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The Ghosts in Baker Street: New Tales of Sherlock Holmes
Ghost in Baker Street gives us the ultimate disbelieving detective tackling mysteries with a distinctly strange flavor, featuring crimes and situations that may possibly be not of this world.
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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123 people want to read
About the author
Martin H. Greenberg
904 books159 followersMartin Harry Greenberg was an American academic and speculative fiction anthologist. In all, he compiled 1,298 anthologies and commissioned over 8,200 original short stories. He founded Tekno Books, a packager of more than 2000 published books. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Sci-Fi Channel.
For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.
For the 1950s anthologist and publisher of Gnome Press, see Martin Greenberg.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 19, 2011
OK, but the same bunch of writers repeating themselves in their vain attempt of mimicking the awesome voice of Sir Arthur is getting tiresome.
November 21, 2012
Ok, we all know it, so let’s repeat it together: “The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply.” As several authors in this anthology point out, Sir Arthur had the artistic integrity not to have his most famous character take on his own Spiritualist beliefs in some Dartmoor epiphany. Sherlock Holmes never sought an answer via supernatural methods. Still, the intersection of the set of mystery lovers and the set of ghost story aficionados is a large one, so it’s not surprising that, while Doyle let his detective approach the boundaries of the supernatural realm, there are other writers willing to toss him in completely. The authors and editors of Ghosts in Baker Street do not hesitate.
Most stories, happily, fall solidly in the “A” category. These include Gillian Linscott’s “The Adventure of the Late Orang Outang,” in which a pet’s love seems to transcend the grave, and academic rivalries prove deadly. Those familiar with the legends surrounding King Tut’s tomb will see parallels in “Sherlock Holmes and the Mummy’s Curse,” (H. Paul Jeffers). In this story, Watson’s old army buddy inadvertently draws the doctor and the detective into investigating whether the members of an Egyptian expedition are dropping dead due to coincidence…or a curse. We revisit a favorite Doyle theme–pacts gone wrong–as well as a phantom hound in Paula Cohen’s “The Adventure of the Dog in the Nighttime.” Irish literary history provides the backdrop for an atmospheric tale with folkloric accents, Michael Walsh’s “The Coole Park Problem.” How did William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, and even Sherlock Holmes come to reach new heights in their careers? Sir Arthur may agree that the fairy-folk were involved…you may reach a different conclusion. Finally, we get a Watson-only story, in a viscerally scary (even disturbing) tale, “Death in the East End.” Colin Bruce reveals a bit of the Watson family’s past, and the doctor himself learns one shouldn’t challenge the spirit world rashly. Each of these stories is told in decent “Watson-voice,” and contains plenty of cherished Doylean elements (breakfasts, stormy nights at 221B, deducing the client, bored Holmes). Some endings have natural explanations, while others are a little less cut-and-dried. You should find all of them enjoyable.
Two stories earn a “B.” Jon L. Breen’s “The Adventure of the Librarian’s Ghost” starts out with a creepy, interesting premise (a ghost predicts national crises by throwing out books and marking passages in blood) but totters with an easily-guessed solution, and a bit of preachiness in the end. “The Adventure of the St. Marylebone Ghoul” (Bill Crider) also has fascinating elements: allusions to the George Edalji case,† the intersection of East and West, prejudice, and nasty discussions of grave-robbing and ghouls. Unfortunately, I didn’t find part of the solution believable. It was a little too convenient, disappointing after a terrific build-up.
One story, and one story only, earned a “C.” Carolyn Wheat’s ”A Scandal in Drury Lane, Or, the Vampire Trap,” has arguably the most gorgeous beginning in the book: an anonymous reminiscence of the Royal Theatre in Drury Lane which covers Restoration Comedy, the 18th century, and the early Regency, right up to the night of the fire which destroyed it on February 28, 1809. One gets the impression that this time, there may be no natural explanation, that we’re seeing with phantom eyes and hearing a phantom voice. The reader is ready for a haunting tale, and not just a tale of haunts. Unfortunately, that voice is stilled once we get to 221B (never to be heard again) and the experience is jarring. The premise is interesting: Holmes is called to the Royal Theatre to investigate bad omens which mysteriously appear, and a gray ghost who disappears, both threatening the current production and an actress’ sanity. Are the manifestations man-made, or are they clues to a long-ago murder? In the end, however, I found several avoidable inaccuracies which soured my opinion a bit. The Royal Theatre actually burned on February 24, 1809. Sir Henry Irving could not be, as Watson refers to him, “the late Sir Henry Irving” in 1896, as he didn’t die until 1905. And it was hard for me to believe that Sherlock Holmes, a master of complex disguises who made a particular study of London streets, was less familiar with the West End Theatre District than his flatmate. In the canon, Watson writes that “The stage lost a fine actor” when his friend took up detecting. Even if one discounts Baring-Gould’s notion that a young Holmes actually joined a theatre troupe, it seems natural to conclude he spent time backstage–and in the seats, enjoying opera and concerts. Finally, I found the explanation a little too elaborate, although you may disagree. These flaws, coupled with the complete atmospheric disconnect between the introduction and the body of the story, made it disappointing.
Ghosts in Baker Street isn’t all chills, however. At the end of the book the editors include three non-fiction essays, all of which deserve “A’s.” Caleb Carr discusses Sherlock Holmes’ relationship to the nascent science of psychology in “Some Analytical Genius, No Doubt," and Carr’s final thoughts on the academic trend towards deconstruction and the canon are heartening.
Barbara Roden continues the non-fiction section with “No Ghosts Need Apply?” A noted expert in both Holmes and the English ghost story, Ms. Roden provides a thorough look at the genesis of the “psychic detective” genre. She connects its popularity to both the need for authors hopping on the lucrative detective story bandwagon to “distinguish their creations from the Master in some way," and to the psychic shock of The Great War, which saw a rise in the popularity of Spiritualism and an interest in the paranormal. We get an overview of names you may remember: Abraham van Helsing, Flaxman Low, John Silence, Thomas Carnacki…and some you may not have heard of: Aylmer Vance, Norton Vyse, and Shiela Crerar, just for a start. Finally, speaking of van Helsing, Loren Estleman, author of the best-selling Sherlock Holmes v. Dracula, talks about his own introduction to the canon, his experience in the Sherlockian fiction world, and makes the salient point that when it comes to the supernatural, “if you win Holmes, you win the reader.”
All in all, Ghosts in Baker Street is a solid collection of traditional stories, with enough scares for the ghost story lover and enough logic for the armchair detective. The prior stories would be worth the price of admission. There are, however, two more pieces, and I don’t think it’s exaggerating to call them spectacular. The first is a brief story by Daniel Stashower. Told from the viewpoint of HOUN’s escaped Notting Hill murderer, “Selden” is a tale of a bright young man, loyal to the Baskerville family, who goes to war in South Africa. Seriously injured, he encounters a kindly physician–an eye specialist–who consoles the soldiers with his belief that “our fallen comrades were not really dead…but only transferred to another place.”Selden doesn’t follow them, however; he goes home, a morphine addict who commits a savage crime to obtain the drugs his body craves. The rest of his story is familiar to those who have read HOUN. Stashower, however, adds one dark, breathtaking twist, allowing the little boy who clutched his sister’s hand to find honor and redemption in the end.
Finally, Loren Estleman demonstrates just what he means by “winning Holmes” in his story, “The Devil and Sherlock Holmes.” When a patient at St. Porphyry’s Hospital (specializing in the mentally ill) claims to be Satan, and terrible things start happening, Watson (who has been consulting there) asks his friend to look into the matter. Holmes is naturally skeptical, and challenges the man, “John Smith,” to prove his claims, particularly that of leaving the world and taking them all with him at midnight, Walpurgisnacht. In these stories, both Estleman and Stashower take on the typical supernatural pastiche form and transcend it.
For those of you who like a little dark frisson in your detective story, Ghosts in Baker Street delivers.
Most stories, happily, fall solidly in the “A” category. These include Gillian Linscott’s “The Adventure of the Late Orang Outang,” in which a pet’s love seems to transcend the grave, and academic rivalries prove deadly. Those familiar with the legends surrounding King Tut’s tomb will see parallels in “Sherlock Holmes and the Mummy’s Curse,” (H. Paul Jeffers). In this story, Watson’s old army buddy inadvertently draws the doctor and the detective into investigating whether the members of an Egyptian expedition are dropping dead due to coincidence…or a curse. We revisit a favorite Doyle theme–pacts gone wrong–as well as a phantom hound in Paula Cohen’s “The Adventure of the Dog in the Nighttime.” Irish literary history provides the backdrop for an atmospheric tale with folkloric accents, Michael Walsh’s “The Coole Park Problem.” How did William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, and even Sherlock Holmes come to reach new heights in their careers? Sir Arthur may agree that the fairy-folk were involved…you may reach a different conclusion. Finally, we get a Watson-only story, in a viscerally scary (even disturbing) tale, “Death in the East End.” Colin Bruce reveals a bit of the Watson family’s past, and the doctor himself learns one shouldn’t challenge the spirit world rashly. Each of these stories is told in decent “Watson-voice,” and contains plenty of cherished Doylean elements (breakfasts, stormy nights at 221B, deducing the client, bored Holmes). Some endings have natural explanations, while others are a little less cut-and-dried. You should find all of them enjoyable.
Two stories earn a “B.” Jon L. Breen’s “The Adventure of the Librarian’s Ghost” starts out with a creepy, interesting premise (a ghost predicts national crises by throwing out books and marking passages in blood) but totters with an easily-guessed solution, and a bit of preachiness in the end. “The Adventure of the St. Marylebone Ghoul” (Bill Crider) also has fascinating elements: allusions to the George Edalji case,† the intersection of East and West, prejudice, and nasty discussions of grave-robbing and ghouls. Unfortunately, I didn’t find part of the solution believable. It was a little too convenient, disappointing after a terrific build-up.
One story, and one story only, earned a “C.” Carolyn Wheat’s ”A Scandal in Drury Lane, Or, the Vampire Trap,” has arguably the most gorgeous beginning in the book: an anonymous reminiscence of the Royal Theatre in Drury Lane which covers Restoration Comedy, the 18th century, and the early Regency, right up to the night of the fire which destroyed it on February 28, 1809. One gets the impression that this time, there may be no natural explanation, that we’re seeing with phantom eyes and hearing a phantom voice. The reader is ready for a haunting tale, and not just a tale of haunts. Unfortunately, that voice is stilled once we get to 221B (never to be heard again) and the experience is jarring. The premise is interesting: Holmes is called to the Royal Theatre to investigate bad omens which mysteriously appear, and a gray ghost who disappears, both threatening the current production and an actress’ sanity. Are the manifestations man-made, or are they clues to a long-ago murder? In the end, however, I found several avoidable inaccuracies which soured my opinion a bit. The Royal Theatre actually burned on February 24, 1809. Sir Henry Irving could not be, as Watson refers to him, “the late Sir Henry Irving” in 1896, as he didn’t die until 1905. And it was hard for me to believe that Sherlock Holmes, a master of complex disguises who made a particular study of London streets, was less familiar with the West End Theatre District than his flatmate. In the canon, Watson writes that “The stage lost a fine actor” when his friend took up detecting. Even if one discounts Baring-Gould’s notion that a young Holmes actually joined a theatre troupe, it seems natural to conclude he spent time backstage–and in the seats, enjoying opera and concerts. Finally, I found the explanation a little too elaborate, although you may disagree. These flaws, coupled with the complete atmospheric disconnect between the introduction and the body of the story, made it disappointing.
Ghosts in Baker Street isn’t all chills, however. At the end of the book the editors include three non-fiction essays, all of which deserve “A’s.” Caleb Carr discusses Sherlock Holmes’ relationship to the nascent science of psychology in “Some Analytical Genius, No Doubt," and Carr’s final thoughts on the academic trend towards deconstruction and the canon are heartening.
Barbara Roden continues the non-fiction section with “No Ghosts Need Apply?” A noted expert in both Holmes and the English ghost story, Ms. Roden provides a thorough look at the genesis of the “psychic detective” genre. She connects its popularity to both the need for authors hopping on the lucrative detective story bandwagon to “distinguish their creations from the Master in some way," and to the psychic shock of The Great War, which saw a rise in the popularity of Spiritualism and an interest in the paranormal. We get an overview of names you may remember: Abraham van Helsing, Flaxman Low, John Silence, Thomas Carnacki…and some you may not have heard of: Aylmer Vance, Norton Vyse, and Shiela Crerar, just for a start. Finally, speaking of van Helsing, Loren Estleman, author of the best-selling Sherlock Holmes v. Dracula, talks about his own introduction to the canon, his experience in the Sherlockian fiction world, and makes the salient point that when it comes to the supernatural, “if you win Holmes, you win the reader.”
All in all, Ghosts in Baker Street is a solid collection of traditional stories, with enough scares for the ghost story lover and enough logic for the armchair detective. The prior stories would be worth the price of admission. There are, however, two more pieces, and I don’t think it’s exaggerating to call them spectacular. The first is a brief story by Daniel Stashower. Told from the viewpoint of HOUN’s escaped Notting Hill murderer, “Selden” is a tale of a bright young man, loyal to the Baskerville family, who goes to war in South Africa. Seriously injured, he encounters a kindly physician–an eye specialist–who consoles the soldiers with his belief that “our fallen comrades were not really dead…but only transferred to another place.”Selden doesn’t follow them, however; he goes home, a morphine addict who commits a savage crime to obtain the drugs his body craves. The rest of his story is familiar to those who have read HOUN. Stashower, however, adds one dark, breathtaking twist, allowing the little boy who clutched his sister’s hand to find honor and redemption in the end.
Finally, Loren Estleman demonstrates just what he means by “winning Holmes” in his story, “The Devil and Sherlock Holmes.” When a patient at St. Porphyry’s Hospital (specializing in the mentally ill) claims to be Satan, and terrible things start happening, Watson (who has been consulting there) asks his friend to look into the matter. Holmes is naturally skeptical, and challenges the man, “John Smith,” to prove his claims, particularly that of leaving the world and taking them all with him at midnight, Walpurgisnacht. In these stories, both Estleman and Stashower take on the typical supernatural pastiche form and transcend it.
For those of you who like a little dark frisson in your detective story, Ghosts in Baker Street delivers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2020
Like most Sherlock Holmes collections, Ghosts in Baker Street is a mixed bag that heavily leans towards the enjoyable. Does every story here feel authentically Holmesian? No, but then the authors were already facing a challenge by introducing the supernatural. More than not I think they rose to the challenge and the result is mostly "good" stories with one or two "disappointing" and "excellent" ones. The best tales here (in my opinion) are the ones that maintain the rational world we've come to expect while nevertheless providing just a hint, for both Watson and the reader, that perhaps ghosts, ghouls, and other things that go bump in the night really do exist. That balance makes this a fun book to indulge in, especially after dark.
In addition, there are three non-fiction essays that provide an insightful look into the impact of forensic psychology on detective literature (written by Caleb Carr of The Alienist fame), the history of literary occult detectives, and the importance of taking the supernatural seriously if you're going to pit it against a rationalist. All in all, a nice addition to anyone's Holmes collection.
In addition, there are three non-fiction essays that provide an insightful look into the impact of forensic psychology on detective literature (written by Caleb Carr of The Alienist fame), the history of literary occult detectives, and the importance of taking the supernatural seriously if you're going to pit it against a rationalist. All in all, a nice addition to anyone's Holmes collection.
October 3, 2021
A great set of stories and articles about the Great Detective but with a supernatural bent. Well worth a read. There is also an article about supernatural detectives which was worth making a list from.
Good stuff.
Recommended.
Good stuff.
Recommended.
December 8, 2015
Ghosts In Baker Street
Edited by Martin H Greenburg, Joe Lellenburg & Daniel Stashower
Take a ghost story, wrap it in a conundrum, then add a dash of Holmes—bring to a boil on high heat. Results: One book worth five stars out of five!
“The Devil and Sherlock Holmes” by Loren D Estleman: End of April.1899. A man named “Smith” in an insane ward claims to be the Devil himself. There have been odd occurrences that do seem to have something of the diabolical about them. A career has been ruined, another besmirched, and a third severely strained. The orderlies are afraid of “Smith,” and two have actually resigned.
This story is rather good with a twist ending you won’t see coming! I give it a full five out of five stars.
“The Adventure of the Librarian’s Ghost” by Jon L Breen: Sir Richard Bootcrafter, of Bootcrafter Hall, brings Holmes & Watson a ghost story. There is a legend of a family ghost. Chauncey Stocker once worked for the family, detailed to build their library of strange and valuable books. He apparently died from a fall, his blood staining a valuable copy of Plato’s Republic. His ghost is said to haunt the library. Now it appears to be back.
A bit of a twist in the story and an unusual motive catapults Jon L Breen’s story to a five out of five stars tale!
“The Adventure of the Late Orang Outang by Gillian Linscott: Sir Thomas Alderbrooks keep a pet Orang Outang for years that would climb the outside of the scholar’s observation tower each morning to breakfast with his master beside the great telescope. After George the Orang Outang died, his ghost was seen ascending the tower, and Sir Thomas found dead that very day in the tower.
Holmes & Watson are visiting at Oxford when a pair of young men under consideration for a fellowship fell out over this ghost story, which lies in the ancestry of one of the two. But the wealthy one, Alderbrooks is perhaps not so fortunate as he seems, while the working class lad, Doughty, comes from a family that owns several factories.
But the ghost of the ape still haunts the tower, now owned by Alderbrooks older half brother, Squire Aderbrooks. And a young woman is nearly killed by it—
The twists in this story are delightful and I give Gillian Linscott five stars out of five for this story…
“A Scandal in Drury Lane—Or—The Vampire Trap” by Carolyn Wheat: A ghost has been seen on the stage of the Theater Royal, Drury Lane, London. It is there one moment and vanishes the next. A medium called in by the owners tells them someone died there by violence.
And indeed, a body is walled up in that area, having been there for the last eighty years. A man murdered by another who went on to fame and fortune.
The trick in this tale is wonderful and I give Ms Wheat a full five out of five stars!
“Sherlock Holmes and the Mummy’s Curse” by H Paul Jeffers: An expedition to Egypt has resulted in the finding of a minor official name Sarenput. The tomb is protected by a curse, and it seems to be in full effect. Watson’s friend, Major James McAndrew, narrowly misses death himself when a tile falls from a building and grazes him.
I must say that I found this story a trifle weak, too much dependant on the mythical Curse of King Tut story. Still, I’ll give Mr. Jeffers three out of five stars.
“Death in the East End” by Colin Bruce: Watson has a colleague in the East End with a bad problem. One of his patients was very sick, but now her children report her well and refuse to let the Doctor in, although they pay his fee.
Watson, investigating for the absent (in Edinburg!) Holmes discovers that the woman is dead. Yet her son says she isn’t and Watson witnesses her move and speak!
This is a truly great story, built like a Master Chef builds a soufflé! Five stars out of five go out to this little gem by Mr. Bruce!
“The Adventure of the Dog in the Nighttime” by Paula Cohen: A man pretending to be a sailor has worked his way into the lives of a working class family near St. John’s Wood. Miss Hilda Blakey brings her case to 221B Baker Streetr. Hilda’s son Gregory then vanishes, and after him, his sister Ellen, blind since birth. Her faithful dog Robby is found dead in their home—or is he?
Ms Cohen has written a very good story here for which I give her five out of five stars!
“Selden’s Tale” by Daniel Stashower: Written as a letter to his sister Selden tells of his own experiences on the moor with The Hound of the Baskervilles…
It is just eccentric enough to be worth four out of five stars!
“The Adventure of the St. Marylebone Ghoul” by Bill Crieder: Benjamin Swaraj—a half English, half Parsee groundskeeper for the St. Marylebone Cemetery brings a tale of prejudice and fear to 221B. Although his father is a Minister of the Christian Faith he is seen as a lower class for daring to marry an Englishwoman, and Benjamin himself is considered an abomination.
Forced to flee their parish due to persecution, Benjamin has found work as a grave digger and watchman. But a ghoul now haunts the graveyard, the truth about Benjamin’s parents and other nonsense has been spread, and he fears he will either lose his job or his life.
This story has much to recommend it, and I give Mr. Crieder four out of five stars.
“The Coole Park Problem” by Michéal and Claire Breathnatch: Lady Gregory calls Holmes & Watson to County Galway, Ireland, for an investigation at her home at Coole Park. She believes there is danger from the Sidhe, the hidden folk of legend.
The underlying story is deep and the cover tale thus becomes confusing at time. People acquainted with Holmes but not history might have a difficult time processing the tale. It is well written, however, and I will give it three out of five stars.
“Some Analytical Genius, No Doubt” by Caleb Carr; “No Ghosts Need Apply?” by Barbara Roden and “Channeling Holmes” by Loren D Estleman”: Three scholarly essays end the book. They are what they are, I do not regard them as necessary to the book. In a book of such essays they would do fine, but this is a collection of stories, not essays.
While they do not add to the book, I shall not use them to take away from the book. For me the book ends at the end of the previous story.
In building this amazing book, each writer placed his or her own touch on the materials. Perhaps this then compares to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. Each new door opened brings some new surprise. Although the rooms connect and form a house, or in this case a book, each room (story) is individually designed! That is Holmes pure and sweet as lavender honey…
Quoth the Raven…
Edited by Martin H Greenburg, Joe Lellenburg & Daniel Stashower
Take a ghost story, wrap it in a conundrum, then add a dash of Holmes—bring to a boil on high heat. Results: One book worth five stars out of five!
“The Devil and Sherlock Holmes” by Loren D Estleman: End of April.1899. A man named “Smith” in an insane ward claims to be the Devil himself. There have been odd occurrences that do seem to have something of the diabolical about them. A career has been ruined, another besmirched, and a third severely strained. The orderlies are afraid of “Smith,” and two have actually resigned.
This story is rather good with a twist ending you won’t see coming! I give it a full five out of five stars.
“The Adventure of the Librarian’s Ghost” by Jon L Breen: Sir Richard Bootcrafter, of Bootcrafter Hall, brings Holmes & Watson a ghost story. There is a legend of a family ghost. Chauncey Stocker once worked for the family, detailed to build their library of strange and valuable books. He apparently died from a fall, his blood staining a valuable copy of Plato’s Republic. His ghost is said to haunt the library. Now it appears to be back.
A bit of a twist in the story and an unusual motive catapults Jon L Breen’s story to a five out of five stars tale!
“The Adventure of the Late Orang Outang by Gillian Linscott: Sir Thomas Alderbrooks keep a pet Orang Outang for years that would climb the outside of the scholar’s observation tower each morning to breakfast with his master beside the great telescope. After George the Orang Outang died, his ghost was seen ascending the tower, and Sir Thomas found dead that very day in the tower.
Holmes & Watson are visiting at Oxford when a pair of young men under consideration for a fellowship fell out over this ghost story, which lies in the ancestry of one of the two. But the wealthy one, Alderbrooks is perhaps not so fortunate as he seems, while the working class lad, Doughty, comes from a family that owns several factories.
But the ghost of the ape still haunts the tower, now owned by Alderbrooks older half brother, Squire Aderbrooks. And a young woman is nearly killed by it—
The twists in this story are delightful and I give Gillian Linscott five stars out of five for this story…
“A Scandal in Drury Lane—Or—The Vampire Trap” by Carolyn Wheat: A ghost has been seen on the stage of the Theater Royal, Drury Lane, London. It is there one moment and vanishes the next. A medium called in by the owners tells them someone died there by violence.
And indeed, a body is walled up in that area, having been there for the last eighty years. A man murdered by another who went on to fame and fortune.
The trick in this tale is wonderful and I give Ms Wheat a full five out of five stars!
“Sherlock Holmes and the Mummy’s Curse” by H Paul Jeffers: An expedition to Egypt has resulted in the finding of a minor official name Sarenput. The tomb is protected by a curse, and it seems to be in full effect. Watson’s friend, Major James McAndrew, narrowly misses death himself when a tile falls from a building and grazes him.
I must say that I found this story a trifle weak, too much dependant on the mythical Curse of King Tut story. Still, I’ll give Mr. Jeffers three out of five stars.
“Death in the East End” by Colin Bruce: Watson has a colleague in the East End with a bad problem. One of his patients was very sick, but now her children report her well and refuse to let the Doctor in, although they pay his fee.
Watson, investigating for the absent (in Edinburg!) Holmes discovers that the woman is dead. Yet her son says she isn’t and Watson witnesses her move and speak!
This is a truly great story, built like a Master Chef builds a soufflé! Five stars out of five go out to this little gem by Mr. Bruce!
“The Adventure of the Dog in the Nighttime” by Paula Cohen: A man pretending to be a sailor has worked his way into the lives of a working class family near St. John’s Wood. Miss Hilda Blakey brings her case to 221B Baker Streetr. Hilda’s son Gregory then vanishes, and after him, his sister Ellen, blind since birth. Her faithful dog Robby is found dead in their home—or is he?
Ms Cohen has written a very good story here for which I give her five out of five stars!
“Selden’s Tale” by Daniel Stashower: Written as a letter to his sister Selden tells of his own experiences on the moor with The Hound of the Baskervilles…
It is just eccentric enough to be worth four out of five stars!
“The Adventure of the St. Marylebone Ghoul” by Bill Crieder: Benjamin Swaraj—a half English, half Parsee groundskeeper for the St. Marylebone Cemetery brings a tale of prejudice and fear to 221B. Although his father is a Minister of the Christian Faith he is seen as a lower class for daring to marry an Englishwoman, and Benjamin himself is considered an abomination.
Forced to flee their parish due to persecution, Benjamin has found work as a grave digger and watchman. But a ghoul now haunts the graveyard, the truth about Benjamin’s parents and other nonsense has been spread, and he fears he will either lose his job or his life.
This story has much to recommend it, and I give Mr. Crieder four out of five stars.
“The Coole Park Problem” by Michéal and Claire Breathnatch: Lady Gregory calls Holmes & Watson to County Galway, Ireland, for an investigation at her home at Coole Park. She believes there is danger from the Sidhe, the hidden folk of legend.
The underlying story is deep and the cover tale thus becomes confusing at time. People acquainted with Holmes but not history might have a difficult time processing the tale. It is well written, however, and I will give it three out of five stars.
“Some Analytical Genius, No Doubt” by Caleb Carr; “No Ghosts Need Apply?” by Barbara Roden and “Channeling Holmes” by Loren D Estleman”: Three scholarly essays end the book. They are what they are, I do not regard them as necessary to the book. In a book of such essays they would do fine, but this is a collection of stories, not essays.
While they do not add to the book, I shall not use them to take away from the book. For me the book ends at the end of the previous story.
In building this amazing book, each writer placed his or her own touch on the materials. Perhaps this then compares to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. Each new door opened brings some new surprise. Although the rooms connect and form a house, or in this case a book, each room (story) is individually designed! That is Holmes pure and sweet as lavender honey…
Quoth the Raven…
August 3, 2023
An interesting collection of Holmesian stories! I really enjoyed the variety, and some of the thoughtful notes included as well.
December 5, 2023
Čekal jsem víc. Ani jeden příběh nebyl úplně super no.
August 26, 2024
Taková průměrná antologie, většina povídek vyloženě nenadchne, ale ani neurazí. Navzdory názvu se drtivou většinou jedná o tradiční pastiše, jen tré autorů se odvážilo vydat na pole nadpřirozena, a u jednoho je interpretace značně otevřená...
Nicméně, solidní překlad - jak už je v této edici zvykem - a příjemné počtení.
Hic sunt spoilers:
Loren D. Estleman - Případ se satanem - 4/5
Velmi slibná úvodní povídka. Pacient ústavu pro choromyslné o sobě tvrdí, že je sám Ďábel. Zdárně o tom přesvědčil personál nemocnice, kde se šíří korumpující atmosféra. Holmes se rozhodne zjistit jeho pravou totožnost.
Jon. L. Breen - Přízrak v knihovně - 3/5
Sir Richard Bootcrafter požádá Holmese a Watsona o vyšetření rodinného přízraku zjevujícího se v knihovně rodného sídla a upozorňujícího na aktuální politickou situaci ohledně hnutí sufražetek.
Gillian Linscottová - Příběh zesnulého orangutana - 3/5
Během večeře na Holmesovu počest v Oxfordu vyslechnou Holmes s Watsonem duchařskou historku o přízračném mazlíčkovi předka jednoho z uchazečů o profesorský post. Na místě, kde se zesnulý orangutan údajně zjevuje, dojde později k podezřelé nehodě, kterou policie označí za pokus o sebevraždu, což podnítí Holmesovu zvědavost.
Carolyn Wheatová - Skandál na Drury Lane aneb upíří propadliště - 3/5
V Královském divadle se zjevuje duch. Přivolané médium tvrdí, že jde o obět vraždy. Na místě, které médium označí, se skutečně najde kostra oběti násilného činu. Holmes si je však jistý, že se jedná jen o kouř a zrcadla.
H. Paul Jeffers - Prokletí mumie - 3/5
Náhodné setkání s Watsonovým známým z armády obrátí Holmesovu pozornost na sérii podezřelých okolností stíhající členy nedávno ukončené archeologické expedice.
Colin Bruce - Smrt v East Endu - 4/5
Watson je v době Holmesovi nepřítomnosti požádán o pomoc svým bývalým žákem, který má nyní praxi v East Endu. Strachuje se o pacientku, která se údajně uzdravila, leč její rodina ho k ní odmítá pustit. Watsonovi se podaří přemluvit nejmladšího syna, aby ho vpustil do domu, kde zjistí, že je žena již delší dobu po smrti. Chlapec ale tvrdí, že s ním v noci mluví...
Paula Cohenová - Noční příhoda se psem - 5/5
Dvojice sourozenců záhadně zmizí - námořník Gregory je nezvěstný už dva týdny, a teď se z procházky vrátil jen slepecký pes jeho sestry Ellen. Zoufalá matka požádá o pomoc Holmese s Watsonem.
Daniel Stashower - Seldenova zpověď - 5/5
Uprchlý trestanec Selden líčí v dopise své sestře zvláštní příhodu z druhé búrské války - prvopříčinu jeho morfiové závislosti, která ho nakonec dovedla do vězení - i náhodně odhalenou pravdu ohledně psa baskervillského.
"Tři šilinky na to."
Bill Crider - Ghúl na hřbitově - 3/5
Někdo - či něco - mrzačí čerstvě pohřbené na hřbitově St. Marylebone a hrobník Benjamin Swaraj je přesvědčen, že se jedná o ghúla, kvůli kterému už jednou musel změnit působiště. Požádá proto Holmese o pomoc.
Micheál a Clara Breathnachovi - Případ v Coole Parku - 2/5
Watson s Holmese jsou pozváni do sídla lady Gregoryové v Irsku, na společenskou návštěvu spojenou s diskrétním vyšetřováním podivného chování mladé služky. Krátce po jejich příjezdu zmizí samotná lady Gregoryová. S následným vyšetřováním jim pomáhají přítomní George Bernard Shaw a William Butler Yeats.
Nicméně, solidní překlad - jak už je v této edici zvykem - a příjemné počtení.
Hic sunt spoilers:
Loren D. Estleman - Případ se satanem - 4/5
Velmi slibná úvodní povídka. Pacient ústavu pro choromyslné o sobě tvrdí, že je sám Ďábel. Zdárně o tom přesvědčil personál nemocnice, kde se šíří korumpující atmosféra. Holmes se rozhodne zjistit jeho pravou totožnost.
Jon. L. Breen - Přízrak v knihovně - 3/5
Sir Richard Bootcrafter požádá Holmese a Watsona o vyšetření rodinného přízraku zjevujícího se v knihovně rodného sídla a upozorňujícího na aktuální politickou situaci ohledně hnutí sufražetek.
Gillian Linscottová - Příběh zesnulého orangutana - 3/5
Během večeře na Holmesovu počest v Oxfordu vyslechnou Holmes s Watsonem duchařskou historku o přízračném mazlíčkovi předka jednoho z uchazečů o profesorský post. Na místě, kde se zesnulý orangutan údajně zjevuje, dojde později k podezřelé nehodě, kterou policie označí za pokus o sebevraždu, což podnítí Holmesovu zvědavost.
Carolyn Wheatová - Skandál na Drury Lane aneb upíří propadliště - 3/5
V Královském divadle se zjevuje duch. Přivolané médium tvrdí, že jde o obět vraždy. Na místě, které médium označí, se skutečně najde kostra oběti násilného činu. Holmes si je však jistý, že se jedná jen o kouř a zrcadla.
H. Paul Jeffers - Prokletí mumie - 3/5
Náhodné setkání s Watsonovým známým z armády obrátí Holmesovu pozornost na sérii podezřelých okolností stíhající členy nedávno ukončené archeologické expedice.
Colin Bruce - Smrt v East Endu - 4/5
Watson je v době Holmesovi nepřítomnosti požádán o pomoc svým bývalým žákem, který má nyní praxi v East Endu. Strachuje se o pacientku, která se údajně uzdravila, leč její rodina ho k ní odmítá pustit. Watsonovi se podaří přemluvit nejmladšího syna, aby ho vpustil do domu, kde zjistí, že je žena již delší dobu po smrti. Chlapec ale tvrdí, že s ním v noci mluví...
Paula Cohenová - Noční příhoda se psem - 5/5
Dvojice sourozenců záhadně zmizí - námořník Gregory je nezvěstný už dva týdny, a teď se z procházky vrátil jen slepecký pes jeho sestry Ellen. Zoufalá matka požádá o pomoc Holmese s Watsonem.
Daniel Stashower - Seldenova zpověď - 5/5
Uprchlý trestanec Selden líčí v dopise své sestře zvláštní příhodu z druhé búrské války - prvopříčinu jeho morfiové závislosti, která ho nakonec dovedla do vězení - i náhodně odhalenou pravdu ohledně psa baskervillského.
"Tři šilinky na to."
Bill Crider - Ghúl na hřbitově - 3/5
Někdo - či něco - mrzačí čerstvě pohřbené na hřbitově St. Marylebone a hrobník Benjamin Swaraj je přesvědčen, že se jedná o ghúla, kvůli kterému už jednou musel změnit působiště. Požádá proto Holmese o pomoc.
Micheál a Clara Breathnachovi - Případ v Coole Parku - 2/5
Watson s Holmese jsou pozváni do sídla lady Gregoryové v Irsku, na společenskou návštěvu spojenou s diskrétním vyšetřováním podivného chování mladé služky. Krátce po jejich příjezdu zmizí samotná lady Gregoryová. S následným vyšetřováním jim pomáhají přítomní George Bernard Shaw a William Butler Yeats.
December 10, 2013
With any collection of short stories, there are going to be those that you love and those that you think are real stinkers. "The Ghosts in Baker Street" is no exception.
Among the standouts are "Death in the East End" by Colin Bruce and "The Coole Park Problem" by Micheal & Clare Breathnach.
As a whole the collection is just so-so. Those two stories though make the book worth the effort.
I have reviewed each of the stories separately in the Baker Street Irregulars GR discussion group (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...) in the following thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
BTW, I skipped the three essays at the end of the collection on the recommendation of other reviewers.
3 STARS
Among the standouts are "Death in the East End" by Colin Bruce and "The Coole Park Problem" by Micheal & Clare Breathnach.
As a whole the collection is just so-so. Those two stories though make the book worth the effort.
I have reviewed each of the stories separately in the Baker Street Irregulars GR discussion group (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...) in the following thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
BTW, I skipped the three essays at the end of the collection on the recommendation of other reviewers.
3 STARS
May 30, 2011
I read this in one sitting. ALL the stories were VERY good. Some were EXCELLENT. Selden's Tale (Daniel Stashower, I think?) was TERRIFIC. I would certainly recommend this to a fan of Holmes. Not a cringe in the bunch - which is saying something, in the great world of Holmes pastiche.
October 1, 2011
A very nice collection of Holmes mysteries and three essays. All of the short stories have a super natural twist but stay true to Holmes insistance that "No Ghosts need apply." The Three essays are fairly readable though if you have better things to do you really aren't missing much.
August 5, 2013
I enjoyed the diversity of stories the different authors contributed to the book.
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