Steve Emecz's Blog: Musings of a Sherlockian Publisher, page 16

Philip K Jones reviews Sherlock Holmes: The Skull of Kohada Koheiji by Mike Hogan

“This is an anthology of tales involving Holmes with conventional Nineteenth Century supernatural occurrences.  The ‘Holmes Agency’ has always stood firmly behind the motto, “Ghosts need not apply,” but any number of questionable events pop up in this collection.

The lead story, a novella called “The Skull of Kohada Koheiji,” presents Holmes and Watson with ghostly happenings at a Japanese exhibition village in Knightsbridge.  The appearance of a Japanese specter in the midst of London does not promote amicable relations between the Japanese Empire and that of Great Britain.

In the next novella, “The Ratcliffe Oracle,” an oracle has arisen that makes accurate predictions at no cost to inquirers.  The oracle apparently resides in the walls of the house and the owners are allowing in four visitors at a time.  Donations are accepted, but are not required and predictions seem to be highly accurate.  There also seems to be some connection between the Oracle and some recent crimes but the police are, as usual, baffled.

In “The Impulsive Vampire,” Holmes is asked by an old friend of Watson’s to rid her Majesty’s Battleship, Impulsive, of an infestation of Vampires.  This task requires many twists and turns, simply to identify the culprits and the results are unexpected, at best.

The novella, “The de Gascoigne Mummy,” has Holmes being offered twenty pounds for a twenty-minute consultation by he widow of an Egyptologist.  As he and Watson have just finished their Christmas shopping, he accepts the offering and learns of the missing mummy.  It seems that his bequest to the British Museum of his collection of Egyptian artifacts is missing one mummy.  His widow wants Holmes to “clear the matter up.”  The results are surprising all around.

The final novella, “The Reckoning of Kit Marlowe,” involves Holmes and Watson with Arthur Conan Doyle.  Both Doyle and Inspector Lestrade require Holmes’ help in dealing with the murder of the elder son of Admiral Marlowe.  Lestrade has lost the corpse and Doyle wants Holmes to attend the séance at which they will ask the deceased who stabbed him.  Events progress and Doyle volunteers to act as literary agent for Watson who wants to write up some of Holmes’ investigations.

All of these tales present supernatural aspects.  The solutions may or may not rely on ‘dark powers,’ but all require a great deal of thought and effort.  Read it and see whether it is still ‘Ghosts need not apply’.”

Sherlock Holmes and the Skull of Kohada Koheiji is available from all good bookstores worldwide including in the USA Amazon and Barnes and Noble, in the UK Amazon and Waterstones. Fans outside the US and UK can get free delivery from Book Depository.

Review of The Detective the Woman and the Winking Tree from The Sherlock Holmes Society of London

“The second novel about Holmes and Irene Adler by Amy Thomas, The Detective, the Woman and the Winking Tree (MX; £9.99), uses the same narrative technique as the first, The Detective and the Woman : Miss Adler’s chapters are told in the first person, and Holmes’s in the third person. It works well, not least because the woman emerges as a strong, intelligent and entirely credible character, whom Holmes rightly comes to admire. The subject of this new joint investigation is the apparently impossible disappearance of a Mr James Phillimore – who, as we remember from Dr Watson’s guarded remark, ‘stepping back into his own house to get his umbrella, was never more seen in this world’. Amy Thomas is a Baker Street Babe – and that is a recommendation.”

The Detective the Woman and the Winking Tree is available from all good book stores including in the USA Amazon, Barnes and Noble, in the UK Amazon, Waterstones,  and for everywhere else Book Depository who offer free worldwide delivery. In ebook format there is Kindle,  iPad, Kobo and Nook.

Sherlock Holmes Society of London Reviews The Amateur Executioner by Dan Andriacco and Kieran McMullen

„There is the possibility of a Fenian attack also in The Amateur Executioner: Enoch Hale Meets Sherlock Holmes, the first collaboration between Dan Andriacco and Kieran McMullen (MX; £7.99). Hale, a native Bostonian, is a reporter for London’s Central News Syndicate – where, in 1920, Horace Harker is still a familiar figure, though far from revered. It becomes evident that the apparent suicide of a Music Hall artiste was only the first of a series of murders by hanging. Hale’s determination to find the link between the victims is variously helped and hindered by a cast of remarkable characters that includes his friend TS Eliot, WB Yeats, Bernard Shaw, Ezra Pound, Alfred Hitchcock and Winston Churchill – not to mention Chief Inspector Wiggins and Sherlock Holmes. In contrast to most tales involving Holmes, The Amateur Executioner takes us into an ambiguous and murky world where right and wrong aren’t always distinguishable. I look forward to reading more about Enoch Hale.”

The Amateur Executioner  is available from all good bookstores including in the USAAmazon, Barnes and Noble, in the UK Amazon, Waterstones,  and for everywhere else Book Depository who offer free worldwide delivery. In ebook format there is Kindle,  iPad and Kobo.

Review of ‘Sherlock Holmes and The Missing Snowman’ from Peter E. Blau

“It has been quite a while since we have seen a Sherlockian story for children, David Ruffle’s SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MISSING SNOWMAN fills the bill nicely; it’s a sentimental story with charming illustrations by Rikey Austin (London: MX Publishing, 2012; 32 pp.).  The publisher’s web-sites are at <www.mxpublishing.co.uk> and <www.mxpublishing.com>.”

Sherlock Holmes and The Missing Snowman is available from all good bookshops including in the USA Barnes and Noble and Amazon , in the UK Amazon and Waterstones. For elsewhere Book Depository who offer free delivery worldwide. In ebook format it is in Kindle, Kobo, Nook and iPad.

First Review of ‘Benedict Cumberbatch in Transition – An Unauthorised Performance Biography’

“Benedict Cumberbatch In Transition – An Unauthorised Biography. A Review.

Can a simple title say it all? In this particular case, it can and it is a joy. Benedict’s career is indeed in transition at the present moment in time (when I’m writing we are just a few days ahead of the Star Trek Into Darkness Premiere in London) and, in less than four years,he has metamorphosed from a very talented BBC actor to a sought-after international star.

If you expect a mere unauthorised biography here, you will be disappointed. As already thoroughly explained by Sherlockology and by the author herself in an interview with our page (see the link below), this book is an analytical and very detailed essay about his works.

No matter if you are a “new-comer” or a long-term fan, you will find its contents intriguing. The book is certainly particularly appealing for its in-depth analysis of the “before Sherlock” career, focusing on Benedict’s theatre roles.

Lynnette Porter has enriched each chapter with her own experiences and interviews obtained whilst going through theatre archives in London and meeting directors (using every possible source available); allowing the readers “to see” the performances through her eyes even if they haven’t actually seen them in reality.

Praise must also be given for the unbiased approach to each project he has be involved in, both in the past and in the near future. Although it is undeniable that BBC Sherlock can be considered as a turning point in Benedict’s career, he is such an incredibly talented Thespian that each and every role he has portrayed has its own strength. In fact, it is always a source of great inspiration for fans and viewers to discover- through his own words - the reasons of his professional choices, the hard work to prepare for them and the efforts to avoid being typecast.

Lynnette Porter is the author of 14 books, a cinema reviewer and university lecturer (as well as a devoted fan) and she embarked on this project with contagious enthusiasm and professionalism.

MX Publishing is popular among Sherlockians for all its valuable Sherlock related titles to date.

Benedict Cumberbatch In Transition will be released on 10th June.

To know more you can follow these links:

•https://www.facebook.com/benedictcumbercatchintransition[where fans can ask questions about the book from the author]

•http://www.sherlockholmesbookshop.com/product/9781780924366[exclusive pre-publication copies for US fans (dispatched in May)]

•http://www.amazon.co.uk/Benedict-Cumberbatch-Transition-Unauthorised-Performance/dp/1780924364

[for UK fans]

•http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Benedict-Cumberbatch-Actor-Transition-Unauthorised-Performance-Biography-Lynnette-Porter/9781780924366[free delivery worldwide for fans outside UK and USA.]

•Interview with the author:

http://cumberlordfb.tumblr.com/post/48674553429/benedict-cumberbatch-in-transition-an-interview

A review by EmanuelaBorgattaDunnett for facebook.com/cumberlordbenedict”

Of the thousands of images of Benedict Cumberbatch author Lynnette Porter has chosen this one for her performance biography of the actor which comes out in June.

Of the thousands of images of Benedict Cumberbatch author Lynnette Porter has chosen this one for her performance biography of the actor which comes out in June. A leading designer has been chosen for the cover which the publisher’s say will be “very special and a unique concept”. 

Benedict Cumberbatch, In Transition has been described by the author’s agent Uwe as ‘a labour of love’ with a quite incredible attention to detail. Porter has published several very heavily researched books to date, and this one runs to 350 pages. Certainly one for the more serious Cumberbatch fans. Porter is a big fan herself and fans can look forward to a positive review of his prolific career.

Steve Emecz from publishers MX Publishing comments “We’re used to producing some of the most detailed biographical works in the Holmes world, including the Chronology of Arthur Conan Doyle, and The Norwood Author which won the 2011 Howlett Award (Sherlock Holmes book of the year) and we had to be sure that Lynnette’s book was highly detailed and accurate. We weren’t disappointed. This is a very special piece of work and one we are very pleased to be publishing. The book covers his career to date, so whilst there is some Sherlock, there is much more in there”.

The publishers have opened up a Facebook Page today where fans will be able to see exclusive extracts from the book, take part in competitions and ask the author questions. The foreword for the book will be provided by a famous special guest from the world of Sherlock Holmes.

Rare Photograph inspires Author

RARE PHOTOGRAPH INSPIRES AUTHOR

CRICKET BOOK RECORDS BACKGROUND TO DURHAM’S GROUNDBREAKING ASHES TEST

This August sees the first ever Ashes test match on Durham soil.  The most famous contest in the cricketing world first took place in Melbourne, Australia in March 1877. Writer, historian and musician Keith Gregson takes up the story;

“We had to wait another three and a half years for the first England v Australia match in England. However, the Australians did come over to Britain in 1878 on what is regarded as the first proper representative tour here.”

The last game of this tour was against a Sunderland side, one of ten Sunderland -based games eventually scheduled to involve Australia. Keith, who looks after the extensive archives at the city’s Ashbrooke Sports’ Club, decided to put together a book of records and photographs to celebrate the first Durham Test.

“Eight of Australia’s ‘Sunderland games’ were scheduled to be played at Ashbrooke – the first in 1912 and the last in 1977. The archives contain many rare photographs of these games but the one that stands out pre-dates Ashbrooke itself and Ashbrooke has been on the go since 1887.”

Prior to Ashbrooke, the Australians took on Sunderland sides twice, in 1878 and in 1880, just before the first Ashes Test in England. A photograph of the 1878 side is in club archives.



“The photograph shows the entire 1878 Australian squad of 12 plus three officials and has bushes in the background. I searched internet photograph sites for a similar picture and came up with a blank. I sent a copy to one of Australia’s leading cricket historians who researched it and noted that ‘it did not ring any bells’. More recently a researcher at the MCC at Lord’s confirmed that they had no copy. It is an exciting discovery. ”

The story of ‘Australia in Sunderland’ is an exciting one too, packed with interesting information and flagging up cricketing characters, some well-known and others little known.

Australia in Sunderland: The Making of a Test Match is available from all good bookstores including in the USA Barnes and Noble and Amazon, in the UK Amazon and Waterstones. For other countries Book Depository offer free delivery worldwide.

New review of The Curse of Sherlock Holmes by Dhanil Ali from Peter E. Blau

“The script for Dhanil Ali’s new play “The Curse of Sherlock Holmes” (Feb 13 #1) has been published (London: MX Publishing, 2013; 106 pp., £7.99/E8.99/ $10.95); it’s an imaginative presentation of Jeremy Brett hospitalized and unable to distinguish between fiction and reality <www.mxpublishing.com>.”

The Curse of Sherlock Holmes is available from all good bookstores including in the USA Amazon, Barnes and Noble, in the UK Amazon, Waterstones,  and for everywhere else Book Depository who offer free worldwide delivery.

New review of The Mystery of Charles Dickens by John Paulits

"A Review of a New Novel by John Paulits

The Mystery of Charles Dickens: a Tale of Mesmerism and Murder

This is, from the opening chapter to the last, a story filled with a highly satisfying mixture of tension and intrigue. The author deftly portrays the individuality of his characters and their various social backgrounds in language which gives a sense of authenticity to his tale. From the magnificence of a Genoese palace to the ghastly sordidness of an opium den, Paulits takes his readers across a social gulf separating the ultimate in privilege to the depths of wretchedness. While staying in Genoa, tension builds between Dickens and his wife Catherine as he doggedly pursues his goal of freeing Augusta, the beautiful young wife of Emile de la Rue, from her facial spasms and terrifying dreams. Using his skill in mesmerism, Dickens begins to treat Augusta, and comes to realise that she retains some terrible secret from long ago, buried deep within her mind. Dickens eventually extracts the reason for her nightmarish dreams but realises that he cannot reveal the truth of what he has discovered. He and his family return to England. Over a period of time letters from the de la Rues gradually fade away. Eventually Dickens hears of Augusta’s death, an event which inspires him a few years later to reshape the ending of his final novel. Tension increases dramatically in Dickens’s last weeks. Although his health is deteriorating rapidly, he is determined to reveal the culprit responsible for Augusta’s recurrent nightmares in the last issue of his serialised novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood. But the man he is going to unmask now realises what Dickens plans to do. He is equally determined to prevent this happening. It becomes a race against time for both of them.  The Mystery of Charles Dickens allows readers to witness Dickens himself ultimately becoming involved in a life and death situation – something that modern day Dickensians will be keen to follow up!"

Margaret Mandeno

The Mystery of Charles Dickens is available from all good bookstores worldwide including in the USA  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, in the UK Amazon and Waterstones and Book Depository (free worldwide delivery) and in electronic formats including Kindle , iTunes (iPad/iPhone), Kobo and Nook.

The Real Sherlock Holmes by Joe Riggs released in audio format!

The Real Sherlock Holmes by Joe Riggs released in audio format! Also available in paperback - in the USA from Barnes and Noble and  Amazon, in the UK Amazon and Waterstones and in all formats including Amazon Kindle , Kobo, Nook, and iPad . Fans outside the US and UK can get free delivery from Book Depository.