Steve Emecz's Blog: Musings of a Sherlockian Publisher, page 13

Sherlock Holmes books for that shiny new Kobo

Father Christmas has brought you a shiny new Kobo and now it’s time to fill it up – but what with? Here’s our tips for the best Sherlock Holmes books to download:

For the Traditionalists – writing in the style of Conan Doyle

The Papers of Sherlock Holmes Volume 1 and Volume Two

The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes

The Secret Journal of Dr.Watson

Sherlock Holmes and A Quantity of Debt

Mystery at St Andrews

Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Edinburgh Haunting

For fans of cross-overs with famous characters

Rendezvous at The Populaire (Phantom of The Opera)

I Will Find The Answer (Jekyll and Hyde)

Sherlock Holmes and Young Winston – The Deadwood Stage (a young Winston Churchill)

Anomalous (Jack Johnson and Al Capone)

The Affair In Transylvania, Plague of Dracula (Dracula)

Sherlock Holmes and The Whitechapel Vampire (Jack The Ripper)

Short eBooks and Novellas

Sherlock Holmes and the Persecution of John Vincent Harden

Sherlock Holmes in The Mystery of the Magic Umbrella

Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Cricketers

For a bigger list why not visit our Pinterest Sherlock Holmes Kobo Board.

Sherlock Holmes books for that shiny new Kindle

Father Christmas has brought you a shiny new Kindle, and now it’s time to fill it up – but what with? Here’s our tips for the best Sherlock Holmes books to download:

For the Traditionalists – writing in the style of Conan Doyle

The Papers of Sherlock Holmes Volume 1 and Volume Two

The Lost Stories of Sherlock Holmes

The Secret Journal of Dr.Watson

Sherlock Holmes and A Quantity of Debt

Mystery at St Andrews

Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Edinburgh Haunting

For fans of cross-overs with famous characters

Rendezvous at The Populaire (Phantom of The Opera)

I Will Find The Answer (Jekyll and Hyde)

Sherlock Holmes and Young Winston – The Deadwood Stage (a young Winston Churchill)

Anomalous (Jack Johnson and Al Capone)

The Affair In Transylvania, Plague of Dracula (Dracula)

Sherlock Holmes and The Whitechapel Vampire (Jack The Ripper)

Short eBooks and Novellas

Sherlock Holmes and the Persecution of John Vincent Harden

Sherlock Holmes inThe Mystery of the Magic Umbrella

Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of The Cricketers

For a bigger list why not visit our Pinterest Sherlock Holmes Kindle Board.

The Lighter Side of Sherlock Holmes

'The Lighter Side of Sherlock Holmes' is a collection of over 300 humorous cartoons and illustrations based on the characters that appear in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's' famous stories. The book is a must for all Sherlock Holmes buffs - and a treat for anyone who enjoys the stories, movies, and television shows.

The Lighter Side of Sherlock Holmes is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Barnes and Noble USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository.In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle, Nook and Kobo.

The Sherlock Holmes Hotel bookshop has got hold of some pre-publication copies of The Holmes Sutra

The Sherlock Holmes Hotel bookshop has got hold of some pre-publication copies of The Holmes Sutra -  a collection of 160 mantras, some original, some from the Holmes stories and a test of your Holmes Mania Quotient (HMQ).

http://www.parkplazasherlockholmesbooks.com/product/9781780925356/The+Holmes+Sutra

Philip K. Jones reviews ‘The Disappearance of Mr. James Phillimore’ by Dan Andriacco

"This is the fourth book in the author’s series featuring Jefferson Cody and Sebastian McCabe.  It also includes a short story as well as the title novel.  In fact, the short story precedes the novel in time of occurrence by a day or two, so they should be read in reverse order of inclusion.

As I said, this is the fourth book in this series, so it includes a number of familiar characters, both in person and mentioned in passing.  Those who enjoyed the first three books will also enjoy this one.  In fact, I found it more of a reading pleasure than the earlier books.  I was not really comfortable with the romance between Jeff Cody and Lynda Teal as presented in the first two books and I mislaid my copy of the third before getting a chance to read it.  I find them much more pleasant to deal with as newlyweds than I did as on again/off again sweethearts.  Further, the banter between Cody and McCabe seems more adult and more between equals than it did in earlier books.

The extra characters peculiar to this book also seem more real and interesting than those in the earlier books.  The police personnel and the ex-wives all seem to have more substance than similar, secondary characters in the earlier books.  Of course, it may simply be that the author is growing as a writer, but I enjoyed this book more than the earlier ones from the series that I have read.  In addition, I found the short story quite interesting.  The detective work in this tale is performed mostly by the new Mrs. Cody, Lynda Teal, and she makes a respectable detective in this case.

Any Sherlockian (“Holmesian” in Great Britain) will instantly recognize this story as one that parallels the similarly-named Untold Tale cited in “The Problem of Thor Bridge.”  This has been a popular story for would-be Doctor Watsons to attempt for years.  My database lists thirty six attempts to tell this tale, ranging from radio scripts and plays through a narrative pun, short stories and novellas up to full novels.

The mystery portion of this book is also well-crafted.  The villain is hard to discern and the motives involved are even more obscure.  In addition, the author manages to wave a number of plausible substitutes convincingly in the face of the reader.  All-in-all, this is a fun read in a series that keeps getting better with each new tale.  Editing is well-done, with Brits speaking the Queen’s English and Americans saying whatever comes to mind.  Even the spelling seems well in hand.”

The Disappearance of Mr James Phillimore is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Nook and Apple iBooks(iPad/iPhone).

Philip K. Jones reviews Sherlock Holmes and The Murder at the Savoy and other Stories

"This is the second collection of novellas by Mr. Hogan.  The first collection had a basic Japanese theme and this collection carries a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta theme.

The first story, “One Little Maid from School,” tells of a missing schoolgirl with overly protective male relatives who have financial hopes from her inheritance.  The tale goes into the details of how budding debutantes were trained and constrained.  It also gives details of the evasive measures used by those young ladies to exercise some control over their own lives.

The second tale, “Murder at the Savoy,” introduces two murders during performances of “Ruddygore” (later “Ruddigore”) in its initial run.  Holmes is engaged by D’oyly Carte to clear the operetta of the superstitious stigma of “unlucky” or “cursed.”  Even worse, the two murder victims are baronets and the operetta is about two evil baronets, so the producer is in a panic.  Holmes uncovers the murderer and the methods, but justice is cheated.

The third story is “A Scandal in Tite Street” and it opens with Oscar Wilde issuing a dueling challenge to Holmes.  Several princes, including the Prince of Wales and his grandson become involved and the cause of the duel seems to be a packet of letters of which Holmes is unaware.  The duel takes place and honor is defended but nothing is as it seems to Dr. Watson.

The fourth tale is “Trial by Jury” and it opens with Holmes being arrested for the murder of Charles Augustus Millverton.  It ends with Holmes on trial for “Breech of Promise’ to one Miss Agatha Butterworth(?) , the maid of Mr. Millverton.  Holmes chooses to act in his own defense and refuses to engage a barrister.  His defense is odd, to say the least.

The final tale is “The Moving Finger Writes” and it involves high jinks at Buckingham Palace.  The Queen is getting messages from the deceased Prince Consort and from her deceased gillie, John Brown.  In addition, one of Moriarty’s minions is planning a “heist” that may involve the Palace.  The Palace servants are split into factions who are just short of openly at war and Palace management are on their way to mental and physical breakdowns.

This book is well-edited and the mysteries are all complex and puzzling.  There are a few anachronisms, but those are hard to avoid for 21st Century writers.  The presentation of various Gilbert and Sullivan operetta throughout the entire book adds a definite charm to the volume. The stories are not so dark as those in his earlier collection, but not all outcomes are happy or emotionally satisfying.  On the other hand, neither is reality.”

Sherlock Holmes and The Murder at the Savoy and other Stories is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository .

New books lift the lid on Sherlock Holmes Fans Views of Actors

What do fans think about Robert Downey Junior as Sherlock Holmes? What about Benedict Cumberbatch? How about Lucy Liu or Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson? There have been many actors that have played Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on stage and screen, and two new adult comic books from Andy Murray and Deakin Brook lift the lid on some of the fan views on the leading actors. On Wednesday 27thNovember, 7pm at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel, on London’s Baker Street itself, authors the ‘Sons of Sherlock’ as the pair like to call themselves, showcase two hilarious new comic books that ask the questions – Is That My Holmes? and Is That My Watson?

Take a quick trawl through tumblr or Facebook you’ll find plenty of opinion on the main Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson actors and Murray and Brook have brilliantly captured the opinions of the fans. The observations has been converted into two engaging comic books that Holmes fans will love. Funny, cheeky and a little controversial, the comic books represent the very best in parody. Of all the actors perhaps Robert Downey Junior will be least pleased with his entry but the Sons of Sherlock have captured the fan sentiment perfectly.

Also launched on the same evening is a separate mammoth project from Andrew Murray – The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book. A quizmasters dream, the book contains 1000 questions and answers about Holmes – covering the original books as well as the TV and movie adaptations. On the night there will be a short quiz with some selected questions from the book and the guest with the best score will win a big bundle of Sherlock goodies. As with all Sherlock Holmes Hotel events there will be a raffle with hundreds of pounds of Sherlock Holmes prizes – tickets are free and on a first come, first served basis from Eventbrite - http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-that-my-holmes-and-is-that-my-watson-book-launch-tickets-8790010157

The books are published by MX Publishing which is the world’s largest specialist Sherlock Holmes publisher, with over a hundred titles and fifty authors creating the latest in Sherlock Holmes fiction and non-fiction. The collection includes leading titles such as Benedict Cumberbatch In Transition and The Norwood Author which won the 2011 Howlett Award (Sherlock Holmes Book of the Year). MX Publishing also has one of the largest communities of Holmes fans on Facebook with regular contributions from dozens of authors.

Is That My Holmes? is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository.

Is That My Watson? is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository.

The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository. In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle and Kobo.

Philip K Jones reviews Sherlock Holmes and The Lufton Lady by Marlene R. Aig

"This book was published posthumously from notes left by the author.  Two “chapters” were published during her lifetime in issues of “Canadian Holmes,” [Volume 14, Issues #2 & 4, Wi/1990 & Su/1991].  Chris Redmond is responsible for making the completion of this tale available from her notes.

I have copies of the original publications as well as the more recent, Trade Paperback edition and I re-read the original ”Chapters” as part of this review.  Sherlockians must be warned.  This is a love story, written by a true “Romantic Soul.”  This is also a story that fits well into the Canon.  Most of its events precede that historic meeting at “St. Barts” which began the Canon, so Dr. Watson does not appear actively in the events narrated here.  The picture presented of Holmes is NOT filtered through the eyes of Dr. Watson, but rather he is presented by the diary entries of a school friend and an associate (superior?) of Mycroft.  The Holmes we see is younger and more impressionable than the one we have become accustomed to watching.

This love story presents three couples who are in love (more or less) and who are forbidden by societal standards to express their love.  The events presented are the direct results of the frustration imposed on these people by those societal strictures.  Ms. Aig was a journalist and, over her years of professional experience, must have seen the effects of such societal pressures acted out in sorrow, violence and misery many times.  Her presentation is deft and not overly sentimental, but it is most affecting.  Conflicts between society’s expectations and the vagaries of the heart are frustrating, even in retrospect.  The waste of time, energy and concern bear little resemblance to the advantages returned to society by conformity to its rules of conduct.

Each of these romances is resolved in the book.  “Happily ever after” is not always achieved in real life, so the results will be unsatisfactory for the romance-minded.  On the other hand, Sherlock is learning his trade and resolves the various situations presented in as efficient a manner as he can.  Murder, heartbreak, frustration and sorrow are often the lot of lovers in the world, especially in the world of Victorian England.  Criminals suffer the consequences of their actions, either through judicial punishment, private action or excessive throes of conscience.

In a technical sense, there is very little that needs to be said about this book.  It is well-written and well-edited and the story is interesting and believable.  The characters are engaging and very well presented and most of the background details are accurate.  My only problem is the forms of address used in the tale for the children of a Duke.  These are, at the least, odd and they may be improper.  In addition, this story is the first telling that I have encountered of a particular Untold Tale.  In The Musgrave Ritual, Holmes mentions “… cases … through… old fellow students” of which MUSG was the third.  The Lufton Lady is another.”

Sherlock Holmes and The Lufton Lady is available from all good bookstores including  Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo, Nook and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

A must for BBC Sherlock and CBS Elementary fans [and detractors]

This week sees the launch of a must have book for all BBC Sherlock and Elementary fans. ‘The Immortals’ is a comprehensive episode by episode review of the two series by Holmes expert Matthew Elliott. His unique approach tackles each episode and links back elements to the original stories, reviews plotlines, characters and good and bad points. Matthew Elliott is one of the leading Holmes experts in the UK – regularly publishing articles and speaking at major Holmes events. In fact, he was the host for the 7th November Sherlock Holmes Society of London film evening.

So whether you are a fan of either or both series, or in fact a detractor, you will find Elliott’s analysis of the series compelling reading.

The Immortals: An Unauthorized guide to Sherlock and Elementary is available from all good bookstores including   Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Waterstones UK, and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

Controversial New Novel from a Sherlock Holmes Master

Kieran McMullen has, over the last three years, established himself as one of the current leading ‘traditional’ Sherlock Holmes authors. Three historical military focussed novels behind him, and a wonderful collaboration with another new master Dan Andriacco (The Amateur Executioner) have given him a large following.

In ‘Sherlock Holmes and The Black Widower’ Holmes has to investigate a potential serial killer – one who has murdered three wives. Not so unusual – except the accused is a one Dr. John Watson. A gripping and sure to be controversial thriller, and arguably McMullen’s best so far.

Sherlock Holmes and The Black Widower is available from all good bookstores including Amazon USA, Amazon UK and for free shipping worldwide Book Depository . In ebook format it is in Amazon Kindle,  Kobo and Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).