherlock thinking his way though cases - 4 in one in this book! His companion Mr. Stratford is a wonderful friend and compatriot, as Watson would later be. I love the series and am onto book 4!
December 10, 2022
This story centers on boxing, the question of race and misunderstood statues/carvings..I found the extent of the boxing business, the difficulty of keeping so many characters clear and the story that less interesting as it moved too slowly for me... But it is S Holmes. so I rated it higher than I might have.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews