I took a page from Jeff’ Meyerson’s book and read a collection of Edward D. Hoch’s short stories. I’ve read individual ones before, but twelve stories about one subject is better than the individual ones. As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I admire Hoch’s voice with The Sherlock Holmes Stories of Edward D. Hoch. According to the editor, this was the last collection Hoch compiled before he died.
There are twelve stories, stretching from the 1890s in Victorian England to 1912. Of course, Dr. Watson narrates most of them, but Holmes tells “The Adventure of the Dying Ship” about his voyage and rescue on the RMS Titanic. Holmes, along with author Jacques Futrelle, solve a murder, but, naturally the killer is not brought to justice.
I know I missed some true-life characters. Part of my enjoyment came from recognizing characters in the stories, and looking up the names. I felt good when I recognized lesser known ones, as well as the more famous ones. As I said, I know I missed some just from lack of knowledge.
Those stories with famous characters were my favorites. In “The Christmas Client”, it’s Mrs. Hudson who recognizes the Reverend Charles Dodgson as Lewis Carroll. Erskine Childers, author and Irish rebel, appears in “The Christmas Conspiracy”, although he’s not Holmes’ client. Watson does not appreciate Professor Stephen Leacock’s humorous story about Holmes in “A Scandal in Montreal”. Holmes himself tells Jacques Futrelle, author of “The Problem of Cell 13” and “The Thinking Man” stories that he’s a fan in “The Adventure of the Dying Ship”. There are eight other stories, but, as I said, these are my favorites because I recognize people.
I enjoy the atmosphere in Hoch’s stories. He has the voice just right. However, he makes Sherlock Holmes a little more human, a little more likable. I’ve read all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Hoch captures all the little details, even if only mentioned in passing, of those earlier stories. Of course, I’ll read more collections. As a Holmes fan, though, the pastiches in The Sherlock Holmes Stories of Edward D. Hoch was a perfect place to start.
The Sherlock Holmes Stories of Edward D. Hoch by Edward D. Hoch. Mysteriouspress.com/Open Book, 2013.
FTC Full Disclosure – I picked up a free copy through Kindle Unlimited with no promise of a review.
