A Case of Witchcraft by Joe Revill

[Matt]

A Case of Witchcraft is a fast-paced, intellectual thriller meets classic ‘who-done-it’ mystery wherein Sherlock Holmes, accompanied by one of the most unlikely of sidekicks, faces off against the dark forces at work in the storied village of Trowley on the far Northern Isles. Demonically erudite, Joe Revill seamlessly weaves the fruit of his extensive research into mythology, paganism, 19th century occultism and early British history with a Holmesian adventure that makes the novel extremely difficult to put down.

Though the content, theme, dialogue and action of Witchcraft is by no means traditional, run-of-the-mill Holmes pastiche fare, the ‘feel’ of the story is one that could only be conjured by someone who cares deeply about the world of Sherlock Holmes. Part of what sets Revill’s novel off from many of his peers is a risk-taking and non-conformist employment of traditionally ‘taboo topics’ (e.g. Holmes’ sexuality, post-Reichenbach attitude towards religion, etc.) which are handled in a mature, non-sensationalized way making the overall narrative darker and more complex than an average Holmes pastiche, yet refreshingly believable and realistic.

October 1899 - The Reverend Mr. Melchior Tollemache, noted folklorist and occult expert, mysteriously dissapears on a research trip investigating the historical roots of a certain peculiar strain of a popular fairy tale (‘Cinderella’). The reverend’s daughter, Miss Emily Tollemache, concerned that (very) foul play is at work, consults Sherlock Holmes. Though the novel begins in the familiar and comfortable confines of the sitting room of 221B we quickly learn that all is not well: poor Watson sits despondently in an armchair, hors de combat – i.e. “a Jezail bullet from the Second Afghan War was cut today from this sore old limb.” Boswell-less, Holmes listens to a fantastic theory involving witches, human sacrifice, kidnapping and black masses. Miss Tollemache believes her father is still alive, though only temporarily as the ominous date of October 31st approaches.

Holmes, dubious at first, eventually becomes intrigued enough to commit to the rescue of a fellow “truth seeker”. After a quick book buying trip (subject matter: witches) and quick consultation of the Bradshaw, Holmes says his farewells to poor Watson (a rather touching scene) and begins an arduous trip to the Northern Isles: a complicated series of connections starting with the sleeper train to Edinburgh, then a transfer to Inverness and then to Thurso; a coach-ride to Scrabster, an evening ferry, and finally a coach journey from the port at Storwick to the Island capital Northern Isles Trowley.

In a nod to what I can only imagine is Revill’s slightly ironic attempt at lending an air of normalcy to Holmes’ adventure, the great detective dons a “tweed suit with an Inverness cape, deerstalker cap” - traditional garb for a very nontraditional case.

Holmes, desiring solitude in order to to read and prepare himself for the case ahead, finds he is not alone in his compartment. Holmes’ cabin companion is described as “a young man in black, with a cane, a silk-lined cloak, and a top hat…well-educated, and almost certainly English…rich…a dandy…the well-cut striped trousers and black frock-coat, the brocade waistcoat and the green bow-tie….a soft collar and rather long floppy, dark hair.” Holmes’ first impression of the young man is that of a “kind of aesthetic young man who probably fancied himself as a poet - and might even be one, since his face was not that of a fool.” (p. 22) As chance would have it, the young man in black is none other than the (one day to be) infamous Aleister Crowley*!! The gregarious Crowley strikes up a conversation and Holmes finds himself strangely attracted to a self-proclaimed ‘white magician’ or warlock; in a word, a believer. Joining forces, Holmes and Crowley venture to Trowley to find out what they can about the missing reverend and the relationship, if any, he may have developed among an underground coven.

A must read for anyone interested in challenging their conception of what a period-correct, Sherlock pastiche can be.

My full review can be found here: Review of A Case of Witchcraft on Always1895.net

[Ken B]

Matt wrote: "A Case of Witchcraft..."

So, did you like it? Should I read it? I already have it on my to-read list but haven't gone looking for it yet.

[Matt]

Ken wrote: "Matt wrote: "A Case of Witchcraft..."

So, did you like it? Should I read it? I already have it on my to-read list but haven't gone looking for it yet."

If I had to compose a one sentence review it might be this: Revill's A Case of Witchcraft is easily one of the most interesting and thought provoking releases of 2011.

[Dave]

Glad to hear your positive thoughts. I'm starting this one next (just finished The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel which I thoroughly enjoyed) I was a bit hesitant about A Case of Witchcraft as I thought it had the potential to be terrible, but I couldn't resist the Aleister Crowley angle as I am also currently reading the Tobias Churton biography.

[Joanna]

I want to read some more about Aleister Crowley before starting this one. I have some books on The Golden Dawn, Hermeticism, and other occulty stuff but I haven't even cracked them open yet.

[Dave]

If you was an easily digestible overview of Crowley's Thelema idealogy I'd recommend his Diary of a Drug Fiend. It's a fictional story but covers a good deal of where he's coming from.

And I'd agree with Matt's one sentence review, I really enjoyed this pastiche.

[Joanna]

Dave wrote: "If you was an easily digestible overview of Crowley's Thelema idealogy I'd recommend his Diary of a Drug Fiend. It's a fictional story but covers a good deal of where he's coming from..."

Thank you! I will definately look into that

[Joanna]

I just started reading this. I am really enjoying it so far! I am very glad to have read a little bit about turn of the century occult stuff before reading it though. I think I would be totally lost if i didn't.

[Joanna]

I'm now on page 100 and I am LOVING it. It is self-aware, but it doesn't crawl up it's own butt with how clever it is. It does, as Matt had mentioned, take risks with Sherlock Holmes. I believe those risks pay off (so far, anyway). I find myself smiling when I read it.

I also have a theory that the good looking redheaded woman is based on Dana Scully, haha.

[Joanna]

A specific thing that I like about this book is that it makes me question my perception of Sherlock Holmes. Holmes smoking hashish?! Well... yah! I mean, he does like cocaine and morphine, don't know why I am clutching my pearls over a bit of hash. Why is Holmes encouraging Crowley to seduce a woman for information? That's cruel! That's... exactly what he did once. Haha.

Also, there is going to be a second edition! It will be new and slightly improved. This describes the changes.