Ask Grace Best-Page discussion

Thank you so much for your interest in my book and taking the time to join this group! I'll do my best to stay on top of things and answer all your questions in a timely manner. Let's have some fun!

How did you come up with the idea for this book? It's very unique!

Diane wrote: "How did you come up with the idea for this book? It's very unique!"
Thank you for your question, Diane! I've been a Sherlock Holmes fan ever since I can remember, but this book didn't start out having anything to do with him. In actuality, I started writing a book about my experiences working in retail, which I was in at the time, but while daydreaming during the slow periods at work, it became more fun to think about the fascinating character of Sherlock. In the end, my trains of thought became entwined. I wanted to explore how Doyle's Holmes would act and react if faced with a character like Jackie from the retail storyline, but I also wanted to know how a woman like Jackie, average, normal, intelligent, with modern sensibilities, would act and react if confronted with Sherlock.

Obviously you were very familiar with Sherlock since you love the books. What other things did you have to research to put your book together? I would think you would have to have done quite a bit of research on the areas they visited.

Tracey wrote: "Obviously you were very familiar with Sherlock since you love the books. What other things did you have to research to put your book together? I would think you would have to have done quite a bi..."
Hi, Tracey! The TN, retail store, London, and Europe parts came from actual experience, as well as some of the names (I worked with an Anne and a Jessica, I was nanny to a Philip and a Christopher, I worked as a server in Melanie's Bistro-and yes, the food made you glad to be alive). As the saying goes, write what you know!
But for points east and Khartoum, I did have to do real research, and I mention my sources in the acknowledgements. As for time period, just having read and watched a lot of period pieces helped, but I still had to go back and look things up to make sure I got it right. I now know the difference between all those many types of cabs and other horse drawn vehicles used back then (or at least I did when I was writing the book!). I learned quite a bit and had misconceptions corrected, so it was an enjoyable experience all around.

And now you have entered the world of Holmesian literature, is there more to come?

David wrote: "And now you have entered the world of Holmesian literature, is there more to come?"
Good question! I've been asked that by friends and family, and the answer is I really don't know. I'm letting ideas roll around in the back of my mind and we'll see what happens. Perhaps something focusing on the Irregulars?

That could work well.....with Holmes there is so much scope and so many places to go.

Hello — I am intrigued by your mention of the Qipan Buddhist caves near Yecheng in the Kunlun mountains in Chinese central Asia as these are rarely mentioned in sources and not really on the tourist trail. Please may I ask where you found out about these? (I'm a historian of the Silk Road and came across this reference when searching for Qipan for an article I am writing - yours the only modern one I could find!).
Thanks in anticipation.

Hi Susan,
Thanks for asking! My resources for Tibet were the World Book Encyclopedia, the internet, and Michael Palinʼs TV series “Himalaya,” episode five: “Tibet.” I also recall watching the documentary series "The Silk Road," but now I'm trying to remember if that was before or after publication. I don't have it in my appendix of sources, so it must have been after.
I hope this helps!

Thanks for the prompt response - but not really Tibet, although under their control in 8th century so guess might feature. I'll have a look at the Encyclopedia. There is nothing on this that I can find on the internet and, since you are using pinyin romanisation, I assume a more recent source.
Thanks again - please let me know if anything else occurs to you!
And good luck with next book.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful. It's been quite a few years since I did the research. You could also try the documentary series "Silk Road," though I'm pretty sure I watched that after completing the book.