Holmes & Watson

by Lee Eric Shackleford

Dr. Watson tells us in "The Final Problem" how Sherlock Holmes died -- and in "The Empty House" how Holmes turned out to be alive after all. But Watson skipped over the immediate aftermath of Holmes' return, and Watson's reaction to the cruel trick Holmes played on his friend. Now at last the true story is revealed... "I have read HOLMES & WATSON and it held me riveted from first page to last. It dealt with the interrelationship of Holmes and Watson more deeply than Doyle ever bothered and gives Watson an absolutely fair shake -- and has a mystery, too. Bravo!" --Isaac Asimov

Genres: Plays, Mystery, Historical Fiction

148 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2007

Reviews

[Ailbhe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have loved to get the chance to see this play in person. It's very true to the characters (although I wish the little comments about Adler hadn't been included- I'm not about hetro Holmes ever at all, not one bit).

So many fans of Sherlock Holmes see him as a bit of an android, but this drama corrects them by showing his passion and depth of emotion, while maintaining his hard personality. Excellently done.

Watson is a man after my own heart.

I love my boys.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This pastiche offers a rare opportunity not available in canon. When reading canon, it is always with the awareness that these events are a retelling that have since been filtered through Watson's "romanticism" as it were. But this play offers a unique opportunity at seeing Holmes and Watson in real time, their emotions raw and unbridled. The play is incredibly intimate, with only the two title characters and a one room set, the focus remains unflinchingly on the relationship between these two characters. The source of dramatic tension is not, nor has it ever been, the murders and cases that are peripheral to what this play, but rather the way in which the two characters continuously dance around each other, always on the edge of the precipice. The truth is, they love each other tremendously, and Lee Shackleford writes that onto every page.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was funny, touching, and I love that it gives Watson bite. People--even in pastiches--just make Watson out to be a moron. Holmes wouldn't tuck in with a moron, and he certainly wouldn't have his closest friend/associate be an idiot.

Ugh this was so good and obviously a quick read. Loved it.

Would also love to see it live, of course.

[Savanna Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just need a more solid resolution, man.

[Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

They...

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect script, with a fabulous cliffhanger at the end of Act I. Very helpful staging notes are included.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't understand why this isn't considered required reading for every Holmes fan.