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Sherlock Holmes #8
Sherlock Holmes and the Man Who Lost Himself (Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) by Val Andrews
A distinctly unfortunate inventor discovers that he doesn't exist. Finding himself in this nightmare situation, he consults Sherlock Holmes and presents the sage of Baker Street with one of his most baffling challenges. Is it simply amnesia or something far more sinister? Before solving the case, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson become involved in some hair-raising transcontinental adventures and nightmare dealings with the hazardous flying machines of the day.
- GenresMystery
Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
23 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Val Andrews
58 books16 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
Val Andrews was a music hall artist, ventriloquist and writer.
Andrews was born in Hove, Sussex, England a few hours after Valentine's Day, hence his name. Son of an architect, he was introduced to magic by his father. Andrews was a prolific writer on magic, having published over 1000 books and booklets from 1952. He also authored Sherlock Holmes pastiches and Houdini's novels. He lived for a number of years in Brighton, then in London (from 1943 onwards) where he joined the London Society of Magicians.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 14, 2008
There are only X number of real Sherlock Holmes stories, so, having made my way through those several times, I have been collecting Sherlock Holmes pastiches over the years. The Man Who Lost Himself is one of these.
This book would have been much better (considering it's not A. Conan Doyle's work) had it stuck to the main story at hand: A man comes to see Holmes and Watson at 221B with an incredible story. It seems that his wife was not feeling well, so he took her to a local physician. The physician was not there at the time, but his wife insisted on staying and went into the examining room. Some time went by, and the wife never came out. When the man went into check, he saw a nurse, but no wife. He returned to his home only to find that the house he thought was his was occupied by a man who swore he had been there three years. On going to his back for funds, he found out he had never banked there. It is a puzzling mystery indeed, and Holmes & Watson are on the case immediately.
Considering that the book is only 112 pages long, you'd think that the author could have developed the story a bit better. The parts directly connected with this man's plight were quite good and well told. However, the author throws in an ape, a jewelry theft in France and various other silliness so that the main thread doesn't have time to develop into something better.
Oh well. If you're a Sherlock Holmes pastiche fan, you'll want to read it, but beware. If you are considering reading Sherlock Holmes stories, do start with the originals before you do the pastiches.
This book would have been much better (considering it's not A. Conan Doyle's work) had it stuck to the main story at hand: A man comes to see Holmes and Watson at 221B with an incredible story. It seems that his wife was not feeling well, so he took her to a local physician. The physician was not there at the time, but his wife insisted on staying and went into the examining room. Some time went by, and the wife never came out. When the man went into check, he saw a nurse, but no wife. He returned to his home only to find that the house he thought was his was occupied by a man who swore he had been there three years. On going to his back for funds, he found out he had never banked there. It is a puzzling mystery indeed, and Holmes & Watson are on the case immediately.
Considering that the book is only 112 pages long, you'd think that the author could have developed the story a bit better. The parts directly connected with this man's plight were quite good and well told. However, the author throws in an ape, a jewelry theft in France and various other silliness so that the main thread doesn't have time to develop into something better.
Oh well. If you're a Sherlock Holmes pastiche fan, you'll want to read it, but beware. If you are considering reading Sherlock Holmes stories, do start with the originals before you do the pastiches.
February 18, 2020
I'm unsure why Val Andrews is the king of Holmes pastiches. He does not stick to the original stories and enjoys throwing in nonsense that is directly contradictory to the ACD stories.
While the main plot feels like it could have been an ACD story, the way it's written leaves little mystery. I was able to figure out the plot very quickly. Then there are a myriad of subplots that lend nothing to the story. Also, the author has little to no knowledge of firearm history and it shows in this story.
One of my biggest pet-peeves is pastiche writers who insist on altering Holmes' story or characteristics. This is one such story where one of the subplots is a romance between Holmes and Irene Adler which is in direct contradiction to the cannon.
I may just quit pastiches and keep rereading the originals as I've found very few pastiches that come close to the originals.
While the main plot feels like it could have been an ACD story, the way it's written leaves little mystery. I was able to figure out the plot very quickly. Then there are a myriad of subplots that lend nothing to the story. Also, the author has little to no knowledge of firearm history and it shows in this story.
One of my biggest pet-peeves is pastiche writers who insist on altering Holmes' story or characteristics. This is one such story where one of the subplots is a romance between Holmes and Irene Adler which is in direct contradiction to the cannon.
I may just quit pastiches and keep rereading the originals as I've found very few pastiches that come close to the originals.
March 27, 2022
I liked the idea, but....
I really liked the idea for the story, but it was choppy and poorly executed. One moment I was in a place, the next they are going to another. There wasn't much distinction who was talking. The main mystery kind of resolves itself and the rest is just added pictures.
In one scene, Watson notes Holmes is growing bored...well, so was I.
Christa
I really liked the idea for the story, but it was choppy and poorly executed. One moment I was in a place, the next they are going to another. There wasn't much distinction who was talking. The main mystery kind of resolves itself and the rest is just added pictures.
In one scene, Watson notes Holmes is growing bored...well, so was I.
Christa
January 4, 2024
If there had been no inclusion of Irene Adler in this tale it could well have been upgraded to a 3 star rating, the padding was entirely unnecessary. Another tale from Val Andrews, this one set in 1903, with Sherlock Holmes and Dr John H Watson rescuing the first aviation engine from the Kaiser's spies, not only bent on espionage but taking the duo into an asylum to be interrogated. The little side issues of the aid to the French police and a robbery, as well as the other side tale of Monty were quite superfluous, as was the comedy relief of Colonel Faversham as the buffoon, which very much reminded me of the portrayal of Dr Watson by actors such as Nigel Bruce as a similar bumbling buffoon. It's a convoluted tale that would have been improved without the inclusion of Irene Adler, which really spoiled this tale for me. It behooves me to point out that the canon clearly states that Adler never laid eyes on Holmes without a disguise and therefore she would not recognise him on sight, nor is there any indication that Holmes was in love with her. It's a mystery to me why this character is so often regurgitated.
May 21, 2018
This one has a sense of bravado, making for a good read.
April 1, 2022
Professor Mainwaring approaches Holmes for help when his wife, his invention and his home have disappeared. The various subplots were unnecessary.
Overall enjoyable enough.
Overall enjoyable enough.
April 17, 2018
Fairly good version set in early days of aviation.
February 11, 2016
Sherlock Holmes and the Man Who Lost Himself by Val Andrews
A Professor Mainwaring comes to 221B with a tale for the ages. He states that he had taken his wife to her doctor, a Doctor Royston in a village near Reigate where the couple resides. The wife went into the examining room and never came out again. Later, a nurse states that his wife couldn’t have been there and seen the Doctor, because he is out of town.
After an argument, he returned to his home, The Willows, to find his keys do not work in the locks. Looking in the windows of his shop, he had discovered that all of his stuff had been taken, and replaced with gardening equipment! A large man with a dog showed up and claimed he was renting the Willows. The police drove him away from the house, and he slept in the woods.
The next day after further arguments with the police, he caught a train to London. He had heard of Holmes from a friend and from Watson’s writing in the Strand.
Mainwaring is an inventor who has created a new engine, designed for aircraft. This engine is now missing. The engine would be of much use to a foreign power such as Germany. The Kaiser has already sown the seeds that will blossom into WWI.
Mycroft Holmes insists that Holmes and Watson aid the Professor and above all not allow the engine to fall into enemy hands. The trail leads to France…
The story has some very good twists that I would rather not spoil by going any further. Holmes and Watson have a lot to accomplish. They need to find out why and how Professor Mainwaring landed in so much confusion and trouble. They also are charged with finding the missing engine. Then they have to get back to London, which for a reason I won’t spoil will be more difficult than they think.
I will give the story four stars. There is one chapter that drags a bit, but overall it is a good read!
Quoth the Raven…
A Professor Mainwaring comes to 221B with a tale for the ages. He states that he had taken his wife to her doctor, a Doctor Royston in a village near Reigate where the couple resides. The wife went into the examining room and never came out again. Later, a nurse states that his wife couldn’t have been there and seen the Doctor, because he is out of town.
After an argument, he returned to his home, The Willows, to find his keys do not work in the locks. Looking in the windows of his shop, he had discovered that all of his stuff had been taken, and replaced with gardening equipment! A large man with a dog showed up and claimed he was renting the Willows. The police drove him away from the house, and he slept in the woods.
The next day after further arguments with the police, he caught a train to London. He had heard of Holmes from a friend and from Watson’s writing in the Strand.
Mainwaring is an inventor who has created a new engine, designed for aircraft. This engine is now missing. The engine would be of much use to a foreign power such as Germany. The Kaiser has already sown the seeds that will blossom into WWI.
Mycroft Holmes insists that Holmes and Watson aid the Professor and above all not allow the engine to fall into enemy hands. The trail leads to France…
The story has some very good twists that I would rather not spoil by going any further. Holmes and Watson have a lot to accomplish. They need to find out why and how Professor Mainwaring landed in so much confusion and trouble. They also are charged with finding the missing engine. Then they have to get back to London, which for a reason I won’t spoil will be more difficult than they think.
I will give the story four stars. There is one chapter that drags a bit, but overall it is a good read!
Quoth the Raven…
May 14, 2016
An adventure with historical significance
Sherlock Holmes embarks on a seemingly impossible case when his client says he has lost everything, his wife, his house, his workshop, his money, and he is not sure that he has not lost himself.
This adventure takes Holmes and Watson to France where they are imprisoned, locked in an insane asylum, and left destitute and afoot to make their way home.
Holmes also solves a mystery involving a typing ape.
I have deducted one star for more than ten errors. In particular, an airplane is stored in a hangar and a bicycle is pedaled and only peddled when you are trying to sell it.
Sherlock Holmes embarks on a seemingly impossible case when his client says he has lost everything, his wife, his house, his workshop, his money, and he is not sure that he has not lost himself.
This adventure takes Holmes and Watson to France where they are imprisoned, locked in an insane asylum, and left destitute and afoot to make their way home.
Holmes also solves a mystery involving a typing ape.
I have deducted one star for more than ten errors. In particular, an airplane is stored in a hangar and a bicycle is pedaled and only peddled when you are trying to sell it.
April 24, 2010
Loved it. Hooked right from the beginning and sped through it in one go.
May 28, 2014
Nothing special about this pastiche. Also nothing terrible or memorable about it.
March 29, 2017
Kindle Unlimited One of several Sherlock Holmes stories by an assorted group of authors, wanted to go through them all. Liked it, just didn't love it, sort of the right style and all but....
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews