The Adventure of the Plated Spoon and Other Tales of Sherlock Holmes

by Loren D. Estleman (editor)

A collection of classic reprints and four original stories featuring Sherlock HolmesIn bringing to a close the adventures of my friend Sherlock Holmes, I am perforce reminded that he never, save on the occasion which, as you will now hear, brought his singular career to an end, consented to act in any mystery which was concerned with persons who made a livelihood by their pen."I am not particular about the people I mix among for business purposes," he would say, "but at literary characters I draw the line."We were in our rooms in Baker Street one evening. I was (I remember) by the centre table writing out "The Adventure of the Man Without a Cork Leg" (which had so puzzled the Royal Society and all the other scientific bodies of Europe), and Holmes was amusing himself with a little revolver practice. It was his custom of a summer evening to fire round my head, just shaving my face, until he had made a photograph of me on the opposite wall, and it is a slight proof of his skill that many of these portraits in pistol shots are considered admirable likenesses.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2014

About the author

Loren D. Estleman is an American writer of detective and Western fiction. He writes with a manual typewriter.

Estleman is most famous for his novels about P.I. Amos Walker. Other series characters include Old West marshal Page Murdock and hitman Peter Macklin. He has also written a series of novels about the history of crime in Detroit (also the setting of his Walker books.) His non-series works include Bloody Season, a fictional recreation of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and several novels and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes.

Series:
* Amos Walker Mystery
* Valentino Mystery
* Detroit Crime Mystery
* Peter Macklin Mystery
* Page Murdock Mystery

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize at first that this was a book of pastiches and not stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But once I started reading, I loved it.

Each short story is unique, penned by some authors you will readily recognize and some you may not, but all equally interesting and intriguing. It's a great book for when you aren't ready to dive into a huge book. I loved being able to usually finish each short story in one sitting. Highly recommend for fans of Sherlock Holmes and mysteries in general.

[Claire Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this 3.5 stars, rather than just three. Most of the stories were already published (if you're like me and have read a lot of Sherlockia, peruse the table of contents before deciding to buy. I had read 5 of the included stories already.) and the original ones were ho-hum at best. The title story "The Plated Spoon" is notable for its use of Mary as an actual character, which I enjoyed very much. Otherwise, it's all average if mostly entertaining pastiches.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a good collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, and any collection edited and compiled by Loren D Estleman is sure to be a good one. This was no disappointment, although it contained a few of the less-welcome spoofs (including Doyle's own). Among the gems was a story by Arthur Conan Doyle's son Adrian Doyle who apparently channeled his father's ghost and a great story by Laurie King featuring her character Mary Russell first meeting an older and retired Holmes.

And of course there's the eponymous tale by Estleman himself involving the John R. Coryell character Nick Carter which inspired me to look up his books as well. Overall a fine collection, although several are fragmentary, such as the Sax Romer tale, and leave one wanting more.

[Gloria Feit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is the latest collection of Sherlockian pastiches by a dozen authors ranging from J.M. Barrie, a close friend of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and a short piece by Conan Doyle himself, with a long “short story” anchoring the book by Loren D. Estleman, the editor, which pairs Nick Carter with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on a very timely topic, human trafficking. Most are classic reprints, but four are original stories featuring the famed detective.

Each tale stands on its own, but Holmes characteristically remains a constant, as does his faithful sidekick, Dr. Watson. The situations vary, but Holmes’ intellect always rises to the occasion. In an introduction, the editor provides an interesting discussion of the development of the detective novel, from Poe forward. For this feature alone the volume is to be recommended.

[Mark Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of Sherlock Holmes stories is a mix of original stories and excerpts from other novels. I was interested to see Sax Rohmer's Nayland Smith featured as an offshoot of Holmes. My personal favorite story was the title adventure which features an encounter between Holmes and Nick Carter--an early protagonist in American detective fiction. Loren Estleman knows Holmes and Watson well and his affection for the characters is easy to see. Fans of the Baker Street sleuth and his stalwart companion will enjoy this book, and newcomers will sample some authors who have added luster to the canon.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

These tales contain a small story by Conan Doyle and one by his son. Many of the others attempt to follow the Holmes/Watson template created by Conan Doyle, with varying success. My favorite is the brilliant piece by Laurie King in which Mary Russell meets an older (and "retired") Sherlock Holmes.

There are features of these stories that seem to be speaking to The Baker Street Irregulars (that group of Sherlockian enthusiasts) more than anyone else. Most are short enough to finish while tanning on the beach.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine read of collected short stories, of which the final (title) story was my favorite. It featured a team-up of Holmes, Watson, Watson's wife Mary, and Nick Carter -- the latter an American Sherlock Holmes character created by Ormond G. Smith and John R. Coryell, whose stories I now want to give a go.

"We see him here, we see him there,
Our world sees him everywhere.
He's in our blood; he's in our bones,
that grand illusive Sherlock Holmes."

-- Loren D. Estelman

[Joe Slavinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Holmes anthology, by Loren D. Estleman. No slouch himself, Estleman is an award-winning, multi-genre author, who edited, and contributed, to this terrific volume. The book also contains stories by some famous names, of the past, and present, including: J.M. Barrie, Ellery Queen, Sax Rohmer, Laurie R. King, and Conan Doyle's son, Adrian. This book is a "must read", for those of us who love Sherlock, & Watson. Check it out for yourself, as soon as possible.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some of the short stories and excerpts just end. No wrap up, no explanation, the reader is left wondering what on earth was going on. I found the story about Holmes being on the Titanic under an assumed name laughable. Poorly written and not true to Holmes character.
All in all, if you love the Conan Doyle original stories, don't bother reading this.

[Vykki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find some of these story really great, and a few unbelievable. I do recommend this book to anyone who likes Sherlock Holmes. Thank you I won this book on Goodreads.

[Sweetpea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the GoodReads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review. A nice collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, enjoyable read.

[Joan Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of Sherlock Holmes stories was entertaining and quick to read. I have had my appetite abetted for more Holmes. I received this book from Goodreads.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same as last in this series.

[Roger Hoehn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Partial stories by different authors. Not enjoyable

[Barbara Biasiotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories!