Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Early Adventures Volume II

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Early Adventures #2

by David Marcum

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Early AdventuresThere is a persistent and incorrect idea, reinforced by countless film misrepresentations, that Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were always staid and dull British chaps of middle years (or older), with Holmes a spry, cranky, and impatient eccentric, and Watson a white-haired and portly Boobus Brittanicus, a la Nigel Bruce. Students of the true and Canonical Sherlock Holmes know this to be a falsehood. When we first meet them on January 1st, 1881, Holmes is still 26 years old (although he will turn 27 in just a few days), and Watson, already a wounded war veteran, is only 28. During the three year period between early 1881 and late 1883, through all of the early adventures which cemented their lifelong friendship, Holmes was still in his twenties, with Watson just a little over a year older. This idea is difficult for many to accept as they cling to the image of Our Heroes as senior citizens. This volume, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor The Early Adventures, is an amazing collection of some of Holmes and Watson’s fascinating cases that occurred during those first three years in Baker Street, when Holmes was creating his unique profession of consulting detective, while Watson was still recovering from the war wounds that he’d received in Afghanistan and slowly returning to the business of being a civilian doctor. Included are 31 new stories in three companion volumes by some of today’s best Sherlockian pasticheurs, as well as an excerpt from the beginning of A Study in Scarlet, detailing the initial meeting of Holmes and Watson in early 1881, as well as possibly the most famous Canonical tale, “The Speckled Band” (occurring in April 1883) and “The Resident Patient”, with its original restored opening text, as it first appeared in The Strand magazine, indicating that this adventure occurred toward the end of the first year of Holmes and Watson’s residency at 221b Baker Street.Join us as we climb the seventeen steps to Our Heroes’ sitting room. You’ll find that they haven’t lived there quite as long in these early days, and possibly they aren’t as quite as old as you might have pictured them . . . .

355 pages, Hardcover

First published November 22, 2019

Reviews

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson— these two names conjure up lots of images. Some of them are associated with Canonical adventures. But many also invoke possibilities— adventures that might have taken place, but haven’t been told.
This book continues the tradition of bringing forward such possibilities, in the form of competent pastiches.
My favourites were~
1. D.J. Tyrer's "The Locked-Room Mystery";
2. Jayantika Ganguly's "The Adventure of the Missing Shadow";
3. G.C. Rosenquist's "The Adventure of Stonehenge in London";
4. Tracy J. Revels' "The Adventure of the Last Laugh" (simply sublime!)
5. Robert Stapleton's "The Penny Murders";
6. Stephen Herczeg's "The Disappearing Debutante".
Combined with the informative foreword and some very well-researched (but a trifle boring) tales, I wouldn’t hesitate in giving this book the maximum rating.
Highly recommended.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The usual mix: a few good, a few OK, the rest still on training wheels.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay collection of stories, but there's nothing particularly noteworthy about them. The characterizations are not very well constructed, and the mysteries are okay but none of them memorable.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed bag of stories. A few really good ones but the rest were mediocre. Not really my cup of tea. I thought I would enjoy them more but they got a bit samey after a few.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. The Adventure ofthe Substitute Detective - I.A. Watson - - Inspectors Gregson and Lestrade both have case needing Holmes's expertise but his away. His location unknown to Wtson.
2. The Adventurenof the Resident Patient - A.C. Doyle - Dr Trevelyan is set by in his iwn practice by a Mr Blessington and become the resident patient. But what is he hiding (Read previously).
3. The Locked Room Mystery- D .J. Tyrer - Robert Louis Stevenson needs the help of Holmes as his manuscript has been stolen from a locked drawer in a locked room.
4. The Adventure of the Missing Shadow - J. Gangly -Shadow, the dog belonging to 10 year old Lord Adrian Lawson is missing. But why.
5. A Diplomatic Affair- M. Mower - 1882 Holmes uncovers a plot to kill Gladstone
6. The Adventure of Stonehenge in London - GC Rosenquist - 1882 As with all the previous earls, the old and invalid 8th Earl of Rendlesham has disappeared.
7. The Doctor's Tale - D. Marcum - 1882 - Holmes investigates the supposed murder of Dr Leland Smalĺwood.
8. The Finding of Geoffrey Hobson - D.B. Beckwith - 1882 - Holmes is employed to find the co-conspirator of rhe assassination attempt on the Queen.
9. The Adventure of the Last Laugh - T.J. Revel- 1882 - Ambrose Bartley approaches Holmes as a self portrait bynhis friend Eustis Lacey hold the key to a great fortune.
10. The Penny Murders - R. Stapleton - the events of 10 years past with the castaways on Dragon island have come back to haunt them.
11. The Adventure of the Disappearing Debutante - Why does Lady Elizabeth disappear from her own Debutante Ball.
A set of enjoyable short stories.

[Tobias Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories but some annoying anachronisms

These are some very good Holmes and Watson pastiches. Better than most on the market.
They're flawed, although not sufficiently to rate 3*, by some irritating anachronisms which should have been spotted by an editor.
For example: Holmes and Watson wear black-tie evening dress in one story - this didn't exist until the early 20th century and was even then regarded as declasse and "American". Also Wiggins is paid with a guinea in one story - not only would this have been useless to him (it was approximately five days wages at the time and any attempt to use a gold coin would either have resulted in his arrest for theft or the shopkeeper being unable to make change), but more problematic is that it did not exist as a coin (it had ceased circulation in 1814), the author presumably meant a sovereign (the problems for Wiggins in spending this are noted above).
As I say this is particularly frustrating as the stories themselves are good and a decent editor would have been easily able to correct these, and other, errors.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now On To Volume III

A veritable cornocopea, as was Volume I, this collection continues unabated with eclectic Holmes pastiches that make one wonder at the minds of men and women who are driven by their need to expand the Canon on their own terms, yet makes you so grateful for their efforts! Would that Sir Arthur could have lived another hundred years to witness what he had wrought! The nerve that he had thought at one time that 'enough was enough'! My retirement has been inhabited by my many friends, old and new, who continue and expand the adventures of BakerStreet and environs. Bravo! And thank you all, for "the game is afoot"!

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only recently got into Sherlock Holmes books/audio and this is a great way of doing this for the novice. The narration is just perfect. Each story was easy to listen and just the right length.

All in all so pleased I found this and would fully recommend.

I was given a free copy via the book club audible listeners from the narrator but this in no way impacted my review.

[Carol Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early adventures of Holmes & Watson during the 3 years 1881-83, there are 31 stories in all some I have heard and even watched a few on tv but nonetheless a great collection. As always the narration is good and never fail to disappoint the Sherlock Holmes clans, and are excellent to listen to about a fictitious British icon.

[Christa Saccullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun

Another wonderful volume of Sherlock Holmes story collections. I certainly enjoyed the last three stories. The authors have done a nice job of staying true to the voice and feel of these adventures.

Christa

[Maryellen Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

No duds here!

I love these smart collections. Always true to the classics, and always interesting plots. Marcum is a great selector/editor and author.