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The Secret Diary of Mycroft Holmes: The Thoughts and Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes’s Elder Brother, 1880-1888 Paperback – February 25, 2017

by S.F. Bennett (Author), & 2 more
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“If Samuel Pepys could fill nine years’ worth of journals with tales of arguments with his wife, visits to the theatres, fire and plague, then I am fairly confident I should be able to achieve a similar feat – with the exception of the plague, that is.” Thus begins Mycroft Holmes’s valiant, if irregular, attempt to chronicle his doings. Rediscovered in 1976 and now fully translated from an obscure code, Mycroft’s diaries reveal that a brother’s lot is not always a happy one, especially when that brother happens to be London’s only consulting detective. In this humorous look at the world of Sherlock Holmes through Mycroft’s eyes, between avoiding amorous cleaning ladies and eccentric family members, appeasing hopeless artists and budding novelists, keeping the peace at the Diogenes and minding doting dogs, one question always remains: will Sherlock ever get a proper job?Devon-based journalist and lecturer, S.F. Bennett has written for the Baker Street Journal and the Journal of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, amongst others. This is the author's first novel.
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (February 25, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1544140088
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1544140087
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.47 x 9 inches

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
105 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and enjoy its humor, with one mentioning they laughed out loud every other page. The book receives positive feedback for its characterization, with one review highlighting how it presents a worthy portrayal of Mycroft Holmes.

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6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read.

"I loved this book. I should like to read more. I laughed out loud every other page. I loved Mycroft's views on his brother Sherlock...." Read more

"This is a remarkable book, comedic and thought provoking and, dare I say, presenting a worthy characterization of Mycroft Holmes...." Read more

"...It is very enjoyable to read however is not a traditional book with a storyline running throughout; rather it is a series of extended vignettes...." Read more

"Great read - always loved Mycroft and it was pleasure to read more about him and young Sherlock." Read more

4 customers mention "Characterization"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the characterization in the book, with one review highlighting how it presents a worthy portrayal of Mycroft Holmes, while another finds the personal look into Sherlock's life quite fascinating.

"...I loved the other asides of the Holmes family. Little glimpses here and there of how they interact. Pray this author keeps writing! Wonderful!..." Read more

"...comedic and thought provoking and, dare I say, presenting a worthy characterization of Mycroft Holmes...." Read more

"...It is written in a diary format and evokes a beautifully realized Mycroft Holmes...." Read more

"...true fan of Sherlock Holmes you will find this personal look into Sherlock’s life quite fascinating...." Read more

3 customers mention "Humor"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with one mentioning they laughed out loud every other page.

"I loved this book. I should like to read more. I laughed out loud every other page. I loved Mycroft's views on his brother Sherlock...." Read more

"This is a remarkable book, comedic and thought provoking and, dare I say, presenting a worthy characterization of Mycroft Holmes...." Read more

"I enjoyed very much. I was a well written, funny story about Sherlock's older brother. I would like to read more stories about him." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Merry blessings
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! Amazing! Great story telling!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book. I should like to read more. I laughed out loud every other page. I loved Mycroft's views on his brother Sherlock. How wonderful to see how frustrating he was to a relative eyes. I loved the other asides of the Holmes family. Little glimpses here and there of how they interact. Pray this author keeps writing! Wonderful! Thank you! Read and enjoy!
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  • Dane Wooster
    4.0 out of 5 stars Something Special
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2021
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    This is a remarkable book, comedic and thought provoking and, dare I say, presenting a worthy characterization of Mycroft Holmes. I only wish that the typos were in less abundance, as they tend to break the otherwise immersive flow of the text. Otherwise, this is one of the better modern Sherlockian texts I've read.
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  • Thomas A. Turley
    5.0 out of 5 stars The senior Holmes brother has his say
    Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2017
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    Devon-based Sherlockian S.F. Bennett, the author of several excellent short stories for MX Publishing and Belanger Books, has taken on the task of editing the long-lost diaries of Mycroft Holmes. Her initial volume (let us hope the first of many) begins in 1880. At 33, Mycroft has already founded the Diogenes Club and is well on his way to becoming both curmudgeon and gourmand. However, he is not yet the éminence gris at Whitehall that he will soon become. At this stage, therefore, Mycroft’s diary entries focus not on great events but on retaining his position, avoiding the marital ambitions of his cleaning lady, and surviving the variable offerings of his club’s chef. Naturally, it is his feckless, financially dependent brother (still “playing the game for the game’s sake” in the Montague Street years) who comes to dominate the diary. Ms. Bennett skillfully traces the often prickly—but invariably amusing—relationship between the siblings, as Sherlock glibly defends his amateur status (“What value can a man assign to knowledge?”), Mycroft glumly hosts the redoubtable Toby (“I am not my brother’s dog’s keeper”), and senior bests cadet in “our usual game of observation and deduction.” Occasionally, they must unite to fend off other members of the Holmes clan, for Mycroft and Sherlock are (remarkably!) the least eccentric of the lot. By the time the volume ends in 1888, it is evident that both their characters have grown. Mycroft may empathize with Mrs. Hudson over her tenant’s many faults, but he also rebukes Lestrade’s ingratitude at receiving Sherlock’s aid. Our emotionally aloof detective makes a touching gesture to spare the feelings of his first true friend, whose merits Mycroft has already recognized. Along the way, they combine their talents to solve at least two cases, including the Melas affair that marks Mycroft’s first appearance in the Canon. Now that her groundwork has been laid so well, we can trust Ms. Bennett to treat the manifold crises of the 1890’s, and Mycroft’s political and diplomatic work at Whitehall, with the same humor and knowledge of her characters that she exhibits in this book.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Natalie C
    3.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written characterisation of Mycroft Holmes
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2018
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    As a huge Holmes fan, I saw this book and couldn't resist. It is written in a diary format and evokes a beautifully realized Mycroft Holmes. It is very enjoyable to read however is not a traditional book with a storyline running throughout; rather it is a series of extended vignettes. For me, I found it an easy read as you can dip in and out however at times it has the feel of Sherlock Holmes fan fiction.
    One person found this helpful
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  • M. Buchanan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2017
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    Great read - always loved Mycroft and it was pleasure to read more about him and young Sherlock.
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  • Janice Lynch
    5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed very much
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017
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    I enjoyed very much. I was a well written, funny story about Sherlock's older brother. I would like to read more stories about him.
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and true to the canon
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I was really looking fwd to reading this, since I've enjoyed some other early Mycroft novels. This series of stories ("journal entries") was, in one way, disappointing: The author leaned heavily on a lethargic, almost cynical Mycroft, without drawing out any nuances to his character and history. It's true that Mycroft would never reveal his govt work in a private journal, so perhaps that constraint led to the lack of drama. Even so, I enjoyed seeing the world, and especially Sherlock, through Mycroft's eyes.
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  • Bornagain710
    5.0 out of 5 stars The game is afoot
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2020
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    Mycroft was as smart as Sherlock
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Merlin
    5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute GEM of a book !
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2020
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    From an early age, I have loved Doyle.s Sherlock Holmes . There is NO ONE able to replicate the style of the writing, the subtle nuances or that something which defines Doyle.s Holmes and Watson. I have always been fascinated by Mycroft. WE know that Mycroft is MORE intelligent that Sherlock - Sherlock Holmes himself tells us that ., and it is clearly obvious in Doyle.s books that Sherlock respects his elder brother and is in awe of him. This book is an absolute GEM. It is exactly what I would imagine Mycroft to be like and the precise dialogue is superbly true to character. I laughed aloud many times. It is extremely amusing on so many levels . The language, the period detail, the characters, the character of a young and insufferably arrogant Sherlock superb, especially the interaction and dialogue between Mycroft and Sherlock. Mycroft, the elder established staid pernickety Brother in Government and Sherlock the young arrogant 'pup' , who Mycroft is having to support. Mycroft.s concern.s are is this young Whelp ever going to great a decent job or profession ? Mycroft, the elder Brother acts more as a Father to Sherlock, showing all the concerns and exasperations a parent would. Not understanding this 'Young Pup', but all the while hiding true affection, concern and Pride.This is clearly shown when he tells Sherlock that he should be charging for his 'Work', and is clearly angry that Scotland Yard are using his Brother, not paying him anything and taking all the credit for the solved cases. Mycroft makes that clear to Lestrade . This book reads like a glass of fine Champagne. Light, bubbley and an absolute JOY to read through out ! BUT, it is also very very clever indeed on so many levels. There must have been a great deal of research from the author . Of studying everything written about Mycroft from A.C.D. and after gleaning every detail and nuance available in the canon, they have created what I believe is essentially Mycroft Holmes as Conan Doyle envisioned him. There's just so much to love about this book. The sheer genius of the writing, the style of language used by Mycroft is truly exceptional and just is so RIGHT, the love of the canon and characters of the author. If you look deeper into the book, you see that the author shows the slight changes of character, both from Mycroft and Sherlock. It's an absolute triumph ! My only regret is that I finished the book in one sitting, and was so upset there was no more . It's that good. I understand that the author has also written Sherlock Holmes pastiches. I shall now definitely be looking to get my hands on those. This is a book you want to read again and again. I just can't recommend it enough. Worth every penny paid.
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  • cyberalchemist
    2.0 out of 5 stars Horrible
    Reviewed in Australia on January 5, 2023
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    According to Kindle I'm 20% through and I'm wondering if I should bother continuing, this is so painful.

    I can cope with non-cannon stories that don't sound remotely period, but this is stretching it - a lot.

    You might like this if you can take the idea of Mycroft as a self-obsessed and trivial idiot. He is portrayed as if he is a cross between Charles Pooter (Diary of a Nobody) and Bertie Wooster without any of their charm or awareness.

    If you can relish that, you might even find this novel funny, as it is clearly supposed to be.

    So far its the worst Homes pastiche I've ever read. Yes, that is saying something.

    I gather the series gets a lot better with the second novel. So if you feel tempted, start with reading that. After this I'm not tempted at all, which is a pity perhaps.
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  • Vernon M Coombs
    4.0 out of 5 stars THE MIND OF MYCROFT HOLMES
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2017
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    I enjoyed reading this book very much and I thoroughly recommend it to Sherlock Holmes aficionados of all ages.

    Mycroft Holmes remains a somewhat shadowy figure in the Holmes canon. This is S F Bennett's first novel, in which she accurately and humorously presents, and brings to life, a much-needed expose of Sherlock Holmes' lazy older brother Mycroft, based on a sketchy description by Conan Doyle.

    Can we look forward to 'The Secret Diary of Mycroft Holmes Vol 2' 1888-1896? followed by an SH novel. I hope so.
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  • Tom TH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really rather good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I am a bit of a Canon purist, but enjoy the pastiches. From the view of Mycroft Holmes, this is witty and enjoyable the whole way through. My only criticism is that it is not long enough, I would like more and hope others will follow!
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  • Carolyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is the viewpoint of Mycroft Holmes, long suffering elder brother of Sherlock. One point of sanity in a family of eccentrics, financial support for his brother.
    A pleasure to read, and regrets that you've finished because you want more. I've read many pastiches and this is one I will be reading again. Thoroughly recommended. I will be looking out more books by this author.
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