The Sherlock Holmes Journal Review of The Keys of Death

. . . an original and refreshing exploration of the early days of the Baker Street triumvirate . . . the birth of an enduring friendship . . .

Sarah Obermuller-Bennett for The Sherlock Holmes Journal

In his introduction, Mattias Boström describes himself as an “embracer” of Holmes in his many forms, and issues the invitation to “shake up Sherlock”. In The Keys of Death, Holmes, if not shaken, is certainly stirred into life.

Taken from the perspective of journal entries by Mrs. Hudson, Dr. Watson and others, we start with a mysterious and lamented death. This leads us into the introduction of the fledgling consulting detective and his soon-to-be landlady. Watson soon joins the gathering at Baker Street, paralleling the events of A Study in Scarlet.

This telling, however, presents a much more considerate portrayal of the young Mr. Holmes. Mrs. Hudson too is much younger than the version many of us may have in our minds, which is no bad thing. With different characters narrating each chapter, Altabef achieves the difficult task of keeping the voices distinct.

Through their eyes, we learn of the birth of an enduring friendship — I was much taken with the charming vignette of Holmes and Watson undertaking a cigarette-smoking experiment for the former’s research purposes. Overall, an original and refreshing exploration of the early days of the Baker Street triumvirate, with solid historical research and unexpected entries by other characters who will be well known to the readers.

Find The Sherlock Holmes Society of London here.

Award-Winning author, Gretchen Altabef, publishes with MX, Belanger Books, Mondadori, and Mystery Magazine.  These Scattered Houses, in Sherlock Holmes’ own voice, chronicles the conclusion of his ‘Great Hiatus’. In Remarkable Power of Stimulus, Holmes finds London awash in murders, anarchists threatening Paris, and the return of Irene Adler. Under surveillance by Moriarty’s henchmen, Holmes steps into Baker Street knowing he will find Watson’s friendship and unerring aim are as dependable as the British Rail. THE KEYS OF DEATH is a genesis story of the young occupants of No. 221B Baker Street.

Do you enjoy my stories? Are there ways they could have been improved? Please help me and future readers of my books by posting a review on Amazon. Doing so would be incredibly helpful. Thanks in advance, Gretchen.