The Real World Of Sherlock

by B.J. Rahn

Ever wondered where Conan Doyle got his inspiration for the literary sleuth? Was there a real ‘Study in Scarlet’ in Victorian London? What baffled Victorian police detectives?In The Real World of Sherlock, B. J. Rahn explores the world that Sherlock emerged from and the inspirations behind the character himself. Holmes is a man known for his eccentricities – his reclusiveness and the aura of genius have become trademarks today, and are recognisable in any Holmes adaptation. This book reveals the men who inspired that iconic persona. Among them are Dr Joseph Bell, Conan Doyle’s role model and an investigator of disease and crime, and the writer Edgar Allan Poe, who invented the detective story as we recognise it today.Rahn also takes a fascinating look at crime and detection in nineteenth-century London. She explores how the work of police detectives and CSI evolved in this era, from footprint analysis and human blood testing to fingerprinting and crime-scene photography. But did Sherlock make use of these emerging techniques in his investigations?This is the perfect book for any Sherlock fan who wants to find out about the background to the character and the fast-evolving world of detection from which the stories emerged. You’ll be astonished at just how real Sherlock was.

Genres: Mystery, Nonfiction

264 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2014

Reviews

[Melissa French]

I am not going to rate this book, as it was written by my relative, but I will say that in my opinion, Rahn thoroughly and deftly covers many of "Sherlock's" and Conan Doyle's contemporaries and predecessors in crime both real and fictional, and leaves the true fan with no doubts about who the "real Sherlock" was.

[LuAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read analyzing the Sherlock Holmes stories and character. Provides much context about forensic and medical science, Arthur Conan Doyle's own Holmes style investigation and his inspirations for the character. Not only that, the author thoroughly compares this to the stories themselves. I used this extensively for teaching a life-long learning class on Sherlock Holmes.

[Rachel]

The first section was the most valuable to me and I really enjoyed learning about the sources of certain characteristics of Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately I found the second section weaker, largely due to the long history of policing which was only vaguely linked back to Holmes if at all. To be fair I suppose the utility of the second section does depend on what the reader is hoping to get from the book.

[Rachael Eyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer to the books and Conan Doyle's similarities to his hero, often underestimated. Arthur and George by Julian Barnes is inspired by one of the cases mentioned; I'll definitely check that out after reading this. It was also nice to know that Sir Arthur and Professor Bell had an actual friendship as opposed to a slightly creepy hero worship scenario.

Something that baffled me: is she somehow privy to the authors' notes? Where is she getting all this information about Holmes's birthday and family? I've read all the stories but can't remember any when he turned to Watson and said, "By the way, it's my birthday today." And she spoils the ending of The Murders of the Rue Morgue - lucky I'd already read it!

[Jane Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book written from an interesting angle and a tempter to read more about Conan Doyle himself, although I have read one of his biographies already. It was intriguing to read about the police force at that time and how lots of things were set up then that we take for granted today.

[Louise Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. There was a clarity and an enthusiasm about it that made it a good read. Interesting to see his sources.