Wan Ni has read The Sherlockian

January 29th, 2012 by Wan Ni · 239 views · No Comments

The Sherlockian
Author: Graham Moore
Publisher:
Call No.: English MOO- [MY]

I am caught on a Sherlock wave as of late. I blame it on Guy Ritchie’s blockbuster (starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law) and BBC’s re-interpretation of Sherlock, directed by Mark Gatiss, which pits Sherlock as our contemporary. Both movies renewed my interest in the sociopathic genius consulting detective. Furthermore, 2011 seems to have been an interesting development for Holmes; the Doyle estate has, for the first time, authorized an addition to the Doyle canon – The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz. More Holmesian novels and anthologies have surfaced recently, The Sherlockian being one of them.

The Sherlockian is a composite of two stories – one set in 1893 with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker as the protagonists, and the other one set in 2010 in London and Switzerland with Sherlockian scholar Harold White as the main character.

After killing the fictional character Sherlock Holmes at Reichenbach Falls, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle one day receives a bomb in his mail, inciting him to investigate the origins; him as Holmes and his good friend Bram Stoker (author of Dracula) as Watson. The investigation led him to mysterious deaths of several young ladies all with a hidden vendetta. In present day London, Harold White was invested into The Baker Street Irregulars, a private elite Holmesian scholar organisation. When a fellow scholar turns up dead after announcing he found the lost diary of Conan Doyle, Harold finds himself the chief investigator for the death and the locator for the lost diary.

This novel is a cross between fast-paced modern thriller and romantic Victorian mystery. The portrayals of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker are believable and intriguing. While some characters in the modern strand may appear gratuitous, it was still an enjoyable read given the appropriate cliffhangers and suspense. The twist in the tale is also very much welcomed, the red herrings duly executed and worked in most junctures. I also particularly enjoyed the reference made to Agatha Christie (my all-time favourite mystery author) and Oscar Wilde.

Additionally, this book was inspired by a true story of the death of a Sherlockian scholar in similar pursuit of the lost diary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. You may find this true case in the volume The Devil and Sherlock Holmes. Also, The Sherlockian was released in the UK as The Holmes Affair, which our library also stocks. Just pick up either one!

I recommend this book to Sherlockian enthusiasts – be it canon lovers or popular portrayal fans.

The following are some other recent fiction titles related to Sherlock Holmes worth checking out:

A Study in Sherlock
Editors: Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger
Publisher: New York: Bantam Books Trade Paperback, c2011
Call No. : English STU- [MY]

Sherlock Holmes in America
Editors: Martin H. Greenberg, Jon L. Lellenberg and Daniel Stashower
Publisher: New York: Skyhorse Pub., c2009
Call No.: English SHE- [MY]