I will never pretend to be an expert on Sherlock Holmes. I did read all the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but that doesn’t mean I know the canon. And, I haven’t read many of the pastiches. But, I loved what Lyndsay Faye did with the stories in Observations by Gaslight: Stories from the World of Sherlock Holmes.
As “editor”, Lyndsay Faye introduces stories compiled using papers discovered in a long-abandoned safety deposit box. The entire collection is told in epistolary form, letters and diaries that had been collected by a young solicitor, Henry Wiggins. Wiggins, as readers might remember, was the leader of Holmes’ Baker Street Irregulars. It seems Wiggins collected pieces written by people who knew Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, people such as Irene Adler, Detective Inspector Geoffrey Lestrade, and Mrs. Hudson.
The “editor” claims she tried to assemble the entries in an order that made sense, almost chronological order, from 1878 to 1903. Each of Holmes’ acquaintances tells of a crime investigation or mystery involving the independent consulting detective. Through their account, and their eyes, the reader discovers a little more about Holmes and Watson, their mannerisms, their personalities, and, often, the friendship that developed.
We learn about Irene Adler’s return to England. Henry Wiggins relates his account of his first meeting and adventture with Holmes. Lestrade reveals the secret that led to his profession. In multiple stories, we see Holmes’ tendency to dress in costume in the course of his work. All of the stories, because they’re “edited” by one person, reveal a lonely Holmes, who values his few friendships.
As I said, I don’t pretend to be a Holmes aficionado, and I certainly don’t know all the books that have written about Holmes and Watson. But, Lyndsay Faye’s Observations by Gaslight appears to be fresh and entertaining. In fact, it’s sometimes a moving account as it delves into the past. t’s an engaging introduction to not only the consulting private detective and his companion, but also to some of the other companions from Doyle’s work.
Lyndsay Faye’s website is http://www.lyndsayfaye.com/
Observations by Gaslight: Stories from the World of Sherlock Holmes by Lyndsay Faye. The Mysterious Press, 2021. ISBN 9781613162313 (hardcover), 295p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received an ARC from the publisher, with no promises of review.
I’ve read a few of the Holmes pastiches over the years – I think Rick has read a lot more – and liked THE GIANT RAT OF SUMATRA bu Rick Boyer and the early Nicholas Meyer books. I think Bill Crider did a collection of Holmes stories too, as did Edward D. Hoch, so maybe I’ve read more than I remembered. This sounds like a possibility.
Jeff, It sounds as if you might have read a few more than you thought. I liked the first Nicholas Meyer one, and I’ve read some others. I liked Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s first one, but I read it twice, and I appreciated it more the second time.
I enjoy the Holmes character and noted this from your earlier mention. I look forward to reading Observations by Gaslight.
Laurie R King’s long running Mary Russell series has a similar start with a chest of letters delivered to the “editor”.
MM, I think that’s how a number of them start. I never read the Mary Russell books.
I am astonished at your confession here. You haven’t read any of Laurie R Kings books? Amazing given your reading expertise.
The premise just never appealed to me, Libby. Thank you for saying I surprised you, though. You’d be surprised what else I’ve never read.
I have to agree with you, Lesa. I did read the first Laurie R. King book but too me there was something a little creepy about it. I just didn’t care for it and was never interested in reading another.
The age difference just always seemed a little creepy, Jeff.
I have it on hold at the library, which still shows it as on order. Jeff is right, I have read the canon multiple times, have read a lot of pastiches, both novel and short story. I like Meyer’s well enough, and this time of year like to recommend HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS, which does have a Bill Crider story in it. I have volumes 1-20 of the MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes stories, which on the most part are very good.
I liked the pastiche novels by Bonnie MacBird, especially ART IN THE BLOOD, I liked Horowitz’ THE HOUSE OF SILK. Laurie King’s Holmes/Russell books are good, particularly the 3rd through 5th.
There’s a good list at The Curious Reader: https://www.thecuriousreader.in/bookrack/sherlock-holmes-pastiches/
Thank you for the comments about the ones you’ve read, Rick, as well as the suggested list!
May I mention for those who enjoy plays on Sherlock Holmes I write the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series, featuring a modern young woman in the style of the Great Detective. The lovely Lesa was kind enough to review the forthcoming A Three Book Problem, in Library Journal
Lesa, don’t forget that we also went to that performance of Dust and Shadow, the musical in development based on Lyndsay Faye’s book of the same name, in NYC. So much fun! Did you ever read Lyndsay Faye’s The Whole Art of Detection? I recommend it. I haven’t read Observations by Gaslight yet, but it’s on my list.
Never forget, Anna!. What an unusual night that was. Loved the performance. Just odd to have it start over, and dinner was awful. But, the performance was fun. I never read The Whole Art of Detection, but you’ve never steered me wrong. I had to order a copy of Hogfather this week because I couldn’t find my copy, and I want to read it over the holidays. Merry Christmas, Anna!
Today the library notified me this is ready, as I was one of the first to request it, it’ll be a new, unread copy, which I’ll begin reading as soon as I pick it up and get it home, probably in an hour or so.
I really enjoyed it, especially rhe Irene Adler story. I’d love an entire mystery written by this author from Adler’s POV.
I agree, Anna. I’d take an entire mystery written from Irene Adler’s POV, too.
As with any collection, Rick, some are better than others. I hope you enjoy it!