First published 2002
Sherlock Holmes adjusts his magnifying glass over fresh evidence while Dr. Watson records details of cases never before documented. The detective's razor-sharp intellect tackles mysteries across varied landscapes, from the remote Scottish Highlands to the harsh terrain of Afghanistan. Holmes examines clues involving a dying physician whose final words hold secrets, and investigates a sentry whose romantic distraction may have deadly consequences. A mysterious black basalt bird surfaces in one case, while ancient white chalk horse carvings figure prominently in another. Watson observes his brilliant but eccentric companion apply those famous deductive methods to each puzzle. Contemporary mystery authors including Sharyn McCrumb, Anne Perry, Carolyn Wheat, and others have created these original adventures, capturing Holmes's cold rationality and bohemian habits alongside Watson's steadfast loyalty. The collection also features essays exploring the detective's enduring appeal and the technological tools modern Sherlockians use to study the canon, plus recommendations for fifty key titles about Arthur Conan Doyle's creation.
Genres: 20th-century, mystery, detective, 21st-century, 19th-century, short-story-collection
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, deduction
Setting: Scotland, Afghanistan
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
228 pages · Hardcover · Carroll & Graf