tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29562886004038603202024-03-13T19:57:52.540+00:00DoyleockianAlistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.comBlogger1313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-87594757328439706012023-12-26T12:56:00.000+00:002023-12-26T12:56:02.854+00:00Review: Killing SherlockLucy Worsley's Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle documentary has shown all three parts here in the UK. It is fair to say there was a certain amount of trepidation about it.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2023/12/review-killing-sherlock.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-25220669554169297952023-12-09T12:06:00.000+00:002023-12-09T12:06:08.378+00:00Please don't be as bad you sound...Only five posts in 2023 (excluding this one). I must do better.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2023/12/please-dont-be-as-bad-you-sound.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-66766423195047624112023-10-01T15:32:00.001+01:002023-10-01T15:32:55.171+01:00IHOSE #273 - featuring yours trulyTo many of you, the podcast <i>I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</i> (IHOSE) is an institution. I had long hoped to get on. Finally, it happened on September 30th 2023.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2023/10/ihose-273-featuring-yours-truly.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-108393094162214032023-07-30T11:35:00.005+01:002023-07-30T11:35:55.031+01:00Review: The Medical Casebook of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson by Nick HowlettIt is relatively rare that we see non-fiction works for Sherlock Holmes. MX Publishing started its Holmes books with non-fiction from yours truly, so it is good to see another non-fiction author join the ranks. Hail, brother!<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2023/07/review-medical-casebook-of-sherlock.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-27312484396365533502023-06-11T14:50:00.000+01:002023-06-11T14:50:51.829+01:00Review: Sherlock Holmes: The Addleton TragedyIt is time for me to review the second of S. F. Bennett's recent Holmes books.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2023/06/review-sherlock-holmes-addleton-tragedy.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-77288632773113180842023-05-07T10:37:00.001+01:002023-05-07T10:37:26.894+01:00Review: The Collected Endeavours of Sherlock HolmesI helped to crowd fund this book of short stories. So, it is only appropriate to see if my investment was worth it.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2023/05/review-collected-endeavours-of-sherlock.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-32698898423777195872022-12-11T11:24:00.003+00:002022-12-11T11:24:27.689+00:00Review: A Sherlock Carol - Marylebone TheatreWhen I was contacted by the theatre, through this blog, to let me know about this production, I was intrigued and decided to give it a go. I should point out that I had to pay in full. This was no freebie.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2022/12/review-sherlock-carol-marylebone-theatre.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-13459098043145144272022-12-11T10:38:00.000+00:002022-12-11T10:38:31.425+00:00Review: Enola Holmes 2The second Netflix outing for Enola Holmes came out some time ago and I have been slow not only to watch it but also to comment on it. Here goes...<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2022/12/review-enola-holmes-2.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-45796660110725095382022-09-09T21:28:00.006+01:002022-09-09T21:47:44.190+01:00Review: What Child Is This? by Bonnie MacBirdRegular readers of this blog (if there are any when posts are so intermittent) will know that I have been an admirer of Bonnie MacBird's pastiches from the start. For me, this is a never-ending surprise as I have hitherto not been a big reader or admirer of pastiche.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2022/09/review-what-child-is-this-by-bonnie.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-80150826271288066292022-04-05T15:30:00.004+01:002022-04-05T15:30:32.229+01:00Review: The Additional Investigations of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur HallI am not one for reading, much less reviewing, pastiche efforts. This is because even the best of these are destined to fall short of those of the master...<div><br>
</div><a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2022/04/review-additional-investigations-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-9349871256346370482022-01-23T19:34:00.001+00:002022-01-23T19:34:34.438+00:00Review: Sherlock Holmes - A Study in Illustrations Volume II by Mike FoyI have been lucky enough to be sent an early copy of Mike Foy's second book of Sherlockian illustrations. It has been a real eye-opener for me as it has exposed me to artists whose work I had seen (and some I had not) but didn't really appreciate.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2022/01/review-sherlock-holmes-study-in.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-78065065540688190172021-09-15T17:34:00.004+01:002021-09-27T15:21:34.361+01:00Review: Hounded! by Vince Stadon<div>The full title of this book is <i>Hounded! My Lifelong Obsession with Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles.</i> Quite a mouthful. So let's go.</div><div>
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</div><a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2021/09/review-hounded-by-vince-stadon.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-42602075494136379202021-09-03T17:01:00.001+01:002021-09-03T17:01:24.783+01:00It's all getting out of handLike any Sherlockian, I love to read new books in our field. One of the plusses of being part of the most prolific Sherlockian publishing house - MX Publishing - is that you can lay your hands on some titles in advance. <br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2021/09/its-all-getting-out-of-hand.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-72662102377857558442021-08-07T19:43:00.002+01:002021-08-08T18:19:43.077+01:00Review: Sherlock Holmes - The Hero with a Thousand Faces Vol 1I have been given copies of volumes 1 and 2 of this work for the purposes of review.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2021/08/review-sherlock-holmes-hero-with.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-82334566877238367102021-07-18T19:05:00.007+01:002021-07-22T14:40:23.998+01:00Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Illustrations by Mike FoyI was sent a free copy of this book for the purposes of review. It was also not the final draft so changes may appear when the book is officially published.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2021/07/review-sherlock-holmes-study-in.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-71259580904657750902021-04-01T15:09:00.001+01:002021-05-16T17:47:58.962+01:00Review: The Irregulars Eps 4 - 8 (with spoilers)Okay, so I've now watched the remaining episodes of <i>The Irregulars</i>. Has my opinion changed? Read on but note there are some SPOILERS below...<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2021/04/review-irregulars-eps-4-8-with-spoilers.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-75584698251079113302021-03-28T19:54:00.002+01:002021-05-16T17:47:12.330+01:00Review: The Irregulars Eps 1 - 3Well let's start by saying that this isn't Sherlock Holmes. Then we can start to enjoy it.<br />
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<a name="more"></a><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7mc-XBQbEY/YGCRadCFHmI/AAAAAAAAFT8/eoUga1Mv9qc0W3bILK1ZUXit_mglL90cgCLcBGAsYHQ/s950/the-irregulars-netflix-review.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="950" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7mc-XBQbEY/YGCRadCFHmI/AAAAAAAAFT8/eoUga1Mv9qc0W3bILK1ZUXit_mglL90cgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h376/the-irregulars-netflix-review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Believe me, this really helps. This is a supernatural, gothic series which maintains a tenuous grip on the world of Holmes by having alternative versions of the main characters featuring in it. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun but if you are a fan of classic Holmes it helps to know that you're not going to find him here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have an enigmatic, and frankly dislikable Watson; a Holmes of whom, by episode three, we've only seen the feet and vomit of; a Mycroft who seems both benevolent and a wimp; and, finally, the Irregulars who are too old and devoid of their true leader - Wiggins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a world best described as Warner Bros.' Holmes meets <i>Penny Dreadful</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chronologically it's all over the place. We have characters with a lot of 21st century dialogue, occasionally drowned out by totally anachronistic, loud and intrusive music (honestly, fire the composer) in a visually wonderful Victorian setting. Confused? So was I.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All that said, I'm really enjoying it, which surprises me as I love (and prefer) my Holmes in the classic mould. But, as I've said, this isn't classic Holmes, doesn't pretend to be, and that's probably why I'm enjoying it. If it pretended that it was doing anything other than anchoring itself to Holmes to draw in an audience that might otherwise have given it a miss I'd be annoyed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's honest in its dishonesty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These stories don't need Holmes or Watson to work (at least, not so far), they simply need an enigmatic character to involve the "kids" in the adventures. However, if they had gone down that route an audience would have been far from certain. Why take that risk when the Holmes name will guarantee you viewing figures - at least initially.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The plots so far are quite varied:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Episode 1 deals with vanishing babies leading to the enigmatic Dr. Watson coercing Bea, the leader of the Irregulars, into helping find out what happened to them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Episode 2 brings us the case of children who are being visited by a tooth fairy who takes all their teeth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Episode 3 deals with the investigation of a series of deaths linked to an Occult society.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So far they've all been fast paced, more than a little gory, and satisfying as stories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvMT7pE2A64/YGDN3WVk7HI/AAAAAAAAFUM/rzWBVC40SaM10lTNVlWaFppK_a143K10wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1228/c0f47591-2037-488b-8d25-1a1982013500-theirregulars_season1_episode3_00_05_44_21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1228" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvMT7pE2A64/YGDN3WVk7HI/AAAAAAAAFUM/rzWBVC40SaM10lTNVlWaFppK_a143K10wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h416/c0f47591-2037-488b-8d25-1a1982013500-theirregulars_season1_episode3_00_05_44_21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue collar Billy (far right) and aristocratic Leo (far left). In the middle we have Jessie, Bea and Spike</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Turning our attention to the Irregulars themselves; they are an engaging bunch but Billy is very irritating and the class clash between him and aristocratic Leo gets boring very quickly. If I had to drop one of them it would be Billy in a heartbeat. That's a criticism of the character rather than the actor who is clearly playing what he was given very well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bea is a great leader for the Irregulars and the sibling clashes with Jessie are played well. The overtly sexual nature of their conversations - mostly revolving around who Bea should "choose" out of Billy and Leo - seems irrelevant. Does the show really need this love (or lust) triangle? In my opinion it's a 'no' but I'm under no illusions that I'm probably not the target demographic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are some obvious parallels with the recent (and also Netflix produced) <i>Enola Holmes</i> but this is better. For a start there's no breaking of the fourth wall which got on my nerves more than I can express. This show also demonstrates that female characters can be strong, independent and equal without necessarily having to outwit or defeat male characters to prove that point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and am glad it has already been renewed for a second.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>UPDATE: We now know that the series has been cancelled. Go figure.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/813zzcs8oz2c78w/minime.png" />Written by Alistair Duncan</span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<img height="60" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1fa037g1j4jwdmp/books.png" width="60" />Buy my books <a href="http://alistaird221b.blogspot.co.uk/p/purchase-my-books.html">here</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778747&sr=8-1" target="0"><img height="30" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lotw77j7zegx1g9/amazon.jpg" width="30" />UK</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778824&sr=8-1" target="0"><img height="30" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lotw77j7zegx1g9/amazon.jpg" width="30" />US</a>
</div><br /><br />Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-44302035540000138912021-03-26T17:20:00.003+00:002021-03-27T19:10:23.505+00:00A wonderful CWA Zoom meetingLast night I had the honour to be invited to a meeting of the CWA London Chapter to discuss Bonnie MacBird's new book <i>The Three Locks.</i><br />
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<a name="more"></a>For just over an hour Bonnie was interviewed by Victoria Dowd about her writing process and her take on the characters in general.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zsi6McAsbfw/YF9-LATVo0I/AAAAAAAAFT0/TjXwOeo0yZEVY1vv6bOt3jbsysEot6piwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/safe_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zsi6McAsbfw/YF9-LATVo0I/AAAAAAAAFT0/TjXwOeo0yZEVY1vv6bOt3jbsysEot6piwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/safe_image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It was good fun and it was good to hear Bonnie's explanation of her writing process.</div><div><br /></div><div>See my review at:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2021/02/review-three-locks-by-bonnie-macbird.html">https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2021/02/review-three-locks-by-bonnie-macbird.html</a><br /><br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/813zzcs8oz2c78w/minime.png" />Written by Alistair Duncan</span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<img height="60" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1fa037g1j4jwdmp/books.png" width="60" />Buy my books <a href="http://alistaird221b.blogspot.co.uk/p/purchase-my-books.html">here</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778747&sr=8-1" target="0"><img height="30" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lotw77j7zegx1g9/amazon.jpg" width="30" />UK</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778824&sr=8-1" target="0"><img height="30" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lotw77j7zegx1g9/amazon.jpg" width="30" />US</a>
</div></div></div>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-81194519327672889972021-02-14T19:32:00.002+00:002021-02-15T14:37:20.552+00:00Review: The Three Locks by Bonnie MacBird<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTOiuPH4AIk/YCawjVwngiI/AAAAAAAAFSw/y7dsP4GcG-Ej5rY_MiG19A8qE4rvxc_iwCPcBGAYYCw/s825/61b27sV25ZL.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTOiuPH4AIk/YCawjVwngiI/AAAAAAAAFSw/y7dsP4GcG-Ej5rY_MiG19A8qE4rvxc_iwCPcBGAYYCw/s825/61b27sV25ZL.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTOiuPH4AIk/YCawjVwngiI/AAAAAAAAFSw/y7dsP4GcG-Ej5rY_MiG19A8qE4rvxc_iwCPcBGAYYCw/s825/61b27sV25ZL.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rTOiuPH4AIk/YCawjVwngiI/AAAAAAAAFSw/y7dsP4GcG-Ej5rY_MiG19A8qE4rvxc_iwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/61b27sV25ZL.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's always a pleasure to review a Sherlock Holmes story by Bonnie MacBird as she is one of the few writers to genuinely make a good job of emulating the master.</div>
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<a name="more"></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As I often state, I am hard on pastiche as so much of it is poor or written by people who have no intention of offering a Holmes and Watson in keeping with the original template. Once again, I am happy to say that I had an experience far from that with this title. Straight off the bat we have conflict. A mysterious box arrives for Watson which he cannot open and Holmes warns him not to touch. This triggers an argument that causes Watson to storm out of Baker Street. He returns to find Holmes in a straight-jacket. This made me feel right at home as it is totally in keeping with the Holmes who fires bullets into his own wall or conducts chemical experiments on the living room table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">In a very short space of time the duo have two further mysteries on their plates. A magician under possible threat from a rival and a young woman missing in Cambridge. Both ultimately prove to be a source of frustration for Holmes and Watson.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As with MacBird's previous novel, this is set early in the partnership and before her last novel <i>The Devil's Due</i>. Holmes and Watson are not yet at ease with each other and the police are still not comfortable with Holmes being on their patch. This makes for a degree of both tension and conflict. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9-bM-gGh3s/YCawkiIkVGI/AAAAAAAAFS0/4t2WN9_0ISwTv0FjJYrtPfhAtFKy8IEbACPcBGAYYCw/s845/613jGqaGjML.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><br /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9-bM-gGh3s/YCawkiIkVGI/AAAAAAAAFS0/4t2WN9_0ISwTv0FjJYrtPfhAtFKy8IEbACPcBGAYYCw/s845/613jGqaGjML.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="647" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9-bM-gGh3s/YCawkiIkVGI/AAAAAAAAFS0/4t2WN9_0ISwTv0FjJYrtPfhAtFKy8IEbACPcBGAYYCw/s320/613jGqaGjML.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The novel gives us new characters of whom some are sinister and others repellant. Amongst these (but not necessarily in either of those categories) are two very formidable women. There is a risk, given the weaker position that women tended to occupy in Victorian times, that a strong woman, in a Victorian-set book written today, can feel more of our own time and hence anachronistic. Bonnie MacBird skillfully avoids this. The ladies in question feel very much of their time even if they are not necessarily representative of their sex in the era. The challenge they present to Holmes, or perhaps his view of women, reminded me at times of the dynamic between Holmes and Irene Adler or between Holmes and other strong women in the Canon such as Violet de Merville and Isadora Klein. One in particular made me think if Miss de Merville. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The story moves at a comfortable pace. It is never sedate nor is it too fast. We move seamlessly from London to Cambridge and back again and MacBird, during some of the early Cambridge scenes, tentatively dips her toe into the never-ending argument of where Holmes went to University. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the story unfolds, clues are discovered, motives are exposed and the body count rises. I felt more and more excited to see how it was going to turn out - in a way that a book has not managed for me in quite some time (MacBird's other titles excepted.) On the way to the conclusion we have magic, escapology, young love and loss, antagonistic police, and scientific displays worthy of Nikola Tesla.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">No words or time are wasted. Every word either sets the scene or advances the plot - no padding is to be found here. Chapters are of a comfortable length which makes this a perfect commuter book (although who is commuting these days).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The conclusion was satisfying, logical and fair. There were no last minute pieces of evidence or unnatural good luck leading to the solution - something that Conan Doyle's dislike of led to the creation of Holmes in the first place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">It is definitely the case that MacBird's series grows stronger with each book and she remains, in my opinion, the best and most faithful pastiche writer out there today - bar none.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Please note: I was sent a copy for review.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/813zzcs8oz2c78w/minime.png" />Written by Alistair Duncan</span>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<img height="60" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1fa037g1j4jwdmp/books.png" width="60" />Buy my books <a href="http://alistaird221b.blogspot.co.uk/p/purchase-my-books.html">here</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778747&sr=8-1" target="0"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778747&sr=8-1" target="0"><img height="30" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lotw77j7zegx1g9/amazon.jpg" width="30" />UK</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778824&sr=8-1" target="0"><img height="30" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lotw77j7zegx1g9/amazon.jpg" width="30" />US</a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-26738110746270333972021-01-26T17:33:00.000+00:002021-01-28T06:10:46.612+00:00Review : The Curious Book of Sherlock Holmes Characters by Mike FoyI received a complementary copy of this book for review purposes.<div><br></div><div>Mike Foy's book is a comprehensive directory of every character in the Sherlock Holmes Canon.<br>
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<a name="more"></a>This has, of course, been done before and in physically smaller books but this book is nonetheless a treasure trove of information.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3mDaSHNEkY/YBBF3Y97AuI/AAAAAAAAFRc/-QfMKvehkaoEAPfgTqBj-Ki76ItZQdoDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1008/2021-01-26%2B16.28.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B3mDaSHNEkY/YBBF3Y97AuI/AAAAAAAAFRc/-QfMKvehkaoEAPfgTqBj-Ki76ItZQdoDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2021-01-26%2B16.28.45.jpg"></a></div><br><div>Foy's book very sensibly proceeds in a simple alphabetical format (by character rather than story) and, equally sensibly, has a comprehensive index. Characters I didn't even consider characters are represented such as Desborough - a horse from <i>Silver Blaze</i>. In short, if it had a name it's in the book. </div><div><br></div><div>For each character we are given their name, story (using the standard four-letter abbreviations), sex, and whether they are alive or dead in the Canon. If a character begins a story alive but ends up dead they are listed as dead. An example of this being John Openshaw from <i>The Five Orange Pips.</i></div><div><i><br></i></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjX0BLQIZsA/YBBHWRZj5MI/AAAAAAAAFRo/O2QeW-Ey-is-U-DeHN9FQw_5spo5z3DRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2032/2021-01-26%2B16.29.22-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="2032" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjX0BLQIZsA/YBBHWRZj5MI/AAAAAAAAFRo/O2QeW-Ey-is-U-DeHN9FQw_5spo5z3DRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h234/2021-01-26%2B16.29.22-1.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see how characters are highlighted</td></tr></tbody></table><i><br></i></div><div>In addition to the above information, and depending on the importance of the character, you are given details about them. This can range from their physical appearance to what their occupation was and, if relevant, what Holmes deduced about them. These details vary in length. Holmes himself has a predictably long entry in the book whereas someone like Captain Ferguson (from 3GAB) is concisely described as follows:</div><div><br></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;">"A retired sea captain who owned the house before Mrs Maberley. Holmes asked if there was anything about remarkable about him, and if he had buried something. Mrs Maberley answered in the negative".</div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>Illustrations from the stories by all manner of artists are displayed in the book and I especially liked the way the characters under discussion are highlighted within them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9k7tt6YCJdU/YBBHknRXqJI/AAAAAAAAFRs/Ym3LYTVVS7g43WmKw-bwNddVOP3x3S8wACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2021-01-26%2B16.31.40-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="2048" height="372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9k7tt6YCJdU/YBBHknRXqJI/AAAAAAAAFRs/Ym3LYTVVS7g43WmKw-bwNddVOP3x3S8wACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h372/2021-01-26%2B16.31.40-1.jpg" width="640"></a></div>Often the illustrations of English and US artists are displayed alongside each other and it is very interesting to see how the different illustrators approached their commissions.<div><br></div><div>Following the descriptions and the index are a series of tables listing the stories (by four-letter abbreviation) in chronological order (when they supposedly took place rather than when they were published); in alphabetical order (by abbreviation) and, finally, in publication order.</div><div><br></div><div>For the first table Foy does not say whose chronology he has used or whether he has come up with his own. <br><div><br></div><div>Do I have any criticisms? Yes. The book is large and over 500 pages. As a result it is rather cumbersome but, to be fair, when it is this comprehensive it's hard to see how they could have made it smaller without affecting the quality of the illustrations. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm not a fan of what I believe is known as ragged-right for text layout. I prefer a book to be fully blocked. This detracted from the look of the book a little for me but it's a personal thing and other readers may not be concerned by this.</div><div><br></div><div>Some people might be deterred by the cover price (£34.99, €39.99, $44.95). To them I would say that if you don't already have a book like this it is very much worth it. If you are in possession of a similar book already, and are not a completist, you might decide it's not worth it for you. If I was in the position of having to buy it I would do so even though I already own similar books.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://mxpublishing.com/products/the-curious-book-of-sherlock-holmes-characters">https://mxpublishing.com/products/the-curious-book-of-sherlock-holmes-characters</a><br></div><div><div><br></div><div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/813zzcs8oz2c78w/minime.png">Written by Alistair Duncan</span>
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<img height="60" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1fa037g1j4jwdmp/books.png" width="60">Buy my books <a href="http://alistaird221b.blogspot.co.uk/p/purchase-my-books.html">here</a></span><br>
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alistair-Duncan/e/B0036Q0N5M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1462778747&sr=8-1" target="0"><img height="30" src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/lotw77j7zegx1g9/amazon.jpg" width="30">UK</a>
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</div></div></div></div>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-26264156849368186172020-09-01T13:46:00.000+01:002020-09-01T13:46:08.900+01:00An artist and a rare one.<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkgZgEPENRE/X04_66p_aHI/AAAAAAAAFM4/SpgOH4WaWQMODS1SAoNuZBG2I2ZLrbGywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1082/2020-09-01%2B13.23.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkgZgEPENRE/X04_66p_aHI/AAAAAAAAFM4/SpgOH4WaWQMODS1SAoNuZBG2I2ZLrbGywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1082/2020-09-01%2B13.23.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkgZgEPENRE/X04_66p_aHI/AAAAAAAAFM4/SpgOH4WaWQMODS1SAoNuZBG2I2ZLrbGywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1082/2020-09-01%2B13.23.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br></a></div>It's not often that I write a post purely to big someone up but, in this case, I feel it is necessary. <br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2020/09/an-artist-and-rare-one.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-63752254431929605972020-08-19T18:09:00.000+01:002020-08-20T15:31:05.116+01:00Review: Jeremy Brett - Playing a Part - Maureen WhittakerFirstly, I state up-front that I am reviewing a complimentary copy of this book.<div><br></div><div>For me Jeremy Brett is, and always will be, the definitive Sherlock Holmes. He is the Zeus of that Pantheon. No one can touch him. He usurped Basil Rathbone as the Holmes of my imagination and it will be nothing short of miraculous for someone to take his place. His adherence to the Holmes of the page never ceases to amaze me.</div>
<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2020/08/review-jeremy-brett-playing-part.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-22192520293086515912020-07-06T09:34:00.001+01:002020-07-06T09:34:33.947+01:00It's been a long time coming...After over a decade, I have decided to close my Twitter account.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2020/07/its-been-long-time-coming.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-44250446799742331382020-07-01T17:41:00.001+01:002020-07-01T17:41:36.734+01:00Review: Sherlock Holmes Magazine Issue 1I recently received the first issue of the new<i> Sherlock Holmes Magazine...</i><br>
<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2020/07/review-sherlock-holmes-magazine-issue-1.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2956288600403860320.post-75570954390906922222020-04-06T11:24:00.000+01:002020-04-06T11:24:12.579+01:00It's been an age so....For one reason or another, I've not written much on this blog since 2018.<br>
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<a href="https://alistaird221b.blogspot.com/2020/04/its-been-age-so.html#more">Read more »</a>Alistair Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16199962410016780822noreply@blogger.com0