Lynne Lancaster

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND DOCTOR WAS NOT

Following on from Sherlock Holmes The Australian Casebook published in 2017 , this is a fast paced ,grippingly written assortment of twelves short stories based on the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, some of which are strange, bizarre and disturbing , blending Homes’ cold factual deductive reasoning and the supernatural and spooky. It is edited by Christopher Sequeira and has a forward by Leslie S Klinger.

A handy table of contents is available at the front and at the back there is a biography of all the contributors from around the globe. The cover design is by Luke Spooner and an illustration by Phillip Cornell of the Sydney Passengers is also included. Breaks in the stories are indicated by an image of a Meerschaum pipe.

A common theme is the letter M ( both for Mycroft and Moriarty for example ) but also Holmes’ other possible tenants who were different Doctors to Watson : including a Dr Mabuse.  Much supernatural and philosophical debate arises from the revelations in Curtain Call. Yes, Moriarty is back in various guises. There are time travelling stories (Holmes and Dr Dee of Elizabeth 1’s time ), stories set possibly in different dimensions, and ones for example where Holmes and /or Watson are military people . Holmes also works in one story with Conan Doyle. There is a fascinating story with Holmes and Dr Jeckyll/Mr Hyde.

True to the Canon, in The Empty Throne Holmes works with his brother Mycroft and Dr Nikola to protect the royal family.
Holmes ‘ love of theatre and disguise is alluded to in several of the works but particularly in Curtain Call by J Scherpenhuizen.

One story while set in 1898 and set in America features Dr Van Helsing as Holmes’ female companion. It has a very fresh and contemporary atmosphere and could be set now, like an episode from Sherlock.

There are lots of injokes and Sherlockian references and the final story has a Dr Reichenbach ( so references to The Final Problem ) and is quite aqueus and Hogwarts like with spell casting . As well , in other stories there are references to The Speckled Band and The Sign of Four for instance to name just two .

Zombies and Count Dracula also feature in a couple of the scary tales. Mrs Hudson , Holmes’ and Watson long suffering landlady also appears in quite a few of the stories. Holmes’ fascination with bee keeping is also mentioned. Alert readers will pick up allusions to Coleridge’s work in a couple of the stories .

There are many Australian references peppered throughout the stories – readers will have fun counting how many they can find.

For Sherlockians and fans of the strange and paranormal alike.

https://ifwgaustralia.com/tag/sherlock-holmes-and-doctor-was-not/

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Was Not (anthology)
Editor: Christopher Sequeira
ISBN: 978-0-9945229-8-6
RRP: $34.95 AU; US$17.99
 Publisher: IFWG Publishing International/IFWG Publishing Australia

Published by Lynne Lancaster

A passionate theatre person Lynne is originally from Sydney and holds a B.Ed (Art) - a postgraduate Diploma in Information Management (Librarianship) and an MA in Theatre. While living in London ( 2002 -2007 ) Lynne completed the dance criticism course at Sadlers Wells linked in with Chichester University. Lynne has worked for both Ticketek and Ticketmaster here in Australia and was involved with the original production of THE BOY FROM OZ An Ausdance member Lynne is passionate about dance and has studied ballet and Flamenco. Before moving to London she photographed the Sydney Dance Company and Australian Ballet among other companies and has exhibited internationally. Lynne is a SAMAG member and a volunteer at the Art Gallery of NSW. Currently Lynne writes for arthub, danceinforma and sydneyartsguide.