Sherlock Holmes My Life and Crimes

Review: This book purports to be an autobiography of Sherlock Holmes, written sometime after the events in His Last Bow. It covers the time from Holmes entry to University through the events in The Empty House. the style is certainly different than that of the tales in the Canon. The narrator is portrayed as living in the house on the Downs with occasional visitors and visiting housekeeper, Martha. Doctor Watson is dead and Holmes is indulging in a retrospective.

Many sources of controversey among Sherlockians are resolved in this book; Watson's wound(s), Holmes' University, Holmes' American sojourn and the true cause and events of "The Great Hiatus". the text is supplemented by liberal use of period photographs and other illustrations. Since many of the events recounted here are controversial, many Sherlockians will disagree with this presentation and even say it is non-canonical. I found the presentation to be quite readible and internally self-consistent as well as imaginative. The occasional neologism and american phraseology didn't seem to be too obtrusive.

That doesn't say I found the book particularly convincing, but it was an enjoyable read. It was entertaining and moderately plausible, but it didn't compel belief and it didn't feel like it had been written by the Holmes of the Canon. There was no fire and no brilliance about it. It was worth reading and well-researched but not memorable. I say that advisedly as this was my second reading and I found that i didn't remember it at all well from the first time some ten or fifteen years back.

As a pastiche, it is interesting but not inspired. As commentary, it is plausible and comprehensive without the shrill tone often used by true believers. The author did a good, workman-like job that deserves attention.

Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, 2003