The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective

4.21 of 5 stars 4.21 · rating details · 796 ratings · 23 reviews

A young Sherlock Holmes arrives in London to begin his career as a private detective, catching the eye of the master criminal, Professor James Moriarty. Enter Dr. Watson, newly returned from Afghanistan, soon to make history as Holmes’ companion...

By turns both shocking and exciting, David Stuart Davies’ controversial take on the Holmes mythology is a modern classic in cri...more

Paperback, 256 pages

Published November 17th 2009 by Titan Books (first published 2004)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

The Seven-Percent Solution by Nicholas Meyer

The Untold Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Luke Benjamen Kuhns

Best Sherlock Holmes Fiction (Pastiches)

34th out of 188 books — 209 voters

Sherlock Holmes And The Case of the Crystal Blue Bottle by Luke Benjamen Kuhns

Beyond Conan Doyle - Best of the Continuing Cases of Sherlock Holmes

55th out of 128 books — 142 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,703)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jan 08, 2012 Charles Prepolec rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ah, the delightful world of ‘what if’. What if everything we thought we knew about Dr. John H. Watson was a lie? What if Watson wasn’t really Watson? What if the events surrounding the momentous meeting between Holmes and Watson in A Study in Scarlet was all a set-up orchestrated by that criminal mastermind Moriarty? What if David Stuart Davies took the above as a starting point for a new pastiche?

Well, to answer the last ‘what if’, the result is David Stuart Davies first pastiche to be publishe...more Ah, the delightful world of ‘what if’. What if everything we thought we knew about Dr. John H. Watson was a lie? What if Watson wasn’t really Watson? What if the events surrounding the momentous meeting between Holmes and Watson in A Study in Scarlet was all a set-up orchestrated by that criminal mastermind Moriarty? What if David Stuart Davies took the above as a starting point for a new pastiche?

Well, to answer the last ‘what if’, the result is David Stuart Davies first pastiche to be published by a non-Sherlockian press - The Veiled Detective. While Davies is no stranger to Sherlockian pastiche, having thrown Holmes up against the likes of Dracula and into the midst of the Prisoner of Zenda, The Veiled Detective takes Holmes, to say nothing of Watson, along a very different path. Rather than taking the traditional approach of throwing Holmes and Watson into non-traditional stories, Davies instead reimagines the very core of what we know about our heroes. In essence he has taken the traditional Holmes story, in this case mostly using A Study in Scarlet and later The Final Problem, and changed the basic characters populating it. Not in an altogether unpleasing manner either.

Davies begins on a strong note, we find ourselves privy to events in Afghanistan on a fateful night in 1880 that lead to the court martial and disgraced dismissal of Dr. John H. Walker. While heading back to England aboard the Orontes, the despondent Doctor, facing a future with no employment or prospects for income, finds himself being recruited for some enigmatic business concern by a suave fellow who keeps mistakenly calling him Watson. Upon arriving in England, Walker soon finds himself face to face with that great over-used Sherlockian plot-device Professor James Moriarty and here is where the plot begins to thicken. You see, the Professor is concerned about some young upstart named Sherlock Holmes, while he admires Holmes intellect, he also wisely sees the young detective as a potentially serious threat to the well being of his vast criminal organization so wishes to keep an eye on the fellow. Rather than simply have Holmes killed, he enjoys the challenge of playing a game against a comparable intellect too much, so he invests in a plan to put a spy in Holmes’ camp who can report back on any potentially threatening investigations. Walker is of course just the fellow for the job according to Moriarity’s recruiter, but he is an honorable man and wants no part in the plan… until his life is threatened and a handsome monthly payment is dangled before his eyes. Reluctantly Walker is given a new name (Watson) and his background is effectively covered up so that he can begin a new life. He rationalizes his acceptance of the spying job by thinking that he will never have to raise a hand in violence and that all he need do is send written reports to Moriarty if Holmes comes too close to any of the Professor’s machinations. So in short, John H. Walker becomes a half-pay medico called Watson newly returned from Afghanistan looking for lodgings in London. If that isn’t twisted enough for the reader, Davies then really lays on the tough to swallow stuff by having the house in Baker Street set-up by Moriarty, even including a dodgy actress as housekeeper, has pressure applied to Holmes landlord in Montague Street to evict the young lodger, and uses Stamford’s gambling debts to manipulate an introduction between Watson and Holmes that leads to their sharing of rooms. Once the introduction occurs, things settle into mostly familiar territory and a slightly skewed version of the main plot of A Study in Scarlet unfolds. Walker/Watson develops an admiration of the arrogant young detective and a protective friendship develops. Walker/Watson goes so far as to keep very damaging information, the sort that could put Holmes on the gallows, from both Moriarty and the Law. Things move along so well for Walker/Watson through The Sign of Four that Moriarty even allows him to marry and move from Baker Street. Needless to say, sooner or later things start to unravel leading, rather predictably, to a climax that is a variation of events in The Final Problem.

Davies, as usual, demonstrates an engaging style and useful knowledge of the form that is never totally at odds with the Canon. The exception being, of course, that Watson has lied to us. He deftly weaves a world that is both instantly familiar yet radically at odds with our expectations. Unfortunately, the radical start, labyrinthine plotting aside, soon gives way to a sense that Davies is playing it safe after-all. Sure he throws a few curveballs in presenting a warts and all view of Holmes, and an even odder view of brother Mycroft, but one gets the sense that he could have pushed the intriguing premise considerably further. I’m not suggesting the sort of re-imagining that we were given in the television production Sherlock: A Case of Evil but I did feel that having everything settle into the Canonical view post-Reichenbach was something of a let-down. Is it as radical a re-imagining of events as in say Nick Meyer’s Seven Percent Solution? Possibly. Does it transcend the medium of pastiche and will it crossover to a mainstream readership in the same way? Not a chance. Is it as good or will it have the same sort of impact on the Sherlockian reader? Doubtful at best, but perhaps that is the result of 30 years of pastichery that has taken Sherlock Holmes to almost every extreme, dulling our senses to what should be a radical interpretation, that in the end makes this seem like just another well-written and researched ‘what if’ that didn’t quite push the envelope as far as it might have. Whatever the case, it is an entertaining enough variation to make it a worthwhile read and addition to the Sherlockian pastiche bookshelf!

The Bottom Line: Recommended for pastiche enthusiasts who enjoy something off the beaten path, but not recommended for those who prefer the traditional pastiche approach.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Sep 07, 2010 Timothy Tobolski rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jun 29, 2012 Ioana rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: sherlock-holmes-non-canon

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
I thought this book started off pretty bland and the extensive passages copied from Study In Scarlet, The Final Problem were frankly the highlight of the book... It seems a bit like cheating to be able to do so and change a bit of here and there to make it into a sort of alternate universe fan fiction.

But it was the clear intention of the author to make all characters darker than the canon made them, which served to make me intrigued and curious enough to finish it and see where it would lead.

Jo...more
I thought this book started off pretty bland and the extensive passages copied from Study In Scarlet, The Final Problem were frankly the highlight of the book... It seems a bit like cheating to be able to do so and change a bit of here and there to make it into a sort of alternate universe fan fiction.

But it was the clear intention of the author to make all characters darker than the canon made them, which served to make me intrigued and curious enough to finish it and see where it would lead.

John Walker, later John Watson, is hired by Moriarty who takes advantage of his dishonorable discharge from the army, to befriend Sherlock Holmes, spy on him and report back to him. Walker reluctantly agrees, largely in fear of his life and because he is virtually an outcast. That much for 'It is my greatest joy and privilege to help you.' Apparently Moriarty is aware of the threat Holmes poses but at the same time is entertained enough by his genius so similar to his own that he doesn't want to kill him just yet but doesn't want him meddling too much in his affairs either. Walker / Watson accepts all this a bit too quietly and quickly, for a man whose high moral standards are above all else (well at least if you go about the canon). Cue some unrealistic chain of events which serve to bring Holmes and Watson together living at 221B, in which it becomes apparent that Stamford, Mrs Hudson and Holmes' former landlord are all part of Moriarty's chain. The events of Study in Scarlet begin to unfold, with a twist at the end. Unbelievable as it may have seemed at the start, Holmes and Watson do befriend each other, Watson's reports to Moriarty reflect his loyalty to Holmes and there is even a nice passage where Watson reflects he must be his friend's protector, from Moriarty but mostly from himself.
As events continue to unfold towards the inevitable outcome of 'The Final Problem', the author suddenly realizes that everyone has been too nice for too many pages and decides to make Mycroft part of Moriarty's organization too....with just as little motivation as Mrs Hudson or Stamford....well, maybe even *less* of a motivation, really - Mycroft being so much cleverer than them. This was seriously too silly for words.

On the whole, the high point of this book was the friendship between H&W, but I doubt that the author's twists from the canon reached their apparent purpose to bring these two even closer and more motivated to fight Moriarty than the original stories did.
Despite its obvious flaws, I was interested enough to keep reading and curious how it was going to progress so it can't have been that bad.

Memorable quotes: "Man’s law is ephemeral and arbitrary. It shifts and alters on the tide of changing perceptions of society. Believe me, Watson, it is no measure by which to judge. True, refined, objective justice is timeless."(less)

like · see review

Mar 04, 2012 Jayaprakash Satyamurthy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: holmes-pastiche, mystery

I didn't much care for Davies' Holmes vs. Dracula novel, 'The Tangled Skein'. This one, however, was pretty good. It's a daring and plausible take on the Baker Street sleuth and his supporting cast, one in which Moriarty's network of associates include a disgraced army Doctor back from Afghanistan, a middle-aged actress named Kitty Hudson and a burly gent who frequents the Diogenes Club...

The mark of good Holmes pastiche is that it makes you look at the canon with new eyes, at least for a while,...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 05, 2012 Cathrine Bonham rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who read fan fiction

Shelves: sherlockia

Bad writing plus unoriginal plot elements equals Fan-fiction at its worst. First I will tackle the bad writing. Constant P O V shifts between first and third person, omniscient head hopping and more telling than showing. All rookie mistakes that I admit I am guilty of myself. The difference is that I do not have a published novel.

The only unique element in this book that Watson is really working for Moriarty. The professor hired ex Army doctor, John Walker, to spy on an up and coming young mind...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 24, 2012 Monica rated it 3 of 5 stars

This pastiche novel makes for a swift read. It starts with a bang: without giving you major spoilers –that you can read on other’s reviews anyway- everything we read in “A study in scarlet” was a setup by the very own Moriarty to follow up the steps of our consulting detective.
The novel lags in the middle but still the author manages to keep us turning the pages to find out what is next. Some may find annoying the change of the POV from first to third person but I find it a valid narrative reso...more

like · see review

Nov 20, 2012 Leah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites, blog-review, sherlock-holmes

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Although Doyle’s original stories and novels bear up well under repeated readings, with nuances that–as with all the best literature–appear and change with the reader’s own experience, Holmesian fiction allows writers to explore aspects of 221B of which Doyle afforded us only the barest glimpse. We get to ask, “What was it like?” “What if?” And, thanks to Watson’s notorious lack of attention to the proper details (ladies’ dresses lovingly described, dates mangled beyond recognition), we also can...more

like · see review

Jul 25, 2012 Bev Hankins rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: holmes, mystery, historical-mystery, victorian

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jul 29, 2012 Kati rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, het, in-english, mystery, sherlock-holmes

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A very good Sherlock Holmes pastiche. A what-if scenario. What if John Watson wasn't John Watson but John Walker? What if he was dishonorably discharged? What if he was recruited by James Moriarty to spy on Sherlock Holmes?

What an intriguing idea! And the first third of the book is excellent, the set-up, Moriarty pulling all the threads together, weaving a net around Sherlock Holmes. I read it with a bated breath, curious about what would happen next. Unfortunately, Davies then tackles "A Study...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 11, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This is one of my absolute favourite book adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. It's written very well, and draws you in and keeps you focused. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is especially interesting in this book, as it differs greatly in some ways from canon, but not in an absurd or unbelievable manner. I'd recommend this book to everybody, especially those who enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories and mysteries.

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Caitlin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: holmesian

Possible spoiler straight ahead!

As we do with most narrators, we trust and accept Watson as he presents himself in the canonical stories, and why wouldn't we? We're never presented with a reason not to. Until now. I think that's why I enjoyed this addition to the 'Further Adventures' series, it was a great take on the original tales (including plenty of references) with a skewed presentation of familiar characters.

like · see review

Nov 20, 2010 Jc rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An intriguing Holmes pastiche. Follows closely the development of Holmes career, and his relationship with Watson, from when they first meet to the events at Reichenbach Falls. But, there are a few special twists and some previously "hidden" information that create a very different persepective. It seems Watson is not quite who we thought he was.

like · see review

Jan 03, 2013 A.n. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ah, I love the smell of a crime scene in the morning. Holmes made quite a wonderful entrance into the world of third class, shoddy literature, and greatly entertained me. Davies adds his own twist to a classic character, without running out the door and flying to Puerto Rico with it ( which many authors tend to do.) Bravo, bravo.

like · see review

Mar 07, 2013 Jessie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-read

Interesting prologue to the well-known plots. Characters fell a bit flat and I never really bought into Holmes and Watson's friendship and dependence on one another (which is what I love the most about the original stories). This retelling is not compelling enought to stray from the original.

like · see review

Jan 20, 2012 David Elkin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I originally planned on giving the book a 3, as it was jarring to read the difference from the original Doyle. However, Davies tells a plausable and more human like tale about the two, with the drama re-introduced because it is a different tale.

Holmes and Watson are there, but seen through a slightly differently filter. I can't say too much more about plot as it would ruin it for the perspective reader, but if a Holmes fan, definetly worth your time.

like · see review

Dec 11, 2010 Don The Idea Guy Snyder rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010_dtig

A creative and vibrant reimagining of Holmes and Watson with twists that will have traditional Holmes fans everywhere shifting uncomfortably in their seats as they eager turn the page to see what comes next!

like · see review

Jun 22, 2011 Blossom rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love how davies develops the bond between watson and holmes, and the brief exhibits of affection between the friends, seen here and there, are refreshing :)

like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 Joanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Joanna by: Baker Street Irregulars

Shelves: sherlockiana, detectives, anglophilia, 2000s

I loved the concept, but I felt the execution was lacking. It seems like Davies pulled his punches. As a result, it doesn't make anyone very happy, not purists or people accepting of a non-traditional Holmes story. But it's not bad... just boring, in a way. In fact, I lost most of my interest in the middle of the book, when it became a pretty straightforward retelling of A Study in Scarlet. Which, if I wanted to read, I would just... read. It's a good thing I got through it, because it does pick...more

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 01, 2011 John Utech rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting take on the Watson / Moriarty relationship. Always a plus to learn a bit more about Mycroft and Mrs Hudson as well.

A fun light read.

like · see review

Jan 20, 2012 John rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sherlock-holmes

This is a solid Sherlock Holmes story. It is very clever but does take several liberties with the original stories. I feel like you get more out of this book if you have read the original Doyle books that the stories within this book are based on. If you have, you will appreciate the additions to the originals unless that type of thing annoys you. I believe the stories this book addresses are the cases in "A Study in Scarlet", "The Greek Interpreter", "The Sign of the Four", and "The Final Probl...more

like · see review

Dec 05, 2011 Ken rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sherlock-holmes

Davies re-writes the origins of the Holmes/Watson/Mrs Hudson relationship and even throws in a curve ball about Mycroft. While generally, I prefer that pastiches merely add to the Holmes casebook and not redefine the characters, I did find the book enjoyable.

I only gave the book three stars as I was just a little disappointed with the re-working of several major Holmes events.

like · see review

Aug 27, 2011 James rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A serviceable read that imagines Watson as being under the employ of Moriarty while working on cases with Holmes. It's a quick read - I finished it over two nights. Enjoyable enough but I'm sure there are better homages out there.

like · see review

May 19, 2013 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have always liked "alternative history," and this is a nice little explanation of the inconsistencies in The Canon. It ties in enough of the original stories to keep it plausible. Best of "The Further Adventures" I've read.

like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Salvatore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned

This is a great retelling of two of Sherlock Holmes greatest mysteries. This time there is a twist that is incredible so I won't give it away. If you love Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, this is a must read.

like · see review

May 21, 2013 Ivana Pleše linić marked it as to-read

May 21, 2013 Bariş Güliçli rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 20, 2013 Carmen Floyd marked it as to-read

May 20, 2013 Hours marked it as to-read

May 20, 2013 Britney rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 20, 2013 Kevin Shelton marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 56 57 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Baker Street Irre...: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective	6	35	Jul 09, 2012 02:15pm

combine
Other Editions (5)

More editions...

Genres

Mystery

24 users

Mystery > Detective

4 users

Thriller

2 users

Mystery > Crime

2 users

Mystery > Historical Mystery

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About David Stuart Davies

David Stuart Davies was born in 1946. He was a teacher of English before becoming a full-time editor, writer, and playwright. Davies has written extensively about Sherlock Holmes, both fiction and non-fiction. He is the editor of Red Herrings, the monthly in-house publication of the Crime Writers' Association.

More about David Stuart Davies...

Books by David Stuart Davies

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Scroll of the Dead

Bending the Willow: Jeremy Brett As Sherlock Holmes

Children of the Night: Classic Vampire Stories (Mystery & Supernatural)

The Shadows of Sherlock Holmes (Wordsworth Collection)

Starring Sherlock Holmes: A Century of the Master Detective on Screen

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Further Adven...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective
avg rating	preview: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective Goodreads rating: 4.21 (796 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6635054-the-further-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320508855l/6635054.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6635054-the-further-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective by David Stuart Davies[/url]

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Veiled Detective

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website