Category: Sherlock Holmes-Related

THE LOST ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 10, 2021

Written by Ken Greenwald

Adapted from the original radio plays by Denis Green & Anthony Boucher

Illustrations by Alfredo Alcala

SUMMARY:

First published in 1989, Barnes & Noble Books issued this 200-page hardcover reprint in 1993. Transcribing the original dialogue from thirteen long-lost radio plays that Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce had recorded between 1945-46, Ken Greenwald fleshes them out into short story form. Starting with an introduction from ‘Dr. John H. Watson,’ the mysteries (presented in non-chronological order) are the following:

The Adventure of the Second Generation. Dr. Watson and a retired Holmes encounter Irene Adler’s daughter.
The April Fool’s Adventure. Watson is persuaded to help prank his new roommate, Holmes, but the joke soon goes too far. Note: This ‘prequel’ reveals Holmes & Watson’s first meeting with a familiar nemesis.
The Case of the Amateur Mendicants. In 1887, Watson’s late-night emergency house call precipitates a dangerous predicament within a bizarre charity organization.
The Adventure of the Out-of-Date Murder. During a much-needed vacation, in late 1900, the detective duo makes a grisly discovery deep inside an underground cave.
The Case of the Demon Barber. In the winter of 1896, Holmes & Watson aid a desperate actor worried that he is unconsciously living out his stage role as razor-wielding serial killer Sweeney Todd.
Murder Beyond the Mountains. Holmes confides in Watson details of an international incident that occurred in Tibet during his mysterious three-year sabbatical.
The Case of the Uneasy Easy Chair. Holmes, Watson, and Inspector Lestrade investigate a wealthy tycoon’s death, as a most unusual murder weapon is deployed.
The Case of the Baconian Cipher. In 1889, Holmes & Watson, along with a visiting French colleague, probe a dire message coded within a newspaper’s personals column.
The Adventure of the Headless Monk. In late 1896, the detective duo teams up with an occult expert to investigate sightings of a legendary headless ghost.
The Case of the Camberwall Poisoners. In 1887, the watch from a victim of a brutal homicide may be Holmes’ only chance of determining who the culprit is.
The Adventure of the Iron Box. On the New Year’s Eve leading into 1900, Watson’s elderly friend needs Holmes to help him collect his long-delayed family inheritance.
The Case of the Girl With the Gazelle. In late 1887, Holmes possibly tangles with Professor Moriarty again during an excursion into the world of fine art.
The Case of the Notorious Canary Trainer. Watson conveys to his literary agent, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, details of an odd homicide case that a retired Holmes dealt with in 1908. Note: The story’s last two pages reveal a secret Watson hints at in his introduction.

REVIEW:

Keeping in mind that Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce recorded 220 radio episodes together, these thirteen tales represent a hodge-podge: the good, the bad, and the middling. Bolstered by excellent publication values and some terrific premises, author Ken Greenwald makes it easy to imagine Rathbone & Bruce acting out each tale. Yet, without their voices persuasively selling these mysteries, a recurring problem is how weak the plotting actually is.

For instance, tales like “Murder Beyond the Mountains,” “The Case of the Baconian Cipher,” and “The Adventure of the Headless Monk” are particularly contrived. Specifically, there isn’t enough plot to establish actual clues, let alone time for readers to make fair deductions of their own. It isn’t Greenwald’s fault, as he is faithfully retelling the stories that Denis Green & Anthony Boucher had devised decades before. Rather, one is reminded of the necessity in radio show plots where entertainment must supersede plausible depth. Despite this handicap, Green & Boucher’s creativity still often lived up to Conan Doyle’s standards, even if this particular collection isn’t sufficient proof.

Aside from some inauthentic details (i.e. as a British citizen, Watson wouldn’t be celebrating Thanksgiving), the tales are, at a minimum, committed to delivering nostalgic fun. Greenwald, in that sense, ensures that this book is a welcome homage to Conan Doyle’s legacy. All that’s really missing are the old radio show’s frequent plugs for its various sponsors, i.e. Petri Wine … and the campy organ music the show relied upon to stoke its suspense cues. As a gift option for old-school Holmes buffs, The Lost Adventures of Sherlock Holmes may prove a welcome treat.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Along with a table-of-contents, both the original radio airdate and whatever Conan Doyle tale that inspired each new story are identified. From September 1988, Greenwald’s sentimental foreword explains why the discovery of these lost radio shows inspired him to take on this project.

Drawn by artist Alfredo Alcala in 1989, a black-and-white illustration depicting an upcoming scene leads off most of the stories. Alcala, for his part, renders the likenesses of Rathbone & Bruce relatively well. The last page consist of brief author synopses.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) Mystery & Suspense Sherlock Holmes-Related

SHERLOCK HOLMES # 1 (2009 DYNAMITE Entertainment)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date March 22, 2021

Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion

Art by Aaron Campbell; Tony Aviña; & Simon Bowland

Cover Art by John Cassady

SUMMARY:

In late 2009, Dynamite Entertainment’s opener for this five-part mini-series is released. It’s entitled “The Trial of Sherlock Holmes, Part One: A Smoking Gun.” In October 1895, a warehouse’s massive explosion rocks London’s East End. It’s a grim warning shot of urban terrorism by an unknown bomber. While an admiring Baron Albrect Lothair’s visit to England intrigues Holmes, retired Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Samuel Henry’s predicament is Holmes & Dr. Watson’s immediate priority.

Suffering from tuberculosis, the ailing Sir Henry has been targeted for death by the shadowy terrorist(s) for an unknown motive. Unless the ex-Assistant Commissioner willingly consents to being murdered inside his own home at a specified time, additional bombs will be detonated across London. As Sir Henry’s bodyguards the following night, even the combined forces of the legendary detective duo and Scotland Yard’s best can’t thwart a shocking locked-room outcome.

REVIEW:

In spite of rave industry reviews from Jeph Loeb, Ed Brubaker, & J. Michael Straczynski on the back cover, this first issue has potential — but it’s not some instant masterpiece. Dynamite’s visual inspiration is apparently Peter Cushing’s Holmes, as recreating his British hawk-like approach makes good creative sense.

Much of the time the production values are above-average, including a few stellar panels (i.e. the explosion on Page 2). However, the artwork is muddled in some places, making it harder to distinguish characters from one another (i.e. Inspector Lestrade from Watson). Still, as with the cover image, the artwork succeeds well enough in delivering the goods.

Including a welcome late twist, the plotting conveys a semi-intriguing premise that might well keep Doyle fans tuned in. The question is whether or not there’s really enough going on “A Smoking Gun” to snare casual readers into following Holmes’ unusual dilemma. If anything, this issue makes a good sampler for the complete “Trial” compiled in Dynamite’s Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 trade paperback (released in July 2010).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a single-page “Dynamite Dispatches” column. The back inside cover is a full-page cover reveal for Issue # 2.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Anthologies Books & Novels Mystery & Suspense Sherlock Holmes-Related

SHELROCK HOLMES: THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 20, 2020

Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

SUMMARY:

Initially published in 1892 in Britain and the U.S., this 321-page softcover edition was released by Penguin Books in the U.S. in 2009. This printing was meant to help stoke interest in Robert Downey Jr.’s big-screen film. The short story compilation consists of:

A Scandal in Bohemia: Holmes is employed by a snooty European royal, now publicly engaged, to retrieve a potentially embarrassing photograph from an elusive ex-girlfriend. This story is Irene Adler’s sole appearance in Doyle’s Holmes canon.
A Case of Identity: Mary Townsend’s fiancé mysteriously vanishes just minutes before their wedding, so she asks Holmes to find out what happened to him.
The Red-Headed League: Aging, down-on-his-luck pawnbroker Jabez Wilson may be the pawn of an elaborate scam, as Holmes suspects.
The Boscombe Valley Mystery: Holmes believes that, contrary to strong circumstantial evidence, young James McCarthy didn’t murder his belligerent father amidst a heated quarrel.
The Five Orange Pips: Twice before, envelopes ominously containing five orange pips directed at client John Openshaw’s uncle and later his father may have signaled their imminent death warrants. When a third envelope arrives, will Holmes be too late to save his client in time?
The Man With the Twisted Lip: A distraught wife/mother urges Holmes to find out what happened to her husband, who evidently vanished inside an opium den.
The Blue Carbuncle: During the Christmas season, a stolen blue gem is unexpectedly found within a holiday goose. Holmes and Watson backtrack the sales history of the goose to the thief.
The Speckled Band: Helen Stoner is terrified that she will meet the same ghastly fate of her twin sister only two years before once she is forced to move into the same bedroom.
The Engineer’s Thumb: Holmes & Watson aid a victimized hydraulic engineer, whose thumb has been severed. They backtrack the truth behind the engineer’s ordeal.
The Noble Bachelor: An American bride disappears shortly after her wedding to a British noble. Holmes has an alternate explanation compared to the grim theory held by Scotland Yard.
The Beryl Coronet: An anguished banker seeks Holmes’ aid when an invaluable state treasure is damaged, as three of its priceless gems stolen. The only suspect is the banker’s own wayward son, who refuses to cooperate.
The Cooper Beeches: Already wary of her peculiar new employers, governess Violet Hunter calls upon Holmes & Watson for help when she realizes that something truly sinister is afoot.

REVIEW:

To Penguin Books’ credit, this attractive softcover is perfect for casual fans, as its comfortable font size makes for a leisurely read. Narrated by Watson, this dozen mysteries remain a terrific introduction to English literature’s first super-detective. In particular, Doyle’s wording is remarkable in that it hardly seems dated to modern readers.

Yet, there are a few grammatical issues to be aware of. Aside from Doyle’s odd goof in The Man With the Twisted Lip where Watson’s own wife mistakenly refers to him as “James” instead of “John,” there will be some occasional pronoun trouble and confusing punctuation. Specifically, Doyle isn’t always specific enough as to who the pronoun “he” refers to during conversations between Holmes, Watson, and a male client. Also, lengthy client flashbacks can be confusing, as the pronoun “I,” isn’t always clear as to whether the client is still speaking, or if it refers to Watson as the story’s overall narrator. Lastly, Doyle tends to use exclamation points rather than question marks when a speaker excitedly asks questions.

As for the stories themselves, for the most part, they are indeed timeless. Yet, some contrived plot elements don’t age well. Whether it is the absurd personal motive for The Man With the Twisted Lip to stay behind bars (and even risk execution), weddings gone awry, unusual scams, or the tyrannical daddy buffoons seen in The Copper Beeches and The Speckled Band, some of Doyle’s ‘villains’ are merely glorified caricatures, often with a macabre twist. Invariably, as Holmes and Watson dominate the screen time, Doyle neglects to bolster depth in Holmes’ adversaries, as well as his clients, in these short tales.

Besides the amusing Blue Carbuncle and Red-Headed League, Doyle’s best efforts include the intriguing Scandal in Bohemia, as well as the terror-inducing double-header of The Speckled Band and The Five Orange Pips. Another solid excursion is The Boscombe Valley Mystery, as even its contrived elements implicating the prime suspect don’t sabotage an otherwise compelling tale. Similarly, parts of The Beryl Coronet’s solution (i.e. how the Coronet is actually broken) seem ridiculous, but the story itself is generally well-played.

It’s really no wonder that future mystery authors, such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, were inspired by bits and pieces of Doyle’s creativity. Even his weaker stuff (i.e. A Case of Identity, The Noble Bachelor, The Man With the Twisted Lip, and an unsatisfying finish for The Engineer’s Thumb) boast a few great ideas that future sleuths, i.e. Christie’s Hercule Poirot, would satisfyingly improve upon. Swallowed with the necessary grains of salt, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes makes a first-class read anytime.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Its table-of-contents is helpful. There’s also a two-paragraph biography of Doyle. Penguin Classics advertises brief synopses for The Hound of the Baskervilles; The Sign of Four; and A Study in Scarlet. A final advertisement refers to Doyle’s A Life in Letters re: a collection of the author’s private correspondence.

BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 10 Stars

Books & Novels Movies & Television (Books) Mystery & Suspense Reference & Science Sherlock Holmes-Related

SHERLOCK HOLMES FAQ

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 20, 2020

Written by Dave Thompson

SUMMARY:

Published by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books in 2013, this 283-page paperback reference guide pitches itself as “all that’s left to know about the world’s greatest private detective.” Beginning with author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s life, author Dave Thompson commences with discussing Holmes’ literary history, as well as how he inspired a host of rival fictional detectives. A number of the Holmes short stories and novels are summarized and reflected upon. Thompson includes sections on how a real London would have looked to Holmes, as well as some of the grim British true crime cases that sorely needed a real-life Holmes.

Further, Thompson points out the changes in Conan Doyle’s life while he was churning out subsequent waves of new Holmes mysteries. Even after Doyle permanently shelfed Holmes, Thompson looks at Doyle’s later life, as he dabbled in researching psychic phenomena and feuded with purported ‘ghost hunter’ Harry Price.

Thompson also chronicles the various Holmes adaptations, including notable films and TV series. In his analysis, the author provides brief biographies of Holmes actors Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, and Jeremy Brett. The author’s assessment of the BBC’s Sherlock TV series is included. Other literary adaptations of Holmes (or likely inspired by the character) are given a close look by Thompson. The author concludes with mentioning a ‘possible’ encounter between Doyle’s alleged ghost and his ex-nemesis, Harry Price, at a séance in 1930.

REVIEW:

Though Thompson delves into the Holmes phenomenon, this book is more like a FAQ re: Conan Doyle’s resentful existence in Holmes’ shadow. To his credit, Thompson’s narrative is pretty solid. If one is looking for some rare tidbits re: Holmes, this book is a decent choice. Yet, if the readers really want more of a glimpse into Conan Doyle’s world and how his own private life was impacted by Holmes’ unfathomable public success, Sherlock Holmes FAQ proves an intriguing read. Although this book isn’t necessarily a keeper for the bookshelf, it’s at least worth perusing, if only for curiosity’s sake.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

A four-page appendix catalogs Doyle’s bibliography. This book’s own bibliography is also included, as is a five-page index. A neat assortment of photos accompany the text, including some reprints of artist Sidney Paget’s The Strand illustrations and a rare glimpse of early 20^th Century stage actor William Gillette in his stint as Holmes.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Books & Novels Movies & Television (Books) Mystery & Suspense Sherlock Holmes-Related

SHERLOCK ON SCREEN: THE COMPLETE FILM AND TELEVISION HISTORY, 3rd Edition (Sherlock Holmes)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 20, 2020

Written by Alan Barnes

SUMMARY:

Published by Titans Books in 2011, this revised 320-page third-edition paperback analyzes virtually every Holmes film and TV program ever produced in alphabetical order. British author Alan Barnes provides basic credits; cast lists; and synopses. When feasible, the author breaks a synopsis into: “The Mystery” (the basic set-up); “The Investigation” (self-explanatory); and “The Solution” (again, self-explanatory). For the various TV series (including a Russian adaptation), the individual episode titles and casting appear first before Barnes analyzes the series in general and citing certain episodes as necessary. For visual reference, a related film still or photo is included on most pages.

REVIEW:

To Barnes’ credit, his analyses are balanced, though the BBC’s Sherlock receives some predictably gushing attention. Occasionally, some undemanding projects, like Tom & Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes, receive his literary eye-roll. Still, Barnes offers plenty of compelling history re: how the visual interpretation of Holmes has varied, whether it is by different countries or different producers, either seeking to celebrate Conan Doyle’s creation or, more likely, for a reliable payday.

The best element of the book is how so many screen Sherlocks (Basil Rathbone; Jeremy Brett; Peter Cushing; Benedict Cumberbatch; Robert Downey Jr.; Arthur Wontner; Eille Norwood, etc.) have been incorporated into one guide. Further, for additional actors: i.e. Douglas Wilmer, Christopher Lee, John Neville, H.A. Saintsbury, William Gillette, and even John Barrymore, it proves an intriguing read exploring how their films or TV series came into existence, even if many been lost to time. Even more so is the fascinating information re: the silent film era, going back to the start of the 20^th Century when Conan Doyle’s legal copyright was hardly obliged.

The only weakness is that this book lacks an index (even for the major players involved), which would have been helpful. Still, for any amateur Holmes historian, this insightful reference guide proves a must-have.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat provides a two-page foreword. In addition to acknowledgments, the author includes a brief introduction / author’s note explaining his terminology. There is also a four-page appendix re: synopses of lost European silent films from a century ago that were at least inspired by the Holmes phenomenon. The book’s last section is a five-page chronology (1887-2010) of historical events impacting Holmes’ publishing and film history.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars