The Norwood Author by Alistair Duncan

Arthur Conan Doyle was a complex and deeply interesting character. May there long be writers around such as, Alistair Duncan, to explore him.” Bill Barnes, Captain, President, The Sidney Passengers.

Alistair Duncan’s The Norwood Author: Arthur Conan Doyle & The Norwood Years (1891 – 1894), is filled with new, never before seen, material about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He is the winner of the 2011 Howlett Literary Award (Sherlock Holmes book of the year) from the Sherlock Holmes Society of London. The avid Conan Doyle fan wants to know everything about this great nineteenth-century giant of a gentleman. Mr. Duncan’s book leaves one wanting more, ready for the next installment. It is my hope he intends to follow this thread in future books.

Duncan takes us through one of many prolific periods of Conan Doyle’s life. His research covers Conan Doyle’s involvement in the Upper Norwood Literary and Scientific Society and the Norwood Cricket Club. The goings on in the Upper Norwood Literary and Scientific Society is alone worth the price of admission. The book also covers many aspects of his life at that time. Including three major family events, his involvement in The Society of Authors, his successful play in the West End, and the publication of The Adventure of The Final Problem. And the righteous hullabaloo that followed. I highly recommend The Norwood Author.

And if you are an audiobook enthusiast, The Norwood Author is narrated by J.T. McDaniel, who is my all-time favourite narrator. He has created the audiobook versions of my own Sherlock Holmes novels and to my mind gives an impeccable characterization of Dr. John H. Watson.

Gretchen Altabef is an MX author of Sherlock Holmes novels. Mondadori Publishing has contracted to translate her novels into Italian. Ms. Altabef strives to emulate Dr. John Watson’s and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary style. The first, These Scattered Houses, is in Holmes’ own voice and resourcefully chronicles the last two months of his ‘great hiatus’. The second in the series is, Remarkable Power of Stimulus. After 3 years away, Holmes finds London awash in murders, No. 221B under siege, anarchists threatening Paris, and the return of Irene Adler. Fully aware he is being watched by Moriarty’s men, Holmes steps out of the cab into Baker Street knowing he will find Watson’s friendship and unerring aim are as dependable as the British Rail.