The Adventure of the Dead Rabbits Society

Review: This book is subtitled The Lost Reminiscence of John H. Watson, MD. According to the Introduction, this tale was related to Watson by Holmes. During the Great Hiatus, Holmes spent some months under the assumed name of Simon Hawkes in New York City in 1893, just prior to his return to London. Four additional tales from this time are included in Alias Simon Hawkes by the same author.

Although this set of assumptions contradicts the Canon, it is not so fantastic as many that have seen print about this period. In addition, this setting solves many problems encountered by other pastiches set in this time period. The location is more familiar to the author than either England or the Far East and the Americanisms in the tale have good explanations, which are usually lacking in other collections. Finally, differences from the usual narration style of the Canon are explained by the source being Holmes' relation of the subject material to Watson in the years after the Return.

With this explanation out of the way, the short novel presented is a good, solid mystery with a surprisingly Holmes-like protagonist. Much of the tale includes thought and comments by Holmes which seem very realistic. There are the typical Holmesian deductions and samples of logic that clarify obscure situations, the usual baffled police and scheming villain and a host of interesting characters. It has a strong taste of Holmes, despite the New York location and the American characters. Holmes as Simon Hawke is believable and convincing which is a pleasant surprise and the mystery is well thought-out and cleverly solved.

It is certainly worth reading even if it may offend canonical sensabilities. The characterization of Holmes is good and the deductions are sound.

Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, August 2003