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Watson's Last Case
Ian Charnock's first novel, The Elementary Cases of Sherlock Holmes , explored some of the detective's early cases from the viewpoint of Stamford, a dresser at Barts hospital and friend of Dr. Watson. In this volume Stamford continues his unconventional take on the legend as he is in the process of compiling some of Watson's stories for posthumous publication. Delving into Watson's past, he describes his escapades before, during and after the Great War. In Watson's Last Case under the instruction of the formidable Mycroft Holmes, Watson is dispatched to Russia - with the fate of the Empire and the outcome of the war resting on his shoulders. In a tumultuous epoch, he is at the forefront of a global emergency - told that the British government must be as 'ruthless as its rivals', or else 'sink' into oblivion.
From the action-packed thrills of Watson's youth to the beginnings of Holmes's scholarly life, the Scholar's Appendix changes direction with a speculative insight into Holmes's past. From a young man destined to join the Church to a theologian at Oxford University, this insight into his early years shines a light upon the origins of his incredible powers of observation and the science of deduction, for which he would become so legendary.
Charnock provides an absorbing insight into uncharted territory of the Sherlock Holmes universe, in what is said to be amongst the very best of Sherlockian pastiches ever written.
From the action-packed thrills of Watson's youth to the beginnings of Holmes's scholarly life, the Scholar's Appendix changes direction with a speculative insight into Holmes's past. From a young man destined to join the Church to a theologian at Oxford University, this insight into his early years shines a light upon the origins of his incredible powers of observation and the science of deduction, for which he would become so legendary.
Charnock provides an absorbing insight into uncharted territory of the Sherlock Holmes universe, in what is said to be amongst the very best of Sherlockian pastiches ever written.
- GenresMystery
191 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 8, 2021
This book is a mish-mash. We start with Watson meeting up with "young Stamford" once again in the Criterion bar. Stamford is our narrator--relaying stories about Watson's "cases" in the years of World War I. The first (smaller) section deals with Watson on an undercover mission to check up on T. E. Lawrence and his doings in and around Damascus and Jerusalem. There are rumors that Lawrence has grown unstable and if he is, then Britain's interest in the Middle East may be at stake. Holmes is busy wit other war work, so Mycroft sends Watson as a trusted and able servant of the Crown.
Once the story of Lawrence is finished, we move on to Watson's work in Russia. He is sent to determine exactly what is wrong with the heir to the Russian throne, Tsarovich Alexis. Watson is also to try and do something about the hold Rasputin has over the Tsarina. There are rumors of idiocy and strange illnesses--Mycroft Holmes is certain that it is hemophilia and that Watson can help royal family if anyone can. His job also entails gathering what intelligence he can about the rumors of revolt. Of course, history tells us of the revolution in Russia and that the fate of the Romanovs is not a pleasant one. In a strange twist, Mycroft seems oddly content at the end of this section (despite the fact that he seemed to have indicated that he wanted Watson to provide information that would avert the revolt if possible).
The final section gives purported background on the early life of Sherlock Holmes, Watson, and Stamford. Stamford seems to know a great deal about the detective. I'm not clear on how he knows all this. I can't see Holmes sharing family history and secrets with the man when he shared so little with his closest friend Watson. Stamford also provides a shorter description of Watson's life pre-Holmes and then wraps up with a brief biography of himself.
I honestly can't say that this was very successful as a story or a collection. To call these adventures of Watson's "cases" is overstating their status. A watching brief is what I'd call both assignments. Watson does absolutely nothing to affect Lawrence in any way and I can't see that constructing the storyline did much at all for the Holmes/Watson canon. Watson is a bit more involved in the Russian events--but, of course, his efforts to save the royal family fail. And again it doesn't seem like his presence in Russia had much purpose.
The best I can say for the book is that it gives some interesting historical detail on the events surrounding the Arab and Russian revolts during the early 1900s. But, to be honest, one would do better to read a good history book or two about the events than to read a book supposedly set in the world of Holmes and Watson. Not recommended.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Once the story of Lawrence is finished, we move on to Watson's work in Russia. He is sent to determine exactly what is wrong with the heir to the Russian throne, Tsarovich Alexis. Watson is also to try and do something about the hold Rasputin has over the Tsarina. There are rumors of idiocy and strange illnesses--Mycroft Holmes is certain that it is hemophilia and that Watson can help royal family if anyone can. His job also entails gathering what intelligence he can about the rumors of revolt. Of course, history tells us of the revolution in Russia and that the fate of the Romanovs is not a pleasant one. In a strange twist, Mycroft seems oddly content at the end of this section (despite the fact that he seemed to have indicated that he wanted Watson to provide information that would avert the revolt if possible).
The final section gives purported background on the early life of Sherlock Holmes, Watson, and Stamford. Stamford seems to know a great deal about the detective. I'm not clear on how he knows all this. I can't see Holmes sharing family history and secrets with the man when he shared so little with his closest friend Watson. Stamford also provides a shorter description of Watson's life pre-Holmes and then wraps up with a brief biography of himself.
I honestly can't say that this was very successful as a story or a collection. To call these adventures of Watson's "cases" is overstating their status. A watching brief is what I'd call both assignments. Watson does absolutely nothing to affect Lawrence in any way and I can't see that constructing the storyline did much at all for the Holmes/Watson canon. Watson is a bit more involved in the Russian events--but, of course, his efforts to save the royal family fail. And again it doesn't seem like his presence in Russia had much purpose.
The best I can say for the book is that it gives some interesting historical detail on the events surrounding the Arab and Russian revolts during the early 1900s. But, to be honest, one would do better to read a good history book or two about the events than to read a book supposedly set in the world of Holmes and Watson. Not recommended.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Want to Read
December 21, 201825 days of Christmas
July 25, 2020
1 - Doctor's Orders
1880 In the Bar of the Criterion Where Dr Stamford meets a recently released Dr Watson from the army.
1918 once again Dr Watson meets Dr Stamford and tells him of his war adventures in Palestine, and asks him of a request, which sends Stamford to meet Dr Conan Doyle, literacy agent of Dr Watson, where they discuss the unfinished works.
2 - Watson's Last Case
Mycroft briefs and sends Dr Watson on his mission to the Eastern Front and the court of the Romanoffs
3 - A Scholar's Appendix
Victor Trevor's Narrative on his view of Sherlock Holmes. Then the story of Sherlock Holmes the early years by Miss Stamford sister to Dr Stamford.
The Attendant Three-Quarter - Dr Watson life
The Dresser - as told by Dr Stamford, his life until 1918 when he meets Dr Watson
An enjoyable set of short stories
1880 In the Bar of the Criterion Where Dr Stamford meets a recently released Dr Watson from the army.
1918 once again Dr Watson meets Dr Stamford and tells him of his war adventures in Palestine, and asks him of a request, which sends Stamford to meet Dr Conan Doyle, literacy agent of Dr Watson, where they discuss the unfinished works.
2 - Watson's Last Case
Mycroft briefs and sends Dr Watson on his mission to the Eastern Front and the court of the Romanoffs
3 - A Scholar's Appendix
Victor Trevor's Narrative on his view of Sherlock Holmes. Then the story of Sherlock Holmes the early years by Miss Stamford sister to Dr Stamford.
The Attendant Three-Quarter - Dr Watson life
The Dresser - as told by Dr Stamford, his life until 1918 when he meets Dr Watson
An enjoyable set of short stories
February 23, 2019
Watson's Last Case very detailed and historically interesting
I was overwhelmed at times trying to keep all the references straight and in chronological order, but found the discussions of history such as the Russian Romanoffs very interesting. The insight into Watson's background and schooling were particularly interesting, but not much was added to Sherlock's personal history since most of his was known. Enjoyable read.
I was overwhelmed at times trying to keep all the references straight and in chronological order, but found the discussions of history such as the Russian Romanoffs very interesting. The insight into Watson's background and schooling were particularly interesting, but not much was added to Sherlock's personal history since most of his was known. Enjoyable read.
January 16, 2022
Sad to start, but enjoyable for this Watson fa
It was a hard beginning for me, abruptly sad. But the tale that follows, about Watson's heroic last case, put this high on my favorites list.
It was a hard beginning for me, abruptly sad. But the tale that follows, about Watson's heroic last case, put this high on my favorites list.
November 8, 2021
Excellent!
Quite an excellent tale about Watson and he came to be Holmes Boswell. Many an unanswered question was brought to light.
Quite an excellent tale about Watson and he came to be Holmes Boswell. Many an unanswered question was brought to light.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews