So I got into Sherlock Holmes via his sister Enola. I read all of the Enola Holmes books when my niece wanted to watch the movies on Netflix a bit ago. I love her as a character, and Sherlock is in most of her books, so I figured I’d check him out. I must say I like Enola’s Sherlock better than the original Sherlock. He’s a bit prickly and I think has some untreated mental disorders.
This book is a collection of short stories, which I love, because they’re fairly quick to get through and are entertaining to read. The story goes that Dr. Watson, Sherlock’s trusted sidekick (I was going to say partner, but Sherlock definitely sidelines him to sidekick instead of partner) took copious notes throughout all of Sherlock’s cases, and he can now share them because the cases are over / parties are dead, etcetera. I just like the whole idea of these stories.
I don’t remember all the stories (there are twelve-ish), but I do remember liking a good number of them. They take Holmes throughout the English countryside. I like to hear about the Victorian modes of transport, and the various forms of communication required at the time. He can’t google anything or call anyone, so it’s kinda fascinating.
In one of these stories, Holmes is actually bested by a woman, which you know I love! He’s not a complete sexist, but I think he was pretty stunned that she one-upped him.
I’d recommend this book to enjoyers of mystery. 3.5 stars
This newly released Enola Holmes book is the latest in the series. I think when I found out there was another book in the series I suggested my library get a copy. They listened to me! I’m a good library patron though, so this makes sense. After reading all the Enola Holmes books and a bunch of Sherlock Holmes stories, I must say that I like the Sherlock Holmes of Nancy Springer better than Sir Conan Doyle’s Holmes. I don’t know if he even has a sister in Mr. Doyle’s versions, but Nancy Springer’s Sherlock is actually not a terrible brother and I don’t think he does drugs?
This book had all the usual Enola charm – someone doesn’t want to hire a woman, she wants to find the person anyway, she stumbles into crazy stuff that is dangerous… But it’s the first time I felt a creeping dread for large sections of the book. I’m guessing it was because of the threat of rabies. As a science minded person (my famous line is “I’m not a scientist of everything” when people ask me about physics), once I found out how rabies works and what it does to people and animals, I was terrified. It’s probably my number one big bad. I’m also scared of home invasions, the deep ocean, and space, but now is not the time. Anyway, Enola finds out that the guy she’s looking for most likely got bit by a rabid dog and he may have been captured by a roving band of “neighborhood watch” that will kill you. I love Enola and I hope she keeps going! Girl power! 4 stars.
This is the second set of short stories I’ve read about Sherlock Holmes. I don’t really know if they’re all like this or if the first Sherlock Holmes is a full story. I think it’s upstairs on my bookshelf, so I can figure it out eventually!
Apparently, Sherlock Holmes was missing and everyone thought he was dead for three years. He just shows up again one day to Dr. Watson, who is overjoyed. Watson gets back to writing about Holmes’ escapades.
There’s a story where a mysterious character is torturing a woman by leaving dancing men drawings outside her house and dredging up her past. There’s a woman who is being followed and possibly menaced by someone on her bike ride to her job once a week. There’s a guy named Black Peter, who is (shockingly) not very cool. He gets murdered one day and Holmes figures out who did it. There’s a blackmail scheme, some light art theft that leads to a murder, and a little college cheating scandal.
As a trained investigator (my day job), I like to figure things out. I wish Sherlock Holmes was one of the investigators on my team – maybe not a direct report though, he seems like his attendance would be spotty and the aforementioned drug use wouldn’t go over well. He figures things out with the smallest of clues, and it truly is fascinating. I think this would be 3.5 stars too.
I found it! I do actually have (maybe) the first Sherlock Holmes book. It’s a very large hardcover, which is probably why I haven’t read it yet! I’ve developed into quite the Kindle / audiobook sort of girl.
Here’s an update on the two bookshelves in my entire house that actually have books on them:
They’re in my home office. My desk is in the middle of them, but it’s a real mess, so not suitable for picture. The rest of my bookshelves are works in progress!