Sherlock Holmes in Gibraltar

Review:

In Sherlock Holmes in Gibraltar the first of the two stories (pastiches), "The Abandoned Brigantine," Watson had commented on ships and wondered what actually happened to the "Mary Celeste, (an actual true sea disaster). Holmes said he knew, because he was on board when the crew and passengers disappeared. Watson was amazed and flabbergasted as Holmes told the story, explaining the mystery. The mystery of the Mary Celeste became of worldwide interest and so much about her is in books, periodicals, internet, television, etc., only because Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote a fictional story about it.

This is my favorite pastiche because ships, Doylean Ships and Sherlockian Ships are of special interest to me having built models and rendered paintings of them all. The Spanish 1856 submarine "Ictineo" played a major part in Benady's pastiche. Benady wrote this book in the true style of Sir Arthur. I treasure my singular copy given to me by the mint that produced a coin with Holmes and the Mary Celeste in a Sherlock Holmes Coin Collection.

Reviewed by: John Brousch, 2003