WORK IN PROGRESS

HERE BE HOLMES  - Some Idle Thoughts on Sherlock and John

WORK ON ITS WAY

A WHO'S WHO OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

T. S. BLAKENEY

A lovely small book* (10.6 cms x 17.8 cms) came into my possession today (2/3/12). Most pleasant to handle - with beautifully clear print, copious and meticulously presented footnotes and three appendices, it forms part of the Otto Prenzler Sherlock Holmes Library and was published in 1993 by Otto Prenzler Books, New York, with a cover illustration of Sherlock Holmes by Frederic Dorr Steele. While one may quarrel with some of its inclusions (Jean Paul Richter appears to be presented on page 14  as two persons), it's reassuring to find many of my own conclusions, arrived at independently, supported by so famous and able a commentator. How I wish I had read the book earlier. It would have been so much easier to trace all those relevant comments in the canon!

*Sherlock Holmes Fact or Fiction? by T. S. Blackney. First published in 1932 by John Murray, London      

In Search of Dr. Watson (2nd Edition)

High praise from 'The District Messenger' and 'The Priory Scholars'.

BORE DA!

An enthusiastic reception of my second edition of In Search of Doctor Watson certainly cheered me up this week. A new, innovative shop dedicated to selling 'best quality books to discerning readers' in a small, bustling and crowded town in Wales welcomed it with open arms.   

Book-signings

Are they like gold dust? I have some lined up and am busy sharpening my quill pen

A Case of Belated Recognition?

The enormous Blogthon being oganised for November poses the question: 'What has done most for Holmes, that Film or that BBC Series? Well, the movie concentrates on  Holmes' physical rather than his mental agility. And while it is all there in the canon (Watson comments, in A Study in Scarlet, on  his new acquaintance's expertise with the singlestick, in the boxing ring and as a swordsman and Sherlock is sufficiently impressed by mathew's knocking out his left canine  in the waiting room at Charing Cross Station to record the fact in his common-place book under 'M')  I have heard Jude Law mentioned a great deal more than R. Downey, Jr. As for Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC series, well he is an engaging young fellow, but the small screen absolutely shone whenever  Martin Freeman appeared. Does this mean Watson is at last getting the kudos he deserves?