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The Consulting Detective Trilogy Part I: University
Mysterious deaths, a blackmail ring, a ship named "Gloria Scott" and the mysteries of his own mind face Sherlock Holmes while he studies at the University of Cambridge.
It was some time before Sherlock Holmes recovered from the events of late 1871. Physically, it took many months; mentally, it took many years. He was bound by both a promise to the living and a commitment to honour the dead, and being so bound he set the full force of his will to rebuilding the shattered pieces of his life. Yet sometimes will alone is not enough.
Part I of The Consulting Detective Trilogy follows 18 year old Sherlock Holmes from the end of The Crack in the Lens through his university career. It tells the story of his mental and emotional journey to his decision to become a detective as well his early cases and training.
It was some time before Sherlock Holmes recovered from the events of late 1871. Physically, it took many months; mentally, it took many years. He was bound by both a promise to the living and a commitment to honour the dead, and being so bound he set the full force of his will to rebuilding the shattered pieces of his life. Yet sometimes will alone is not enough.
Part I of The Consulting Detective Trilogy follows 18 year old Sherlock Holmes from the end of The Crack in the Lens through his university career. It tells the story of his mental and emotional journey to his decision to become a detective as well his early cases and training.
- GenresMysteryMurder Mystery
330 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2012
5 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Darlene A. Cypser
22 books19 followersDarlene Cypser is a writer, attorney, and historian.
She was the "Chief Surgeon" of Dr. Watson's Neglected Patients for over a decade and also a member of the Hudson Valley Sciontists, and The Hounds of the Internet. The Baker Street Journal (the official publication of the Baker Street Irregulars) published three articles that she wrote about the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Darlene is writing a series of biographical novels about Sherlock Holmes. She has also written four Sherlock Holmes short stories.
She is writing several non-fiction history books about the history of the American West.
Darlene's first fiction story to be published was a ghost story that appeared in the Boulder Daily Camera in October 1992.
She has written number of papers and articles which were published in magazines and professional legal and scientific journals on international space law, liability for induced seismicity, landlord and tenant law, intellectual property law, tax law and motion picture production and distribution.
Darlene loves reading and writing about history, science and law, as well as fiction. She also enjoys hiking, cooking and photography.
She was the "Chief Surgeon" of Dr. Watson's Neglected Patients for over a decade and also a member of the Hudson Valley Sciontists, and The Hounds of the Internet. The Baker Street Journal (the official publication of the Baker Street Irregulars) published three articles that she wrote about the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Darlene is writing a series of biographical novels about Sherlock Holmes. She has also written four Sherlock Holmes short stories.
She is writing several non-fiction history books about the history of the American West.
Darlene's first fiction story to be published was a ghost story that appeared in the Boulder Daily Camera in October 1992.
She has written number of papers and articles which were published in magazines and professional legal and scientific journals on international space law, liability for induced seismicity, landlord and tenant law, intellectual property law, tax law and motion picture production and distribution.
Darlene loves reading and writing about history, science and law, as well as fiction. She also enjoys hiking, cooking and photography.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 25, 2018
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A tale of Sherlock Holmes at University. Apparently, bad things happened to him prior to the events of this book, so we get a Sherlock suffering from PTSD. Unfortunately, this is a version of Sherlock Holmes I don't really want to read.
A tale of Sherlock Holmes at University. Apparently, bad things happened to him prior to the events of this book, so we get a Sherlock suffering from PTSD. Unfortunately, this is a version of Sherlock Holmes I don't really want to read.
August 28, 2012
Perhaps in no small measure to Dr. Watson’s own efforts, we often come to see Sherlock Holmes as someone not quite human.He’s almost like a Victorian superhero–smarter than everyone else, able to bend pokers straight again, defeating all comers with his expertise in fencing, single-stick fighting and baritsu. In his efforts to chronicle the detective’s exploits and (let’s be honest) sell stories, Holmes’ admiring Boswell sacrifices a bit of his flatmate’s humanity in the telling.
Ms. Cypser’s Holmes, however, is extremely relatable. Unlike other writers who take on the project of exploring Sherlock Holmes’ unrecorded youth, she doesn’t bring in unusual characters or spectacular adventures. Sherlock’s dilemmas are, instead, familiar to all of us. He wonders how to reconcile his skills and interests with the courses and careers available to him. He has difficulty making friends and runs afoul of a student known for his ability to destroy reputations with a few well-placed rumors. He tangles with authority, both academic and familial, building the confidence he needs to make that final, necessary break. In the second half of the book, he begins to try his hand at detective work, but his “cases” are such as one might expect to find in a university setting; not a stolen jewel or secret weapon among them. Most importantly, however, he grapples with the puzzle of his own mind. Ms. Cypser skillfully and subtly takes the events of Sherlock’s university career and, just as she did in The Crack in the Lens, leaves it for the reader to deduce how they helped to create the detective of Baker Street.
Like its predecessor, University stands up well to re-reading. It's impressively researched and documented; several characters are based on actual people, and there is an essay on sources in the back of the book. When it comes time for Holmes to spend time with Victor Trevor and his father at Donnithorpe–a crucial event which Watson records as “The Gloria Scott”–canon and book are expertly combined. Holmes’ world is vividly drawn and compelling; once you enter, you won’t want to leave. What I loved most about University, however, was the suspense. Every scene has an ultimate purpose, and nothing is wasted. I was pulled in from the first, and had no desire to resurface. During one particularly suspenseful chapter (there are several), I found myself beginning to worry about Sherlock–then realized with a start that *spoiler alert* the very existence of the canon meant that he would be able to fight his way through. My advice? Forget chores, ignore the laundry, order takeout for dinner and just settle in for the ride. You’ll miss it when it’s over.
September 28, 2012
This is the second of Ms. Cypser’s biographical series on Sherlock Holmes. It begins immediately following events in her earlier book, The Crack in the Lens. This book covers Sherlock’s experiences at university, specifically at Sydney Sussex College at Cambridge University. This book does not have the dark overtones of the first volume, but it does depict Sherlock attempting to deal with the immense trauma he suffered as a teen.
Looked at in retrospect, this book is remarkable. While reading it, there seems to be action proceeding all the time, but after it is finished, the reader realizes that the ‘action’ was mostly internal. Events occur, but most of the narrative is taken up with Sherlock’s reactions and adaptations to those events. Again, while reading, worlds of possibilities open up and all sorts of consequences become possible, but really, only fairly normal things actually occur. It is a truly remarkable narrative that rings with possibilities and yet makes the events described seem to be natural outcomes of the situations. This makes it difficult to review.
I could say that the action is riveting, as it was, but there is really little action. I could say that the characters are fascinating, which they are, but most appear and then disappear, leaving their interactions with Sherlock as the only evidence of their existence. The relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft remains the same as it ever was, but it seems fuller and richer as we learn of how they shared experiences and learned from one another. So it is with the entire book. Sherlock learns to cope with stress and guilt, he learns to react to the world and he learns about himself.
Sherlock’s relations with his parents and his brothers are looked at a bit more closely, but they remain much the same as before. Sherlock’s relations with the world, on the other hand, grow and develop. He learns to participate more and to observe without judging so deeply. He also learns how to learn. The process is painful, but so is any growth. The Sherlock who leaves Cambridge at the end of this book is far different than the one who arrived. He is not yet a ‘finished tool’ but he has the process well in hand. Most of the details have been made fascinating by the author, so the book is a very ‘good read.’
Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, June 2012
Looked at in retrospect, this book is remarkable. While reading it, there seems to be action proceeding all the time, but after it is finished, the reader realizes that the ‘action’ was mostly internal. Events occur, but most of the narrative is taken up with Sherlock’s reactions and adaptations to those events. Again, while reading, worlds of possibilities open up and all sorts of consequences become possible, but really, only fairly normal things actually occur. It is a truly remarkable narrative that rings with possibilities and yet makes the events described seem to be natural outcomes of the situations. This makes it difficult to review.
I could say that the action is riveting, as it was, but there is really little action. I could say that the characters are fascinating, which they are, but most appear and then disappear, leaving their interactions with Sherlock as the only evidence of their existence. The relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft remains the same as it ever was, but it seems fuller and richer as we learn of how they shared experiences and learned from one another. So it is with the entire book. Sherlock learns to cope with stress and guilt, he learns to react to the world and he learns about himself.
Sherlock’s relations with his parents and his brothers are looked at a bit more closely, but they remain much the same as before. Sherlock’s relations with the world, on the other hand, grow and develop. He learns to participate more and to observe without judging so deeply. He also learns how to learn. The process is painful, but so is any growth. The Sherlock who leaves Cambridge at the end of this book is far different than the one who arrived. He is not yet a ‘finished tool’ but he has the process well in hand. Most of the details have been made fascinating by the author, so the book is a very ‘good read.’
Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, June 2012
September 29, 2012
Won on First Reads! and I can't wait til it arrives—I'm a great fan of Sherlock Holmes and am definitely crossing my fingers.
Final Review:
3.5 Stars
Maybe I should round up, but I'm trying to be as scrupulously honest as possible, and I think I liked it less than 'really'.
The Consulting Detective Part I describes the university years of Sherlock Holmes (I'm sure you never would have guessed). It is less of a standalone novel than I'd supposed. Though The Crack in the Lens was described as a prequel, TCDpI continues directly after the events of that novel, and there's little catch-up for new readers.
As a long-term fan fiction reader, I'm not sure how much this will throw off the average reader.
To sum up as best I can without spoilers, Sherlock survived a traumatic event back home, that left him ill and mentally fragile. By the time TCDpI takes place, he's mostly recovered, but his convalescence is long, and he needs to decide what to do with his life.
The 'in media res' beginning cause some confusion for the reader, mostly in the lack of description: for instance I didn't know Sherlock's servant, Jonathan, was only 13 until chapter 4.
I'm not sure this book should be described as a "trilogy". While it covers only one era of Sherlock's life, there's not a strong plot thread—it's more an overall plot arc, told through an episodic structure. For the most part, I enjoyed the breadth of his experiences, as all these different events do show the growth of his character effectively.
The characters were fun. Sherrinford, Sherlock's mother and father, Jonathan, all felt rather thin. However, I loved Mycroft; every time he showed up he right on point, exactly right. Since many writers seem to struggle with his character, I especially appreciated his few brief appearances. One character, a Lord Cecil, is the standard bully in any school story; though he and Sherlock rarely interact, so it doesn't overwhelm Sherlock's story.
The prose was workmanlike, for the most part. Cypser struggles with integrated dialogue and exposition into the story. However,she clearly did her research, and there were several surprising details. I did notice a few problems with typos and run on sentences, but not too disruptive.
My favorite part is that in some ways, Sherlock makes some dumb decisions and lots of mistakes. He lacks much of his later self-control. Knowing Sherlock almost entirely through Watson (who, honestly, is my favorite), that sounds a little odd, but it makes sense for such a young man, and it's never out of character, especially for the back story we're given. Sometimes he veers toward melodrama, but not for long, and especially as he recovers and events pick up, most of that goes away.
Overall, if you like Sherlock Holmes pastiches, and are interested in a logical Sherlockian backstory, I'd definitely recommend this novel!
Final Review:
3.5 Stars
Maybe I should round up, but I'm trying to be as scrupulously honest as possible, and I think I liked it less than 'really'.
The Consulting Detective Part I describes the university years of Sherlock Holmes (I'm sure you never would have guessed). It is less of a standalone novel than I'd supposed. Though The Crack in the Lens was described as a prequel, TCDpI continues directly after the events of that novel, and there's little catch-up for new readers.
As a long-term fan fiction reader, I'm not sure how much this will throw off the average reader.
To sum up as best I can without spoilers, Sherlock survived a traumatic event back home, that left him ill and mentally fragile. By the time TCDpI takes place, he's mostly recovered, but his convalescence is long, and he needs to decide what to do with his life.
The 'in media res' beginning cause some confusion for the reader, mostly in the lack of description: for instance I didn't know Sherlock's servant, Jonathan, was only 13 until chapter 4.
I'm not sure this book should be described as a "trilogy". While it covers only one era of Sherlock's life, there's not a strong plot thread—it's more an overall plot arc, told through an episodic structure. For the most part, I enjoyed the breadth of his experiences, as all these different events do show the growth of his character effectively.
The characters were fun. Sherrinford, Sherlock's mother and father, Jonathan, all felt rather thin. However, I loved Mycroft; every time he showed up he right on point, exactly right. Since many writers seem to struggle with his character, I especially appreciated his few brief appearances. One character, a Lord Cecil, is the standard bully in any school story; though he and Sherlock rarely interact, so it doesn't overwhelm Sherlock's story.
The prose was workmanlike, for the most part. Cypser struggles with integrated dialogue and exposition into the story. However,she clearly did her research, and there were several surprising details. I did notice a few problems with typos and run on sentences, but not too disruptive.
My favorite part is that in some ways, Sherlock makes some dumb decisions and lots of mistakes. He lacks much of his later self-control. Knowing Sherlock almost entirely through Watson (who, honestly, is my favorite), that sounds a little odd, but it makes sense for such a young man, and it's never out of character, especially for the back story we're given. Sometimes he veers toward melodrama, but not for long, and especially as he recovers and events pick up, most of that goes away.
Overall, if you like Sherlock Holmes pastiches, and are interested in a logical Sherlockian backstory, I'd definitely recommend this novel!
August 20, 2013
This was a readable book, but only merited three stars because:
1) the language was too modern. Many modern colloquialisms slipped in and overall the language did not have the "flavor" of Victorian or Edwardian writing, which is what I have come to expect from the Sherlock Holmes subgenre.
2) the mystery was not given its due. The puzzle to be solved in the novel is not introduced until the second half, and the resolution was rather disappointing. In fact, one could say that there was no mystery at all in this mystery novel! Now, it may be that the author did not intend this book to be a detective novel at all, but when you pick up a Sherlock Holmes novel, your expectation is that there will be a murder (at least), and it will be the center of the plot.
3) the use of the third person narrator with limited vision did not fit expectations. After reading John Watson's personal narrative (both as penned by Conan Doyle and others), the choice of narrator for this novel did not strike me as appropriate.
4) "Violet" seems like she will always be "the woman" for SH instead of Irene Adler of the canon. Will this paradox be resolved in a later part of the planned trilogy?
Summing up my criticism, my overall take is that this novel did not meet the "expectations" I had for a SH novel.
On the plus side, the book was enjoyable in spite of its shortcoming because:
1) it provides an interesting backstory for the Holmes.
2) the author recreates Victorian Cambridge U (although a bit heavy handedly sometimes) and draws the reader in to that milieu.
I'll give the second installment a read when it appears.
1) the language was too modern. Many modern colloquialisms slipped in and overall the language did not have the "flavor" of Victorian or Edwardian writing, which is what I have come to expect from the Sherlock Holmes subgenre.
2) the mystery was not given its due. The puzzle to be solved in the novel is not introduced until the second half, and the resolution was rather disappointing. In fact, one could say that there was no mystery at all in this mystery novel! Now, it may be that the author did not intend this book to be a detective novel at all, but when you pick up a Sherlock Holmes novel, your expectation is that there will be a murder (at least), and it will be the center of the plot.
3) the use of the third person narrator with limited vision did not fit expectations. After reading John Watson's personal narrative (both as penned by Conan Doyle and others), the choice of narrator for this novel did not strike me as appropriate.
4) "Violet" seems like she will always be "the woman" for SH instead of Irene Adler of the canon. Will this paradox be resolved in a later part of the planned trilogy?
Summing up my criticism, my overall take is that this novel did not meet the "expectations" I had for a SH novel.
On the plus side, the book was enjoyable in spite of its shortcoming because:
1) it provides an interesting backstory for the Holmes.
2) the author recreates Victorian Cambridge U (although a bit heavy handedly sometimes) and draws the reader in to that milieu.
I'll give the second installment a read when it appears.
February 3, 2017
This story exceeded my expectations!! Usually, I don't expect much for Holmes' pastiches, as I usually find that the authors cannot quite catch the tone of the original series. However, this one did well. I loved the descriptions of Sherlock as a young man, and felt like the story of his life at university fit right in with the storyline. The only critique I have is with the punctuation and spacing at the beginning of the book; however, it seems to resolve itself as the writing goes on. Really though, that is only minor. The story itself was very good - I am really glad I found it. Worth all of the good reviews, and I cannot wait to read the next one!
July 15, 2016
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I do have to apologize! I did not realize I had neglected to include the review, I feel slightly absent minded. This review will be very...lacking as I read this book some time ago. This was a marvelous book! I enjoyed reading it immensely. I did have a slight issue getting interested in the book initially but once I found the pattern of the book I was captivated.
I do have to apologize! I did not realize I had neglected to include the review, I feel slightly absent minded. This review will be very...lacking as I read this book some time ago. This was a marvelous book! I enjoyed reading it immensely. I did have a slight issue getting interested in the book initially but once I found the pattern of the book I was captivated.
September 10, 2012
Note: Its been probably almost 20 years since Ive read any Sherlock Holmes so this was basically a fresh start for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldnt put it down. It made me purchase a volume of Sherlock Holmes stories to that I could relive the adventures.
Fabulous job Darlene. I look forward to the next installment!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldnt put it down. It made me purchase a volume of Sherlock Holmes stories to that I could relive the adventures.
Fabulous job Darlene. I look forward to the next installment!
August 30, 2012
Excellent! Something special, and not just another Holmesian mystery. My longer blog review on the way!
July 6, 2025
What a nostalgic cocktail—Durga Puja 2013 and young Sherlock Holmes all tangled up in the smell of shiuli phool and the rustle of autumnal evenings. I read The Consulting Detective Trilogy Part I: University by Darlene A. Cypser that year, tucked into the in-between moments of pandal-hopping and bhog queues. And somehow, that mix of ancient goddess lore and the birth of a 19th-century rationalist sleuth made perfect sense.
Cypser’s first book in the trilogy is not about the Sherlock we all know—there’s no 221B, no Watson, no Mrs. Hudson offering tea and scandal. This is Sherlock before the pipe, before the London fog, before the cocaine. This is the University Years. And it's not all magnifying glasses and “Elementary, my dear.” Instead, we meet a raw, brilliant, often emotionally repressed young man navigating Cambridge (or rather a fictional version of it) with the keen observational powers we expect, but the self-mastery still very much under construction.
What struck me about this book—read against the backdrop of conch shells and dhak beats—was how Cypser didn't try to rush into classic Holmesian mystery. Instead, she built the man. She gave us an academic setting, friends who challenge him, and teachers who either respect or resent his intellect. You could almost feel Holmes assembling himself, brick by brick, in the quiet libraries and lecture halls, like a man tuning an instrument before the symphony begins.
I remember reading a passage—where young Holmes is emotionally distant even when tragedy strikes—and being both frustrated and fascinated. This was a version of Sherlock that wasn't polished. He fumbled with empathy, clashed with authority, and buried himself in logic to escape pain. It was like watching a god in training. And in a way, that felt oddly fitting for the Puja season, when the city glows with myth and ritual and gods descend among mortals for just a few days.
Cypser’s writing is subtle—not flashy, not melodramatic—but rich in psychological insight. She doesn’t mythologize Holmes prematurely. She lets him suffer. She lets him doubt. And in doing so, she accomplishes something truly rare in Holmesian pastiche—she makes him human before he becomes the legend.
Reading it in 2013, in a year when Durga Puja was as resplendent and community-rich as ever, I felt the book’s introspective solitude stand in stark contrast to the cacophony around me. There I was, diving into the psyche of a solitary genius, while outside, the streets exploded with color, song, and celebration. And yet, the contrast wasn’t jarring—it was poetic. Because Durga Puja isn’t just about joy. It’s about becoming. It’s about the annual triumph of good over evil—but also about returning to your roots, facing your demons, and emerging just a little stronger, a little wiser.
That’s what Holmes does in University. He confronts shadows—both personal and social—and lays the groundwork for becoming the consulting detective. Cypser allows him no shortcuts. And I respected that.
As trilogies go, this first book is foundational—like the Maha Saptami of character development. Not the climax, but the beginning of the stirrings. The fan inside me was thrilled. The reader in me was satisfied. And the boy sitting in a corner of his family’s flat in 2013, sneaking pages between anjali and biryani, found something utterly magnetic about the quiet formation of a future legend.
Sometimes, the origin stories that matter most don’t come with explosions or climaxes. Sometimes, they emerge in whispers, in candlelit studies, in books half-finished during the pandal break. University was that kind of story. And for me, Sherlock Holmes was reborn—not on Baker Street, but somewhere between the sound of conch shells and the rustle of fallen shiuli.
Cypser’s first book in the trilogy is not about the Sherlock we all know—there’s no 221B, no Watson, no Mrs. Hudson offering tea and scandal. This is Sherlock before the pipe, before the London fog, before the cocaine. This is the University Years. And it's not all magnifying glasses and “Elementary, my dear.” Instead, we meet a raw, brilliant, often emotionally repressed young man navigating Cambridge (or rather a fictional version of it) with the keen observational powers we expect, but the self-mastery still very much under construction.
What struck me about this book—read against the backdrop of conch shells and dhak beats—was how Cypser didn't try to rush into classic Holmesian mystery. Instead, she built the man. She gave us an academic setting, friends who challenge him, and teachers who either respect or resent his intellect. You could almost feel Holmes assembling himself, brick by brick, in the quiet libraries and lecture halls, like a man tuning an instrument before the symphony begins.
I remember reading a passage—where young Holmes is emotionally distant even when tragedy strikes—and being both frustrated and fascinated. This was a version of Sherlock that wasn't polished. He fumbled with empathy, clashed with authority, and buried himself in logic to escape pain. It was like watching a god in training. And in a way, that felt oddly fitting for the Puja season, when the city glows with myth and ritual and gods descend among mortals for just a few days.
Cypser’s writing is subtle—not flashy, not melodramatic—but rich in psychological insight. She doesn’t mythologize Holmes prematurely. She lets him suffer. She lets him doubt. And in doing so, she accomplishes something truly rare in Holmesian pastiche—she makes him human before he becomes the legend.
Reading it in 2013, in a year when Durga Puja was as resplendent and community-rich as ever, I felt the book’s introspective solitude stand in stark contrast to the cacophony around me. There I was, diving into the psyche of a solitary genius, while outside, the streets exploded with color, song, and celebration. And yet, the contrast wasn’t jarring—it was poetic. Because Durga Puja isn’t just about joy. It’s about becoming. It’s about the annual triumph of good over evil—but also about returning to your roots, facing your demons, and emerging just a little stronger, a little wiser.
That’s what Holmes does in University. He confronts shadows—both personal and social—and lays the groundwork for becoming the consulting detective. Cypser allows him no shortcuts. And I respected that.
As trilogies go, this first book is foundational—like the Maha Saptami of character development. Not the climax, but the beginning of the stirrings. The fan inside me was thrilled. The reader in me was satisfied. And the boy sitting in a corner of his family’s flat in 2013, sneaking pages between anjali and biryani, found something utterly magnetic about the quiet formation of a future legend.
Sometimes, the origin stories that matter most don’t come with explosions or climaxes. Sometimes, they emerge in whispers, in candlelit studies, in books half-finished during the pandal break. University was that kind of story. And for me, Sherlock Holmes was reborn—not on Baker Street, but somewhere between the sound of conch shells and the rustle of fallen shiuli.
September 25, 2012
An improvement upon the previous book "The crack in the lens", this book is an easy read with enough references to the Holmes canon to keep the fans turning the pages through the end.
Still, too juvenile for my taste. I don't mind having another POV at our consulting detective -especially if you place the action years before the Watson years- but having 20 years old Sherlock trying to commit suicide over the trauma of love lost two years ago is a tad to much twisting character. More appropiate to a Jane Austen young girl protagonist to the future Holmes.
Still, too juvenile for my taste. I don't mind having another POV at our consulting detective -especially if you place the action years before the Watson years- but having 20 years old Sherlock trying to commit suicide over the trauma of love lost two years ago is a tad to much twisting character. More appropiate to a Jane Austen young girl protagonist to the future Holmes.
Read
August 27, 2012didn't read. hit review instead of to read.
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