Enter the Lion: A Posthumous Memoir of Mycroft Holmes

by Michael P. Hodel, Sean M. Wright

This is as unique an effort to capture the essence of the Mycroft Holmes character as I have ever been fortunate enough to enjoy. Second probably only to Quinn Fawcett's more recent work on the "Brotherhood" series, this 1979 novel by Michael Hodel and Sean Wright really brings the Mycroft Holmes character alive. The authors explain how they stumble across the hidden manuscript in an antique store, and then present the work for the reader. I believe this book pre-dates or is a contemporary of the work of Nicholas Meyer, who used a similar device in his books ("Seven Percent Solution", etc.), to explain how he came across new Sherlock stories. Hodel and Wright go a step further, and offer insightful footnotes throughout which help to illuminate past and future items in the Canon, as well as historical perspective. In the manuscript (reportedly written in the clear, concise hand of Mycroft himself), a young Mycroft relates an adventure involving a political plot to embroil England in a second American Civil War. Murder and intrigue are the order of the day, and our hapless Foreign Office assistant is right in the middle! The pace rarely slows, and Sherlock is on hand to assist as he begins laying the groundwork to become the world's first consulting detective. One of the interesting things about the story is that authors Hodel and Wright eschew the usual Dr. Watson stand-in, and allow the Mycroft character to relate the events in first-person. The result is a Sherlock story with a completely different and refreshing perspective. This is especially important as we gain an understanding of the Holmes/Moriarty feud. The real mystery is why the book is not more well-known to followers of Mycroftia (let alone Sherlockia), and why there were no further Mycroft tales from these authors.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

286 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read enough of the Sherlock Holmes canon to assess accurately how well Hodel and Wright mimicked the style, but it seemed well done, though I can't find any other novels by them, so maybe not. I picked this up off a free books shelf when a local second-hand bookstore closed. The hero of this suspense tale is Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's older brother, but a 21-year-old Sherlock makes ample appearances. The premise of the novel seems implausible, but for pure escapism it's well-written and fast-paced. It stumbled a bit at the end, which was disappointing, but generally I enjoyed it.

[Ian Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first "non-canonical" Sherlock Holmes story I've ever read, and I'm glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The authors' love for the original Sherlock Holmes stories really shines through.

Told in the first-person by Sherlock's older brother, Mycroft, the novel takes place in the mid-1870s, a few years before Sherlock meets Watson. At this point, Sherlock has one case under his belt and is aspiring to become the first private consulting detective. The story details how the two brothers uncover a plot forming between British government officials and former Confederate soldiers that would lead to the downfall of the American government and a restored Confederacy under British control. Though what ensues is more adventure than mystery, there are plenty of opportunities for the two brothers to use their uncanny skills of observation and deduction.

Mycroft plays a small role in the original short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so I enjoyed the deeper characterization that this story provides. I believe it stays true to the original character created by Doyle while giving us a more personal look at him. I also enjoyed the appearances of some of the other characters from the Holmes stories, such as Victor Trevor, Moriarty, and Lestrade. It is also a great work of historical fiction, providing an interesting snapshot of everyday life and the British government in the 1870s.

Though this story can't compare to the original Holmes stories (but really ... what can?), I'm giving it a solid 3-star rating. I believe any fan of Sherlock, or of historical fiction, would really enjoy this.

[Robert Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly compelling novel. I highly recommend its reading. The authors of “Enter the Lion - A Posthumous Memoir of Mycroft Homes”, who portray themselves as “editors” of a long-lost Mycroft Holmes manuscript had me accepting their premise from dust jacket to dust jacket.

As a novelist and true-crime writer myself, how anyone accomplishes a whole novel in collaboration with another writer is still a mystery to me. Suffice to say, they accomplished their mission with alacrity, aplomb, a hearty and facile vocabulary, and with imagination that felt totally Holmesian!

Fiction is an expansive and inclusive genre. It allows the author (or authors, in this case) to tell the story that their imaginings fabricate. Within the stricture (unless a fantasy) seeming to be 'of real life' there is little restriction as to content. When one adds strictures such as an historical time-period or historical events plus the “Holmesian Canon” to circumscribe the fiction you fabricate one makes one's effort the more mentally and physically intense. I applaud Messrs. Hodel and Wright for their fine accomplishment in story-telling!

Note: The author, Michael P. Hodel, succumbed to lung cancer in 1986. I was gifted a copy of his late brother’s book by retired LAPD Homicide detective and true-crime author Steve Hodel. rjs

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - This was an interesting book. The story was told from the perspective of Mycroft Holmes. Sherlock was still a student and Mycroft worked for the Foreign Office.

[Desmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mycroft, the older brother of Sherlock Holmes is only mentioned in three of A. Conan Doyle's original stories but remains an interesting figure. This was the first book I had run across that brought Mycroft center-stage and justifies Sherlock's own statements that Mycroft possesses his own powers of deduction in greater degree. Some nice bits of American history as well with interesting characters. More an adventure story than a straight-forward mystery but very enjoyable. Now that I've turned it up for goodreads I may just read it again.

[Clay Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good detective story with political intrigue and action.

[Ronald · Rating 2 out of 5]

read some time in 1983

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. I think it was pretty faithful to the Sherlock Holmes genre but told from the perspective of Mycroft. It also covers some early years before Sherlock became a famous detective (set before the Sherlock books).

The book centres around a contingent of Americans who visit the Foreign Affairs Office. This group is later targeted for an attempted murder.

The book was really fast paced and I enjoyed seeing Sherlock start to become the detective he is. I also think it showed a different side to Mycroft than you saw in the Sherlock novels - one that is intelligent but in a different way to his brother.

You can also see the beginning of the hatred Moriarty has of the Holmes family.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the Mycroft Holmes novels. An excellent read combining mystery, espionage, a memorable cast of characters, a young Sherlock (and his school friend Victor Trevor), the canonical approach to Mycroft Holmes, and plenty of adventure, both practical and emotional. Captures the period well.

[Outlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read, it may have been centered on Mycroft but this version of a 21 year old confident Sherlock was great. Quote the code words - the lion looks in all directions. Response - yet protects the cubs within it's den. Great stuff, read and enjoy.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine read, and one that would make any Sherlock fan pleased.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent Holmes pastiche focused upon Mycroft Holmes. It is a shame that Titan Books did not republish it as a part of their Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes reprint series.

[Marya · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not a terrible book, but it's just not one I feel compelled to read beyond the first chapter. It has the same pulpy feel as the originals, but it is annoyingly earmarked as fanfic. For example, there are footnotes indicating when this story take place in reference to cannon, and the obligatory character portraits seem taken out of a cannon bible. Without these constant reminders, I think the story might stand quite well on its own.