You think people want to sit down and read ‘The Adventure of the Sleeping Pussycat’ or ‘The Adventure of the Not Actually Stolen Jewellery?’ No! No, they don’t. I may not know much but I do know the kinds of stories the reading public enjoys! We need something with an edge!”—Dr. John Watson.
Sherlock in Love: The Holmes-Adler Mysteries
I have been gratefully savoring David MacGregor’s book, Sherlock in Love: The Holmes-Adler Mysteries, like a fine French champagne enjoying each sip as if a new taste. And then before I knew it slight-of-hand switched the deep green bottle of golden wine to a much brighter shade of blue-green and my glass has sugar cubes floating in the electric hallucinogen of Absinthe. Or so it seems.
As an American I do enjoy every reference to our utter uniqueness. This is why I love Mr. MacGregor’s humorous touches that allow a fine mind the acceptable expression of such things that could be grossly insulting without it. Such comedy is I believe, the best and highest form of complement.
Unfortunately, this exceptional gift cannot be taught. The ability to write or perform humor is one that is born into an individual. It can be honed and sharpened but like the ability to write a great symphony, one must have the aptitude.
As far as music and humor go, I am a great audience. And I have an appreciation of how humor brings joy to the direst circumstances, a prison stay, for example, or possibly a worldwide pandemic. To me, humor is the pinnacle of art and may enhance all of them. I profess an extreme jealousy of those chosen to express this the finest of gifts.
No matter, Mr. MacGregor has enough for all of us. And I recommend you gift yourself with the great joy of reading his books.
Being someone who has wrestled in print with the love between Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes, I was exceptionally pleased with his answer to this puzzle. Having the three of them live at Baker Street was something I couldn’t imagine, how do they all fit? Miss Adler’s wardrobe alone…? I opted for the Woody Allen approach. Mr. MacGregor just brings her in, and well. That he refreshes this unique arrangement for every story is insightful and fun. The predicament Watson is placed in would even tickle Sir Arthur’s funny bone.
Sherlock in Love: The Holmes-Adler Mysteries, is an exceptional addition to Holmesian lore. And in the ever-burgeoning sea of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries it is one of the best. Bravo-Brava! Mr. MacGregor takes famous characters: Van Gogh, Thomas Edison, August Escoffier, researches their history and then most unusually brings them to No. 221B Baker Street. For Mr. Holmes, Miss Adler, and Dr. Watson to solve their dire problems. We are intrigued by the characters and their believable and hilarious situations. And on top of that, like the sweet creamy icing on the cake, which is always the best part, we are intrigued by this detective threesome and how against all odds, including human error, they solve the crime.
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.
Features of Interest 