This non-canon book takes place AFTER "The Empty House" return of Holmes, but before the general public is aware of his return. So, that's an interesting take but nothing really comes of it.
There's some mixing of fictional characters (the remnants of the Moriarty gang) with real life historical figures (the Rockefellers, JP Morgan, etc.) which is sort of fun.
I really feel like this is a great start, but it just never arrives to any place truly intriguing. There's not really a mystery here... we know who the bad guys are, we pretty much know where and when they're going to strike and then it's just a matter of stopping them... pretty standard stuff. Still, a Kindle deal at $3.99.
A nice try by Charles Veley.
We waited and waited and finally, Series 3 of the excellent BBC show, “Sherlock” arrived (I’m using the term “series” in the BBC sense. Here in the states we usually use “season.”) Was it worth it? I would have to say that it was not. I am a huge fan of the entire show, with it’s excellent and sly references to the canon (in fact, the first episode back was “The Empty Hearse”, a very well done play on the literary return from the death of Sherlock Holmes, “The Empty House.”)
The three episodes of this Series (“The Empty Hearse”, “The Sign of the Three”, “His Last Vow”) were like a poorly designed cake… 90% frosting and 10% cake. “You know my method. It is based on the observation of trifles.” The unique component of this modern take of the Great Detective has been the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. We relish the brief moments of human emotion assigned to Sherlock and even when there’s a scene between brothers (Mycroft) there is a heretofore element of drama and personality. In the first two Series, we were treated to these glimpses into a more fully realized human Sherlock Holmes. BUT, in the long run, what has made Sherlock Holmes a giant in literary history is the actual act of deduction and combating of crime/evil. This delicate balance, as so expertly designed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is important to his longevity.
In this third Series, we are treated to the imbalance. We delve deeply into the relationship and emotions between Sherlock and John, Sherlock and Mary, Mary and John, Sherlock and Mycroft, and so on. And then there’s some crime solving. In fact, in the second episode (“The Sign of the Three) it is almost 40 minutes until there’s actual deduction or a mystery. It’s too much frosting. You might enjoy frosting on a cake, but it’s just a addition to the cake not the cake itself. (this metaphor is terrible. I think my personal prejudice against cupcakes is showing.)
Anyway, in summation, I was a bit disappointed in this Series. While I enjoyed the last episode the most, it had to overcome the dismal first two. It does seem like the entire team is dedicated to turning out more shows in quick succession so I have high hopes for more quality Sherlock in the future.
In the meantime, please enjoy this wonderful musical homage to the Sherlock series:
The House of Silk was written by Anthony Horowitz. It's almost a Sherlock Holmes story by way of Law & Order: SVU. The crimes described within are instantly recognizable to us, a modern audience, but not to the Edwardian characters who are trying to solve them.
Perhaps it's a credit to the author to remain true to the time period but it does end up leaving the reader ahead of the Great Detective and we end up reading and waiting for Holmes to catch up... which is no fun.
Well-written but ultimately pedestrian and sadly, a bit boring.
A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullen. This novel takes place several years into Holmes' retirement. 93 and unable to walk without the assistance of a cane, Sherlock writes in his journals, tends his apiary and deals with his (new) housekeeper and her son. As his physical and mental strength begin to flag he remembers a journey to Japan he took and the narrative switches back and forth.
This is an exceptional book, but not really Sherlock Holmes story... it's a story of aging and coming to terms with one's mortality, but there is little of the qualities we look for within a Holmes story-- no deduction, no Watson, no England, no turn of the century, etc. If you start reading with this in mind, you might have a better experience than I.
By the way, this book is being turned into a movie starring Ian McKellan. While, that may be fun, I hope the film is more... let's say lively, than the book.
Sherlock, a 2010 series created for the BBC is now being shown in America on PBS (under the Mystery! label) and it's been well worth the wait. After only seeing the very first episode ("A Study in Pink"), I feel I can safely say that this is the best "reimagining" of the Holmes canon ever. Under the loving guidance of Steven Moffat (who revamped, reimagined and revitalized Dr. Who) this brings Holmes into the 21st century with the appropiate updating of social mores and technology. Benedict Cumberbatch is Sherlock and Martin Freeman (from the Office-BBC!) is Dr. Watson.
The first episode repurposes the "origin story" with some nice twists and turns. Technology takes a role in the story as well but never diminishes the role of the Great Detective. There is inventive use of texting and GPS (so simply and eloquently utlized one wonders why no one has do it in this manner before.) Some pastiches, quotes and motivations from other stories make their way into this modernization, but it never feels hamhanded or forced. Lestrade is more confident and competent though other doubters are brought to cast asperisations on Holmes' sanity.
I was able to guess (I know, it's destructive to the logical faculty) the character twist at the end of the episode fairly early on, but otherwise I was immensely impressed by this show and I cannot reccommend it enough.
A nice, smart exchange that could have been in the canon as well:
WATSON: That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever done.
I don't play Sherlock Holmes games. Especially video-games. Those tend to be fancy picture-searches and I hate those. This clip from YouTube helps support my disdain even though it is hilarious:
I should have waited a few months and it would be full year since I updated.
Let's take a look. I still haven't seen the Sherlock Holmes from 2009 starring Robert Downey Jr. BUT, I have seen the other Sherlock Holmes movie that was released in 2009. It was a straight-to-video release from Asylum Productions, creators of such fine fare as Transmorphers and The Terminators. They go a little crazy by having Holmes fight some dinosaurs (which is weird since England is about 4o degrees colder than dinosaurs would be able to survive... I think they would probably get cold, sleepy and then fall over dead. Anyway...)
Sadly, even though they upped the ante by adding various thunder lizards they also thought it would be prudent to use the Guy Ritchie model* and made Holmes a young, dashing, cad more than the brilliant gentleman of canon. It's frustrating. Just like the big-budget version, this does little more than lip-service to the Great Detective and just trades on the name. The trailer is fun however.
This 1979 movie has a great pedigree. I was especially excited while watching it as I seemed to remember various scenes from my childhood. This film must one of those on a tight turn-around on Saturday afternoons and late night network fillers. And there's a great reason for that.... it's great!
Murder by Decree has Christopher Plummer, James Mason and Donald Sutherland! It features Sherlock Holmes pitted against Jack the Ripper (again!) I will strive to not spoil anything in case you haven't seen it yet, but I think the very title reveals almost too much! I mean, who gets to make "decrees"?!
Plummer does a fun turn as Holmes. Not very stuffy and much more a man of action without betraying the character of the Great Detective. Much more of note is James Mason. He does a fantastic job as Watson and only took the part if he could rewrite or add a few scenes that give the good doctor dignity and intelligence; here is a man worthy of being the partner of the Worlds Greatest Detective. There is an absolutely delightful and telling scene with just Holmes, Watson and the case of the last pea:
The basic premise/conceit of the movie is the same as From Hell so it might seem a mite familiar. The ending could never be done today. Not the plot, but pretty much Holmes has a meeting with three officials and debates with them for about 10 minutes. And then the credits. Weird, but satisfying to me. I liked this movie very much. It is available on Netflix.
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