Sherlock Holmes and the Watson Pastiche

Review: This is a collection of tales, mostly featuring Dr. Watson along with Sherlock Holmes in his retirement. The first three were published in “The Wye?” a community magazine for Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire, Wales, U.K. The tales are mostly ‘country,’ both in setting and in attitude. They take place after Holmes has retired to bee-keeping and concern themselves, in general, with country adventures and themes. It takes a while to accustom oneself to the different outlook, but the tales grow on the reader over time.

In addition, of course, the author is ‘having us on’ as country folk always have with citified sophisticates. There is much sly humor and more than a bit of ‘leg pulling’ being done. On the other hand, the Master himself observed that evil can be as much resident in the country side as in the foulest dens in the Metropolis and the author leads us into some of those realities.

Most of the tales are short, without the complete resolution and explanation that we have come to expect in tales from the good doctor’s pen. However, these are not completed tales that Dr. Watson has sent to his publishing agent, but rather they are mostly notes taken at the time and made to recall for later publication. They are, as we expect from Watson, full of interesting characters and strange situations.

The later pieces are from the pen of Dr. Watson’s son, Sherlock Watson, and they take place later in the lives of the famous pair. They also give us a view of Watson and Holmes that is unique and refreshing.

Taken all-in-all, this is an intersting and amusing collection, that bears both reading and re-reading.

Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, September, 2007.