221B: Studies in Sherlock Holmes

Edited by Vincent Starrett and first published in 1940, this is an early piece of the Sherlockian great game, with pastiches (Starrett's fine enough "Unique Hamlet"; the soggy, sorry "Sussex Interview" by one P. M. Stone); some research (a fine bit of investigation on whether Holmes had American ties, a good one on his eating habits, but then flaccid ones like the comparison of Holmes and Dr. Johnson). Etc. A very important book for students of Holmes and Sherlockiana, reissued here in Otto Penzler's 1990s "Sherlock Holmes Library" series of paperbacks. It makes me want the other books in the series.

One of the books in Otto Penzler’s Sherlock Holmes Library, a reissue of eight previously hard to find classics from the earlier age of Sherlockiana, it was originally published in 1940. Unlike The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, which was an original composition, Starrett served as editor of this collection of Sherlockiana, contributing only one piece; a pastiche entitled The Adventure of the Unique Hamlet... There are some good reads in 221B: Studies in Sherlock, but it is a mixed bag and not on the same level as Starrett’s Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.
Reviewed by: Bob Byrne, July 2003