ProduktrezensionenThe Consulting Detective Trilogy Part II on Stage Paperback – June 6 2017

Sherlock's acting career

This book is the second of a series of three Sherlockian biography volumes by the author. This volume covers the period from January, 1875 through October, 1876. The first volume is titled “University” and covers Sherlock’s life prior to 1875. The final volume, titled “Montague Street,” will detail events from late 1876 until Holmes and Watson take lodgings in Baker Street.

This is definitely not a set of mysteries penned by Dr. Watson, as are 56 of the Canonical tales. It is not even a story told by Holmes himself, as are two of the Canonical tales (LION, BLAN). Instead, it is a narrative told by an omniscient observer, possibly Mycroft, as are the other two Canonical tales (MAZA, LAST).

Certainly Holmes detects problems and solves mysteries, but mostly this is a narrative about Holmes’ growth. We see him take up a career as an actor and immerse himself in the world of the theater. In several ways, this book is more ‘comfortable’ than the Canonical tales. It is entertaining and readers watch a favorite son learn and grow. There is danger, but it is mostly a bit remote and there are hard lessons, but they require Holmes to learn and to cope.

The characters are interesting and well-drawn, especially Langdale Pike, who appears throughout the narrative. Others appear as well. Both William Gillette and Irene Adler appear briefly, along with a number of stage and law enforcement personnel from the time period.

Holmes is sent down from Sydney Sussex College at Cambridge for causing an explosion in the Chemistry Laboratory. He imposes on Mycroft for lodging and begins a job search to pay the bill for repairs sent by the College. His friend, Langdale Pike, offers to introduce him to Sassanof, who is putting together a company and renovating a theater to produce a series of plays. A tryout results in Holmes, as William Escott, being hired to play Tybalt in “Romeo And Juliet” and other roles in other plays as they are staged by the Company.

When a portion of the renovated theater collapses, Sassanof takes a part of the company, including Escott and Pike, on a tour of America while repairs are made and Holmes has opportunities to expand his own contact with law enforcement and stage personalities. New York, Omaha and San Francisco all provide more opportunities to act and to learn detective skills while paying off his debt to Sydney College.

Reviewed by: Philip K. Jones, June, 2017Vollständige Rezension lesen...

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